Y2K trends tapped into our early teen nostalgia and celebrity culture, and grandmacore made us reminisce of our grannies and cozy ‘laxed fashion—now enters the latest core aesthetic, kidcore. Kidcore is positioned right in between grandmacore and Y2K trends, and it takes us back to our early… early days. The days when our biggest worry in the world was the monsters under our bed. The fun, colorful, and toy-filled aesthetic has already been noticed by Instagram, TikTok, and of course, favorite celebrity style icons.
Although kidcore may seem like it’s come out of nowhere, it’s been quietly building up under our noses over the past year. Wearing cozy and familiar pieces made people feel a sense of comfort and security during the pandemic, those who retreated to their childhood homes literally wearing their nostalgic garments as they WFH. Tie-Dye and DIY patterns were an early indicator of kidcore becoming what we’re predicting to see in 2022.
Leave it to our street style stars to take the trends from the home to the streets. First up is Bella Hadid; after quite literally making Y2K fashion a thing along with best friend Dua Lipa, it looks like the model opted to bring in the new year by giving a go at kidcore. Hadid was spotted wearing a colorful ensemble (perhaps, manifesting brighter days for 2022) topped with statement-making accessories that definitely caught our attention. The accessories in question were a multicolored striped knit beanie complete with its own accessories: dangling colorful charms. The other, a contrasting bright multicolored mohair scarf.
On the runway last season, we saw a bit of child’s play at Moschino’s Spring Summer 2022 show. Taking kidcore to the extreme, creative director Jeremy Scott (aka King of Camp) sent models down the runway wearing a baby mobile toy on their head, kitschy toy-inspired bags, plastic ABC’s necklaces, and garments reminiscent of baby blankets. Another no-so-subtle take on kidcore is demi-couture designer Kelsey Randall‘s latest Tiny Toy collection, as seen on Saweetie for her Cosmopolitan Magazine cover shoot. The collection, born out of the pandemic, including a chainmail dress, sunglasses, cowboy hat, and some serious platform boots, explores playful youth and nostalgic motifs that bring a smile to anyone’s face, something we all can benefit from right now.
