Not only did National Lampoon’s Vacation define the meaning of family man, but the All-American classic introduced Clark Griswold and his effortless fashion sense to the world. Released in 1983, the decade’s iconic must-haves are highlighted—Members Only jackets, Lacoste polos—but who knew this timeless look would later serve as inspiration for the fashion trend, Dadcore, a derivative of Normcore. Suburban paternal dressing has a few key signifiers easy to spot: New Balance sneakers, clean lines, a neutral palette, and of course, ironed khakis. So while Dadcore may leave the fashion realm as quickly as it appeared, Clark Griswold’s influence on the style cannot be overlooked.
Check out the gallery above for an in-depth look into Griswold’s suburban style, and how to channel a little Dadcore into your wardrobe—right in time for your own Christmas vacation.
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Garrett in Oak Barrel from Warby Parker, $95+
Warby Parker
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Original Cotton Pique Polo from Lacoste, $69.99+
Lacoste
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Washed Khakis from Bonobos, $88
Bonobos
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Iconic Racer Jacket from Members Only, $58
Members Only
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Thick, tortoiseshell glasses and an off-neutral blazer are two of Dadcore's staples.
YouTube
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Clean lines and a muted color palette keep Clark Griswold's look approachable and functional.
YouTube
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Button-downs and Khakis are a must! Ironed, even better.
YouTube
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Just an all-American Dad from the '80s. Note how the understated watch ties the whole ensemble together.
Facebook/Clark Griswold
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Oh spare me, Clark, I know your brand of family fun. Tomorrow you'll probably kill the desk clerk, hold up a McDonalds, and drive us 1,000 miles out of the way to see the world's largest pile of mud!
Facebook/Clark Griswold