Quick Guide: What Is Shabby Chic​ Style?
If you've been scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok lately, you've probably noticed the shabby chic fashion trend making a major comeback. Shabby chic clothing is all about embracing your feminine side while maintaining a sense of individuality and personal style. Because it’s so varied and takes inspiration from different aesthetics and eras, there’s plenty of room for interpretation and different elements to play around with.
If you feel drawn to this style and have been thinking of incorporating it into your life or maybe even reinventing your entire look with it, you’ll enjoy the following guide on how to dress and live shabby chic.
Jump to Section
- What Is Shabby Chic​ Style?
- Shabby Chic Clothing Ideas: From Pajamas To Dresses
- Shabby Chic Interior Design Ideas: From Blankets To Bedding
- Embrace The Shabby Chic Through Guided Experiences
What Is Shabby Chic​ Style?
Shabby chic originated in the 1980s, combining vintage and cottagecore elements to create an elegant yet worn look. Shabby chic became more popular and circulated on the internet after Rachel Ashwell opened a store called Shabby Chic. She introduced the phrase to define her signature look: a design approach that mixes vintage charm and rustic details to create a romantic, timeworn feel.
Shabby chic spaces are celebrated for their calm, sentimental atmosphere, often brought to life through soft lighting, airy fabrics and thoughtfully mismatched décor pieces that add character and warmth. You’ll notice a mix of florals, pinks and pastels like greens, blues, lavenders, muted tones and whites. As for prints, it incorporates a mix of florals and even some gingham print. What makes this aesthetic so appealing is its timeless quality. It works all year round and integrates well with other styles, both architecturally and fashion-wise.
Shabby Chic Clothing Ideas: From Pajamas To Dresses
The shabby chic aesthetic isn’t just for interiors. It extends to every aspect of your style, including what you wear. The soft, romantic aesthetic translates beautifully into casual wear, everyday outfits and sleepwear that make you feel pretty even when you're just relaxing at home. Like these shabby chic pajamas from Amazon that feature relaxed silhouettes and floral accents. Bring the shabby chic aesthetic to your wardrobe with these wardrobe staples.
1. The Dreamy Tea Party Dress
Everyone needs at least one shabby chic tea party dress hanging in their closet. These gorgeous floral dresses are soft, feminine and fluid, plus they add to the aesthetic for baby showers, weddings or a Galentine's brunch with the girls. Look for dresses in soft pink, lavender or lilac with delicate floral patterns.
This type of shabby chic dress looks great paired with wedge sandals and a floral hair ribbon for an extra touch of whimsy, and you can wear it in a couple of different ways. For example, a floral slip dress layered with a sheer overlay, or a distressed floral-print mini dress with flutter sleeves.Â
2. The Tiered White Maxi Skirt
White clothing is the foundation of any shabby chic clothing wardrobe, and a tiered white maxi skirt is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you could have in your collection. Look for one with eyelet details or go for ruffled layers that create beautiful movement when you walk. There's something so elegant about a white maxi skirt that just works. Plus, it goes with literally everything, from a pastel blouse in baby pink or mint green to a floral top with deeper colors.
3. The Multi-Layered Floral Skirt Or Dress
If you've ever lusted after a Love Shack Fancy dress but balked at the price tag, a multi-layered skirt with different floral patterns can be a more accessible option. Look for skirts that combine different floral prints in complementary colors, like roses mixed with daisies or a larger floral pattern on one tier and a smaller ditsy print on another.
The slight mismatch is actually what makes it work, because it looks collected and curated. You can pair your skirt with a simple white tank or blouse on top to let the skirt be the star of the show. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, add another subtle floral on top. Just make sure the colors coordinate so you don't end up looking like a walking flower shop.
4. Shabby Chic Overalls
Overalls aren't just for farmers and 90s nostalgia anymore. You can give your denim or pastel blue overalls an instant shabby chic upgrade by pairing them with a floral blouse and a weathered leather belt. This little detail completely transforms the silhouette and adds some structure to an otherwise loose outfit. Pink or yellow florals look especially gorgeous against pastel blue. And you can go with short sleeves for warmer days or long sleeves when there's a bit of a chill in the air.
5. Shabby Chic Shoes
White tennis shoes with ankle socks are a good choice if you’re looking to achieve a more casual, weekend-brunch vibe with your shabby chic outfit. Simple leather-strap sandals or woven espadrilles, as well as white wedge sandals or ballet flats, are essential to your summer shabby chic capsule collection. White sneakers can also work if you're going for a cool, artistic feel, while cowgirl boots are great for farmers' markets, coffee dates or any situation where you want to feel comfortable and look cute at the same time.
Shabby Chic Interior Design Ideas: From Blankets To Bedding
For many of us, MTV Cribs’ immersive tour of Pamela Anderson’s Malibu home was a revelatory introduction to shabby chic style. With its soft white linens, vintage chandeliers and relaxed coastal vibe, Anderson’s beach cottage is an excellent representation of what this style is all about. Of course, Rachel Ashwell remains the blueprint, having literally founded an aesthetic lifestyle brand of the same name. Whatever your entry point into this style, these ideas will help you create a legit shabby chic aesthetic that feels romantic and livable.
1. Furniture with Character
The foundation of any good shabby chic space is furniture that has a story to tell; or at least looks like it does. For budget-friendly finds, hit up your local thrift stores, estate sales, or even Facebook Marketplace and look for solid-wood pieces with good bones, like dressers, side tables, mirrors and chairs.
An iron bed frame is the cornerstone of a shabby chic bedroom interior design and once you have it, everything else just falls into place. But, you’ll want to skip the dark, heavy iron finishes as they give off more industrial or gothic vibes. Instead, look for white, cream or soft gray iron frames that feel airy and romantic. Once you've got your dreamy iron bed, dress it up with a ruffled bed skirt and layer on the textured shabby chic bedding. Just make sure you don't fall into the Dark Academia aesthetic, unless that's what you're looking for.
Ladder shelves are another staple of the shabby chic aesthetic that’s easy to find and incorporate into your space. You can use them to show off rolled shabby chic blankets in pretty colors, drape some trailing plants from the upper rungs, stack vintage books or arrange small decorative accessories like candles or antique trinkets.
Also, don’t sleep on wicker furniture. A cozy wicker reading chair with plush cushions, or a set of wicker dining chairs around a farmhouse table, can instantly transform your outdoor space. Wicker storage baskets are also your friend here. Use them under console tables, on shelves or in closets to corral everything from throw blankets to magazines to kids' toys.
2. Walls That Wow
A rustic accent wall sets the perfect backdrop for your shabby chic collection. Consider covering one wall with an arrangement of vintage clocks in various sizes and styles, or create a plate wall using mismatched vintage dishes from the thrift store, with a well-intentioned thrift flip. Choose plates with delicate floral patterns, soft pastels or romantic motifs, ensuring each piece is different, to achieve that collected-over-time look.
You could also display old maps in simple frames for instant vintage appeal. Similarly, vintage artwork featuring florals or birds fits perfectly within this aesthetic. For a budget-friendly option, carefully cut botanical illustrations from old plant books like this one on Etsy and frame them to create custom artwork that looks genuinely antique.
3. Decorative Accessories
The magic of shabby chic lies in the details. Antique trunks serve double duty as storage and statement pieces, while decorative birdcages can help bring a sense of whimsy, whether displayed on shelves or hung from the ceiling. Cloche bell jars, popular in French country design, can also be used to create an enchanting display for small plants. You could also use tin signs with vintage advertising or botanical motifs to add personality to kitchen walls, mudrooms or covered porches. The key is to look for weathered finishes that appear authentically aged.
4. Textiles and Soft Furnishings
Layering textiles transforms a room into a space so cozy you never want to leave. Lace and crochet tablecloths are perfect for adding that delicate, feminine touch to dining tables, console tables or nightstands. But if a full tablecloth feels like too much, just use a lace or crocheted runner instead.
Also, you don’t have to stop at tables — you can bring lace into other areas too. Lace curtain panels filter sunlight beautifully, giving your windows a romantic, dreamy quality. Meanwhile, lace or crocheted pillowcases with ruffled edges soften up your shabby chic bedding without going overboard. Crocheted shabby chic blankets and patchwork quilts also feature prominently in shabby chic decor. Drape them over the back of your sofa, layer them at the foot of your bed or fold them loosely in a basket.
Two more quick tips: When displaying vintage books, stick to a color palette that works with your room. And in the kitchen, mix and match vintage plates for everyday meals or special dinners. The slightly imperfect coordination adds character and makes everything feel more special.
5. Lighting and Finishing Touches
The right lighting can completely transform a space, and shabby chic is no exception. Hanging a small chandelier in the middle of a bedroom, bathroom or dining room can be all it takes to romanticize your space (and your life) with just one detail. Candlesticks and candle holders in varying heights can also create an instant ambiance. Go for brass, silver, or painted finishes to achieve a worn, slightly aged look.
A wooden bead garland is another accessory that adds just the right amount of organic texture. Drape it across your mantel or loop it over curtain rods for a subtle Japandi style or Scandinavian-inspired decor moment. Decorate dressers and coffee tables with silver, ornate wooden, or gold trays to keep smaller items organized and create an intentionally styled vignette. Vintage-inspired rugs with faded floral patterns or soft colors can also help anchor your space and add comfort. Just make sure to look for new rugs with vintage designs rather than actual old, used rugs. You want the aesthetic, not the wear and tear.
Here are some other, smaller touches that make a big impact:
- Glass doorknobs to add a bit of sparkle throughout your home.
- Decorative wall hooks (individual or mounted on reclaimed wood).
- Hand-painted ceramics; thrifted plain pieces painted yourself with florals or soft patterns.
- And finally, a vintage picnic basket for nostalgic charm, used for picnics, storage or just displayed on a shelf filled with rolled napkins.
Embrace The Shabby Chic Through Guided Experiences
One of the most rewarding parts of shabby chic design is creating pieces yourself. This aesthetic lends itself well to adult DIY projects and upcycling, as handmade items add authenticity and personal meaning that you just can't get from store-bought decor. If you're looking for interior design ideas for home projects that feel genuinely shabby chic, hands-on creative classes are an amazing place to start.
Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's been crafting for years, learning new techniques opens up a whole world of DIY possibilities. Pottery, painting and art classes give you the hands-on skills to create authentic shabby chic pieces for your home. Beyond the finished products, there's something deeply satisfying about creating something with your hands and then displaying it in your home.
The beauty of shabby chic fashion is that it's incredibly forgiving and personal. There's no rigid rulebook telling you exactly what to wear. Instead, it's about creating a vibe. You can easily incorporate it into your own personal style, starting with one or two key pieces (maybe that tea party dress and a white maxi skirt), then build from there.
When it comes to interiors, the slightly imperfect, lived-in quality is actually part of the charm. From handmade pieces to thrifted vintage finds, it’s all about creating a space that feels homey, romantic and whimsical.
Create all your Shabby Chic decor through guided experiences happening on Classpop!
