The Longing For A Simple Life
Why are many of us increasingly drawn to a lifestyle inspired by simplicity, authenticity, and rural nostalgia? From spending weekends in lakeside cottages to working remotely from ranch-style homes, there’s a longing to reconnect with nature, tradition, and a slower pace of life.
Cowboy Boots: A must-have statement. Photo: Slow Culture Cafe, 2025
The Cultural Shift: Why the “Simple Life” Is So Attractive Right Now
In today’s hyper-digital world, where notifications never stop and city life feels increasingly expensive and overwhelming, many of us are dreaming of something simpler. Instead of fast fashion hauls and hectic nights out, we imagine slow mornings in a lakeside cottage, knitting a scarf while sipping black coffee, or pulling on suede cowboy boots before a walk through golden autumn fields.
This nostalgia for simplicity isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s a cultural movement. Known online through aesthetics like cottagecore, grandmacore, and Westerncore, the trend is redefining what it means to live well.
Jeans and boots are versatile enough for daily life, while activities like cooking from the backyard or crocheting offer a sense of grounding in an unstable world.
Culturally, this signals a shift away from “hustle culture.” Instead of glorifying being busy, more of us are celebrating slow living, intentional choices, and finding beauty in traditions once dismissed as “old-fashioned.”
Fashion at the Crossroads: Cowboy Boots, Denim, and Prairie Elegance
Fashion has always mirrored social moods, and the current Western-inspired aesthetic is no exception. Now we see the trend of combining rugged practicality with modern elegance, resulting in outfits that transition seamlessly from cottage weekends to city evenings.
Cowboy Boots: A must-have statement. Whether suede beige, classic brown, or bold red leather, they instantly add character. Brands like Tecovas, Ariat, and Lucchese lead the way with handcrafted boots blending comfort and heritage.
Denim Staples: High-rise jeans, denim skirts, and tucked-in skinny jeans paired with boots are timeless. Levi’s and Wrangler offer versatile fits that feel fresh yet rooted in tradition.
Prairie Dresses: Flowing floral midi dresses or minimalist linen shirt-dresses balance rugged footwear. Reformation and Christy Dawn create sustainably made options with a vintage flair.
Workwear Jackets & Flannels: Functional and stylish layers, especially from Carhartt or L.L.Bean, finish the look.
Beyond Fashion: Food, Music, and Mindful Living
This nostalgia extends far beyond wardrobe choices. We are reclaiming rituals that center health, creativity, and authenticity.
Cooking from the Backyard: From herb gardens to raised beds, choose natural ingredients. Think: tomatoes from the backyard turned into homemade pasta sauce, or backyard basil blended into pesto.
Clean, Simple Drinks: Gen Z and Millennials drink less alcohol than previous generations. Instead, they embrace slow sips of pour-over coffee, kombucha, or sparkling water with fresh citrus.
Handcraft Revival: Crochet, knitting, and sewing are no longer old-fashioned. They are creative outlets that offer mindfulness and reduce stress, with communities thriving on TikTok and Instagram under the #grandmacore and #cottagecore tags.
Indie Folk Soundtracks: Artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Kahan, and Taylor Swift’s Folklore album embody the yearning for nature and narrative-driven simplicity.
This lifestyle isn’t about rejecting modernity, but rather about integrating balance—choosing mindful traditions alongside the conveniences of urban life.
Media and Pop Culture: The Yellowstone Effect and Beyond
The popularity of Yellowstone has accelerated the mainstream appeal of the Western lifestyle. The show’s portrayal of ranch life and rugged family dynamics sparked a Westerncore fashion boom. The trend across North America to browse cowboy boot lines at Wrangler or Lucchese after binge-watching Kevin Costner ride across Montana landscapes shows how much attraction this Western Saga has gotten.
This isn’t the first time media inspired such shifts: also the 1980s Urban Cowboy craze reshaped fashion and lifestyle choices. Today, social media aesthetics like #slowliving amplify the trend, offering visual storytelling that millions consume daily.
Returning to Roots in Modern Times
For many of us, this revival of rural simplicity is about more than fashion—it’s about reclaiming peace, authenticity, and joy in everyday life. Whether through boots and denim, handmade meals, or mindful rituals, the movement speaks to a desire for balance between modern pressures and timeless traditions.
