Ever heard of Normcore before? Us neither. Until now. An almost entirely web-generated fashion trend, Normcore celebrates the ordinary with its reliance on brazenly bland staples such as stonewashed denim, label-less shirts, and pool sandals that bear a distressing resemblance to Crocs. It’s the ultimate knee-jerk reaction to not only the meticulously dour Hipster look, but the demands of fashion in general. By dressing like their parents did back in the late 80’s, people are rejecting what’s prescribed by tastemakers and forging their own unassuming niche.
Obviously any trend that lends Crocs an inch of credibility should be approached with extreme caution, and some outlets believe the whole trend to be one big joke (the very union of ‘normal’ and ‘hardcore’ is inherently ironic). But it hasn’t been the flash-in-the-pan fad many thought / hoped it would be either, with new collections from Paris Men’s Fashion Week drawing clear influences from the viral sensation. Like it or not, Normcore has made the leap from your computer to the catwalk, although it’s yet to be fully embraced by the A-list.
Their reluctance is understandable. After all, the trend is built on the idea that conformity is the only thing that can make you stand out in a world full of self-proclaimed ‘individuals’. While it was a bit depressing to watch stars actively trying to out-weird each other post-Gaga, we’ll always appreciate the sense of spectacle Mother Monster brought to the table. The instinct to stand out is completely natural (heck, the male peacock puts most Oceania punters to shame), and for many stars, gaining column inches for the right or wrong reasons is their bread-and-butter. The Normcore movement, on the other hand, simply isn’t fun, even if it is joke. Nonetheless, there are some brave souls out there testing the waters of normality, and they’re not completely drowning. We call them the Normcore-Dashians.
WTF is Normcore and which celebs are keeping up with it?
1 of 7Ellie Goulding
The backwards-worn cap is very 90’s, and therefore very Normcore. Ellie’s mesh hat may be a bit ‘out there’ for purists who favour plainer styles – preferably bearing the logo of a naff, non-fashion-related brand. The printed t-shirt and leggings are also far too trendy, but the plain white trainers and clunky camouflage bag score the singer some extra points.
2 of 7Iggy Azalea
OK, so some of the colours are a little too strong for this to be truly considered Normcore, but Iggy nails the ultra-casual vibe, most likely due to her insistence on coming straight from her Pilates session. Probably.
3 of 7Suki Waterhouse
As expected, Suki Waterhouse plays with Normcore while still keeping things chic. The platform trainers and dad-denim coat are a great spin on the trend’s most identifiable staples, while the burgundy sunhat has a whiff of ‘awkward tourist’ about it – a calling card for hardcore followers of the style.
4 of 7Liv Tyler
The ingredients are here for a perfect Normcore ensemble, with the muted colours of Liv’s check shirt making for an ideal centrepiece. Less fitted jeans and plainer shoes could see her become a kind of Normcore icon, if that’s something that could ever sound even remotely appealing.
5 of 7Olivia Palermo
It seems former reality star Olivia Palermo is the ultimate Normcore-Dashian. Not only did the 28-year-old abandon the typical wedding gown for a sweater, shorts and tulle skirt concoction on the day of her nuptials, she also looked incredible while doing so. The cashmere sweater, which, along with the rest of her outfit, was designed by Carolina Herrera, is entirely wedding-appropriate and yet perfectly Normcore. Simple and effortlessly elegant, her ensemble is a great example of the potential Normcore holds.
6 of 7Olivia Palermo
7 of 7Sky Ferreira
Singer and model Sky Ferreira has been rocking the grungy hipster-goth look for some time now, so we’re glad to see her spice things down with a nice parka. The marijuana-print shirt is disappointingly vibrant, but that brown pleated skirt / stretchy shorts combo is both practical and amazing.