What Is Goblincore?

If you’ve done some pinning or doomscrolling recently, you’ve probably seen a funny word pop up, goblincore. What exactly is it? It’s an aesthetic that celebrates things that are unusual, natural, and imperfect. No, there are no actual goblins involved, but it is a pretty interesting concept. And it’s all rooted (pun intended) in being your authentic self and surrounding yourself with things you love, even if they’re not conventionally beautiful.

McKayla Coyle, author of Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck, looks at is as an opportunity to decorate to your own unique tastes. “It’s more of a permission slip to live your life, decorate your space, and dress your body however you want, without having to worry about what others will think,” she says. In essence, it’s about self-acceptance. “It’s nice to enjoy something without feeling like you have to shrink yourself or fit in a very specific box,” she says. “Goblincore is about listening to yourself and celebrating all your unconventional tastes and interests.” Read on to learn more about the trend and shop some goblincore-inspired pieces.

What is Goblincore?

No, there are no actual goblins involved. “Goblincore is an aesthetic and a lifestyle that’s about embracing the weird parts of the world and the weird parts of yourself,” says Coyle. “People who identify as goblincore tend to find beauty in parts of nature that other people might consider gross.” Think: snails, mud, fungus etc. “It’s about celebrating things that others might consider flaws.” Similarly, going “goblin mode” is about being an unfiltered version of yourself. “It’s about recognizing that this version of you deserves to exist in the world just as much as the socially acceptable version of you.”

How Can You Feature it in Your Home?

“Unlike most decorating aesthetics, goblincore isn’t concerned with looking good to other people,” says Coyle. “It’s all about what you like and what will make you feel most at home.” It’s all about what you like, and what makes you feel comfortable and happy in your own home. Naturally, that’s a huge range of design styles and ideas– it’s eclectic and personal. “Cover your walls with all your crochet projects, display your collections in little jars, keep all your favorite rocks on your coffee table; it doesn’t matter how you decorate your space, so long as you feel happy in it,” she says.

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