THE YOUTH HAVE ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO REBEL AGAINST THE NORM, THOUGH THIS IS A TREND THAT NOBODY SAW COMING. A STYLE MATURED EVEN MORE THAN ITS DEMOGRAPHIC. GABRIEL WINTER GETS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE DILF-STYLE BECAME APPARENT.
Remember when you thought your Dad's style was a tad dated, or 'stuck in the past'? Well, those days are long gone with the emergence of a new trend of DILF-inspired outfits. Complete with tapered Dickies, Carhartt outerwear and, believe it or not, New Balance sneakers to top it off.
Based on clothes that are decidedly "anti-fashion," the youth have adopted this movement from its original day-to-day wearers to the now, middle-aged man. It has come after a time of comfort, staying at home during the lockdown period and finding a new approach to dress sense, reminiscing in the past perhaps. As restrictions eased the new wave of youth took to the streets and reminded the middle-aged of how they once dressed in a word now coined as "Dad-core". We have seen this trend featured in Vogue Runway, ModeHunter and in our everyday lives, take a look outside the window, there's more than likely three pairs of New Balance adorned feet strolling by, coffee in hand bought from a small owned business.
On a crisp, sunny Sunday morning on Shoreditch High Street, Carhartt was bustling with young men with shaggy mullets and curls, jostling over piles of neatly folded acid wash and canvas cargo pants, jersey zip-hoodies and various accessories. Mutters of "not that colour" and "I love this oversized look" fluttered in the air amid the smell of black coffee and Aesop Marrakech Intense. A lit candle in the corner in collaboration with MiN, another minimalist fan favourite within the daddy-youth, emanated a warm cedar wood scent that trailed out of the store in the swoosh of a bag and tan canvas jackets. The chatter of vinyl records and vintage cars wafted around the room, "I'd do anything to go to a Tame Impala concert", "ooo a classic Merc."
Muted tones and stone-coloured Birkenstocks are staple factors of this mature aesthetic. Khaki has never been more in. Straight-leg Dickies rolled at the ankles, white socks and a spiced musk complete the vibe. The vintage sunnies, shabby hair, artisanal cold brews, and minimalist tattoos are drawing online attention with young men wanting to copy this timeless style and grasp the essence of the 2000s dad. It is not that the actual dads are attempting to sustain their youth, but the youth aiming to achieve an older, nerdier form of glamour.
Everyone is aware of the term "Yummy Mummy", well this trend is not far off of a similar idea. Romanticising the mature aspects of a younger man and how established he presents. To have an actual child is not necessary to fit into this idea of a DILF, but to dress as one, impersonating one, aims to impress others and elevate your street status.
Influencers on apps like Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok are pioneering the movement, using music from The Smiths and showing off their look. Abel Carden showcases his edgy style online, using dad couture to his advantage drawing in followers and recognition for his style that some made call mundane. Partnered with a 70s cartel-like stache and two-tone shaggy mullet, he embodies the sentiments of dad-style.
It makes us beg the question, is it just a phase? How long will it go on for? Nobody knows. Though a better question is do we want it to end? It's a part of our everyday life and the men of Shoreditch have nothing to fall back on. Other brands like Diesel and Ugg are joining the army of dad attire and the empire is rising.
How do you feel about this style? Love it or hate it, it's definitely here to stay for a little while longer with the emergence of new styles of footwear and colour combinations hitting the recent runways across the world.
Make sure you check us out over on Instagram @asthetikmagazine and follow us on our journey to bring you everything ASTHETIK.
Comments