Nostalgiacore: a love affair with time

February 12 2025, by Ruth Wilbur, 4 min reading time

When I first heard the term ‘nostalgiacore’ I paid little attention, it sounded like so many of the -core' style aesthetics, another fad. Perhaps due to its all too familiar suffix I dismissed it quickly, but, I hate to admit - it crept up on me, I started to think about the term subconsciously as I dashed around my own messy, trinket-filled home and realised, isn’t that what we all do? And why has it become a ‘trend’ if that’s the case?

My house falls into the certain category of maximalism; I’ve always been a bit of a hoarder, or to speak more kindly, a collector. It’s in my blood, my mum takes it up a notch but I share her love trinkets and unusual things. I used to work in the arts so collected a few special prints over the years and have a few other peculiar collections from my travels - a penchant for carved gourds and old maps, travel books and plants (who doesn’t?!) old family photos and mismatched glasses passed down from family members. These are worth nothing in monetary value, but perhaps that’s not the full story…

I now realise that behind these collections, these random objects, is a wish to capture a moment, a memory, a connection, and perhaps most importantly, my place there. To still the world for a second and take pause. Life is so fast paced these days, home becomes our haven, a special place we spend with family and friends, making memories. 'Nostalgiacore' reflects this trend, it's the idea of creating a home that is comforting and soothing, a sanctuary that fills you with a warm fuzzy feeling and happy memories. My ‘collections’ are definitely linked to memories, places travelled, things achieved, put simply - happy times. Collecting is long linked to identity. There is a rich history of collecting, with more than one excellent exhibition exploring the theme. They say that collecting is often a way to preserve memories and provide a tangible connection to the past experiences, as well as highlighting things that resonate with our interests and values.

So why do I think this ‘trend’ is not a trend at all? Why do I think it’s important? I thought we were all guilty of collecting something, but perhaps this is no longer the case. Perhaps many of us have been seduced by the Instagram ideal, the show home space, the clutter free lifestyle, the quick makeover?

And why does that matter? Well, perhaps nostalgiacore's seduction lies in the time committed to the ‘trend’. It’s a true love affair that takes time and cannot easily be created on a whim. It represents a return to the values of buying once and buying well, of collections passed down the generations, of having a unique, fascinating, random (sometimes messy!) but wonderfully personal home. Of cherishing what you have. Of celebrating the things that bring you joy and reflect who you are. Perhaps it represents a return to colour, a return to individualism and return to a time before trends? Least, if only we could change the name…

Surrounding ourselves with cherished possessions guarantees your home is one of a kind and will bring you long-term joy rather than short-lived excitement. Your home will offer insight into your past and present, your interests and heritage, it will undoubtedly be soulful, interesting and complex. It will grow with you.

When it comes to sofas, we say go with your gut, choose furniture that you truly love, buy once and well - a return to purchasing habits of old. This is a sure-fire way to ensure that your purchases will serve your family well over the years. We love a timeless Chesterfield for this exact reason. A low maintenance, well sprung sofa, will stand the test of time, built to become tomorrow's heirloom. The Oskar, where our story started, is upholstered in aniline leather which wears in not out, developing a unique patina and buttery softness over time. It ages well. You can dress them up or down and change the look with cosy sheepskins or scatters to reflect the season. The layered, lived in look is part of the charm of nostalgic interiors, an indication of a life well lived rather than unblemished perfection.

With exposure to so many smoothed brows today, perhaps we are missing the odd wrinkle, the odd chip, a little ‘character’ shall we say? After all, those of us who fall under the spell of ‘collectors’ or ‘nostaligiacore identifiers’, aren’t we just celebrating the precious nature of time and our temporary place within it?

Confessions from a compulsive collector, Ruth Wilbur - Brand Manager Vintage Sofa Co.