Get ready, because one of the biggest trends of the 2010s is making a comeback. Normcore, the anti-fashion movement that celebrates blending in rather than standing out, is making a comeback this year.
What is Normcore?
Normcore is about dressing in the most basic and mundane way possible. Think dad jeans, plain t-shirts, hoodies, sneakers and baseball caps. The goal is to appear completely normal and blend in with the crowd rather than attracting attention with bold, trendy styles.
The term “Normcore” was coined in 2013 by trend forecasting collective K-Hole to describe this new anti-fashion mentality emerging among millennials. It was a resistance to the constant pressure to chase the latest big fashion trend. Sometimes looking like everyone else is the ultimate fashion statement.
Why is Normcore making a comeback?
After a decade filled with ever-changing trends, from indie sleaze to weird girl to Y2K nostalgia, many young people are yearning for a break. The return of normcore represents an embrace of comfort, accessibility and simplicity in clothing.
It’s an antidote to the relentless trendiness and aesthetic excess of modern social media-fueled fashion cycles. Millennials and Gen Z are simply exhausted from having to chase every viral micro-trend. Normcore offers the freedom of not having to think much about what you wear.
How to Master the Normcore Aesthetic
Achieving an intentionally mundane normcore look is harder than it seems. You should stick to extremely basic, widely available wardrobe pieces that practically blend in with the crowd. Think to :
- Straight or slightly loose jeans without rips or trendy washes
- Plain t-shirts and hoodies
- Simple sneakers like Air Force 1s or Stan Smiths
- Baseball caps or dad caps without logos
- Joggers or plain sportswear
The key is to eliminate anything that could be perceived as intentionally stylish or trendy. No layering, patterned shirts, chunky sneakers, etc.
Simple, comfortable and deliciously understated – normcore is back in 2024 for those who want a break from the relentless pursuit of the trend. Sometimes blending in is the ultimate form of self-expression.
