#Grandpacore #Embracing #Style #Elders #WorthPoint
When my friends and I hit the local thrift stores during college, we always made a beeline to the men’s department in search of oversized “old man” cardigans (the fuzzier, the better), tweed blazers, and wool overcoats. We loved the coziness and character of these pieces.
Little did we know we were embracing an aesthetic that would become a hot new trend decades later: “grandpacore.”
GRANDFATHERS ARE THE NEW STYLE ICONS
While last year was all about the “coastal grandmother” style, 2024 is taking inspiration from our grandfathers.
Grandpacore, also called “eclectic grandpa,” is about embracing your inner octogenarian and is part of a long line of other “core” trends, including gorpcore and cottagecore.
It was named as one of this year’s biggest trends by Pinterest after searches for “grandpacore” rose by 65 percent last year and “grandpa style” by 60 percent, and has cross-generational appeal: “Gen Z and boomers will embrace grandpacore,” the Pinterest report said. “[It will] bring eccentric and expressive elements for the ages to their wardrobes.”
Grandpacore pays homage to the classic style of many grandfathers—think colorful vintage knitwear, comfy loafers, cardigans, sweater vests, blazers, sensible sneakers, tailored trousers, and accessories like baseball caps, wire-frame glasses, and statement watches.
Though the style is rooted in menswear, both men and women who want to unleash their inner grandfather are adopting the tailored pieces and oversized silhouettes.
The trend isn’t confined to just fashion, either. You can add the grandpacore look to your home in many ways with antique and vintage collectibles like art, furniture, and decorative objects that inspire you and help create a space that feels lived in.
A TREND WITH STAYING POWER
As usual, social media—particularly TikTok—has played a pivotal role in the emergence and popularity of grandpacore. By March, TikTok videos related to the search topic “eclectic grandpa” had already accumulated 12.3 million views, and individual videos of people modeling a grandpacore outfit can garner hundreds of thousands of views, illustrating the engagement and wide appeal these trends have with younger audiences.
As seen by the overabundance of fashion “cores” that have come and gone since 2020, Gen Z can blow through dozens of different styles in months, which may make collectors and resellers hesitant to buy into yet another fashion trend. But what sets grandpacore apart is that it’s anchored in individuality, sustainability, and especially longevity: the purpose is acquiring quality vintage pieces with timeless appeal.
A quick scroll through TikTok shows that Gen Z’s engagement with the grandpacore trend showcases vintage clothing. In countless videos, people show off their thrift store finds of choice pieces, including high-waisted trousers, comfy knitwear, lived-in loafers, and snazzy glasses.
While dressing like a senior citizen has never been cooler, grandpacore is not only about thrifting vintage patterned pants. It also teaches young shoppers about the importance and impact of sustainable clothing by buying secondhand items instead of new ones, aligning perfectly with this demographic’s values of ethical consumption.
In a world of fast fashion—low-quality clothing rapidly mass-produced to follow catwalk trends and replicate high-fashion designs—the eclectic grandpa aesthetic encourages following the lead of seasoned dressers and curating a closet of well-made items that can be worn for years. I can attest that I still wear several quality vintage grampa cardigans I thrifted decades ago that are holding up great.
KEY GRANDPACORE PIECES TO BUY OR RESELL
Whether you want to curate your own eclectic grandpa closet or want to capitalize on the trend and look for items you can resell, these are some key pieces to focus on, according to fashion magazines and what TikTokkers have been thrifting:
Oversized blazers: There’s a reason people are stealing jackets from their grandpa’s closet—they’re a prime staple and a dapper senior citizen classic. Blazers and suit coats in lasting fabrics like corduroy and tweed are particularly sought after.
Fuzzy knits: There’s nothing more grandpa-esque than cozy Mister Rogers cardigans, sweater vests, and fisherman’s sweaters. Both oversized and form-fitting for a more modern feel are popular in solid colors and fair isle and other patterns—argyle particularly channels an older gentleman of discerning tastes.
Pleated pants: Gen Zers are embracing the eclectic part of the eclectic grandpa trend by experimenting with pleated trousers in various colors and patterns. Plaid is a favorite.
Funky frames: Aviators and chunky and wire-framed eyeglasses are being snapped up for the complete grandpacore aesthetic and to add an intellectual vibe.
Hats: Hats aren’t just for bad hair days—grandpas wear baseball hats just about anywhere. Newsboy caps and fedoras are also popular.
Loafers and sneakers: Regarding grandpacore, you can’t go wrong with a classic pair of penny or tasseled loafers, the comfort shoe of granddads worldwide, in leather, suede, or velvet. Old-school sneakers are where comfort meets nostalgia, and pairs in earthy colors and soft suede or leather are being thrifted.
Statement watches: Vintage watches in classic styles give a touch of refined elegance that subtly completes a grandpacore outfit, whether a wrist or pocket watch.
Grandpacore offers a blueprint for a more sustainable approach to consumer fashion by prioritizing longevity over fleeting trends and emphasizing well-loved pieces.
But just remember: Dressing like a natty older gentleman doesn’t mean you’ll get the senior discount.
Adina K. Francis has been a writer and editor in the antiques and collectibles field for more than 20 years. She has a bit of an obsession with the Victorians and thinks that dogs are one of life’s greatest gifts.
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