Cabbagecore: The Unlikely Rise of Cabbage as a Fashion and Lifestyle Trend
Move over cauliflower - there's a new vegetable taking center stage in both fashion and food circles. Cabbage, that humble brassica once relegated to boiled side dishes, has unexpectedly become the hottest trend of 2026, appearing everywhere from designer handbags to high-fashion campaigns.
From Kitchen Staple to Cultural Icon
What exactly is cabbagecore? This emerging trend represents cabbage's surprising transformation from ordinary vegetable to cultural phenomenon. Pinterest has boldly predicted that 2026 will mark the year when "boomer and gen X will say goodbye to their cauliflower obsession and crown cabbage the new kitchen champ."
The evidence of cabbage's ascendancy is everywhere. Designer Sandy Liang's cabbage-shaped bag has made waves on international catwalks, while luxury brand Burberry has featured cabbage prominently in recent advertising campaigns. Even floral arrangements are getting in on the action, with cabbage flowers becoming increasingly popular in upscale bouquets.
The Fashionable Face of Cabbage
The trend extends beyond mere accessories. Portuguese ceramics brand Bordallo Pinheiro, renowned for its cabbage-leaf-shaped plates and bowls, reports significant increased demand for their vegetable-inspired tableware. This revival of classic cabbage crockery demonstrates how deeply the trend has penetrated lifestyle aesthetics.
"London's Sexiest Produce Star is a Cabbage," declared a New York Times headline in August, capturing the vegetable's unexpected cultural cachet. The trendy hispi cabbage variety has particularly captivated the capital, celebrated for its availability, versatility, and distinctive pointy shape.
Culinary Renaissance Meets Nutritional Powerhouse
Beyond fashion, cabbage is experiencing a culinary renaissance. Cabbage recipes are going viral across social media platforms, kimchi continues its reign as a fermented food favorite, and charred cabbage appears on menus at trendsetting restaurants nationwide.
Nutritionally, cabbage offers impressive credentials as a veritable superfood, packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Its health benefits provide additional justification for its newfound popularity among health-conscious consumers.
The Paradox of Popularity
Here lies the fascinating paradox: while cabbage enjoys unprecedented cultural visibility, actual consumption tells a different story. According to the government's 2025 Family Food survey, cabbage consumption in the UK has plummeted by 80% since 1974.
This disconnect suggests that cabbage's appeal has become increasingly selective and symbolic rather than practical. The vegetable's chic status may stem precisely from its declining everyday use, transforming it into an aesthetic object rather than a dietary staple.
What Comes After Cabbagecore?
As with all trends, cabbagecore's moment may prove fleeting. Trend watchers already speculate about what might replace cabbage in 2027, with possibilities ranging from pipe smoking revivals to radish revolutions.
For now, cabbage enjoys its unexpected spotlight, celebrated more for its visual and cultural appeal than its nutritional value. The trend represents how ordinary objects can become extraordinary through the alchemy of fashion and social media.
As one commentator noted: "Abundant, affordable and tasty, cabbage deserves this brief moment in the spotlight." Whether this moment translates to increased consumption remains to be seen, but for now, cabbage reigns supreme in the unpredictable world of trends.
