What is old man chic? Explaining the viral Gen Z trend

Lately, the fashion industry and Generation Z – known for being youth-obsessed – has been relishing the happily retirement age. Dressing like a septuagenarian (a person between 70 and 79) has never been deemed more popular until now.

You might have noticed it’s become more common to see trends such as ‘eclectic grandpa style’ or ‘old money aesthetic’ appear on our TikTok and Instagram pages.

But what exactly is the old man chic trend, which is gaining popularity on TikTok, especially with the Gen Z crowd?

What is old man chic?

Old man chic is a term used to describe a range of menswear looks that are deemed classic and suitable for men of all ages, but is usually connected with the clothing worn by older men.

There are a number of categories this falls under:

Tailored suits, elegant blazers, beautiful dress shirts, traditional dress pants, polished chinos, modern jeans, and tuxedos are few examples of the old money aesthetic.

Classic men’s fashion includes things that always looks good on you, including neat Oxford shirts, flat-front chinos, and white leather trainers.

The eclectic grandpa look, on the other hand, is a happy way to dress that incorporates lots of boss-man attire.

In order to give you a better idea on how it’s done, here a few TikToks.

It isn’t just old-man fashion Gen Z are obsessed with. They are also fighting to save “ old man pubs ”, the pubs that are usually a little run down with only five pints on tap.

You might have noticed more and more young people are heading to these pubs for a night out or just for meet-ups with friends.

Unfortunately, many of these pubs aren’t earning enough to continue serving.

Approximately 80 pubs close each month , or 239 demolished or converted for other uses, in England and Wales in the first quarter of 2024. Comparing that period to 2023, there has been a 51 per cent increase.

Hopefully, Gen Z will be able to save many from crashing. Plus, these pubs are one of the only places where you can find a £5 pint in London.

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