What is the Castle Core trend?
Castle core or mostly written as Castlecore is the new Medieval trend!
Imagine stepping into a storybook world where ivy climbs old stone walls, candlelight flickers in grand halls, and life moves at the pace of a lute melody. Castlecore is all about romanticising medieval and renaissance-inspired living — think crumbling castles, poetic solitude, and slow, enchanted days.
If you’ve ever wanted to read by a stained-glass window in a velvet cloak or sip tea in a turret, congratulations — you’re already halfway to Castlecore.
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The Castlecore Aesthetic: A Quick Look
Castlecore is like Cottagecore’s moodier, aristocratic cousin. It blends elements of history, fantasy, and fairytale life. Here’s what you might find in a typical Castlecore daydream:
Gothic architecture & castle ruins
Candlelit libraries and secret staircases
Weathered stone, velvet drapes, and wrought iron
Aesthetic scrolls, wax seals, and quills
Dramatic capes, corsets, cloaks & medieval-inspired fashion
Feasts of bread, cheese, berries, and goblets of… grape juice (or maybe wine)
Get some wall sconces, it might also save on your lecky bill! I found these on Ebay – I found that was a great place to look for all things Castlecore.
Layer velvet pillows and cushions, heavy drapes, lace table runners, and wool throws. Mix materials like wrought iron, aged wood, brass, and stone to evoke that medieval castle feeling.
Forget pictures and posters on your walls, start hanging some woven tapestries there instead. Like this one of a Knight galloping along.
What to Wear if You're Castlecore at Heart
You don’t have to move into a literal castle (although… tempting). Just weave some of these pieces into your wardrobe:
Capes and cloaks – Bonus points for hoods and embroidery
Puff-sleeved dresses or poet shirts
Corset-style tops or waistcoats
Long skirts and flowing layers
Lace, velvet, brocade, and earthy tones
Leather boots that look like they’ve walked many a moor
You could start wearing capes! This pattern might come in handy.
This will go nicely with your cape.
How to Live Your Best Castlecore Life
Write letters with a quill and seal them with wax
Visit a real castle or ruined abbey for inspo
Decorate with tapestries, candles, and wrought iron finds
Learn to bake rustic bread or pour your tea from a proper teapot
Listen to medieval lute music or Gregorian chants while journaling
Read fantasy novels or dive into Arthurian legends
Watch your favorite castles-on-screen (hi, Pride and Prejudice, The Witcher, or Beauty and the Beast)
I love this Silver Sword Bookmark, that’s pretty castlecore.
You could either hire someone to sit in the corner and play the lute, or you could learn the lute yourself – or I find it easier to play a lute music CD
You could take your mind to the Castlecore imagery with this colouring book from Waterstones.
Final Thoughts
Castlecore isn’t just a vibe — it’s a fantasy lifestyle for dreamers, romantics, and history lovers alike. Whether you’re creating an enchanted reading nook, shopping for a velvet cloak, or just quoting Shakespeare to your cat, you’re keeping the magic alive.