[Youth Report] Familiar Styles at Cheonggyecheon and Tapgol Park... Halbae Look and Halmae Look Are Trending

Grandpacore Style Seen in Grandpa's Closet
Modern Reinterpretation of Nostalgic Fashion
Enjoyed by Overseas Celebrities and Domestic Entertainers Alike

Recently, the Grandpa Core look, a style reminiscent of clothes one might find in a grandfather's wardrobe, has been gaining popularity. It is characterized by outfits featuring colorful patterns and hues, paired with classic items such as watches, glasses, and hats. The Grandpa Core look, a modern reinterpretation of nostalgic fashion, has become a hot topic as it is enjoyed not only by overseas celebrities but also by domestic entertainers.

Grandpa Core Look, Also Popular Among Foreign Celebrities Like Gigi Hadid

Singer P.O wearing a 'Grandpa Core Look.'
[Image source=P.O Instagram]

In Korea, the origin of the Grandpa Core look can be traced back to the 'Halmaennial' trend. This term combines 'halmeoni' (grandmother) and 'millennial,' referring to the phenomenon where millennials prefer old-fashioned foods or clothing that grandmothers would like. Due to this trend, the Granny look, which involves pairing vintage-style long skirts or floral knit cardigans, became popular among women.

However, the Granny look mainly consisted of styles like floral dresses that were mostly suitable for women. In contrast, the Grandpa Core look is applicable to both men and women, making it a more mainstream fashion. The charm of Grandpa Core lies in its timeless style that does not fade with time. It is not heavily influenced by trends, allowing for long-term wear, and it also has the advantage of being able to recycle clothes found in grandfathers' wardrobes. This aligns well with the values of today's generation, who emphasize sustainability and value-based consumption.

Among these, recently, overseas celebrities known for their fashion sense, such as models Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber, and singer Harry Styles, have frequently showcased the Grandpa Core look, making it even more of a topic of interest. Domestically, Girls' Generation's Sooyoung and singer P.O have also presented Grandpa Core styles.

The image-sharing social networking service (SNS) Pinterest also predicted the trend of the Grandpa Core look this year. Pinterest stated, "In 2024, Generation Z will embrace the Grandpa Core look and bring unique and fun clothes suitable for the times into their wardrobes," adding, "Examples include retro-style lightweight outfits and sophisticated cardigans." Furthermore, Pinterest revealed that in the third quarter of last year, searches for 'Grandpa core' and 'Grandad style' increased by approximately 65% and 60%, respectively, compared to the same period the previous year.

Popularity of Grandpa Core Look... Secondhand Clothing Market Also Rises

Girls' Generation Sooyoung. [Image source=Sooyoung Instagram]

Following this trend, the secondhand clothing market, where retro-style clothes can be easily obtained, is also showing growth. Market research firm Statista projected that the domestic secondhand clothing market share was 18.1% of the total market last year and is expected to rise to 24.3% by 2027. According to a survey by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries, 35.0% of female clothing buyers reported having experience trading secondhand clothes within the past year. By age group, those in their 20s showed the highest rate at 47.4%, followed by those in their 30s (35.5%), 40s (34.4%), and 50s (22.2%), indicating that younger age groups had less resistance to secondhand clothing transactions. The secondhand market is expected to grow further as the current economic downturn and value consumption trends coincide.

Fashion magazine British Vogue also forecasted that the popularity of secondhand clothing would increase further due to the rise of the Grandpa Core look. In an article titled "Why the Only Way to Enjoy the Grandpa Core Trend in 2024 Is Through Secondhand Goods," British Vogue stated, "Vintage stores are filled with clothes that allow you to enjoy the Grandpa Core style." They added, "Grandpa Core generally involves mixing and matching items like polo shirts, printed jumpers, suede loafers, and knit vests," and noted, "In the men's section of vintage stores, you can find roomy cable knits, faded wax jackets, and colorful knit vests."