Your grandpa's style, but fashionable: grandpa-chic is everywhere
That checkered shirt your grandfather used to wear is now suddenly hanging in your own closet. What happened? But we can all manage to make this style wearable and fashionable nowadays. That knitted cardigan with a zipper, the slightly oversized glasses, or those brown suede loafers he has probably had since 1998. Well, exactly that is super fashionable these days.
We call it grandpa-chic and believe me: this style is more fun than you might think.
This is grandpa-chic
The trend revolves around clothing items that seem to come straight from your grandfather's wardrobe, but with a modern twist. Think of checkered shirts, vintage knitwear, oversized cardigans, tweed jackets, wide trousers, and classic loafers. A bit retro, a bit nerdy, and above all, wonderfully casual.
The trend is also known as eclectic grandpa and has already received plenty of attention thanks to Pinterest and a click of a button by Vogue. Colorful knitwear, vintage accessories, caps, sneakers, and classic watches are all part of the look. The best part? You don't even need to buy a completely new wardrobe for it. There's a good chance you already have something hanging in your closet that fits perfectly within this trend.
The key items for a grandpa-chic look
Checkered shirts
If there's one item that shouldn't be missing, it's the checkered shirt. You see everyone and their mother wearing it these days. Think of a piece in brown, blue, red, or green, preferably a bit oversized and with colors combined. Wear it over a white T-shirt, tuck it casually into trousers, or combine it with nice loafers. Just when the shirt looks like it came from your grandfather's wardrobe, you're good to go.
Knitted cardigans and sweaters
A bit of color is allowed. In fact: the more fun the breiwerk, the better. Go for a cardigan with a cable pattern, a checkered motif, or a knitted sweater with a retro print. The classic vest can also come out of the closet again. Yes, really. Combine it with a collared shirt that peeks out for that typical preppy grandpa feel.
A good pair of trousers
Don't forget the fitted trousers that fits your body perfectly. With grandpa-chic, everything can be a bit looser. Opt for wide trousers with pleats, preferably in gray, brown, or a subtle check. Wear it with a belt and a tucked-in shirt or with an oversized sweater. Nice and comfortable while still stylish.
Loafers and vintage sneakers
On your feet, we go for classic. Think of brown leather loafers, suede versions, or a pair of retro sneakers that look like they've been around for years. A sturdy lace-up shoe also fits perfectly with this style. The contrast with a feminine skirt or a nice pair of trousers makes it interesting.
The tweed jacket
A tweed jacket might just be the ultimate grandpa item. Especially if you choose one with a check, a bit of structure, and an oversized fit. Wear it with simple jeans and a T-shirt to keep the whole look from being too neat. This way, you prevent your outfit from looking more like a meeting at the office than a fashionable street style look.
Not to forget: the accessories
Accessories also make the outfit. Think of a classic leather 2. Statement pieces, a vintage watch, a cap, large glasses with a dark frame, or a scarf with a retro print. And don't forget the socks: a pair of striking socks under your loafers completes your grandpa-chic look.
This is how you wear grandpa-chic without literally looking like your grandfather
The secret of this trend, in my opinion, lies in the combination. You obviously don't want to literally wear your grandfather's entire wardrobe. It's all about mixing those vintage, classic items with modern clothing pieces.
For example, wear a checkered shirt with straight jeans and a nice leather bag. Or combine an oversized knitted cardigan with a short skirt and loafers. A wide trouser with a vintage knit and a pair of striking sneakers is also a combination that always works.
My tip: stick to a few typical grandpa items per outfit and combine them with clothing pieces you would normally wear. This way, the look gets a personal touch and doesn't feel like you're in costume.
