what is the difference between down home country style and cottage core?

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Down home country style and cottagecore have some overlap but distinct differences in their origins, aesthetics, and cultural contexts:
Down Home Country Style:

Rooted in authentic rural American life and traditions
Emphasizes practicality and function over aesthetics
Features weathered wood, vintage farm equipment, mason jars, quilts
Colors tend to be more muted - barn reds, faded blues, natural wood tones
Often includes elements like galvanized metal, burlap, and repurposed items
Celebrates actual farming/ranching heritage and rural lifestyle
More masculine or gender-neutral in presentation
Focus on durability and "make-do" mentality

Cottagecore:

Internet-born aesthetic movement that romanticizes rural life
Prioritizes visual appeal and Instagram-worthy presentation
Features florals, gingham, vintage china, handmade crafts, fresh flowers
Colors are softer - pastels, creams, sage greens, dusty pinks
Emphasizes activities like baking bread, gardening, preserving food
Celebrates an idealized, often European-inspired countryside
Tends to have more feminine presentation
Focus on slowing down, self-sufficiency, and escaping modern life

Key distinction: Country style comes from people who actually lived rurally out of necessity, while cottagecore is largely urban/suburban people choosing to adopt rural-inspired aesthetics for lifestyle and wellness reasons. Country style is more about authenticity and practicality, while cottagecore is more about aspiration and aesthetics.
Both celebrate simpler living, but from different starting points and with different end goals.