Unlike flashy silhouettes, Grandpa Core favours durability over effect and utility over image. It is part of a movement that is redefining our relationship with clothing: less demonstrative, more thoughtful. This style does not seek to appear young, but rather to be authentic, relying on pieces that carry history and meaning. It reflects a desire to slow down fashion, to value thoughtful and sustainable choices rather than the urgency of fleeting trends.
Between comfort, heritage and second-hand
Appearing in 2023, Grandpa Core draws on the men's wardrobes of yesteryear: buttoned cardigans, thick wool jumpers, wide high-waisted trousers, striped shirts, ties, straight coats and classic loafers. The silhouette is deliberately relaxed, with comfort becoming an aesthetic value in its own right. This is not passive comfort: it is associated with a measured, calm and controlled look that emphasises confidence and sobriety.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
This style celebrates the durability and history of clothing. The interest in second-hand and vintage items allows for the integration of pieces designed to last, with heavier weights, strong fabrics and careful finishes. Clothes develop a patina over time, gaining depth and authenticity, and telling a story that new pieces cannot replicate. Looks become personalised, alive and imbued with memory, creating a dialogue between past and present.
The popularity of this approach can be seen on social media. On Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, the hashtags #GrandpaCore and #SlowFashion have hundreds of thousands of posts. The community values thoughtful style, comfort and the stories behind the clothes, spreading this trend far beyond traditional fashion circles.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Minimalism and spring-summer 2026 collections
The success of Grandpa Core can be explained in particular by the return of minimalism seen in the spring-summer 2026 collections. On the catwalks, we are seeing a rise in essentials: simple cuts, understated palettes, loose fits and functional clothing.
At Acne Studios, checks are being adopted for trousers. Mike Amiri is offering dozens of cardigans, and Louis Vuitton is adopting the very noble pullover for the shoulders...
Grandpa Core is fully in line with this dynamic: a refined but embodied fashion, where each piece seems designed to last through the seasons. Comfort and practicality are no longer secondary; they have become aesthetic markers, making clothing a central element of personal identity.
When luxury houses reinterpret old codes
Certain fashion houses translate this aesthetic particularly well. Prada, for example, has been exploring intellectual and retro silhouettes for several seasons now: wide trousers, demure knitwear, and layering inspired by everyday wear. Without ever falling into literal nostalgia, Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada reinterpret old codes to better anchor them in the present, creating a timeless and thoughtful style.
Other big names such as Ferragamo, Burberry, Iceberg and Lemaire cultivate this discreet elegance, favouring noble materials, impeccable cuts and understated fashion that echo the wardrobes of previous generations.
From Grandpa Core to Grandma Core
At the same time, Grandma Core is emerging as a sister trend: midi skirts, embroidered cardigans, retro bags, comfortable shoes and 80s-style patterns make up a soft and reassuring wardrobe. Together, Grandpa Core and Grandma Core celebrate a shared sartorial heritage, free from notions of age and gender.
More than just a fashion trend, these styles reflect a desire to slow down, to restore value to clothing and the history it carries. Grandpa Core offers a credible alternative to fast fashion, valuing comfort, heritage and sustainability. It is not just a style, but a way of thinking about your wardrobe, placing each piece in a thoughtful and sustainable cycle, and reinventing a conscious, accessible and deeply personal elegance.
Article written by Lohanne Mollo
Translated by Bethszabee Garner
