France insists on abandoning the use of the term ‘Core’

Core’ seems to be coming to an end. That suffix that has invaded everything from TikTok to the catwalks seems to be losing its ground in fashion. From the ‘Ballet Core’ phenomenon to the more recent ‘Barbie Core’, the term has become ubiquitous in micro-trend culture. However, France has decided to put a stop to it. The Commission d’enrichissement de la langue française (CELF) and the Association pour la promotion du français dans la mode have urged French speakers to stop using the term. But what is behind this decision?

The rise and fall of core trends

The story of core began in 2013, when the term Normcore burst onto the scene, a proposal by trend experts K-Hole that celebrated aesthetic normality. From there, core expanded as a multifaceted concept: Gorp Core embraced the utilitarian, while Regency Core claimed Bridgerton-inspired over-the-top glamour. Barbie Core, Grandpa Core, Cottage Core, Corp Core… the choices multiplied to such an extent that fashion seemed to have become a label game. But, over time, this excessive structure began to show signs of wear and tear. And so CELF has decided to put the brakes on, suggesting a return to the term ‘style’.

“Style” vs. “core”

The term style, with its deep roots in the Latin stilus and Old French stile, offers a vision of fashion as timeless, a reflection of personality that transcends passing fads. ‘Style is an enduring way of expressing oneself through clothing, whereas core is a product of ephemeral digital culture, of fashions that come and go in a matter of weeks,’ explains Rebecca Leigh, a linguistics expert. Unlike core, which carries a sense of immediacy and transience, style is presented as a symbol of authenticity, something that has been valued over the centuries.

France: fashion as cultural heritage

France has historically been the epicentre of fashion, and its national identity is intrinsically linked to its tradition in haute couture and on the catwalk. French fashion is synonymous with history, craftsmanship and heritage. As Katherine Sinner, a Paris-based journalist and stylist, points out, ‘France has not only a fashion history, but a deeply rooted fashion culture’. It is therefore not surprising that the French government prefers ‘style’ over ‘core’, a more flexible and ephemeral term. In the French view, style reflects permanence and tradition, values that align with the country’s cultural identity.

France’s decision to remove ‘core’ from its vocabulary could provide a respite from the anxiety of micro-trends. Although CELF seeks to protect the French language and restore some notion of cultural ‘purity’, the process may be more complex than it appears. The insistence on maintaining ‘style’ rather than ‘core’ may exclude other linguistic and cultural influences. Despite efforts to eradicate ‘core’, the reality is that the term remains an integral part of the digital fashion conversation. And with new generations steeped in online culture, it is hard to imagine that ‘core’ will vanish without a trace.

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