Earthcore (also referred to as the Granola aesthetic) is a style that focuses on appreciation of nature, while continuing the advancement of technology. Earthcore emphasizes themes of sustainability and highlights the importance of a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. It likely began to emerge after the 2nd industrial revolution during the environmentalist and hippie counterculture movements. It was during this time when people began to see the negative effects caused by industrialization and urbanization, and these movements lead the efforts to return to more natural products and connect with nature. Although these movements took place in the mid-late 20th century, the earthcore aesthetic didn’t take form until the 2010s.
[1] Backpacking Through the Mountains [2] Outdoor Rock Climbing
Earthcore shares many similarities with other mainstream aesthetics and may have taken inspiration from styles such as cottagecore and naturecore. However, they do have differences. Naturecore focuses on the appreciation and beauty of natural nature, while cottagecore is an idealized interpretation of a pre-industrial western life. The style builds off of the ideals of the 60s and 70s counter movements involving connection with the Earth, and the bohemian theme of freedom and self expression. Earthcore also has ties with adventurecore and campcore. These aesthetics promote exploration and connecting with the outdoors. People who align with earthcore are often passionate about protecting the environment and enjoy being active in nature. People living a “granola lifestyle” typically appreciate and admire nature in all kinds of ways; whether that be summiting a mountain, exploring a national park, skiing, spending a night hammocking under the stars, or mountain biking.
[3] Example of an Earthcore Outfit [4] Main Color Scheme
Outfits that showcase the granola aesthetic often include corduroy, denim, and outdoor sportswear. Common patterns are plaid or floral, and typically have blue, green, and earthy colors. Outfits may also be handmade or purchased secondhand. This style of clothing usually prioritizes comfort, durability, and warmth (optimal for outdoor activities like hiking). As shown in the image above, boots, pants, flannels, and sweaters may be found as part of an earthcore outfit. This aesthetic also incorporates brands that prioritize ethics and sustainability, such as Patagonia and Birkenstocks. A consequence of more sustainable and durable clothing is that these products are likely to be more expensive. In addition, access to outdoor gear (for climbing, skiing, etc.) is also expensive. This may make the aesthetic more difficult to explore in impoverished communities. As this style continues to gain popularity, prices will continue to rise, further limiting the opportunity for people to explore and experience nature.
[5] Example of an Earthcore Bedroom
As shown in the figure above, interior decor will likely include upcycled goods and indoor plants. This style essentially attempts to bring a piece of the outdoors into your daily living space. Examples include tapestries, candles, maps, fairy lights, macrame, monstera plants, and polaroid photos. Similar to the fashion, decoration typically involves natural, earthy tones, giving the person inside a relaxed and comforting feel. This aesthetic is common in regions adjacent to beautiful natural areas as opposed to more isolated, urban areas. Earthcore has infiltrated mainstream culture such that you’re likely to encounter someone sporting this style when going about your daily activities. As technology, outdoor accessibility, and sustainability continue to change, so will the earthcore aesthetic.
Citations:
[1] Ahnika, 2023, https://www.everythingahnika.com/sustainable-living-on-a-budget-embrace-the-granola-girl-aesthetic-without-breaking-the-bank/
[2] Casey Cartwright, 2022, https://sierrarecmagazine.com/article/three-outdoor-rock-climbing-tips-for-your-first-time/
[3] lemonycatapult, N/A, https://shoplook.io/outfit-preview/5257743
[4] schemecolor, N/A, https://www.schemecolor.com/muted-earthy-tones.php
[5] Twitter Inc., N/A, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/725501821220046643/
[6] Aesthetics Wiki, N/A, https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Earthcore
Note: Featured photo was taken by myself
4 Comments. Leave new
Hello Eric, I thought you had a very insightful post, that effectively explained the Earth core aesthetic. I really liked the picture of the bedroom that embodied Earth core and think it would be something that would be cool to further explore. Since so many people nowadays are glued to your phone, I feel like this is an inspirational aesthetic, that encourages people to go and enjoy the outdoors.
Thanks for the comment Brenton! I elaborated a bit more on the section that talks about the interior decoration, pointing out similarities with the fashion design. I definitely like how earthcore promotes sustainability and exploring nature. My personal style also has some overlap with this aesthetic, which is partially the reason it stood out to me.
Awesome post! I personally love this aesthetic. Your writing was very thorough, and the way that you used images to convey what you were saying about the aesthetic was very effective. The earth tones color scheme next to the examples of clothing and accessories allows the reader to see the theory put into practice. My only critique would be some very minor style choices in your writing, but that is me being really nitpicky. Overall fantastic post; very enjoyable read.
Hi Cason, thank you for the feedback! I looked back over the post and added a few changes that hopefully made the writing a bit more fluid. I also really like this aesthetic and am glad I was able to showcase it well!