So many types of aesthetics are popular right now. From Cottagecore to Light Academia, you’ve probably encountered them on TikTok, Pinterest, or even real life.
But, did you know there are more aesthetics?
In case you don’t know what aesthetics are, let me give you the most accurate and succinct definition I’ve found:
“Aesthetics in its modern usage are visual, artistic, or lifestyle elements, popularized on a digital community or social media, that reflect a specific expression, mood, identity, or sense of community.”
Usually, an aesthetic is represented through photos, fashion, decor, quotes, and names.
There’s no better time than now to change things up or even get a new aesthetic for your room, phone, or as a gift.
In this post, I will give you the ultimate list of aesthetics, updated for 2023. They will be organized by category, and they will have collections of pictures, to give you an idea of the aesthetic. There will also be a succinct summary so that you can quickly understand what it’s about.
Feel free to pin this to post Pinterest for a reference. Regular updates will be made as well.
Alright! So onto the good stuff.
Types of Aesthetics
Each aesthetic has a type, identified by a suffix or compound identifier.
For example, core aesthetics like “Cottagecore” have the suffix “-core.” Academias like “Light Academia” have the identifier, “Academia.”
Before we dive into the list, I’d like to briefly explain the types of aesthetics:
Academia
Academia aesthetics center around the themes and lifestyle of school, university, or academic settings including learning and studying.
The attire, lifestyle, and overall themes for Academia are classy, well-organized, prestigious, and often preppy. Some academias depict Greco-Roman classical elements, but this is not required.
Core
Core aesthetics or “Cores” represent the essential qualities of a specific concept or lifestyle and its corresponding mood(s). Most internet aesthetics fall under this type of aesthetic.
You can identify them by the -core suffix at the end.
Subculture
Subculture aesthetics focus primarily on the lifestyle-visuals elements of a subculture and make new derivatives of them.
For example, take the punk aesthetic. Any derivatives are identified by the -punk suffix, as is the case with Cyberpunk, Steampunk, and Pastelpunk.
Wave
Wave aesthetics center on nostalgic pop culture, tech culture, and consumer culture themes from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
They are identified by their bright or neon colors and -wave suffix. Most are music-based, but this is not required.
Nature Aesthetics
A nature aesthetic will have themes and motifs typically associated with nature and nature-oriented lifestyles. This could include, plants, fungi, large bodies of water, animals, and the atmosphere.
*These are among the most popular types of aesthetics right now. Especially, because spring season is here!
Bloomcore
The Bloomcore nature-based aesthetic focuses on flowers, especially in an abundant, colorful quantity. Often times, there is an emphasis on flowers overtaking natural landscapes, homes, cars, and other objects in a beautiful way.
Flowercore and Bloomcore are used interchangeably.
Resources: Photos.
Bunnycore
Bunnycore is a nature-based aesthetic that centers on bunnies, fuzzy, cute, and fluffy things. Fuzzy editing and soft colors such as pink and white define the visuals of this aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Cloudcore
Cloudcore is a nature-based aesthetic that centers on the sky, especially clouds.
Resources: Photos.
Cottagecore
Cottagecore is a nature-based aesthetic that idealizes a lifestyle that is simple, agricultural, agrarian, modest, and in harmony with nature. Sometimes there is an anti-modernity theme, but this is not required.
As the name suggests, cottages are a staple motif in this aesthetic and are often present in Cottagecore photos, stories, and more.
Resources: Photos, Cottagecore House Photos.
Related aesthetics: Farmcore, Countrycore, Honeycore.
Countrycore
Countrycore is a nature-based aesthetic that centers around the romanticization of living out in the country, where there are plenty of farmland and landscapes. Color visuals and outfits are almost always warm-toned.
Resources: Photos.
Related aesthetics: Farmcore, Cottagecore.
Farmcore
Farmcore is a nature-based aesthetic that centers around a western agricultural and farming lifestyle. Animals and scenery typically associated with this kind of lifestyle, such as cows, farm houses, and hills, are also present in the aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Countrycore, Cottagecore, Honeycore.
Forestcore
Forestcore is a nature-based aesthetic that centers on forests and being around them.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Cottagecore.
Goblincore
Goblincore is a nature-based aesthetic centered around goblin folklore.
There is also an interest in the collection or admiration of natural items that are conventionally thought of to be ugly, dirty, or disposable. Examples include: rocks, mushrooms, snails, figs, bugs, tiny skulls, bark, worms, and more.
Fans of this aesthetic are called “Goblins.”
Resources: Photos
Related: Mushroomcore, Dragoncore, Adventurecore.
Honeycore
Honeycore is a nature-based aesthetic focusing on bees, honey, picnics and warm feelings. Baked goods like pie are also a prominent feature.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Warmcore and Cottagecore.
Junglecore
Junglecore, as a nature-based aesthetic, centers around jungles and their natural intrigue.
There are two main aspects that influence this aesthetic.
- Those who live in or around jungles.
- Jungle exploration.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Tropicore.
Mosscore
Mosscore is a nature-based aesthetic where moss and fungi overtaking things in a beautiful, natural way is the focal point. The commons things that moss overtakes are: wooden houses, large trees, hills and rocks.
Resources: Photos, Mosscore Living Photos.
Related aesthetics: mushroomcore.
Mushroomcore
Mushroomcore is a nature-based aesthetic where the sole focus is on mushrooms in their natural environment.
Resources: Original Mushroomcore Facebook, Photos.
Related aesthetics: mosscore, cottagecore.
Naturecore
Naturecore is a nature-based aesthetic that idealizes harmony with nature and focuses on the aspects of nature overall. Therefore, it draws inspiration from all other nature-based aesthetics.
These aspects include:
- plants
- mountains
- natural food
- animals
- fungus
- environmentalism
- forests
- natural bodies of water
- nature-based activities like picnicking
Resources: Photos.
Related: All nature aesthetics, especially Cottagecore and Bloomcore.
Ravencore
Ravencore is a nature-based aesthetic focused on ravens, the color black, and the collection of small natural trinkets.
This aesthetic gets confused with Crowcore, but they are not the same. Crowcore tends to focus more on collecting, whereas Ravencore focuses more on the bird itself.
Related: Cottagecore, Crowcore, Goblincore.
Tropicore
Tropicore is an aesthetic that centers around tropical environments and their calm atmosphere.
Players on Animal Crossing: New Horizons popularized this aesthetic, and it is closely related to Junglecore.
Resources: Photos.
Dark Naturalism
Dark Naturalism highlights natural places that invoke darkness and mystery. Black and dark green colors as well as fog are common attributes.
The Tumblr user, dipdyedgrey , pioneered this aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Green Academia
Green Academia centers on the visual-lifestyle themes for the study of earth and biological sciences.
This aesthetic goes by other names. They include:
- Forest Academia
- Botanical Academia
- Nature Academia
- Plant Academia
- Botanic Academia
- Natural Academia
Resources: Photos.
Solarpunk
The solarpunk aesthetic is based on the visual-lifestyle elements of the solarpunk speculative fiction genre.
In this genre, technology is used for the betterment of the planet, humanity, and nature altogether.
For the Solarpunk Reddit community, click here.
Resources: Solarpunk Genre Photos, Solarpunk Aesthetic Photos.
Color Aesthetics
Whenever color or color combinations are the primary feature, this is when you get a color aesthetic.
Often times, the themes of the specific color(s) influence these types of aesthetics. For example, blue is typically associated with “calmness.” So, blue aesthetics would therefore have a calm mood to them.
Sometimes, color aesthetics are combined with other aesthetic categories, as is the case with Blue Cottagecore, for example.
Blue Aesthetic
The Blue color aesthetic centers around the color blue, its attributes such as tranquility, and often dreamy or neon effects are applied to visuals.
Bluecore is another name for this aesthetic.
Click here to learn more about the Blue Aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Purple Aesthetic
The Purple color aesthetic centers around the color purple and its meanings such as intrigue, wonder, and magic.
Other names for this aesthetic include: Purplecore and Violetcore.
Click here to learn more about the Purple Aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Lavendercore.
Neon Pink Aesthetic
The Neon Purple color aesthetic focuses on the neon and bright pink colors, and the concepts associated with pink. Concepts include:
- Compassion
- Love
- Innocence
- Romance
- Playfulness
- Nurturing
- Passion
Click here to learn more about the Neon Pink Aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Ethereal Aesthetics
Ethereal aesthetics focus on “warm and fuzzy feelings,” elegant, heavenly, and dreamy vibes. Blurring effects and warm colors identify these types of aesthetics.
Angelcore
Angelcore is an aesthetic that centers on ethereal vibes and angelic beings. These beings can originate from any mythology, belief system, or fiction.
Resources: Photos, Black Angelcore Photos.
Fairycore
Fairycore is an ethereal aesthetic inspired by the characteristics that are generally associated with fairies, springtime themes, the magical softness of flowers, trees, ponds, glitter, forests, butterflies, and other similar elements of nature. This aesthetic is similar to Bloomcore but with fantasy elements.
Other names include: Faecore, Faeriecore, Fairy Aesthetic.
This aesthetic could also be classified under “fantasy aesthetics.”
Best Fairycore shops for clothes and more
Resources: Photos.
Princesscore
Princesscore is an aesthetic inspired by the beauty, elegance, and behavior that is typical of a princess.
Like Royalcore, the time periods range from the Medieval Era to the 19th century.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Queencore and Royalcore.
Royalcore
The Royalcore aesthetic is inspired by the beauty, elegance, and behavior found in Eurocentric royalty and high society.
Time periods range from the Medieval Era to the 19th century.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Princesscore, Princecore, Knightcore, Kingcore, and Queencore.
Warmcore
Warmcore is an aesthetic based around the expression of sentimentalism, coziness, and happiness.
Typically, enthusiasts like to frolic in flowery or grassy environments, especially in spring or summer. Another place would be in a cozy room.
Related: Cottagecore and Bloomcore.
Nostalgia Aesthetics
Nostalgia aesthetics center on the nostalgia and wistfulness for one’s childhood, pop culture, and lifestyle stereotypes.
These types of aesthetics are also defined by their visual and audio effects. The most common are sublime, faded, echo, or surreal effects.
Animecore
Animecore, also known as Mangacore, is a nostalgia-based aesthetic centered around the love Western audiences have for anime and manga art. There is a focus on the visual elements of anime and manga, especially cute and stereotypically feminine visuals.
Related: Kidcore, Cartooncore, Arcadecore.
Resources: Photos.
Cartooncore
Cartooncore is a nostalgia-based aesthetic centered around the love for Western animation. Visuals are often glittery and use vivid colors.
Related: Kidcore, Animecore.
Resources: Photos.
Nostalgiacore
Nostalgiacore is a nostalgia-based aesthetic. It focuses on the love for one’s childhood and yearning to be a kid again.
The eras of nostalgia that defines this aesthetic are the 1990’s and 2000’s, particularly the childhood and teenage years of Millennials and Gen Z. Themes of focus include: pop culture, consumer items, places of hangout, school, fashion, and technology from these eras.
Related: Kidcore, Animecore, and Arcadecore.
Resources: Photos.
Old Memecore
Old Memecore is a nostalgia-based aesthetic. It focuses on internet memes, primarily from the 2000s and early 2010s. Most of these memes originate from websites like YTMND, Old Youtube, and Newgrounds.
Resources: Photos.
Y2kcore
Y2kcore or simply “Y2k” is a nostalgia-based aesthetic that romanticizes the dawn of the Third Millennium. Therefore, it draws inspiration from visual and pop culture themes from the late 1990’s to mid 2000’s.
Common visual elements are glitter, hot pink, blocky and low-poly graphics, metallic colors and effects.
Vintage Academia
Vintage Academia focuses on learning and study within the visual-lifestyle context of distant eras in Western culture. The primary eras range from the 1700’s through 1970’s.
Inspiration is further drawn from the academic, journalistic, and artistic visual-lifestyle elements of these eras.
Resources: Photos.
Vaporwave
Vaporwave is a nostalgia-based aesthetic and a sub-genre of Chillwave music. It is defined by washed-out, slowed, and echoed remixing of samples or full songs from the 1980’s, 1990’s, and in rare cases, the early 2000’s.
Visually, Vaporwave is full of bright, neon and pastel colors, classic computers, and Greco-Roman architecture.
Resources: Sound Station
Fantasy Aesthetics
Fantasy aesthetics draw inspiration from established fiction such as stories, games, legends, folklore, etc. There is often overlap between these types of aesthetics and others such as nature aesthetics.
Dragoncore
Dragoncore is a fantasy-aesthetic. It centers on dragons from a mythological and fictional perspective, and the collection of valuable trinkets like gemstones, crystals, jewelry, coins, and dice.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Goblincore, Crystalcore, Elfcore.
Elfcore
Elfcore is a fantasy-based aesthetic that centers around elf folklore.
This aesthetic is closely related to Pixiecore, however, Elfcore distinct for a few reasons:
- Elfcore is more inspired by established fantasy fiction and medieval themes.
- Having or wearing elf ears.
Resources: Photos
Related: Pixiecore, Warmcore, Fairycore.
Wizardcore
Wizardcore is a fantasy-based aesthetic inspired by wizards in various folklore and fiction. Also center to the aesthetic are magic, spells, potions, and medieval fantasy themes.
Resources: Photos, Wizardcore House Photos.
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a speculative fiction genre centered around futuristic technology, and low quality of life, especially for the majority of the population. As a fantasy-based aesthetic, Cyberpunk focuses primarily on its visual-lifestyle elements.
Resources: Photos, General Cyberpunk sub-categories.
Steampunk
Steampunk is a speculative fiction genre inspired by Victorian-era themes and steam-powered technology from that era. Elements of retrofuturism are also present.
The Steampunk aesthetic draws inspiration from analog-clocks, gears, steam-powered machines, metal, and Victorian fashion.
Resources: Photos, Wiki, Steampunk Aesthetics Photos.
Paranormal Aesthetics
Paranormal Aesthetics predominately focus on themes such as, aliens, cryptozoology, mystery, outer space, magic, and ghosts. These types of aesthetics can occasionally have surrealist and nostalgic elements.
Aliencore
Aliencore is a paranormal aesthetic that focuses on aliens (especially stereotypical “little green men”), UFOs, science fiction, and paranormal experiences. It is also defined by feelings of mystery, isolation, and wonder.
Resources: Photos, Photos 2. Weird Aliencore.
Related: Cryptidcore.
Cryptidcore
Cryptidcore is a paranormal aesthetic centered around unexplained phenomena, cryptids, and urban legends. Deserts and forests are defining environments.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Aliencore, Ghostcore.
Ghostcore
Ghostcore is a paranormal aesthetic that centers around abandoned or haunted places, ghosts, cemeteries, and scary stories. Feelings of unease or eeriness are also central to this aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Aliencore, Cryptidcore.
Mooncore
The Mooncore paranormal aesthetic draws inspiration from the moon(s) of a planet, in particular the Earth’s moon, and their relationship to the outer space around it.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Spacecore.
Spacecore
Spacecore is a paranormal aesthetic that that draws inspiration from celestial bodies such as stars, cosmic phenomena, and the technology surrounding their study or observation such as telescopes.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Mooncore.
Classy Aesthetics
Classic aesthetics are defined by well-fitting and high fashion, neutral colors, and being refined. Most academias fall directly in this category of aesthetic.
Classic Academia
Classic academia takes inspiration from other academias, especially Light and Art Academias.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Dark Academia, Light Academia.
Dark Academia
Dark academia focuses on learning and study within the visual-lifestyle context of Greco-Roman and Gothic culture. It is the antithesis to Light Academia. This is due to the mysterious or “shadowy” mood of the aesthetic.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Light Academia.
Light Academia
Light academia focuses on learning and study within the visual-lifestyle context of Greco-Roman or classical culture. The aesthetic presents a cozy, optimistic, sophisticated mood and uses beige color palettes.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Dark Academia, Classic Academia.
Old Money
Old Money Core, or simply “Old Money,” is an aesthetic centered around inherited wealth, WASP culture, and POSH British culture.
Resources: Photos.
Cute Aesthetics
Cute aesthetics relate to looking, feeling, and being cute. These types of aesthetics often focus on self-improvement and happiness as well.
Happycore
Happycore is a cute aesthetic focusing on positivity, happiness, softness, improvement, and smiling faces.
Resources: Photos.
Lovecore
Lovecore is a cute aesthetic focused on love and romance, specifically how they are depicted in a commercial sense. Think of Valentine’s Day hearts, Cupid’s arrows, heart symbols, teddy bears, pink and red candies, etc.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Pinkcore.
Weird Aesthetics
Weird aesthetics center around surreal, confusing, random, or creepy visuals.
*Viewer warning and discretion for the content within this category.
Dreamcore
Dreamcore is a weird aesthetic that focuses on surrealism, liminal spaces, and dreamy or nightmarish feelings.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Weirdcore, Liminal Space.
Liminalcore
Liminalcore or “Liminal Space” is a weird aesthetic that captures the surreal, creepy, or “off” feeling produced from liminal spaces.
A liminal space is an empty area of transit between two places. Typically, liminal spaces are abandoned, unoccupied, or thought to be haunted.
The Backrooms is a popular example of this aesthetic in practice.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Dreamcore, Poolcore.
Poolcore
Poolcore is a weird aesthetic that centers on nostalgic feelings, liminal pools, and pool areas.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Liminalcore, Vaporwave.
Weirdcore
Weirdcore is a weird aesthetic that uses purposely low-quality made, poorly edited visuals to instill confusion, anxiety, nostalgia, surrealism, and creepiness.
Resources: Photos.
Related: Dreamcore.
Additional Types of Aesthetics
So now you know the different types of aesthetics. I made sure to cover the aesthetic types that are the most popular, but I’ll be sure to give love to others as well!
This list will receive regular updates, especially with more internet aesthetics and details on them.
If you have any feedback or any additions you’d like to see, leave a comment below, and I will respond.
