Hello, and welcome to 15 fairycore design details that you can incorporate in your wardrobe today so you can feel like a fairy even in your every day life. I hope this non-exhaustive list will inspire you to add some fairycore flair to your life and make you excited to get ready in the morning. Whether you have to wear an unflattering uniform because you’re still in school or at a boring job, or have a strict corporate dress code without much room for individuality. There are also some design details that are DIY friendly. So you can make them at home and maybe even give as gifts or even sell!
Some of the images used in this blog post are from rawpixel.com. If you sign up to Rawpixel using my link, I may get a free business plan, at no extra cost to you.
1. Asymmetry
This first design detail isn’t to suggest that you throw out all of your other clothes that are undoubtedly symmetrical. But rather that you widen your horizons and search of uneven or drapey hemlines since they give off a more organic, relaxed vibe.
If you’re in a DIY mood (and feeling brave) you can even cut the hem of a skirt or dress or any other garment that you already own to give it some new life.
This satin slip dress with organza ruffles is one of my 1st projects to incorporate asymmetry (and some other fairycore design details) and I love how it turned out.
2. Beautiful Buttons
Changing out the buttons is a cheap way to give any cardigan some fairycore flair. Yes, buttons are a small detail, but if your overall style is more minimal or if you’re just in the mood for something whimsical but still lowkey, this kind of DIY is just perfect!
3. Crochet & Knit
For most people, it’s pretty easy to incorporate knitted clothing into your wardrobe. But for a true fairycore vibe I think it’s best to have garments that are knitted with a thicker yarn such as sweaters. Although this is more suitable for cooler weather obviously. But as a reader of this blog you’re probably more into the DIY side of things and knitted/crocheted garments add a lovely organic vibe that is perfect for a fairy like you. I have plenty of FREE crochet tutorials such as the flower socks, daisy stitch beanie, and adjustable crochet top with a heart cutout (you can find the link in the next section called Cheeky Cutouts). And of course the lace-up crochet top with 2 flowers, pictured below.
Of course, you can also have knitted/crochet accessories such as hair accessories or even a handbag like my crochet flower bag. Which is perfect to carry around all your bits and bobs and still feel like a fairy.
4. Cheeky Cutouts
Cutouts are another fairycore design detail that can be DIYed to give your existing clothes some new life. You can make your cutouts all sort of shapes from simple slashes to even a heart, like the one pictured in the green and purple crochet top. There is a free step by step tutorial for this crochet top with a heart cutout over here.
5. Drawstrings/Ribbons
Now, earlier I did mention drawstrings, which I define as ribbons with function. The function being holding a garment closed. I would say that ribbons are purely decorative but still give some fairy flair to any garment or outfit. In my summery trousers I mainly used ribbons to hold the sides of the trousers together so that they are cool and breezy for the summer.
6. Embroidery
This is yet another fairycore design detail that is DIY friendly, as long as you have the correct needles and thread, of course. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to fairycore embroidery which you can find here. Embroidery is a lovely way to give clothes you already own some new life, or even to personalise a gift for a friend.
As always, you can also buy clothes which are already embroidered such as these dark grey jeans with purple flowers that are my favourite jeans. Or, you can sew your own clothes using fabric that is already embroidered such as this maxi tiered skirt I made from a duvet cover that had embroidered butterflies.
7. Florals
Florals in the fairycore aesthetic…groundbreaking I know. But it was just too obvious to leave out so here it is. Floral prints tend to come in all shapes and sizes. A ditsy floral print looks more formal than a larger floral print but it’s important to consider colours as well when you choose your clothes. There are so many different kinds of floral prints: from damask to paisley to retro, you’re sure to find something that will suit your unique taste.
8. Lace
Lace is another stereotypical fairycore design detail. In my opinion fairycore is a style that incorporates both modern and vintage aspects of fashion and lace is definitely one of those aspects. At least visually speaking since most lace is mass-produced by machine nowadays. But wearing an item of clothing made from lace or even just having a lace trim gives a lovely vintage vibe to any outfit.
9. Patchwork
You can have an entire garment made of patchwork, such as these elasticated pants with pockets I made, or just add patches to existing garments. Even if your clothes don’t have a stain or hole that needs to be mended.
10. Ruffles
Ruffles are a lovely fairycore trim that can be added to any garment, usually, but not always, on the neckline or hems. They move as you move and are perfect for you if your style leans more feminine. Ruffles can be gathered, pleated, or cut like a circle skirt. For my red floral maxi dress tutorial, I chose to do a gathered ruffle on the hem as you can see in the photo.
11. Semi-transparent or Sheer Fabrics
Fabrics that are somewhat transparent are the reminiscent of insect or fairy wings so they are an essential fairycore design detail. These fabric can elevate even the simplest of garment to have a delicate, ethereal vibe. You can’t get much more fairycore than that. There are even sheer fabrics that are also printed!
12. Shiny Fabrics
Shimmery fabrics add a magical touch to end the simplest of garments which is perfect for lovers of the fairycore aesthetic. Sadly, the vast majority of shiny fabrics tend to be synthetic, unless you wear genuine leather I suppose. Examples include crushed velvet, taffeta, lamé, satin, as seen in the photo of the camisole, and many more.
13. Sparkly Embellishments
There are a few ways to incorporate this fairycore design detail into your wardrobe: from sequins to glitter to dazzling jewellery. It all depends on your style, budget and the occasion for which you are dressing for, of course. If your style or dress code is more lowkey you can simply add a small sequin trim to a neckline or hem but if you can and want to go all out you could have an entire sequined dress!
Image by rawpixel.com
14. Tie-Dye
Tie-dye is an awesome way to give a light coloured garment some new life. As long as the garment is made from a natural fibre, of course. This is a favourite DIY of mine when it comes to making gifts for my loved ones. I love to choose colours that suit everyone’s personality. Although I will say that darker colours tend to work out best when it comes to tie dye. So make sure to keep that in mind. There are also many folding and tying techniques to create different patterns for your tie-dye projects.
15. Unfinished/Raw Hems
Lastly, we have the unfinished/raw hem fairycore design detail. Unfinished hems add a casual, organic vibe to any outfit. This is a very easy one to DIY since you just need a pair of scissors and the item of clothing. Using the scissors, you can just undo the hem of any jeans you own. Maybe sew a line so that the bottom of your jeans doesn’t completely fall apart! Unless that’s the look you are going for of course.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
And that’s all for today folks. Rest assured that I will update this blog post with more tips on how to dress fairycore on a semi-regular basis. In the meantime you can let me know via the comment section below if there are any aspects to the fairycore aesthetic that I left out.
Lots of love & light,
Maria