14 Cottagecore Prom Dresses That Are Completely and Utterly Romantic
Right this way for literally *all* the ruffles.
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Picture this: you're sipping tea on top of an ivory picnic blanket in a grassy meadow, surrounded by wildflowers. Your makeup is dewy, and your dress is a ruffled pastel gown that matches the blooms all around you, dancing in the warm breeze. You listen to the birds chirp as you feel the glow of the sun on your face. That, my friends, is cottagecore — a nature-inspired, romantic aesthetic that was practically made for prom dresses.
The picnic-chic look has been booming over the past few years both on social media and IRL. The trend has become so popular, in fact, that it's already saturated the prom scene where retailers are making space in their stock of formal gowns for large lace ruffles, dainty floral prints, and soft pastel hues — design details that look straight out of a 19th century tea party. As for where to shop for cottagecore prom dresses, you'll want to hit up O.G. brands like LoveShackFancy, For Love & Lemons, and Free People, as well as Etsy and even Amazon (yup, Amazon sells prom dresses).
We've gathered some of the best tea party gowns into a handy-dandy list for easy browsing, so keep scrolling to check out some of the cutest cottagecore prom dresses below. 💐
The off-the-shoulder neckline and puffy sleeve combo is peak cottagecore — accessorizing this dress with a fresh flower crown is an absolute must.
Avoid a trip to the tailor and take a more non-traditional route by going super short for prom with Selkie's iconic puff dress.
Behold: the entire cottagecore starter pack in one single dress. The neutral tones and artistic florals look straight out of a Renaissance painting.
If your goal is to look like a walking garden fairy, we found the perfect embroidered dress for you to achieve your mystical, magical dreams.
A flock of cartoon birds should be helping you get into this gown, because it's giving strong Cinderella energy. The light-as-air tulle is so dreamy.
Not exaggerating at all when we say that this is the literal dress of our dreams. *Cue the TikTok sound that goes "this...is a work of art."*
Looking for a more sustainable way to find a prom dress? Try renting one, which allows you to potentially snag a pricey dress for much cheaper. We're particularly into this forest-y floral gown, but your rental options are truly endless.
If you’re not a fan of floral, an all-tulle gown gives the same cottagecore energy but in a chicer, more understated way.
Cottagecore, meet Euphoria. Thanks to the cutout and short length of this low-key angelic look, there's a bit of subtle edge.
Not into the picnic vibe? Keep things subtle (but still cottagecore) with a silky polka-dot slip dress with cap sleeves and a vintage-inspired cream lace trim.
Super sweet floral ruffles mix with a lingerie-inspired corset and a side slit for a #HotGirl take on the cottagecore trend.
You'll be ready for prom (or, you know, a frolic through a field of wildflowers) in no time with this soft tea-length gown. The little buttons down the front? Too cute for words.
If cottagecore existed during Shakespearian times, Juliet would've been allllll over this dress. The delicately beaded detailing and empire waistline are a match made in heaven.
A vibrant, watercolor floral print makes this statement gown feel more retro-cool. Pair with a statement necklace for max impact.
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
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