'Dad' fashion named as one of the biggest trends of 2018

You might think the biggest fashion trends of the year are based on celebrity style or runway looks, but in 2018 it seems that an unlikely sartorial icon has emerged, and he’s far closer to home that you’d expect.

“Dad” fashion has been named one of the most influential trends of the year in Lyst’s annual Year in Fashion report, which uses global search data and social media mentions to identify everything that’s been trending in the industry over the last 12 months.

According to the report, this somewhat domestic trend can be defined by chunky sneakers, slouchy cardigans and “ugly” shirts, all of which have surged in online searches by 439 per cent since the beginning of the year.

It’s not entirely clear how “dad” fashion became so trendy, though it’s a look that has been increasing in popularity in recent years, with Vogue dubbing it “dadcore” in 2017, when Balenciaga sent baggy blazers and stone-wash jeans down the runway for its men’s spring 2018 collection.

In June, the New York Times said “dads are now at the center of the style universe”, while the Wall Street Journal concurred, praising “dad style” for its retro appeal that prioritises comfort by way of orthopaedic-looking shoes and cosy knitwear.

Its stratospheric ascent from a heavily mocked aesthetic to a bona fide trend could also have something to do with the rise in Nineties fashion, given that the two are somewhat similar, which is also named as one of Lyst’s most powerful fashion trends of 2018.

Sport luxe, western cowboy and neon feature on the list too, alongside plastic, pre-Raphaelite prairie and sustainable, in light of many brands putting an emphasis on producing clothing that is environmentally-friendly.


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