Want To Look Trendy This Fall, Just Wear Your Frumpiest Clothing
…Or Raid Your Grand-Dads Closet. Normcore Is Back, But On Steriods. Plus Bonus: “How To Wear a Sweater Vest in 2020.”
It all started pretty slowly: the ’90s were back in style, jeans were being named after your boyfriend, hats after your dad…NOW it’s the latest on-trend statement, “ try to look as Frumpy as possible.”
But what if I told you it didn’t start from a trend, it was a rebellion.
This rebellion was coined Normcore, back in 2013, by the trend forecasting company K-HOLE.
Basically, if you want to understand Normcore you just have to ask yourself: how far would you go to look normal but also never really define normalcy while doing it?
Would you go as so far as to recreate Steve Jobs Wardrobe as your own? Maybe not, but plenty of people can probably tack Steve Jobs or Jerry Seinfeld up on their mood boards right now.
American Apparel, Los Angeles Apparel, Cos, and Everlane — they’re all good examples of the normcore aesthetic (if you needed a mental picture). But the trend was about more than minimalistic styling — it was a way of life.
Followers of Normcore wanted to look the same. They had no desire to look cool, or different, and they wouldn’t even dream of trying to be authentic.
“Normcore moves away from a coolness that relies on difference to a post-authenticity coolness that opts into sameness. But instead of appropriating an aestheticized version of the mainstream, it just cops to the situation at hand. To be truly Normcore, you need to understand that there’s no such thing as normal.”
If it doesn’t seem to make much sense, it’s understandable. Normcore is somehow related to meme culture and Jerry Seinfeld, neither of which can be completely made sense of either…
Here’s all you really need to know: Normal plus hardcore equals Normcore.
Basically, Normcore was born because in today’s world it’s hard to find your place. The New York Times Shares This: “Normcore was about dropping the pretense and learning to throw themselves into, without detachment, whatever subcultures or activities they stumbled into, even if they were mainstream.”
Here’s another interesting tidbit, Normcore has birthed other trends over past 7 years. It’s the daddy to what I’m calling Frumpcore — and also what others have called Grancore (granola core, cute right?) and Dadcore.
Frumpcore keeps that murky minimalistic look about it, similar to Normcore. And Just Like Normcoreans, Frumpcoreans (am I taking it too far yet) they often thrift their perfect pieces, raid their parents’ closets, and wear garments over and over again.
The difference, I suppose, is that Normcore acted more like a uniform worn as an outer representation of a larger life philosophy.
Frumpcore is less particular- if it’s frumpy then it’s a Go.
In fact, you might even be trying to look cool, you aren’t aiming to appear nondescript. You’re going for that dated, retro look, and possibly taking a sustainable approach.
Following that line of thought; however… there could be a Frumpcorean playbook after all. Hang in there with me!
A Spin-Off from Normcore Or Back To Trend?
It’s hard to say if today’s love of everything frumpy has anything to do with the principles Normcore was built on. It could be just like any other trend that has gained traction in mainstream culture and abstracted it from its origin.
But fashion and culture are rarely completely separated. Asking the right kind of questions will pick apart trends. Questions like: why is everyone eager to buy shapeless, basic, but yet quality pieces? Are people purchasing basics because they are trendy or investments?
Frumpcore is unusually popular at the moment probably for both reasons.
Some people want to buy into the trend. And then some people are focused on slow fashion and upcycled garments. I think Frumpcore will be around for a while because it is an approach to sustainable fashion. It also embraces this idea of “trends are dead.”
The higher the quality…the more versatile the garment, the more wear you can get out of your clothing.
Those who have sustainable fashion on their mind are probably fans of Frumpcore.
It’s always important to remember, long after a trend leaves the mainstream, there’s still style-tribes that keep them alive. For all the reasons I listed above; what could be a trend for you might be a way of life for others.
Sweater Vests Are Back In Style And Cuter Than Ever?!
So, If I told you the sweater vests were making a come-back, how would that make you feel? Horrified? Excited?
You Never Stopped Wearing Them In The First Place —
If you’re ready to jump right into the world of Frumpcore than look no further than the sweater vest as your express train to Frumpdom. Sweater vests are just so deliciously frumpy, don’t you think so?
I had a bad case of sweater vest fever back in Middle school. I never thought I’d find myself wearing one ever again….but here we are.
How To Wear a Sweater Vest in 2020
Go Oversized
I always hated when a sweater vests hit right at the spot that my hips started to bloom outwards. They completely hid my waist, making me look like a complete square.
What’s so great about a long-line or oversized sweater vest is that it won’t highlight the widest part of some women’s bodies, perfect for those of us with curves. Also, the long t-shirt look is still sexy and yet frumpy.
Buy it Cropped
Think beyond cool-girl-sexy because that not frumpy!
Just go buy a sweater vest that looks like it was made by grandma ten Christmases ago when you were ten years younger. You’ll be highlighting that waist and bust.
Also, I love this idea of layering a cropped sweater vest with puff sleeves. Pairing your cropped sweater vest with a timeless yet frumpy dress is a good way to recreate this casual, fall look.
Deconstruct It
Deconstructed sweater vests are a little less frumpy and a little more stylized. So if sweater vests make you squirm, this would be a good way to dip your toe in without having tragic early 2000’s flash-backs.
I saw a sweater vest with padded shoulders and about fainted it was so glam, but it was sold out — of course.
But it looks like the frump trend is here to stay.
I’m sure even more iterations of the sweater vests will have time to make their way into collections.
Shop In The Men’s Department
Forget Gendered Fashion. Shopping in the men’s department will give you a great oversized and shapeless look. Give your slouchy sweater vest a Tan France French Tuck and pair it with a thin faux-leather crocodile belt.
I really like this vest from COS, with it’s subtle white-collar contrasting the cream. When you’re looking for a more modern take on the sweater vest you want to focus on these elements; like color and the shape of the neckline. A deep V is a great choice if you want to layer on your favorite gold chain link chokers.
As always, when I’m looking at a new or evolving fashion trend I like to stand it side-by-side to current events —
Fashion is always linked to culture. The stories and conditions that fuel a design are often more political or ergonomic than you might think.
It’s my opinion that Frumpcore, Dadcore, Normcore, may have all got their start as a response to either climate change, sustainability, social media, or as a reaction to consumerism.
What do you think, why are you into Frumpcore (or not into it?) Do you care about sustainability? Are you just over trying to keep up with fashion? More focused on expressing yourself and not fitting in?
