This year, we’re dressing like our grandparents.
Think wardrobes full of retro streetwear, chic cardigans, patterned boxer shorts, loafers, sensible sneakers, well-worn baseball caps, and minimal wristwatches. As seen on TikTok, the “eclectic grandpa” trend is a delightful blend of retro, vintage, and quirky elements, inviting individuals to channel the timeless charm of their grandparents’ closets.
These ensembles, which you and I might wear to campus, happen to be the same aesthetic our grandpas embody.
While many young adults and their grandparents sharing the same aesthetic might come off as strange—especially considering the decades between generations—there are many reasons for this likeness.
The “granddad” or “grandma” style involves vintage clothing with patterns, colours, and a comfort-first aesthetic centered around baggy silhouettes. Gen Z has valued comfort-core vintage pieces for a while—repackaging them from the “coastal grandma” to the “eclectic grandpa” aesthetic.
Our love for vintage clothing aligns seamlessly with our desire for self-expression through attire, where each piece has a unique story, ed down from one person to another with a different life at each step.
However, the “eclectic grandpa” trend isn’t merely an homage to the past; it’s a connection to the nostalgia and cherished memories in our grandparents’ wardrobes. The resurgence of vintage aesthetics, from bold patterns to muted hues, creates a connection with the previous generation we deeply love and the simpler times we had with them. Clothing lets us carry a part of them in our everyday.
Self-expression through the grandparent aesthetic is a cultural phenomenon. Designer Sydney Pimbley uses vintage pieces owned by her grandmother to express both her style and Welsh heritage in her collections. She cites her grandparents’ sense of style and approach to “make-do-and-mend fashion” as her inspiration.
For some, this aesthetic doesn’t stem from a need to be expressive, tell a story, or feel connected to their grandparents, but instead from comfort. As students who spend hours on the go, comfort is key, and loosely fitted and knitted vintage pieces offer comfort like nothing else.
The grandparent aesthetic has universal appeal. What sets the “eclectic grandpa” trend apart is its unique ability to transcend gendered fashion norms, reflecting and contributing to a broader societal shift toward inclusivity.
Although the “eclectic grandpa” aesthetic might be a fleeting trend, it’s refreshing to see that the aesthetic our grandparents display has been able to leave a lasting impression on our generation.
Whether it’s about self-expression, reliving cherished memories, or simply embracing comfort, this aesthetic transcends generational gaps and gender barriers. As we continue to don our quirky cardigans, floral sweaters, and baggy khakis, let’s use the power of fashion to tell our own stories.
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