Move over, coastal grandma, and say hello to eclectic grandpa, the latest nostalgia-fueled style taking the design and fashion world by storm. According to a Pinterest trend report, “grandpacore,” so to speak, is majorly in vogue, which makes total sense, given that vintage finds, academia-inspired accessories, and menswear fashions have experienced a major resurgence for the past several years. Bring on the cardigans, retro patterns, and leather accessories! This trend isn’t just for your wardrobe, however. In fact, we’d argue it’s even more fun to work into your home. Read on to learn all about this 2024 trend and how to pull it off in your space.
What Is the Eclectic Grandpa Trend?
Is it weird that the first person I pictured when I heard the phrase “eclectic grandpa” is the Grandfather character from The Parent Trap? I mean, he’s just the epitome of this aesthetic. Always smartly dressed in some sort of thick knit blazer, he spends his days reading the newspaper in a wood-paneled study filled with books (with a crystal decanter nearby, because obviously). His character is just the right amount of quirky without being overly so.
To translate that same vibe into your home, it’s all about warm wood tones, vintage finds, classic patterns, and accessories that tell a story. Basically, you can think of the eclectic grandpa style as being coastal grandmother’s funkier, more masculine cousin.
How to Get the Grandpacore Look in Your Home
If you’re eager to embrace this look in your home, here are some of our favorite ways to lean into the eclectic grandpa aesthetic.
Drape a plaid blanket over the sofa
If there’s one pattern that just screams eclectic grandpa, it’s plaid. For an easy, inexpensive way to introduce this pattern into your home, pick up a plaid throw blanket to drape over your sofa or at the end of your bed. Even better if you order one with your monogram, given that there’s nothing more grandpa-like than monogrammed linens.
Work dark wood tones into your home
Dark, rich wood tones are an eclectic grandpa must. To lean into this look without buying all new furniture, start with a classic wooden tray with a bit of funky flair. Use it to organize your work-from-home station or place it on your dresser to house perfumes and everyday hair and makeup products.
Jazz up your sofa with sweater-inspired pillows
Every eclectic grandpa has a soft spot for a good sweater. When shopping for throw pillows, look for cozy sweater-like materials like wool, woven knits, or embroidered designs. For an even funkier touch, the Etsy find below featuring the Ralph Lauren Polo bear is about as eclectic grandpa as it gets—it will surely be a conversation starter and will cozy up your space in an instant.
Style a leather valet tray
Vintage leather and eclectic grandpa style simply go hand in hand, and a leather valet tray is the perfect way to try out the trend. Take to the flea market (or just Etsy!) in search of a piece that you’ll be excited to style on your desk or an entryway table. These are great for corraling small items like your keys, jewelry, lip balm, and more.
Decorate with vintage ashtrays
If you’re anything like me, you aren’t a smoker but absolutely love keeping ashtrays on hand throughout your home regardless. We all know that any eclectic grandpa loves a good ashtray, too, so it’s time to build out your collection while embracing this style trend. I personally use ashtrays as bases for candles (they make your average vessel look extra luxe) and place them on my nightstand to corral jewelry or on my coffee table to hold matchbooks and other small trinkets. Etsy is a great place to browse for vintage ashtrays of all kinds. These look like they could’ve actually belonged to your grandfather at one point (in the best way possible, of course).
Display a large trunk
The grandpacore life involves lots of slow mornings spent at home with plenty of reading material. If you want to go beyond a classic magazine rack, stash your magazine collection inside a vintage-looking trunk or one made from woven materials (these are also great solutions for shoe storage, extra linens, small purses, you name it). Pretend it’s a piece that’s lived inside of your apartment for decades on end—it beats any modern acrylic bin.
