One of the good things about being a fashion blogger of a certain vintage is that I can slowly clamber onto the bandwagon just as it's about to leave town. There's been a lot of chat lately about Normcore: is it a trend? Is it a personality type? Does anyone care? New York magazine says it's when young hipsters wear simple clothes in order to blend in, not stand out. The latest post-modern craze is to mix up labels and come over all anti-fashion in a Patagonia fleece, dad jeans and New Balance trainers. Yep. Dressing like a middle-aged, Top Gear-loving man is a thing. But K-Hole the New York trend forecasting agency that coined the phrase think that everyone's getting their Hanes cotton boxers in a twist. Mistaking Normcore for Acting Basic. Whatever.
American Vintage sweatshirt, £80, available HERE. Uniqlo jeans, £29.90, available HERE.
Now, I don't want to look like Larry David but I do like the general premise of Normcore/Acting Basic. And sometimes my eyes need a rest from the Fashion Circus. I love a grey sweatshirt and often shop at Uniqlo and Gap. So. Am I #normcore? Is there such a thing as Normcore Glamour?
Just add a statement necklace...
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Indeed. Did you see the SJP 73 questions interview? She was wearing jeans and a grey sweatshirt with 2 necklaces, as I recall, and somehow looked both comfortable and classy - and even slightly glamorous ...
ReplyDeleteAs a wise man once said, "If you're so anti-fashion then wear flares/Instead of dressing down all the same..."
ReplyDeleteI love "normcore" and glad to find there is a name for it! I think I might actually be 50% normcore and that's not a bad thing because that means I have 50% to break out and live a little fashion vicariously. I would also actually associate it with some of the attire found on the more "minimalist/curating" blogs that I follow where much of the wardrobe has been more carefully considered to work for the individual. Not standout clothes in a fashion look at me way but good well made basics which provide a good foundation for other pieces (read statement necklace if this is what floats one boat).
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty funny to me since I spent my middle mother years in my husbands sweats and old jeans. Guess I was trendy and didn't know it. LOL
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
www.chapter-two.net
I just discovered (the name for) this trend too. I dress like this 100% of the time behind closed doors.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I just received an order from Gap as I need some new t-shirts for spring and summer. Guess what the parcel contained? Grey, navy and black basic tees. Does that make me trendy?
ReplyDeleteWhatever will they come up with next? Strange term but I'm guilty as charged *runs off to get necklace*.
ReplyDeleteTo every trend there is an equal and opposite trend.
ReplyDeleteHow funny, there's a name for this? I've been wearing my dad's sweaters since high school over 30y ago, and my wardrobe consists primarily of navy, grey, black and white clothing. I personally prefer "understated classic" as a moniker. And, yes, some sparkle is included in that realm.
ReplyDeleteI think "normcore" is an example of the triumph of coining and therefore owning a term. I also think it's kind of dumb, but am not surprised given all the eighty hundred patterns at once we've been seeing.
ReplyDeleteAnd, that sweatshirt comes in PURPLE and I want it.
I need a touch of glam. I don't fit in anyhow so might as well have fun with my clothes!
ReplyDeleteUm...I think the trick to pulling off Normcore is that you are, first, recognizably fashionable so that when you do dress down, it is then, actually a "thing". And not just laziness, lol...
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm so out, I'm in? I love nothing better than a comfi cardi and pair of jeans & I think worn in the right way, it can knock years off you, which is always a good thing, in a non try hard way of course?
ReplyDeleteI turn 50 in May & I found your blog through the This is 50 post. I am loving reading something I can relate to. I love clothes, make-up, having my hair cut and practising yoga and I never really think about my age. My mum (84 and amazing) always says she knows some very old, young people and some very young, older people!
Look forward to the next post.
http://karenbarlow.blogspot.co.uk/
I found this to be humorous and had not heard the term...but it is always good to know what people are talking about!! Thanks for keeping us informed!
ReplyDeleteTotally into normcore. Must say I feel rather hip saying that word because I'm usually at least a trend or two behind.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much how I dress, all the time. (The grey sweatshirt, jeans and statement necklace or shoes, not the fleece, dad jeans and New Balance trainers).
ReplyDeleteIt's not because I'm Acting Basic but because I want to act All the Other Things and don't want my clothes to do that for me.
I love clothes and I want to wear them rather than have them shouting stuff while I try to get on with my life.