Blokecore isn't a new word to add to your social media lingo. The term first made the rounds in 2022, largely attributed to a TikTok from Brandon Huntley. Two years on, Blokecore has cemented its roots in both cultural and sartorial history, leaving an indelible mark on the course of fashion - and no, that’s not an exaggeration.
Blokecore’s sturdy presence can also largely be credited to its origins.
With a history from the late 70s and 1990s British Pub Culture, this provided a strong foundation for the movement, allowing the aesthetic today to transcend fleeting micro-trends, survive the ever-changing cycles of the industry, and suffuse so seamlessly into the fashion realm.
Blokecore emerged when ‘blokes,’ passionate about football, began incorporating their team’s colors and logos into everyday attire, demonstrating not only club pride but also the beginnings of a shifting boundary between sports culture and fashion; the beginnings of blokecore.
Contemporary campaigns heavily draw inspiration from the nostalgic era in which Blokecore began, with jerseys and pieces almost indistinguishable from the vintage designs and aesthetics of the time, as referenced below. Swipe to discover more:
Blokecore’s influence can be felt across various subcultures, from Hip Hop and Rap to the vibrant and cool world of streetwear. Much like the subcultures it graces, collaborations are key to Blokecore's expansion and growth.
Among its earliest collaborations was between Adidas and English designer, Grace Wales Bonner of the eponymous brand, in 2019 - an ongoing partnership that has consistently delivered highly sought-after releases.
Additional collaborations began rearing their head after the rise of Blokecore, marking and commemorating the fusion of football with fashion.
Swipe to see some of HBX's favorite collaborations:
Simultaneously in Hip Hop and Rap, artists who were football fans began incorporating jerseys into their daily attire, repping due to a a love of the game, the clubs, and the designs. This not only popularized the aesthetic but normalized it. The building blocks of Blokecore were thus further solidified; a football jersey, whether vintage or streetwear-inspired, paired with streetwear, laid-back pieces.
Swipe to see highlights between Blokecore and Hip-Hop subcultures:
With social media's rising presence and velocity, such a strong foundation under an aesthetic paved the way for further development. Contemporaneously, the rising popularity of athleisurewear allowed Blokette Core to develop, a subset of Blokecore. Akin to sporty chic aesthetics, Blokette Core incorporates athletic wear into daily attire. However, Blokette Core specifically focuses on the juxtaposition between feminine elements in conjunction with more traditionally masculine football jerseys. With celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber endorsing this fashion, football jerseys have demonstrated their versatility, growth, and proliferation in fashion history.
Today’s technological landscape highlights the influence of subcultures on mainstream trends, which enables what was once niche 90s subculture aesthetics, to be at the forefront of mainstream fashion today. Blokecore has become a sartorial gateway to the masses, with even fashion houses such as Prada, looking to street culture as wellsprings of inspiration.
Blokecore not only taps into a trending aesthetic but, with impending anticipation for the World Cup and Euros, taps into the very essence of a community and culture entrenched and intertwined with fashion history. Its profound impact within a cyclical fashion realm connects Blokecore to its past, present, and future - in short; blokecore is timeless.
Blokecore transcends mere aesthetics; it embodies a fusion of passion, individuality, and style. With such a powerful identity, there was no option but for Blokecore to become a defining moment in fashion.
Explore more streetwear-inspired and vintage jerseys on HBX below.
