I Tried Elsa Hosk’s Label & It Was A Cottagecore Dream

As someone who covers celebrity style on the regular, Elsa Hosk lives in my mind rent-free. Or, at least, on my multiple Pinterest boards, especially those dedicated to cottagecore.

One of TikTok’s “core” offspring, the ultra-romantic aesthetic of eyelets, lace, and floral prints galore, got its name from the image it evokes. Picture it: slow afternoons traipsing across grassy fields, plucking flowers in a basket, and sipping tea from floral-lined cups in your grandma’s cottage. And no one does the aesthetic better than Hosk.

Thankfully, Hosk made it easy for cottagecore-curious savants to try the trend. Apart from chicly leading by example, she also designs options inspired by the aesthetic through her ready-to-wear namesake label, Helsa Studio. Armed with catalogs of the brand’s collections, I pulled the cottagecore trigger and experienced the style for myself.

The “Summer Love” Collection

I scoured through Helsa’s latest drop, titled the “Summer Love” collection, and was excited by the selection of cool-girl takes on florettes, ruffly shorts, and embroidered pieces (lace-trimmed overalls, anyone?). Since there was an overwhelming selection of goods, I looked through her Instagram to see which pieces she’s worn and how she styled them. That narrowed it down to my top two contenders: a lace-trimmed tent dress and a bubble-hem button-down and maxi skirt combo.

Look 1: Corporate-Meets-Picnic

First up, I recreated her berries and cream ensemble. On top, I wore a baby-pink button-down with a loose, oversized fit. Also available in blue, it featured a pocket atop one breast and a cropped bubble silhouette. Meanwhile, on the bottom, I wore Helsa’s white maxi skirt, which featured an elasticized waistband and a voluminous silhouette. Designed in voile, a smattering of dainty pink flowers was embroidered throughout, for a splash of romance.

As a petite girlie (I’m 5’2”), and as someone who doesn’t have the same fit body Hosk clearly does, I had to break the pieces apart by showing more tummy. My quick fix was to haphazardly tuck the bubble top a little more to give it a shorter crop. Thanks to the collared top, it didn’t feel at all like cottagecore cosplay, and I easily transitioned the look from office to evening.

To give it a casual twist, I paired it with cream sneakers from Alo, plastic-frame, blue-light glasses from Miu Miu, and for a bold pop of color: a vivid beetroot bag from Longchamp’s Le Roseau line.

I love the combo together, but I also think both pieces can go a long way separately, dressed up or down as one so chooses.

Look 2: Sleepwear As Outerwear

The second Helsa look, meanwhile, evoked more of a lazy weekend, picnic vibe, so I wore it for Sunday brunch. It was a tent dress with a deep, see-through lace trim along the neckline. While I chose the white iteration of the piece, Hosk has worn both white and black versions.

Crafted in poplin, the dress was extremely breezy, so I had a few Marilyn Monroe-esque flying skirt close calls. This dress was effortlessly chic and garnered a lot of compliments. Because it is plunging and sheer in the décolletage region, I did have to wear a matching white brassiere. It was also rather wide on the sides, so when I bent down or put my elbows on the table, my bra did peek through. While I’m not opposed to flaunting my lingerie, I’d throw on a sweater if I’m headed to the office.

I leaned into whimsy and clutched a fish-shaped bag from Staud. (If you must know, I named her Piper Halliwell and pet her when I’m anxious.) Because the dress was already voluminous, I figured barely there shoes would be best. My choice happened to be heeled thong sandals in cherry red.

The verdict? Absolutely obsessed with all clothes. I’ve worn them several times already and am eyeing quite a few more from the catalog. Now that I’ve embraced cottagecore, I’m taking the aesthetic well into fall.