The “dadcore” trend started out in 2016 but has since grown in popularity. Here’s a beginner’s guide on how to nail the aesthetic, with masculine tailoring making a comeback.
You might be familiar with the whimsical charm of cottagecore, the elegance of balletcore, or the ethereal allure of dreamcore – but brace yourself for a trend that’s a bit closer to home: ‘dadcore’.
Imagine if you had a normcore offshoot: a relaxed, easy-going style with plenty of neutral and oversized items. Dadcore is all about the simple, no-fuss pieces you’d likely find in your old man’s closet, such as jean shorts and roomy jackets.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer rocked the trend at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony last year, where he was spotted wearing a Team GB-branded cagoule. Similarly, Zayn Malik tapped into dadcore at New York Fashion Week in September 2024. The former One Direction star donned a bushy beard, long, grown out hair and a brown collared leather jacket.
But how can you rock this outfit without spouting out that you’ve used up the local charity shop’s bargain bin? Here’s your guide to capturing the masculine tailoring trend, with masculine tailoring making a comeback.
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What exactly is “dadcore”?
“Dad” fashion, which was once the epitome of uncool, has since become a hot trend. The dadcore aesthetic, which includes bulky trainers, acid-washed jeans, and functional parkas, first appeared on Balenciaga’s catwalks in 2016 and was well-known by the end of the decade.
Its charming attitude may be the result of its embrace of imperfections. Oriona Robb, a celebrity stylist, says, “I think it has gained momentum because it has challenged the over-curated and over-styled looks we’ve seen a lot of.” Instead, it has that imperfect, laid-back vibe.
This trend focuses solely on purposefully showcasing the “unfashionable” items that are typically associated with middle-aged dads, such as drainpipe jeans, polos, and loafers.
When properly styled, these items become declarations of authenticity and ease. It’s “about] simple basics with a sense of humor and deeper sentimentality,” says Robb, “and it’s thrown together effortlessly.”
A deliberate rejection of recent trend-following, proper fashions
Dadcore rebels against polished conformity in the same way that grunge and indie sleaze did for the youth of the 1990s. It defys the recent prevailing, proper fashions, such as “quiet luxury.”
A growing cultural movement is roiling Dadcore. Robb says the connection to an era that was looking for something solid in rapidly changing times is “deeply tied to the broader nostalgia wave that’s]sweeping] fashion.”
Robb explains that the dadcore style is intended to be edgy and almost akin to old home videos or Sunday morning routines, and that it is “almost an aesthetic version of that.”
Young millennials and Gen Z are dressing up in old fashions with a new perspective because of their keen interest in fashion cycles. Robb praises the trend’s unique blend of irony, comfort, and storytelling all at once.
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How to master the “dadcore”
A major overhaul is not necessary to create a dadcore wardrobe. Robb advises pairing comfy jeans like relaxed-fit or stonewashed with staples like chunky classic trainers like New Balance or Reebok.
The most important elements of this retro vibe are oversized tees, whether plain or graphic, plaid or flannel shirts, and practical outerwear like anoraks or windbreakers.
Robb acknowledges that not everyone’s taste would be attracted to the suburban dad vibe. It’s a challenging one because it can feel like the complete opposite to those who love luxury or traditional feminine fashion! Dadcore, however, does not imply sacrificing your style.
An otherwise tailored or contemporary ensemble can be made up of a windbreaker or two chunky trainers. The goal is to reinterpret the aesthetic through your eyes, says Robb.
Source: Mirror
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