India’s fashion landscape is in the midst of a fascinating evolution, where two global style movements — commutercore and cottagecore — are finding fresh and uniquely Indian expressions. Though they sit on opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum, both trends reflect the country’s dynamic lifestyles, cultural duality and growing sartorial self-awareness.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Megha Kacholia, Co-Owner of Heeposh, explained, “Commutercore champions functionality, versatility, and urban efficiency. It’s designed for life on the move — a blend of utility and style suited to the fast-paced rhythm of modern cities. Think structured cargo pants, oversized jackets, waterproof fabrics, sneakers and tech-savvy accessories like crossbody bags.”
She elaborated, “In metros such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, young professionals and students are embracing this look as they navigate daily commutes, hybrid work schedules and unpredictable weather. Brands like Decathlon, Superdry and emerging Indian labels are responding with collections that prioritise performance without compromising style. The rise of athleisure and techwear in everyday wardrobes is a clear sign of this shift.”
In contrast, cottagecore celebrates nostalgia, nature and a return to simplicity. Megha Kacholia revealed, “Rooted in slow living, this aesthetic is soft, romantic, and deeply tactile. Flowy silhouettes, floral motifs, earthy hues, and handcrafted fabrics define its charm. In India, cottagecore harmonises beautifully with traditional textile crafts and slow-fashion sensibilities.”
Megha Kacholia shared, “Fabrics like khadi, handwoven cotton and linen, along with techniques such as block printing and embroidery, embody cottagecore trend effortlessly. Designers like Anavila, Raw Mango and Fabindia have long embraced these values, blending heritage with modern elegance.”
Social media has played a pivotal role in amplifying both aesthetics. Megha Kacholia highlighted, “While commutercore dominates urban street-style feeds, cottagecore blossoms through serene imagery — handloom sarees in gardens, vintage accessories and idyllic countryside moments. Together, these trends speak to a post-pandemic shift: a desire for comfort and function, balanced with a longing for beauty, calm and authenticity.”
Ultimately, the rise of commutercore and cottagecore highlights the versatility of Indian fashion today — a fluid dialogue between innovation and tradition. These styles are more than just trends; they are reflections of identity, mood and a changing world. Indian consumers are no longer choosing between the future and the past — they are dressing for both.
India’s fashion landscape is in the midst of a fascinating evolution, where two global style movements — commutercore and cottagecore — are finding fresh and uniquely Indian expressions. Though they sit on opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum, both trends reflect the country’s dynamic lifestyles, cultural duality and growing sartorial self-awareness.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Megha Kacholia, Co-Owner of Heeposh, explained, “Commutercore champions functionality, versatility, and urban efficiency. It’s designed for life on the move — a blend of utility and style suited to the fast-paced rhythm of modern cities. Think structured cargo pants, oversized jackets, waterproof fabrics, sneakers and tech-savvy accessories like crossbody bags.”
She elaborated, “In metros such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, young professionals and students are embracing this look as they navigate daily commutes, hybrid work schedules and unpredictable weather. Brands like Decathlon, Superdry and emerging Indian labels are responding with collections that prioritise performance without compromising style. The rise of athleisure and techwear in everyday wardrobes is a clear sign of this shift.”
In contrast, cottagecore celebrates nostalgia, nature and a return to simplicity. Megha Kacholia revealed, “Rooted in slow living, this aesthetic is soft, romantic, and deeply tactile. Flowy silhouettes, floral motifs, earthy hues, and handcrafted fabrics define its charm. In India, cottagecore harmonises beautifully with traditional textile crafts and slow-fashion sensibilities.”
Megha Kacholia shared, “Fabrics like khadi, handwoven cotton and linen, along with techniques such as block printing and embroidery, embody cottagecore trend effortlessly. Designers like Anavila, Raw Mango and Fabindia have long embraced these values, blending heritage with modern elegance.”
Social media has played a pivotal role in amplifying both aesthetics. Megha Kacholia highlighted, “While commutercore dominates urban street-style feeds, cottagecore blossoms through serene imagery — handloom sarees in gardens, vintage accessories and idyllic countryside moments. Together, these trends speak to a post-pandemic shift: a desire for comfort and function, balanced with a longing for beauty, calm and authenticity.”
Ultimately, the rise of commutercore and cottagecore highlights the versatility of Indian fashion today — a fluid dialogue between innovation and tradition. These styles are more than just trends; they are reflections of identity, mood and a changing world. Indian consumers are no longer choosing between the future and the past — they are dressing for both.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution
Copyright BlazeThemes. 2023
