Forget everything you thought you knew about modern menswear. Today, one of the hottest emerging aesthetics turning heads both on city streets and Instagram feeds celebrates an unexpected inspiration - eclectic grandpa style. What do we mean exactly by eclectic grandpa style? As the name suggests, it’s an eye-catching blending of pieces you might imagine a characteristically eccentric elder gentleman piecing together over the decades without giving a single bother toward coordinating colors, patterns, or eras. The eclectic grandpa embraces clashing decades through kitschy retro prints or vintage accessories. He wears bold hues without reservation, often pairing complementary brights like orange with green. Texture and sheen variety strikes his fancy too via tufted wool sweaters over satiny bowling shirts. And he delights in showcasing his quirky personality through novelty neckties or collectors’ items interspersed unexpectedly. Somehow on this silver fox personage, the unconventionally mismatched components with a tweak of grandfatherly playfulness all strike a perfect chord. And both young and mature men alike are taking notes - readily adopting the carefree mix-and-match freedom of eclectic grandpa chic for themselves. Intrigued by the appeal? Read on and prepare to get best acquainted with your inner elderly alter ego’s surprisingly dope dress code. Origins Like all fashion, the drive toward standout eclecticism emerged partially as cultural pushback from the ubiquitous. For the last decade, menswear leaned heavily toward refined minimalism and normcore basics as upheld by industry tastemakers. Think clean lines, muted tones, and quality fabrics designed for investment lasting decades out of style’s shifting gaze. While undeniably sleek, after years of stripped-back sophistication, some felt ready to break free again. And what better way to rebel against muted than embracing loud clashing exuberance where more is more? But all cultural shifts build on history and remembering old-timer members unafraid of making statements suits them well - both in allegorical attitude and vintage pieces ripe for separate rediscovery. Why Does it Work So Well? First, let’s establish why embracing this grabbed bag approach not only ups personal flair but inspires smiles wherever spotted. Like anyone confidently marching to their own band, grandfathers channel inherent magnetism - that enviable quality sparking joy in even strangers. Watching them strut proudly about the town without regard for the latest fads possesses an infectious zeal for seizing each day by one’s own rules. When applied to style, that self-declaration of taste energies an outfit differently than formulaic attire aiming to impress externally. Like wearing mood as outer armor, the spirit behind eclectic selections outshines any disjointedness. Paired with smiles conveying zero care for conformity, they transform mismatch into personal signature with the allure that youth and beauty alone cannot replicate. And while current culture obsesses over chasing the next big things, remembering to honor elders and their stories protects legacies beyond the surface level. So both metaphorically and literally calling back to the past through vintage spirit reanimates heritage on something as simple as a dope jacket. In Practice: Key Elements If you’re now itching to channel texture-clashing retro vibes in your own outfits, certain signature staples comprise the eclectic grandpa aesthetic. While freestyling whimsy factors hugely in compiling pieces, these categories make perfect building blocks for concocting looks bursting with dynamic personalities. Muted Neutral Basics: Since so much visual excitement lives on top, smart foundational layering sticks to minimal-fuss items. We’re talking light-wash vintage jeans, sandy-toned slacks, ivory cable knits layering undershirts and more. Sticking with softer hues in the bottom halves and core essentials amplifies brightening pops up top. Standout Shoes: Because eccentric grandpa style shouldn’t stop skin deep, consider shoes another opportunity for gleeful color contrast against more basic base layers. Canary wingtips against stonewash denim, oxblood brogues over tan trousers, and even rainbow sneaker accents infuse more verve in steps. Chunky Layers: Nothing conjures quintessential grandfatherly essence quite like voluminous knits or blankets draped about the shoulders on a crisp day. Thick cable knits in wintery shades like mustard or pine green contrast beautifully beside faded denim. And donning fuzzy fair isle cardigans, vintage military coats or fringed shawls carries old soul energy. Retro Touches: Period flair essentials help intensify the decades’ mashing effect. We’re talking groovy sixties and seventies prints on collared shirts or neckerchiefs, high-waisted and wide-leg pants Ease into corduroys and relaxed trousers for slouchy sophistication. Don statement-making belt buckles and ...
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Feb 28 202412 mins