Hooks the Look

Would You, Could You? Dadcore

Not just for the guys, the aesthetic known as Dadcore takes its cues from the tried-and-true styles embraced by previous generations. Some might call them timeless and sensible, while others might say dated and ugly. Potato, tomato right?


Would You, Could you? is the guiding theme for my posts that are published on the second Saturday of the month. Such is the question one might ask of oneself when happening upon fashion inspirations in magazine articles, store displays, or social media. Or you might find inspiration in an unexpected place like a sunset, or a desert landscape, or a plate of food.  Sometimes it might just be the heap of cast-offs in your closet. In the case of today’s Dadcore ensemble, elements of this look have been popping up in fashion articles for a few years. Most notably, it’s been the chunky, sporty sneaker that has been capturing a lot of attention when it’s spotted as the footwear of choice by celebrities out and about.

However, I came across an article in Grazia magazine a few weeks ago acclaiming the rolled-neck quarter-zip pullover as this sweater season’s It knit. Sported recently by the older swoon-worthy male leads in a couple of recent hit TV series, this style has taken on some newfound popularity. The appeal to me when I bought mine last year was based more on nostalgia as I remember having a front-zip sweater like it a few decades ago. The style’s association with Dadcore hadn’t occurred to me until I saw the Grazia article and a post idea was born.

While the usual prerequisite for Dadcore is that you be a dad (usually middle-aged with at least two children), there’s no reason that a gal couldn’t give it a whirl. Especially if the style goal is to be practical and comfortable. If I were to model myself after the “dad” I know best, which is The Husband, I’d mostly be wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt in a muted color with the addition of a dark gray hoodie in cooler weather. He’s a fabulous dad, just not much of a fashion plate. So instead, my Dadcore is more “grandpa” style and quite literally so because the tan jacket in these photos once belonged to my father.

The jacket was one he wore often and my son asked to keep it for himself after my father passed. As I was planning out my outfit for these photos, I confirmed with my son that he still had the jacket and asked if I could borrow it. He was amused by the concept of Dadcore, to say the least. And while my father did wear front-zip pullovers, the collars on his were more understated than the one on mine.

As he got older, Dad was often cold and typically wore a t-shirt under his sweaters which I’ve done as well (might be hard to see in these photos). And Dad was as much a trouser guy as a jeans guy so I could have opted for pair of loose-fit ones but I went with slacks instead. This plaid pair was one of the thrift store find options I had bought for my Inspired By: Magnificent 8 Collaboration post where I showed a blazer and brown trousers look. Chunky sneakers were definitely his style as well, although my father’s would have been white whereas I prefer black and these are ones I wear for working out. Would you believe that with more than 100 pairs of shoes, I have only one pair for exercising?

In my typical fashion, one is never enough so I’ve got another spin for Dadcore using the thrifted jacket I featured a few months ago in Fresh Focus: Black Leather. Staying with the plaid trousers, I’m wearing an oversized striped button-down shirt and I swapped out the sneakers for thick-soled oxfords along with the plaid trousers from the first look.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week’s link-up post is Terri, who shared a post about a sewing project she made a few months ago. In My Sew Sew Life – A Multi Patterned Top Made With Scraps, Terri shares her experience in making the top and her creative approach to ensuring that it’s a one-of-a-kind piece.

Have I successfully inspired you to give Dadcore a try? Is this a look you would or could try? How have you embraced styles that are unexpected? Where do you find your fashion inspirations? Do share your thoughts in a comment.

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Photos: MMPerez

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16 Comments

  2. Sally in St Paul

    I have a brown quarter-zip pullover sweater that I thrifted from the men’s section that I enjoy layering with a brown quilted vest. I haven’t gone for full-on Dadcore, but that could be the starting point for such an outfit. The tan jacket reminded me so much of a jacket my granddad used to wear. He wore his with a newsboy cap, and I always thought it was a nice look. I would definitely wear the second outfit…though I might substitute a grandpa/boyfriend cardigan for the leather jacket for a more old-school vibe.

  3. Anne M Bray

    Love that you showcased your dad’s jacket, dadcore at its finest!
    I have a sweater that was my dad’s. It’s too worn out now, I’m going to use it in artwork!

  4. isthismutton

    I’d heard of Dadcore but wasn’t really sure what it was. I love that you used your dad’s jacket. It’s a look that’s growing on me.

  6. Mica - Away From Blue

    Those pants are lovely on you! I think I have a more feminine style and this kind of outfit isn’t something I’d put together, but I was deeply shocked one morning at church when sitting next to and talking with a grandpa I realised we were wearing the same shoes – i had on comfortable sneakers to support my knee, he had the exact same ones just different colours. i went and bought new more trendy but still supportive sneakers after that but maybe I was closer to this trend than I thought, haha!
    Thanks for the link up!
    Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend! We went to two fun Christmas parties yesterday 🙂

  10. Shelbee on the Edge

    What a fun theme for this week’s style prompt. And how cool that you are wearing your grandpa’s jacket! You look adorable in this dadcore style. I used to wear my grandfather’s clothing all the time. I loved his sport coats the most and would layer these giant things over my ripped jeans with combat boots back in the 90s. But they all stunk really bad of his body odor and despite cleaning them, you couldn’t get the stink out! LOL

    Speaking of work out shoes, I have at least 200 pairs of shoes and only 2 pairs for working out…so same ratio as you! We can see where my priorities lie…and it is not in exercise! (well, exercise that requires shoes…I still diligently stick with my yoga workouts…no shoes required).

    Shelbee