‘Granny’ fashions are taking on the excessive road as children attempt to ape nan
Brits are raiding their nan’s wardrobe for style inspiration as brooches, pussycat bows and vintage glamour roar back into trend thanks to nostalgic shows like Rivals
Nans have long been unfairly sneered at for their fashion sense – until now!(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Polka dots, pearls and florals are making a comeback as TV hit Rivals sends viewers wild for “grannycore” fashion. Brits are raiding their nan’s wardrobe for style inspiration as brooches, pussycat bows and vintage glamour roar back into trend.
The Disney+ smash, based on Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster world of shoulder pads, country glamour and 1980s excess, is helping fuel demand for old-school style. Laura Assouline, of firm The Set Set which studies telly’s impact on fashion, said the retro show is directly impacting shopping habits.
She wrote on LinkedIn: “A forecast tells you what’s coming. A show like Rivals is what makes people buy it.” Pinterest previously tipped 2026 as “the year of the brooch”, using the tagline: “If your grandma wouldn’t wear it, is it even the vibe?”
Five months later, Rivals landed with “polka dots, pearls, peplum, and pussy bows”, according to Ms Assouline. Searches for “brooch aesthetic” have climbed 110%, while “maximalist accessories” rose 105%.
“Heirloom jewellery” searches jumped 45%, with lace bandanas soaring 150%. The clothing expert added: “Granny is the warmest word in fashion right now. It signals safety, nostalgia, and inherited taste.”
The trend is stretching beyond wardrobes too. So-called “granny perfumes” are also making a comeback as younger shoppers embrace the overpowering scents wafting around the UK’s bingo halls.
And blokes are not forgotten as the “posh grandpa” trend also heats up – with Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, and A$AP Rocky at the forefront.
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