From Steve Jobs to Kendall Jenner, what is normcore, the fashion trend that advocates normality? Tired of wasting hours agonizing over your closet? You have two options: drop everything and live like a hermit... or embrace normcore. The trend that, precisely, says no to trends.
Jerry Seinfeld, a fashion icon before his time? What once seemed outdated and uninteresting now seems strangely relevant, thanks to a phenomenon: normcore. A word, a posture, almost a philosophy. The principle? Be resolutely banal. Mr. and Mrs. Average. The kind of person whose wardrobe fits in a broom closet, and who gets dressed in 90 seconds flat every morning. Why? Because she couldn't care less about the dictates of fashion. She has other priorities, like revolutionizing global technology. Perfect example: Steve Jobs.
But beyond this celebration of simplicity—even extreme minimalism—normcore also flirts with unabashedly bad taste. Baggy clothes, awkward cuts, questionable combinations... as long as it breaks the mold, it's acceptable. Whether intentional or not, this style sends a clear message: "I don't care."
Normcore, the new it-trend in spite of itself?
Having trouble keeping up? Don't worry, this is just the beginning. Remember: 2014, the year Ellen DeGeneres's selfie was breaking Twitter records, and Pharrell was sporting his now-famous (and questionable) headgear. It was also around this time that normcore emerged, in direct reaction to the hipster wave that had invaded the sidewalks of the Marais—and has never really left since.
Eight years later, normcore has transformed. What was once a snub to fashion has become... fashion itself. Ironic? Absolutely. What was supposed to elude trends is now a trend in its own right. As a result, Adam Sandler, once the symbol of the slovenly look, is now seen as a style icon. And he's not alone. Mark Zuckerberg, Shia LaBeouf... all participate in this glorification of the mundane.
In normcore, you're at your peak when you look like you're coming out of the airport or about to order a filter coffee as part of your morning routine. The less you do, the more you say.
How to adopt the normcore trend?
Embracing normcore, on paper, is a breeze. You just have to embrace absolute neutrality, make peace with a lackluster wardrobe, and give up any hint of originality. But then again, it's 2022, and nothing is ever really that simple. Because these days, giving up on style… is a form of style. And following a trend that claims not to be one is a real headache. Are you following? Neither are we, but that's okay.
If, like Bella Hadid or Kendall Jenner, you have an innate flair for style, just remember this: in normcore, less is more . A pair of straight-leg Levi's jeans, in black or blue, a varsity sweatshirt, or a plain white T-shirt, and you're good to go. On your feet? Dad shoes. The more basic (or cheap) they look, the better. The goal? Simplicity. Accessories? Forget it. They're too elaborate.
And if your look looks like you ripped from your uncle's closet, congratulations: you've mastered the art of not standing out... which, in 2022, might just mean being cutting edge. Or not. It's up to you—we're a bit lost.