Grandpacore – What Is This Fall 2024 Menswear Trend and a 10-Step Guide to Putting Together Your Own Grandpacore Look

The Fall 2024 Menswear shows are far from over but a clear trend has already emerged: Grandpacore. Both a rebellion against the modern streetwear trend and a pushback against Y2K, Grandpacore is classic without being old-fashioned, while also luxurious but not necessarily understated. Grandpacore looks permeated even the more contemporary designers’ catwalks – Wales Bonner, Dries Van Noten, S.S. Daley, and Feng Chen Wang.

The defining features of the Grandpacore look are knit pieces like cardigans and sweaters typically layered over shirts and finished with an overcoat and relaxed pants. Colours are mainly neutrals like camel, brown, navy, and khaki. Footwear is mostly classic – loafers are popular, although dad sneakers are a good choice too.

Of course, traditional doesn’t mean boring and some designers have interpreted the Grandpacore trend in a more contemporary way – JW Anderson showed oversized cardigans (see the below in trending bright red), while Magliano’s look combines classic argyle with more modern wide-fit jeans. Cardigans are layered over each other at Givenchy with a long necklace worn on top, and at Eytys the uneven stripes give a novel twist.

So how do you put together a Grandpacore look? Here are 10 steps to help you style the perfect Grandpacore outfit, with catwalk looks for inspiration and shopping links to get you started.

Step 1: You’ll Definitely Need a Cardigan

The cardigan is the quintessential Grandpacore item, and should definitely be your starting point if you’re putting together a Grandpacore look. The pink-on-grey design at Isabel Marant and pastel pink colour at Amiri are more modern options, while the darker bordeaux and the slouchy silhouette in grey marl at System are much more traditional.

Step 2: For Non-cardigan Days, Go For a Sweater Instead

Maybe your favourite cardi is in the wash, maybe you just don’t know what to pair it with – no worries, go for a sweater instead. Isabel Marant and JW Anderson have updated the Aran sweater in lilac and red, and Zegna’s is a lovely mix of colour and texture. If you’d prefer to keep it more toned down, you could opt for a core style like that at Tiger of Sweden.

Step 3: Get a Shirt for Layering

Shirts are essential for the Grandpacore look, whether they are untucked and unkempt as at LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi or neat and preppy as at Prada and Tiger of Sweden. At Junya Watanabe, the shirt collar barely shows from beneath the sweater, but is a key detail for the look.

Step 4: Consider a Sweater Vest for Variety

When the weather is hotter a sweater vest is a great alternative to a sweater, paired with wide leg pants as at Todd Snyder, or with undershirt and shorts as at Lazoschmidl. At Wales Bonner, the look is more contemporary with a long-sleeve shirt worn under the sweater vest, untucked and oversized. At Paul Smith, a monochrome look features a dark green sweater vest over a lime polo neck paired with green pants and khaki shoes.

Step 5: For an Alternative, How About a Polo?

Rather than sweaters, shirts, or cardigans, designers this season have also presented plenty of knitted polos and collared tops. Either with buttons (Dries Van Noten, Wales Bonner) or without (Zegna, Todd Snyder) they can be worn solo or layered over other knitwear or shirts.

Step 6: Don’t Overlook Argyle and Intarsia or Jacquard Knits

Personally I love patterns, especially on knitwear, and I’m a big fan of intarsia. With knitwear being such a key part of Grandpacore, don’t forget to keep an eye out for argyle, probably the most Grandpacore pattern there is – see Our Legacy and Neil Barrett below. Intarsia (and jacquard) are also good to consider, especially if you’d rather not go for the traditional argyle. S.S. Daley’s intarsia features muted colours and an intricate pattern, while MSGM’s is more contemporary with bright red and blue.

Step 7: Find the Right Pants

The silhouette for pants is mainly relaxed but definitely not sloppy – see Fendi and Todd Snyder below. Also consider jeans (see Paul Smith) or straight leg trousers (Dior Men).

Step 8: Don’t Forget a Classic, Understated Belt for Instant Luxe

To add instant luxe to your outfit, consider a belt, but make it classic and understated. The small logo on this belt by Fendi is a great choice, or you could consider the Gucci GG belt (though tbh I think it may be a bit much, but I’ll leave that up to you). Even better: an unobtrusive belt like those at Tod’s and Dries Van Noten.

Step 9: Choose a Classic Coat

The coat you choose should be something classic like this duffle coat at Magliano, grey overcoat at Yohji Yamamoto, houndstooth check coat at Junya Watanabe, or Mac coat at Wales Bonner.

Step 10: Finally, Pick the Right Shoes to Tie It All Together

Shoes are one of the most important details, and the choices for Grandpacore include the sneakers at Dries Van Noten, boat shoes at Fendi, loafers at Gucci, and desert boots at Tod’s.