In Hong Kong, grandmas seem to have an agreement on the uniform they put on for everyday wear: something comfortable and practical with a trad pattern here and there.

They also seem to prioritise classic styles that never go out of fashion, such as tailored suits, silk blouses and simple dresses.

This checklist can easily be adapted by younger generations to put their own twist on. Here’s how you can channel your stylish inner grandma – and we’re looking to celebs who have already owned this trend:

Back to grandma basics

The basic attire worn by most Hong Kong grandmas is a blend of the traditional and modern. Vintage collared blouses, preferably patterned, are a popular staple, and so are comfortable loose trousers.

To inject some youth in these styles, one can experiment with sheer tops and different trouser fits, like this Dries Van Noten floral-print silk-chiffon shirt and the Posse Tia high-waisted linen flared-leg trousers.

Dresses

Looking beyond the cheongsam, vintage dresses are an easy wardrobe staple to help you achieve the grandmacore look too. The polka dot crepe de chine dress by Miu Miu is an elegant piece and looks like it’s come straight out of a grandma’s wardrobe.

Knitwear

From dresses to cropped cardigans, miniskirts to kung fu jackets, there is an eclectic and fun assortment of knits to choose from. When looking for knitwear, let classic colours such as beige, navy and burgundy guide you if you really want to nail this trend.

Outerwear

Kung fu jackets are characterised by the Chinese knots or frog buttons on the front and are popular among the elderly for their warmth and room for layering: you can fit a lot underneath or even over them to maximise cosiness. For instance, Grandma Li here (spotted on social media account Chinatown Pretty, which celebrates grandma street style) layered patterns over patterns, achieving a stylish maximalist look.

Skirts inspired by grandmacore can be fun to experiment with too.

Not just with cardigans but as matching skirt suit dresses, as Mrs. Ma from Chinatown Pretty demonstrates in her dusky blue set. A modern take on the suit skirt set is donned by Michelle Wai, who wears a black and white tweed set with a cropped suit jacket and contrasting hems.

Footwear

When it comes to footwear, grandmacore prioritises support for the soles. Chinese Mary Janes and loafers are as comfortable as shoes can get, wearable as an everyday choice, while also being stylish.

Made with suede or canvas material, Chinese Mary Janes have a rounded front and variants of fasteners include Velcro straps for accessibility and the usual buckle for fastening.

Accessories

The most valuable shade of jade is green, and it is believed that the gemstone’s mixture wards off evil spirits. Jadeite Atelier designs modern pieces, going beyond the traditional uses of jade which usually include the Chinese zodiac and Buddha carvings.

Gold, on the other hand, is associated with power and wealth, and can easily be incorporated into a grandma-esque ensemble in the form of fine jewellery.

Adapting the grandmacore trend to Hong Kong, inspired by the wardrobes of local grandmas, is all about paying homage to their timeless sense of style.

Incorporating classic pieces such as knitwear, Chinese Mary Janes and elegant accessories into your wardrobe, you can create a unique and stylish look that nods to the fashions of the past while still feeling fresh and modern.