Eclectic Grandpa is the funkiest trend of 2024

In 2024, we’ll be taking fashion inspo from none other than… our grandpas. Move over Coastal Grandma, this year will be all about “grandpacore”! “Eclectic Grandpa” is the new viral aesthetic making rounds on social media. The term was coined by Pinterest in their annual trend forecasting report, which outlines keywords such as “Eclectic clothing style”, “Grandpa core”, “Retro streetwear”, and “Grandad style” as trending search terms.

In short, Eclectic Grandpa is all about retro styles, vintage and custom pieces, and relaxed silhouettes. Its gender-inclusive nature is also part of the appeal for the younger audience: Google searches for the new aesthetic have increased by 442% over the last quarter.

We’re still in the early days of grandpacore-mania, so this is the best time to jump on the trend: read on to discover our six Eclectic Grandpa must-haves.

Knitwear is a must in every grandpa’s wardrobe. On Stylight we’ve seen a spike in demand for oversized, chunky-knit, and funky sweaters over the past two months: striped, ironic, and jacquard are the names of the game. We’ve also seen an 182% increase in demand for knitted beanies.

Nothing says grandpacore like tweed! A nice tweed blazer is a staple that you’ll find yourself reaching for year after year, while a tweed coat (especially if vintage) will keep you toasty this winter. Tweed slacks are a great way to add interest to a serious look.

2023 was very much the year of the ballet flats, so we’ve all kind of put our loafers on the backburner… not anymore! Penny loafers add the perfect preppy, retro flair to any outfit, and can be spruced up with quirky printed socks.

Another thing we learnt in 2023 is that leaving the house in your underwear is not only perfectly acceptable, but also super stylish. Striped boxer shorts in cotton or linen are a versatile summer staple that will keep you feeling cool and looking cooler: pair them with dad sneakers, fisherman sandals, or clogs for the ultimate grandpa vibe.

Often an underrated accessory, baseball caps can be used as a “valve” to tone down an outfit (i.e. a broken suit). Paired with corduroy trousers, a varsity bomber, and loafers, a baseball cap is the cherry on top of a preppy, 90s-inspired look.

Lean into the grandpacore vibe with this 70s staple: corduroy jackets are the perfect transitional weather layer that perfectly complements the Eclectic Grandpa aesthetic. On Stylight, we’ve registered a 29% increase in demand for corduroy jackets.