Rustic is an aesthetic based around rustic themes, or farms, and is generally a romanticized version of rural living. Generally this aesthetic imitates the style of the American Midwest, although portrayals can vary by region. A non-US version of this aesthetic comes from the Gaucho culture from Argentina and other regions of South America, especially southern Brazil. In latin america, the attitude of holding gaucho values and lifestyle in high regard is ofter referred to as chucrismo or gauchismo.
History[]
By definition, Rusticcore has no real origin. The word “rustic” simply means something related to rural living and the countryside. However, the rise of the modern Rustic aesthetic can be traced back to the North American colonies in the 18th and 19th centuries. The style had been previously used in parts of Europe and England, but was popularized in large part due to the writings of Andrew Jackson Downing, a prominent landscape designer and horticulturalist.
Values[]
The gauchos are known for their courage, their dominion of nature and most importantly their individual freedom. Although they hold a strong catholic belief, they respect and fear the mythology of the natives, specially their cryptids, such as goblins, ghost lights or the pombero.
Visuals[]
Unlike Cottagecore (which has, for the most part, a "cleaner" look), Rusticcore openly embraces the grit, dirt, and grime that often is associated with farm life and rural living and giving it a sort of Grunge vibe. Additionally, Rusticcore has a more stereotypically “masculine” feel in comparison to Cottagecore’s more stereotypically “feminine” feel. Common visuals in the aesthetic include:
- Farmhouses
- Cabins
- Unfinished wooden furniture
- Old or rusty tools
- Taxidermy such as deer heads
- Fireplaces
- Farm animals, especially horses and cows. In gaucho culture, it is also common to raise black pigs and allow a large flock of breedless chicken to roam freely around the homestead. Cocks are sometimes also raised for cockfighting.
- Rural landscapes
Fashion[]
Rusticcore fashion is made up of practical, work clothes and/or homemade clothing made of simple materials such as wool and cotton. Fall colors, especially browns and reds are key. Rusticcore fashion shares some overlap with Grunge, since a lot of original Grunge fashion was clothing that farmers and people like that wore because the clothing was intended to be long-lasting to be able to handle the wear and tear of the rigors of working on the farm. Common aspects of rustic fashion include:
- Plaid
- Denim
- Jeans
- Overalls
- Work Boots or Tennis Shoes
- Knit Sweaters
- Wool Socks
- Leather Belts
Activities[]
Most activities associated with the Rusticcore aesthetic involve things that would be usually be done in rural areas and farms.
- Woodworking and Carpentry
- Sewing, Knitting or Crocheting
- Gardening
- Raising farm animals such as chickens and cows
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Playing Guitar
- Stargazing
Media[]
Movies[]
- Stand by Me (1986)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
- Babe (1995)
- The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
- When Evil Lurks (2023)
TV Series[]
- Lassie (1954-1974)
- Heartland (2007-)
- Anne with an E (2017-2019)
- Yellowstone (2018-)
- Reservation Dogs (2021-)
Literature[]
- Heidi by Johanna Spyri
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (series)
- A Mercy by Toni Morrison
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
- Shane by Jack Schaefer
- Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
- Martín Fierro by José Hernández
- Don Segundo Sombra by Ricardo Güiraldes
- Juan Moreira by Eduardo Gutiérrez
- Santos Vega by Rafael Obligado
Music[]
A lot of Rusticcore music involves folksy, acoustic music and has generally a loose, improvisational feel to it, like a bunch of friends gathered together on the front porch with whatever they could find and just have a jam session. In gaucho culture, the theme of war and bravery is more prevalent than in it's north american counterpart. Country and Folk are the genres most strongly associated with Rusticcore. Popular bands and artists include:
- The Crane Wives
- The Oh Hellos
- Taylor Swift
- Dolly Parton
- Bon Iver
- Lord Huron
- Winter Aid
- The Civil Wars
- Brandi Carlile
Sources[]
https://heald.nga.gov/mediawiki/index.php/Rustic_style
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson_Downing
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rustic_furniture?searchToken=6n03pod6jnnv5d9fzx6wnw32h
Gallery[]
