What is “grannycore,” and how do you style it if you decide to embrace this slightly puzzling but totally appealing luxury fashion trend? Our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum explains what “grannycore” is, and shares an edit of 10 essential wardrobe pieces to buy, wear and love in 2021 if you’re in on this new luxury fashion trend.
what is this fashion trend called grannycore?
We’re not going to lie, we have loved the many imaginative fashion “cores” that this era has ushered into our wardrobes. After the emergence of the varied and playful Balletcore, Gorpcore, and Zizmorecore, we have been wondering – as we’re sure you have – what’s next?
Well we’re here to inform you that the answer is Grannycore.
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grannycore fashion trend – aka grandmillennial style
Alternative names include “Grandma Chic” and “Grandmillennial,” the latter of which was coined by writer Emma Bazilian in 2019. All three terms connote a version of the same thing: style that could have crawled out of your grandmother’s closet. This means the florals, long skirts, and chunky knits that might have once been considered frumpy or square have gotten an aesthetic upgrade – think something next to Cottagecore. Although Gucci has been making it cool since 2015, 2021 has made it clear that Grannycore is here to stay.
What to buy, wear and love in 2021 if you’ve embraced the ideals of the grannycore luxury fashion trend.
Grannycore is More than just a fashion clothing trend
Like cottagecore, which may have inspired it, “Grannycore” is a lifestyle. And it’s a lifestyle that millennials in particular have been gravitating towards, hence the name Grandmillennial. What does it include? Well, any cozy, homey hobby that your grandma could enjoy – perfect for a year that many millennials were stuck inside their homes. Crochet and needlepoint have both seen a rise in popularity. Grandma’s bundt cake is once again being baked in many kitchens. It’s more than appearances: millennials want to live like their grandmothers, too.
Business Insider hypothesizes that the fad is a perfect microcosm of this generation’s values. Grannycore is sustainable (vintage), comforting (necessary in these trying times), and in its old-timey flair, offers the illusion of permanence (which feels grounding when there’s a new trend every week). Though millennials have always been known for their minimalism, Grannycore is minimalism’s equal-and-opposite reaction – the same priorities (self-care and environmentalism) but expressed in a mirror image.
What to buy, wear and love in 2021 if you’ve embraced the ideals of the grannycore luxury fashion trend.
Grannycore Home Décor is also a 2021 trend
Millennials have also been letting their inner-grandmothers loose in their homes. Wicker furniture, tchotchkes, floral wallpaper. Tassels. These are some of the many elements that make up grandmillennials’ interiors. The materials may vary from space to space, but the effect is the same: Grandma’s living room. Millennials have always had leaned heavily into their nostalgia, and now they have repurposed this part of that for their social media-ready houses.
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how Dress the part for the grannycore fashion trend
Maybe you don’t want to add plastic covers to your couches just yet, but you’re interested in adding a few Grannycore pieces to your wardrobe. If raiding Grandma’s closet isn’t an option, there are other ways to begin your transformation. If you’re feeling ready to start your Grannycore makeover, here are eight items we recommend.
10 “grannycore” outfits best to channel the 2021 luxury fashion trend
1. Batsheva Chamomile Dress
Batsheva is the best place to start if you’re looking to acquire chic Grannycore outfits ideal to wear this summer. Their entire collection has us smelling oatmeal raisin cookies. But if we had to pick a favorite, then we would say that this pink and white Chamomile dress has won our hearts. With its delicate floral print and embroidered lace collar, it’s a Grandma-worthy dress that would make a great choice for the season.
BUY NOW – $373.
2. The Vampire’s Wife Villanelle Dress
Who says grannies have to be good? You can channel the grannycore look with a twist of Gothic glamour in a dress like this one from The Vampire’s Wife. It’s named after the the antagonist (that would be the assassin) in the television series Killing Eve. Don’t be fooled by the sweet print – those roses have thorns.
BUY NOW: $752.
3. Pearl Lowe Doris Dress
Pearl Lowe is known for her Grandma Chic Instagram, and you’ll definitely want to consult it for some inspiration. And if you’re feeling motivated, you might also want to select a dress from her boutique. Floral prints are at the center of all things Grannycore, and this Doris dress sports them with pride. Made with Liberty Print Belgravia silk satin, this floral beauty is the perfect example of all things Grandmillennial.
BUY NOW – £265.
4. Ceres Bijou Midi Skirt
Maybe you aren’t yet ready to commit to a total Grandma look, but you want to incorporate an element or two into your wardrobe. Why not go with a long, meadow-print skirt that can easily pair with another item? And once you’ve fallen in love, the Grannycore brand Ceres will be your new best friend.
BUY NOW – $89.99.
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5. LoveShackFancy Floral Cardigan
If you’ve learned anything from this overview about the essentials of Grannycore, it’s the importance of floral prints. Well, you know what else is important to Grandma? Big, comfortable sweaters.
After all, embracing this style means looking lovely and sweet while still enjoying your creature comforts. And this cardigan checks all the boxes. It will mix and match with any outfit, making it a great choice for Grannycore beginners.
BUY NOW – $345.
6. Chunky Cropped Sweater
It doesn’t get more Grannycore than this. This oversize, chunky knit is everything Grandma Chic is all about – and the knit daisy embellishments really complete the package. If you’re someone who hasn’t yet mastered the art of knitting, sweaters like this one will help you to pretend that you have.
“Grannycore” fashion trend. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $86.25.
7. Crochet chic
Oscar de la Renta is all in on grannycore. Witness this new pre-fall 2021 crocheted pullover sweater.
BUY NOW: $2,290.
8. Vintage Vest
In an ideal world, you’d be picking up all your Grannycore looks from an actual vintage store. If you’re limited to online outlets for the moment, then we recommend starting with the popular Persephone Vintage. This vest of theirs is perfect Grannycore: with its lamb wool scene of houses and flowers, it’s kitsch in all the right ways. And the fact that it’s vintage just makes us want it more.
BUY NOW – $235
9. Butterfly Sunglasses with Chain
You’re also going to need to find some Grandma-worthy accessories. In addition to brooches and clip-on earrings, eyeglass chains have been making their Grannycore comeback. But since it’s summer, why not select a set for your shades instead? And this one from Chanel is made to look like pearls – your Grandma would be proud. Choose between three different colors.
BUY NOW – $1165
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10. Quilt Jacket from Psychic Outlaw
Now that we’re all a bit more expert on what to buy to wear the new grannycore luxury fashion trend, there’s more. We end with an advanced concept for those who are truly all in. You know what’s fashion-adjacent to Grannycore? Quiltcore.
After all, quilting is another Grandma-approved activity. And at Psychic Outlaw, you can turn a quilt – either yours or theirs – into a jacket, dress, or virtually any other piece of apparel. We are big fans of the Chore Coat. These sustainable items are a perfect example of the way Grannycore is a remix, and not an exact replica: people are taking what they love about their Grandmothers’ styles, and recycling it to create something radical and new. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
BUY NOW – $280
10 essentials to buy to wear the grannycore fashion trend in 2021
That’s our take on what to buy, wear and love if you’ve embraced the ideals of the grannycore luxury fashion trend. After all, what’s not to love? It’s cool, comfortable and chic. Grandma knows best, dear reader.
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.
