Move over MILFs… make way for the DILFs. I don’t need to explain what that stands for. Let’s go with “Dads In Latest Fashions”, to keep things respectable.
If you haven’t heard by now, the “older man” look is trending hard this year. Ever since Balenciaga sent real dads with their real kids down the catwalk, there has been a new and unexpected fashion tribe, the DILF.
The fashion items we’re talking here are synonymous with styles that are now a quarter of a century old: relaxed, stonewash denim, sensible jackets, dad caps and more. Which raises the question – how have fathers, once synonymous with lame fits and tired style, become fashionable?
Some commentators have suggested that the DILF look came about from cash-strapped millennials hankering after the stability embodied in the suburban dads of their childhood, with their mortgages, sensible cars and retirement savings. What was once boring has become aspirational.
The shapes and styles that the dad trend has resurrected come from the early nineties, AKA comfortable and practical. Dads dress for function, not form; starting with outdoorsy brands they favour, such as Patagonia and the North Face.
The DILF look is eye-catchingly eclectic. t’s created a great way of clashing different styles from different genres together and making them all work.
Key Pieces from The DILF Trend
Dad Cap
The origins of the dad trend can be traced back a couple of years to the sudden arrival of the kind of simple cotton-twill baseball caps that are sported on football touchlines everywhere.
Cheap and logo-friendly, they’ve long been a streetwear mainstay, but became an unlikely fashion must-have when Balenciaga created its own version.
Dad Jeans
Loose, pleated trousers are a viable legwear option for giving off dad vibes, but high-waisted, straight-legged dad jeans are the ultimate, combining the robustness of denim with the roominess of joggers (plus the ability to bend over and squat down – crucial with kids).
Look no further than original Levi’s 501s: regular jeans for regular guys.
Chunky Trainers
The chunky trainer is definitely the footwear big deal of the season and epitomises ‘dad style’ for its ugliness, and how it’s worn with everything. You could go with something like a New Balance 990.
Technical Jacket
An oversized tech jacket (anorak in basic terms) is also key as it adds an element of ‘trainspotter’ to the anti-fashion look. Wear it over everything from tailoring to sportswear, just like your dad’s favourite jacket.
The North Face is a great DILF piece.
Half-Zip Fleece
It’s a toss-up between this and the mock turtleneck. But few pieces or fabrics are as DILF-friendly as a half-zip fleece. Because of that, it has languished unloved on the racks at hiking stores, which is a shame: it’s warm but not bulky, making it ideal for layering under your technical jacket and doubling as outerwear (albeit not waterproof) for those awkward in-between days. This is one time when getting fleeced is a good thing.
