Grandma Dressing Is All Over My Instagram Feed, and Honestly, I'm Into It
First things first: What is grandma dressing? Think any combination of pearls, fur, faux fur, silk, animal print, statement eyewear, vintage-inspired leather, tights, ladylike bags, chunky jewelry, floral prints, and anything Saks Potts. In other words, a more-is-more approach to styling anything that looks like it could have (or actually did) come from your grandmother’s closet. A movement no doubt inspired in some part by Gucci’s Alessandro Michele–led aesthetic, but after some much-needed dilution and trickle-down, making it a lot more wearable.
One may wonder: Given that my personal style is unabashedly simple, just why do I feel an uncharacteristic proclivity toward grandma dressing? Well, for starters, it’s free. Like several of my other favorite styling tricks right now, it can be achieved with pieces you already have in your closet. All it takes is some creativity and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Aside from that, it’s convenient. What better way to combat cold-weather dressing than with an endless approach to layering?
So with that, keep scrolling to see how grandma dressing has manifested itself on Instagram and shop pieces inspired by the trend—because while you may not need to buy more, it’s always fun.
Up next? More ways to dress cooler without buying anything.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run
"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
I'm a Fashion Editor—I Reach For These 2 Pieces When I Don't Know What to Wear
Ready in 10 minutes or less.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The Unexpected Spring Trend That's About to Be *Everywhere*
From the runways to IG.
By Eliza Huber
-
The Only 9 Jackets You Need for Spring, According to Fashion People
There's something for everyone.
By Remy Farrell
-
The Women Behind Instagram's Designer-Vintage Craze
I suggest you get to know them.
By Eliza Huber
-
And Now, 5 Elevated Ways to Wear Your Jeans in 2024
Denim devotees, unite.
By Grace O'Connell Joshua