Gen X and Gen Y—OK, Millennials if you want to get technical—grew up with Super Dads who knew how to do everything well with seemingly no training or experience. But their fashion? Yikes! All collectively cringed as their fathers pulled up to the soccer game in denim shorts and long tube socks. We sighed heavily as they donned their best Hawaiian shirts for our eighth grade graduations. What were they thinking? Didn’t they care about how they looked?
The answer was no, they really didn’t. And in a strange twist of irony, we all want to be just like them, because dad fashion is back.
Gone are elevated and out-of-touch trends like expertly tailored pants, crisp button-down dress shirts and 24-karat cuff links. No, sir, not in this economy. Fashion these days is all about comfort over classism and dad jokes over deadlines.
We tip our misshapen baseball caps to the pioneers of the dad fashion era and welcome this resurgence with an open bear hug. Here are six dad fashion trends you can rock right now. The best news? They’re likely already in your father’s closet, and that will save you money—a total dad move.
Dad Fashion Trend: Grilling Shoes
Having a tough time getting that steak to a perfect medium-rare? My friend, you are probably grilling in flip flops. Get yourself to the local Dick’s (K-Mart is long gone) and grab a pair of Nike Monarchs or New Balance 608s. Throw on a pair of jorts (that’s jean shorts and, yes, they’re back) and some extra tall white tube socks and watch as your barbecue stats within the neighborhood improve drastically.
Dad Fashion Trend: The Mustache
Still sporting a goatee? You’re officially out of style. Dad fashion requires a full upper lip of hair, trimmed to perfection. The hair should cover the upper lip but not hang into your mouth. The bushier, the better. And in a new twist from the original dad-stache, this time you can buy specialized products to keep it looking healthy and clean.
Pro Tip: Handlebars belong on a bike, not on your mustache.
Dad Fashion Trend: Elevated Listening Experiences
If eight-tracks were available they’d be on this list. Because they’re obsolete, vinyl will have to do. Dad fashion insists on investing in vinyl records for your collection because streaming compresses the audio, making the sound less authentic and ruining the artist’s true expression and intention.
Pro Trip: Dad fashionistas do not use ear buds. They find high quality, absurdly large headphones to complete the true audio experience. Need a good starter band? Grab a Fleetwood Mac album or try the soundtrack to Dazed and Confused.
Dad Fashion Trend: Relaxed Jeans
Skinny jeans be gone! Whether you’re male or female, the dad jean is truly for everyone. These dapper denims boast a baggy fit, wider leg and high rise. Bonus points if you can get them in a stonewash and add in an extra-long braided leather belt. Want to fully commit? Find a way to carry your iPhone on your waistband.
Pro tip: Dad jeans are not boyfriend jeans. Boyfriend denim is a lower rise and straight leg. If you want to pull off the dad vibe, make sure your rise is high and your sneakers are pristine white.
Dad Fashion Trend: Yard Beers
Put down that overpriced IPA. You can’t be a beer snob and be in dad fashion. Dad beers are all about nostalgia over purity of taste and quality ingredients. We are talking salt of the earth here. These beers pair well with fireworks on the fourth of July, mowing the grass and criticizing your neighbor’s house paint color. Consider trying Coors, Busch Light (or Latte), Miller High Life, Bud Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon or Yuengling’s.
Pro Tip: When drinking these beers, consider starting your stories with, “Back in my college days …”
Dad Fashion Trend: Being Present
Dad fashion extends well beyond clothing, food and accessories; it’s a true lifestyle. Dad life is centered on being present with family and friends and taking time to care for those in the community. Dads are the first to help in a crisis and the last to leave a party when there’s cleanup to be done. True dads believe in working on a project well past midnight to get it just right. They put their family first and their career at a far distant second. Dads believe that slow is the preferred speed, and love is the language to lead with.
After all this time, being a dad is finally cool, and that works just fine for us.
Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and son.