Fashion changes its face on a daily basis, and now it’s romantic. No longer confined to streetwear or fleeting trends, it takes inspiration from the characters of myth and story: poets whose sharpest weapons are their loving words, and pirates whose swords carve paths across the unknown. Piratecore and Poetcore dive into the romanticisation of historical clothes and bring back clothing essentially what ‘old time’ pirates and poets would wear. But what exactly is poetcore and piratecore, and why is it trending now?
Victorian Drama Meets Modern Fashion
Photograph: (Getty Images)
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Piratecore doesn’t literally mean wearing an eye patch or wielding a sword. Instead, it reimagines the romantic, adventurous spirit of pirate fashion through a modern lens. Think ruffled shirts, fringe belts, bandana hats, corsets, lace, and weathered boots—elements that blend historical charm with contemporary style. It radiates cool girl energy while also radiating medieval energy. In a world where fashion has no strict rules, Piratecore encourages bold self-expression, creativity, and a touch of drama. It’s all about layering, experimenting, and embracing individuality. More than just a trend, Piratecore transforms clothing into a form of storytelling, bringing art into fashion as an extension of imagination, personality, and freedom.
Rich Colours, Bold Impact: Mastering Poetcore Hues
Photograph: (Instagram via @jennaortega)
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Poetcore refers to an aesthetic which is romantic and intellectual, while being soft at the same time. Imagine a literary character, but not the one in the books, rather the one behind it. It embraces nostalgia and a sense of sophistication. Rich, moody colours are the centre of this aesthetic. While it revolves around muted tones and neutral colours, it is impactful and elevates the outfits. eep burgundy, forest green, navy, chocolate brown, plum, and antique gold evoke the atmosphere of candlelit libraries, worn leather-bound books, and ink-stained manuscripts. These darker, saturated tones are often paired with softer neutrals such as cream, ivory, and beige to create balance and depth. At its core, Poetcore is about dressing with intention and imagination.
Velvet To Lace: Mastering Textile Combinations
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Chloé A/W 2024 Photograph: (Getty Images)
Fashion is not just about the silhouette and fit of the ensemble, but also the texture. The different textiles that are centred around poetcore and piratecore can transform the simplest look into a romantic, plush, and opulent style, balancing the richness and delicacy. It’s all about knowing what to pair your fits with. Imagine a suede vest with a lace undertop or a velvet blazer with a ruffled cotton shirt. While on paper these textiles seem so vastly different, the fluidity and the pairing of these contrasting fabrics give the outfit more personality. Leather and silk, denim and chiffon, wool and satin, or linen and embroidery can create outfits that feel layered and intentional. The goal is to allow each texture to complement the other rather than compete for attention.
Finishing Touches: Accessories That Elevate The Look
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Photograph: (Getty Images)
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Accessories can make or break a look, and in the Poetcore and Piratecore aesthetic, it is everything. We don’t just mean bracelets and earrings, but belts, bandanas, silk scarves, lace gloves, and leather boots. Poetcore and Piratecore revolve around layering with accessories. Your garb is just a starter. Mary Janes, lace socks, hats, ties – it’s how far you can go with each aspect, from the jewellery to footwear. In Poetcore and Piratecore, the beauty lies in the details—the more thoughtfully layered, the more personal and expressive the look becomes.
Modern Meets Theatrical: The Balance Technique
Chloé Winter 2025 Photograph: (Chloé)
These attires take us back to our middle school plays, some of our favourite movies and books, and, more importantly, back to ourselves. Piratecore and Poetcore are centred around creating an aesthetic that feels like an extravagant costume, yet also a simple, breezy look. It’s about expressing your inner drama-kid through your clothes, trying out new things and balancing them. While it can give historical and elegant energy, it also emits a certain edgy, bold style that feels personal and unique to one’s own experience.
FAQ’s
How do modern-day pirates dress?
Modern-day Piratecore isn’t about costumes or historical accuracy. Instead, it combines romantic seafaring influences with contemporary fashion through ruffled shirts, oversized blouses, corsets, waistcoats, bandanas, leather belts, statement boots, and layered jewellery. The aesthetic embraces adventure, individuality, and dramatic styling while remaining wearable for everyday fashion.
What are the key elements of each outfit style?
Poetcore focuses on romance, creativity, and literary elegance through billowy shirts, lace details, tailored trousers, waistcoats, long skirts, and rich fabrics. Piratecore incorporates similar historical influences but leans into rugged adventure with corsets, bandanas, belts, boots, and layered accessories. Both aesthetics celebrate texture, storytelling, and self-expression.
How are jewel tones used in fashion?
Jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple, and deep burgundy add richness and sophistication to fashion. These saturated colours create visual depth, elevate simple silhouettes, and complement luxurious fabrics like velvet and lace. They are often used to evoke elegance, drama, and timeless appeal.
