With the increase in young people shopping for clothing items that were popular 20-30 years ago there has been a rise in mixing vintage pieces and adding a twist of modernity to create funky ensembles. Notable ultra-niche aesthetics that have been born from such practices are “cottagecore”, “witchcore”, “dark academia” ,and “e-girl/e-boy” among many others. It seems to be a merging of different notable eras. 

• What is cottagecore?  Cottagecore is not only an aesthetic, it’s a movement and a way of life. According to Clever, it is characterized as “ a concept, it embraces a simpler, sustainable existence that is more harmonious with nature and aesthetically, it’s a nod to the traditional English countryside style, romantic and nostalgic”. A popular 90’s staple that helps bring to life this whimsical aesthetic is floral print dresses with ruffles. Popular cottagecore activities include leaving electronics behind and embracing a countryside lifestyle which includes baking bread (particularly sourdough), craft projects like knitting, finding refuge in the great outdoors, creating and maintaining a sustainable garden and having picnics in lush grasslands. Partaking in rural lifestyle activities in part is a reaction against capitalism and our growing time spent stuck in front of a screen, but also relevant to continuing interests in wellness and sustainability. The bigger picture of this aesthetic and way of life is the idea of practicing social consciousness. 
  
  
• Witchcore incorporates some elements of cottagecore with a supernatural twist. Some popular 90’s occult films that have inspired many Depop sellers to hone in on this aesthetic are; The Craft, Adams Family, Practical Magic, and Witches of Eastwick (1987). Silk slip dresses and doc martens have made a major comeback in recent years and are highly associated with the witchcore aesthetic. Witchcore is a subculture linked to everything witchy. It is clothing as well as lifestyle practices and even home decor.
  
  The grunge craze in the ’90s has made its way over and has been given a modern rewrite to become a key component in this aesthetic. White collard shirts layered under velvet tops, as well as long dark floral maxi skirts. Fishnets have made a major comeback and are being layered under dresses. Also, you can’t mention grunge without acknowledging the importance of chokers in the official grunge look. The witchy queen herself Stevie Nicks has impacted this young generation with her enchanting fashion sense. The ’70s are being incorporated with iconic pieces such as bell-bottom pantsuits. Depop sellers have created many versions of witchcore and all include layering to create funky modern looks with elements of fashion’s past. Elements of layering include intricate black lace, flowy capes and bell-sleeve dresses, necklaces, rings and the use of gemstones and energizing crystals.
  
  However, witchcore is more than just the clothes you wear, it is a lifestyle with feminist origins and has become a community for some. Many young women identify with the witchcore aesthetic and witchy lifestyle because it aligns with feminist values such as female empowerment, autonomy over our (women’s) own bodies, and living life by your own standards and rules. Activities that are commonly partaken in by people in this community are tarot readings, practices of Feng Shui, and even practising spellwork for protection or manifestation.   
  
  
• Dark academia is an aesthetic and a subculture embracing the nostalgia of early to mid-20th century life in academia. The dark academia inspiration stems from Oxford University and Ivy League Universities in the United States. It’s a romanticization of art, philosophy and the yearning for knowledge. There is also an emphasis on the prep-school experience, like what we see on television shows like Queens Gambit, Peaky Blinders and movies like Dead Poets Society. I know you’re wondering what is it that “makes it so dark?”. This aesthetic appears to give a moody and mysterious vibe with its dark colour palette. You can effortlessly combine this aesthetic with a murder mystery, like in the blockbuster movie Kill Your Darlings (2013). Clothing items associated with the dark academia aesthetic are; blazers, cardigans, long coats, plaid skirts, knitted sweaters, oxford shoes, button-up shirts, turtle necks, and plaid skirts/ trousers. There is a very specific colour palette incorporated in this specific look; the colours include dark neutrals, black, brown, dark green and different shades of grey. Typical activities associated with dark academia life are; learning a dead language, sketching strangers on your daily commute, learning the piano and visiting art galleries or old cathedrals. Dark academia has the key values of intelligence, curiosity and existentialism among many others. 
  
  
•  E-girl/boy rewrites 90’s goth with a virtual modern twist. The term “e-girl, combines the two words “electronic” and “girl”. E-girl/boy fashion staples include mesh shirts, colourful hair clips such as butterfly hair clips from the ’90s, Sailor Moon skirts, bulky collars, facial piercings, and 2000’s-esque graphic crop tops; on e-boys you’ll notice long messy hair that has been dyed with pastel or neon colours, chains, and high-waisted pants, though it’s worth noting that to be an e-boy or an e-girl does not exclude from identifying as non-binary, it’s important to note that both styles transcend gender. Other popular clothing items for this fashion niche include black cargo pants, wallet chains, chunky black belts, oversized graphic tees, and short pleated skirts. A theme in the e-girl/boy community is flashes of anime, skate culture, cosplay and hello kitty. The most notable look for an e-girl/boy, will incorporate bold hair colours and distinct placements for the artificial hair colour to create bold patterns. The colours for hair include lime green, pink, or half-black, half-white hair, red and purple. These hair colours can oftentimes be seen combined to create a unique look, or a single colour will be used on a strip of hair for a bold statement. E-girls will almost always incorporate glamorous winged eyeliner with bold eye makeup looks that portray an almost cartoon-like version of themselves. An e-girls clothes are most-likely thrifted from Depop or other alternative shops.