This week’s Style Imitating Art challenge (hosted by the fabulous trio — Shelbee on the Edge, Marsha in the Middle, and Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey) was chosen by Shelbee, and is the wonderfully quirky “Autumn”, a 1573 oil on canvas by Italian Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo. If you’ve never seen Arcimboldo’s work before, it’s absolutely wild in the best possible way. He created portraits made up entirely of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other bits of nature — and somehow, they’re both beautiful and slightly bizarre at the same time.
Autumn is no exception — with its vine leaves, mushrooms, and earthy tones, it practically bursts with harvest season magic. It’s the perfect piece to dive into during this time of year — full of texture, warmth, and a kind of natural whimsy that instantly made me think of cosy, Hobbitcore vibes (though I didn’t realise just how much until I started putting my outfit together!). In the last SIA challenge, we styled Hilma AF Klint’s The Ten Largest (a mouthful, I know lol).
At first, though, I was totally stumped about how to interpret it into an outfit. I mean, how on earth do you turn a man made of squashes and apples into wearable fashion?
And that’s when it hit me — that the whole thing gave me serious Hobbit vibes! You know, that cosy, down-to-earth, nature-loving aesthetic full of muted tones, rustic textures, and a touch of whimsy. And funnily enough, that’s a look I’ve been quietly obsessed with for a while now, though I haven’t quite nailed it yet.
There’s just something so comforting about the Hobbitcore aesthetic — it’s like stepping into a world where tea is always brewing, books are piled high by the fire, and the biggest fashion statement is simply feeling content in your clothes. For me, it’s very much Hobbitcore meets The Borrowers — that mix of cosy, countryside charm and whimsical, small-world practicality. I love the idea of dressing in earthy shades, natural fibres, and layers that feel like they’ve been gathered over time — part rustic adventurer, part tiny collector of beautiful, useful things. It’s playful and a little nostalgic, like stepping into a storybook world where every detail tells a tale.
Recently, I bought a pair of dungarees from Vinted that instantly reminded me of that vibe. They’re a sort of cotton seersucker, checked in browns and creams, and slightly tapered with a rolled cuff at the ankle. When I first tried them on, they were a bit too loose around the straps, so I took them up a bit — and they fit better now (although, admittedly, I didn’t do the best job lol).
I love when second-hand finds turn out to be little treasures, don’t you? These dungarees definitely have that “lived in the countryside and spends afternoons gathering herbs” kind of story, which just feel perfect for this time of year. Although, having said that, just after taking the photos, I started having a hot flush and I couldn’t get them off fast enough lol!
When I bought them, I also picked up this silk cream blouse, thinking it would go nicely with the dungarees (and maybe even work for a pirate vibe in another outfit — but that’s for another day!). The blouse has this soft, slightly romantic feel to it, which balances the more practical dungarees perfectly, and it has a lovely detail on the sleeves.
And then — the pièce de résistance — my leaf-shaped leather bumbag, also a Vinted find! Honestly, it couldn’t have been more perfect for this art piece. It’s whimsical, a bit fairy-tale-ish, and fits right in with that woodland, Hobbit aesthetic. It also has this charming Borrowers quality to it — like something tiny and resourceful that’s been lovingly repurposed into something beautiful. I absolutely love it.
As for shoes, I had grand dreams of pairing the outfit with some lovely brown ones to really lean into the earthy tones… but none of mine quite worked. So, in the end, I went with my trusty cream Ecco sneakers, which kept things comfy and a bit more modern. I also added a couple of amber rings, green flower earrings and a couple of leather bracelets that fit the vibe perfectly. Oh and I had a very Autumnal scarf on hand to add a bit more colour!
Lately, I’ve found myself really inspired by a couple of creators who absolutely nail the Hobbitcore look — Rachel Maksy, who always looks like she’s stepped straight out of a whimsical woodland storybook, and Scotty from Dress Me Up Scotty, who makes the aesthetic feel so effortlessly wearable. They’ve both given me loads of ideas on how to embrace this cosy, nature-loving style in a way that still feels like me.
I have to say, this look really reminded me why I adore SIA so much. It pushes me to think differently about my clothes and find creative inspiration in unexpected places — even 16th-century paintings of vegetable people! It’s such a fun reminder that fashion doesn’t have to be serious; it can be playful, imaginative, and totally personal.
I can definitely see myself wearing this outfit again — although I might have to find a different top that doesn’t spill out so much at the back. Now all I need is a Hobbit hole of my own to complete this fun look!
What do you think of my Arcimboldo-inspired outfit? Did you look at the painting and think of Hobbits or Borrowers? Would you ever wear something Hobbitcore?
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