Dad style is in! A guide to Dadcore and cool-dad-dressing
We never thought this day would come, but in 2024 dressing like your dad is actually pretty cool. The “Dadcore” aesthetic has been ruling streetwear since around 2018 when awkward, ugly-chic dad sneakers—like the New Balance 990s—became a fashion staple. Cargo shorts, relaxed-fit denim, and even the infamous socks and sandals combo: everything in your old man’s closet is up for grabs.
There’s an art to the madness, though, and dressing like your pop is no easy feat. As they say, anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a cool dad.
A good understanding of proportions is the key to acing the cool dad look: an oversized fit is what will take your look from regular dad to cool dad. Case in point, Adam Sandler is the undisputed king of summer dressing: his uniform comprising of an oversized tee, baggy basketball shorts, and sporty sunglasses perfectly embodies Dadcore, or better, Sandlercore.
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, it’s time to build the perfect Dadcore outfit. Here are the staples every cool dad needs in their wardrobe.
From mowing the lawn to going out for an iced latte on a Saturday morning, every respectable cool dad needs some uncool dad sneakers. The aforementioned New Balance 990s are a great pick, but so is any pair that puts function over form (we love a good arch support).
New Balance
Unisex 9060 in Grey/White Suede/Mesh, size 3.5
£160.00
New Balance
New Balance
990 V1 Green/Gold sneakers
£231.00
FARFETCH
New Balance
Mens Made in USA 990v6 in Grey/White Suede/Mesh, size 12.5
£210.00
New Balance
New Balance
990 lace-up sneakers - Brown
£101.00
FARFETCH
Socks and sandals are the epitome of dad style… often not in a good way. The trick to making the look work is having the right pieces, namely a pair of fashion-forward, Gorpcore-inspired practical sandals, like KEEN’s UNEEK or the Hoka Hoparas.
Keen
Innovative Open-Air Sneaker - Uneek Khaki Beige
£104.40
Miinto
Keen
Uneek Canvas Textile Mens Slingbacks Sandals - Natural Canvas Birch - Size:UK 12
£75.17
Legend Footwear
-10%
Keen
Mens Keen Uneek Trainers - Black - Size: 11
£99.00
£110.00
lovethesales
Keen
Uneek Canvas Textile Mens Casual Sandals - Black Birch - Size:UK 10.5
£65.02
Legend Footwear
Peper Harow
3 Pack Essential Quarter Mens Sport Socks - White
£26.95
Peper Harow
Peper Harow
3 Pack Essential Quarter Womens Sport Socks - Mixed Multi
£25.95
Peper Harow
New Balance
Unisex Pro Run Crew Socks 1 Pair in Blue Nylon, size X-Large
£15.00
New Balance
Sporty wraparound sunglasses have been a huge trend in the spectacles world since last year, and they add the right amount of coolness to any dad outfit. No one can judge you for your cargo shorts + white crew socks + sandals if you’re wearing Balenciaga sunnies. Just saying.
-30%
Maui Jim
Sunglasses, unisex, Gray, 65 MM, Hookipa Ultra G Grey
£198.09
£282.32
Miinto
-40%
Alexander McQueen
BIO INJECTION SUNGLASSES colour: HAVANA
£192.00
£320.00
Circle Fashion
-25%
Timberland
Sunglasses, male, Brown, 64 MM, Polarized Sunglasses Wraparound Style
£93.78
£124.41
Miinto
-40%
Alexander McQueen
BIO INJECTION SUNGLASSES colour: BLACK
£192.00
£320.00
Circle Fashion
Dadcore is at its, well, core all about comfort, ease, and practicality. Relaxed-fit denim ranging from the classic Levi’s 501 and 557 to super oversized silhouettes—take notes from this Cole Sprouse look at London Fashion Week last September—is the key to achieving maximum cool-dad status.
Denham
Sasuke Sl 103 Blue
£229.00
Labels
-62%
Diesel
Mens Krooley-NE Dark Blue Jogg Jeans Lyocell - Size 40 (Waist)
£123.30
£325.00
Secret Sales
Denham
Sasuke Sl 101 Blue
£229.00
Labels
-37%
Dsquared2
Mens Navy Blue Skater Denim Jeans Cotton - Size 34 (Waist)
£198.90
£315.00
Secret Sales
The same applies to short pants, like cargo and denim shorts. An ultra-baggy pair of shorts that reaches the knee is also reminiscent of 90s and early 2000s hip-hop fashion, which surely contributes to the cool factor. Cargo shorts, on the other hand, are perfect when paired with oversized casualwear à la Adam Sandler.
Flaneur
Denim Shorts Blue
£180.00
Labels
-5%
Replay
Mens Replay Grover Straight Fit Stretch Denim Shorts M1072.685.192.009 - Navy - Size: 32/34 Blue
£104.50
£110.00
lovethesales
-3%
Anerkjendt
Denim Shorts, male, Blue, XS, Hawaii Denim Bermuda Shorts
£66.99
£68.73
Miinto
-20%
Replay
Mens Light Wash Blue Stretch Denim Shorts
£83.99
£104.99
lovethesales
-29%
Siksilk
Mens Navy Essentials Cargo Shorts XS Blue
£25.00
£35.00
SikSilk
C.P. Company
Cargo Sweat Bermuda Black
£190.00
Labels
-27%
Siksilk
Mens Brown Flight Cargo Short XXL
£33.00
£45.00
SikSilk
