Fashion has a new main character: the Posh Grandpa. Following trends like Brat, Coastal Grandma and Tomato Girl Summer, this latest character dressing trend offers a lighthearted escape from a heavy world. The nonsense is the point, according to Jess Cartner-Morley, who writes that there is more joy in these silly looks than in aspiring to look rich and pretty.
Posh Grandpa dressing draws inspiration from menswear, but with a retro and refined twist. It features slip-on shoes, comfy trousers, Henley button-ups and sensible quarter-zips. The look is mellow but never dull, with muted colours and classic cuts undercut by a sly sense of humour. For evening, velvet trousers with a silky shirt or a smoking jacket are encouraged, with minimal jewellery and simple hair for louche glamour.
To achieve the look, start with the right shoes: tasselled loafers, slim lace-up jazz shoes or velvet slippers. Trousers should be pleated, with a higher waist and a clean drape, rather than denim. A Henley shirt layered under an overshirt or cardigan works well. To avoid pastiche, interrupt the outfit with something modern, such as a leather jacket, a contemporary belt or angular sunglasses.
The trend speaks to a desire for comfort and character, finding beauty in the slightly off-kilter. Instead of fantasies of youth or wealth, it leans on signifiers of impeccable taste, a favourite armchair and great shoes. As Cartner-Morley notes, a life well-lived is always a good look.
