Once upon a time, Chappell Roan wielded a sword on the VMAs red carpet shortly before she took the stage, stunning in silver armor and chainmail against the backdrop of a burning, ruined castle. This blend of modern and medieval is the perfect encapsulation of “castlecore,” one of this fall’s biggest aesthetic trends that retailers won’t want to miss!
Inspired by the gothic romance of windswept moors, ancient stone-walled fortresses, and sword-wielding heroines, castlecore speaks to customers seeking escapism, whimsy, and dreamy visuals. Forecasted by Pinterest earlier in 2025 as a trend to watch, castlecore is shaping this year’s spooky season collections, with shoppers favoring details like daggers, medieval-style typography, and moody color palettes. From cottagecore dreamers trading in their wildflowers for wrought iron to romantasy readers longing for lands of dragons and mages—à la Rebecca Yarros’s mega-bestselling Fourth Wing series—this trend draws in anyone enchanted by the look and feel of a medieval fantasy world.
While castlecore offers a unique opportunity for retailers to lean into genre books and staple fantasy authors like J.R.R. Tolkien or George R.R. Martin, our curated collection goes beyond the fiction section to highlight aesthetic gifting titles, on-trend merch from Out of Print, and children’s books that fit the mood.
Ethan Hawke’s bestselling parable, Rules for a Knight, which offers chivalrous wisdom in a charming package is perfect for a gifting display, along with the adorably hilarious Medieval Cats. Fandom-fueling D&D books like Dungeons & Dragons Stickerology or The Dungeons & Dragons Tarot Deck are perfect for a more pop culture take on the trend, as are titles like The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook and House of the Dragon: The Official Coloring Book. Want more real life grandeur? Lismore Castle and Castle Howard are both luxurious, richly illustrated options from Rizzoli that detail the historic beauty of some of the UK’s most stunning castles, adding a touch of ancient style to any display. And those romantasy fans will love accessorizing with dagger pins and hats that rep their favorite genre in elegant gothic lettering.
Click into the title list below to explore our full castlecore collection, and craft an atmospheric fall display that highlights old-world charm of yesteryear!
