Lets Get Eclectic With It
At this point, we’re well-versed in the Clean Girl aesthetic and fully enveloped in the Mob Wife aesthetic. I’m a fan of both hyper-feminine trends; however, if neither calls to you, yell a little louder so the next up-and-coming trend can hear you. The “Eclectic Grandpa” requires minimal effort, lends itself to androgyny, and empowers you to incorporate your style. It’s the perfect wardrobe remedy for those inevitable mornings you’ve hit snooze on your alarm clock (5 times over) and have to look semi-presentable, or what I like to call nonchalantly chic.
Before we start with our head-to-toe inspo, let's understand the core of the Eclectic Grandpa. This aesthetic, note how I say aesthetic, and not trend, relies on pieces you already own. It shouldn’t feed into fast fashion and the cyclical trend cycle that relies on fast fashion pieces. The clothing and accessories that a true Eclectic Grandpa wears are lived in and loved.
So now that we have the basics covered, let's start at the top, head accessories. I believe the best head accessory to adopt is your favorite baseball hat. This baseball hat has been with you on your coffee runs, laundry trips, and the times you can’t face raking a brush through your hair. It should be worn in, even frayed on the rim, yet has the potential to elevate an outfit when styled accordingly.
My favorite article of clothing when dressing for this aesthetic is the top. Choosing the “perfect” top doesn’t exist, which allows for your style and creativity to flow. This being said, here are some basic guidelines or thought-provoking style choices to inspire your selection. The Eclectic Grandpa chooses to wear a baggy t-shirt or button down, oversized sweater or sweater vest, and ofcourse you can’t go wrong with a crewneck sweatshirt or graphic tee. When I dress for this aesthetic, I love throwing on my softest white Vince T-shirt, paired with my vintage Ralph Lauren cream cable knit sweater. If it’s extra chilly, and I want to add a little edge, I’ll add my oversized brown leather jacket. Layering is absolutely encouraged when portraying your most grandpa-est self. A bright button-down with a printed sweater vest on top? Perfect! T-shirt, button down, sweater vest, and denim jacket? Even better! The world is your oyster when it comes to layering, colorways, and prints.
In the Winter, I find a wide-leg pair of trousers or dark denim jeans a perfect piece to pair with this aesthetic. In the summer you ask? A casual linen pant or printed cotton shorts are the best options for bringing this aesthetic to life. Going back to my outfit inspo, I’d opt to throw on a pair of medium-wash barrel jeans or light brown wide-leg trousers. The contrasting colors (even if monochromatic) provide this so-called nonchalantly chic vibe.
Pro-tip when wearing baggy tops and loose pants together, you can either tuck in the front of your sweater into the waistline of the pants OR pull up your sleeves to three-quarter length to provide some dimension to the outfit. That being said, this is your take on the Eclectic Grandpa, so you do your grandpa!
The ideal shoe for this look is a chunky sneaker. Sambas, New Balances, and high-top platform Converse all perfectly tie together the fit. If you're not a sneaker girly, no fear, a loafer or mary-jane will also do just the trick. Yay! We’re well on our way, but of course, we can’t forget the finishing touches, and my second favorite part - accessorizing. It’s time to go to your attic, basement, or bottom of your closet and find those long-forgotten jewelry, bags, and sunnies you knew you kept for a reason. For instance, you can layer your dainty gold or silver chains, with bolder pieces like beaded earrings, and chunky rings for your finishing touches. Eclectic Grandpa is all about layering and mixing fabrics and patterns - accessorizing with your jewelry is no different. For your final, final touch, you’ll want to throw on a tote bag, and some thrifted sunnies.
And there you have it, you’re now the embodiment of the Eclectic Grandpa. I’ll leave you with this, what I think is so special about this trend is that it’s not only timeless but it's seasonless. You can dress in this aesthetic year-round, and it will evolve and change with you throughout your life. Your pieces may (or may not) stay the same, but how you choose to style them is where your style and this aesthetic live in harmony.