"Vintage" was a key word for autumn/winter 2018 thanks to "grandma" silk scarves, traditional tweed suiting, '80s silhouettes and croc-stamped accessories. Lisa Aiken, the former fashion director at Net-a-Porter, explained this return to retro classics at her trends presentation last year: "While the Gucci impact is still very prominent, what we've seen come through this season is lots of tweed, faux-fur and scarf prints from Richard Quinn, which was a standout show of the season. There were a mash-up of references and designers have taken this idea of vintage and made it their own."
These antique-feel treasures are continuing into our spring summer wardrobes, with wallpaper floral dresses, vintage scarves, pearl jewellery and square toe shoes all taking over our Instagram feeds. There are seven grandma trends in particular that are proving popular with the fashion crowd on Instagram—and you can find them in charity shops, vintage stores, on the high-street or high-end designers like Gucci and Prada. Keep scrolling to see and shop the grandma trends.
1. Tweed
Tweed is officially cool again as proven by the plethora of looks influencers have been donning this summer. While the material certainly is timeless, right now, it's feeling fresher than ever before thanks to the bold, zesty colours.
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2. Knee-High Socks
Knee-high socks remind me of junior school uniforms and, of course, my grandmother. Grandmas tend to wear this sock style as a replacement for tights, but in 2019, fashion girls are styling them with shorter hemlines and sleek heels.
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3. Babushka Scarves
According to Merriam Webster, by definition, "babushka" means both a scarf worn over the head and a Russian grandmother. The new accessories trend has recently taken the street style scene by storm and according to the below, that trend will only increase in popularity come summer.
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4. Square-Toe Shoes
We've covered this shoe trend quite a bit this season, but it's also one that closely ties into the grandma aesthetic. The focus here, however, is that vintage-feel in the form of either a loafer, kitten heel pump, or mule.
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5. Pearls
One of the biggest jewelry trends of the season is also one that your grandmother probably has on her chest of drawers. If really want to dive into the trend, opt for a classic string of pearls layered over any of your tweed pieces, but if you'd rather something a little more modern, choose a pair of Alighieri earrings instead.
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6. Sweater Vests
Yet another trend that might come as a surprise is the return of the sweater vest. After attending autumn winter 2019 fashion week shows and endless PR appointments, I can guarantee this trend is here to stay for the coming season.
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7. Structured Bags
Your grandmother probably used to carry around these little frame bags, and you'll find dozens of them in vintage stores. Many emerging handbag designers, such as Medea and Little Liffner, are also creating exciting new versions.
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Up next, the six Zara items fashion editors will be wearing this year.
