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Vacation Dadcore is the perfect style for being practical, comfortable, and a little nostalgic. The best part is that you don’t have to be a dad to join the trend; you just have to look like a dad on vacation.
What is Vacation Dadcore?
Vacation Dadcore is a fashion aesthetic that focuses on Hawaiian shirts tucked into shorts, sandals with long socks, mustaches, wide-brimmed hats, tan lines, and a relaxed vacation vibe. One of the many perks of this aesthetic is that you don’t have to give much thought to what you’re wearing or worry about looking out of place.
Inspiration and Celebrities Who Have Worn Vacation Dadcore
The Vacation Dadcore style was heavily influenced by the Miami Beach movement of 1974, which gave rise to the iconic handlebar mustaches and magnificent shirts. Socks and sandals showed up during the 90s thanks to the ’70s kids who refused to let this fashion disappear, introducing beige to the color palette while maintaining the style of aviators and flower necklaces.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your Vacation Dadcore outfit, David Harbour as James “Jim” Hopper from season 3 of “Stranger Things,” sporting a vintage shirt, is a perfect choice. And let us not forget Tom Selleck, who played Thomas Magnum in the 1980s–1988 television series Magnum P.I., as the person who served as the major inspiration for the entire aesthetic. Another one that comes naturally to mind is Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the stylish private pet detective Ace Ventura (1994).
Vacation Dadcore Key Pieces / Clothing and Accessories
It is incredibly easy to dive into the Vacation Dadcore fashion trend, just consider a 70s detective lounging by the pool with his 9th piña colada. Since this aesthetic is all about minimalism and effortless fashion, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the latest trends. Moreover, it does not require the use of expensive clothes or accessories, making it perfect for those who prefer to keep their expenses in check. Vacation Dadcore fashion features Hawaiian shirts, defined tan lines coupled with thick handlebar mustaches, as well as late-night gaming rooms. Let’s take a look at the shirts, bottoms, and layers you’ll need to put together the perfect Vacation Dadcore outfit.
Top and bottom wear
When it comes to vacation dadcore-inspired clothing, try to keep things simple and basic by wearing a classic Hawaiian shirt in a bright color tucked inside a pair of blue jeans. You can also go with the all-time dad favorite look of a timeless polo shirt paired with a pair of beige or tan cargo shorts. This look can never go wrong since it is perfect for any occasion, whether it is a vacation or a quick trip to the nearby grocery store.
Shoes and Outerwear
When it comes to Vacation Dadcore footwear, you could always just throw on white sneakers and call it a day. Those Nike trainers are a must for any dad’s wardrobe—literally, no dadcore look is complete without them. Another fantastic choice is to wear sandals with white high socks. And to achieve that perfect dad look, throw on a woolen jumper around your neck or simply wear a white vest or cutoff tucked inside the pants.
Accessories and final touches
To elevate your Vacation Dadcore outfit to the next level, accessorize with some early 2000’s Oakley sunglasses or Ray Ban Aviators. Also, always keep in mind to tuck the shirt inside the pants as well as to top it with a black or brown leather belt to finish the whole look. To add some extra pizzazz, put on a Panama hat, a very big camera, and a sleek fanny pack for that vacation vibe. As for the finishing touches, a super cool mustache, a boozy beverage in hand, and a cigar would be a fun addition to the whole vacation dad look.
Vacation Dadcore Brands
Given that the majority of vacation dadcore fashion dates back to the 1980s, it makes sense to browse for clothes in thrift shops or vintage stores. Stores like Target or Costco are also great options since they carry a great selection of Vacation Dadcore-related clothes at reasonable prices. Remember that regardless of what your budget is, the goal is to look as relaxed and carefree as a cool dad on a vacation with little to no effort. You can also shop online at Amazon, H&M, Gap, Banana Jack, Barney Cools, and Tommy Bahama, as well as many other websites, to get clothes from various brands and complete your perfect Vacation Dadcore look.
There’s even quite a market for some of the higher end shirts. YouTuber The Nurse Flipper breaks down the top Hawaiian Shirt Brands.
Some of the brands that exhibit vacation dadcore-inspired designs are as follows:
Kamehameha Garments
The Kamehameha Garment Company was created in 1936, making it the first global Hawaiian wholesale clothing producer as well as the first seller of such a famous and classic Hawaiian garment, the aloha shirt. Magic Needle Productions in Hawaii has been handling the entire fabric cutting and stitching process since the early 1990s. The vintage Kamehameha shirts are highly sought after and cherished by collectors and can sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars. If you’re seeking the perfect Hawaiian shirt for your holiday dadcore wardrobe, this is unquestionably the best place to shop.
Levi’s
The American clothing business was established in May 1853 in San Francisco by Levi Strauss, an immigrant of German descent. The company, widely famous for its blue denim jeans, is the largest producer of pants throughout the world. The brand was able to achieve tremendous commercial success thanks to the more relaxed fashion of the 1960s and 1970s, which played a significant role in the “blue jeans craze.” This brand has made it easy to find the perfect dad jeans with a vintage vibe that match perfectly with your vacation look.
Tommy Bahama
Never leaving the beach was a common theme among Tony Margolis, Bob Emfield, and their spouses in the 1980s. Because of this, the persona of Tommy Bahama was created. Unknowingly, they sparked a new brand by asking what would a person who never wanted to leave the beach wear.
Founders Tony and Bob first approached Lucio Dalla Gasperina with their idea back in 1991. They all agreed early on that Tommy should wear sophisticated island attire, such as printed silk shirts and fitted slacks. Quickly, they debuted a line of menswear that evoked thoughts of a faraway island and praised the arrival of the weekend.
Tommy Bahama is now more than just a line of clothes; it’s a whole “island lifestyle” concept that incorporates everything from cuisine and drinks to home decor and beachwear.
Channel Your Inner Vacation Vibe
So, if the relaxed vibe of chilling on the beach in a nice Hawaiian shirt, sipping a chilled cocktail, and listening to Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii soundtrack sounds like your preferred style, Vacation Dadcore is the perfect fashion aesthetic for you.
