Youthful fascination with TikTok trend "Knightcore" revives medieval times: Armor and chainmail become popular among Gen Z.
Modern Armor
Stepping Back into the Past... Sort Of
By Alex R. Bronson
Published Oct 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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In today's fast-paced world, finding a new, distinctive fashion trend can be like searching for a glimmer of hope in the steepest of steep mountains. Yet, much to the delight (and possibly, confusion) of many, a most peculiar style has managed to stand out from the crowd - the Knightcore aesthetic.
This enigmatic trend, akin to stepping into a tribute page for a forgotten medieval order, has ignited a resurgence of interest in our ancestors' armor-clad glory days. Peek behind the screens of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, and you'll find a myriad of young creators decked head to toe in metal plates and long flowing capes, resembling your favorite Game of Thrones character - if said character somehow stumbled onto the streets of 2024.
Chappell Roan's striking appearances at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) undoubtedly served as the opening act for this retro-futuristic ballad. The artist's commanding presence, adorned in Y/Project gowns, green capes, metal cuffs, and swords, must have left fashion pundits breathless. Her mind-boggling disappearance and subsequent reemergence as a literal knight in shining armor at her VMA performance, wielding a full metal-clad suit and chainmail, was simply the icing on the cake. The gamble paid off, with Roan winning Best New Artist at the awards ceremony.
But why the sudden obsession with mediaeval majesty? As we navigate our uncertain, often bleak world - plagued by ongoing wars, heightening political tensions, and a seemingly constant stream of bad news - it seems that a good portion of Gen Z has turned to TikTok trends for a taste of escapism in a battle-proof parallel universe. Case in point, creator @s.annia, who proudly wears a Joan of Arc-style mediaeval metal suit around her college campus.
This penchant for medieval motifs can partly be attributed to the surge in influential pop culture media focusing on medieval themes, such as HBO's The House of the Dragon, Dune movies, and The Lord of the Rings serial franchise on Amazon. As these media contribute to a niche medieval trend revival, Gen Zers eagerly don pixie haircuts, fantastical capes, elvish boots, and metal accessories to truly embrace their inner warrior.
Brands have been quick to capitalize on this new wave, with collaborations such as Umbro and Slam Jam's chainmail football shirts and Thug Club's jeans boasting laser-etched knight armour patterns. Blu Boy even releases made-to-order chainmail type watches and swords, taking this clash of gamers, historians, and fashion enthusiasts to dizzying heights.
As the fascination with Knightcore continues to gather momentum, the style merges with other aesthetics, most notably Weirdieval (aka Weird Girl core plus Medieval), further blurring the lines between fantasy, history, and fashion. With the future looking as uncertain as ever, it seems we are looking to our ancestors' armor to guide us into the unknown.
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Enrichment Insights:
Evolution of Knightcore
- Historical Roots: The aesthetic finds its roots in the attire of medieval knights, later being reinterpreted in modern fashion to create a blend of historical and contemporary styles.
- Modern influences: The aesthetics have been inspired by fantasy literature and media, fostering a connection with fantasy and historical reenactment communities.
- Social Media and Pop Culture: Platforms like TikTok have been instrumental in popularizing Knightcore; various creators showcase their take on the style through cosplay and fashion challenges.
History of Knightcore
- Early Beginnings: The term "Knightcore" came into prominence as a fashion trend in the early 2020s, building upon earlier historical reenactment and cosplay communities.
- Renaissance Faires and Cosplay: Influenced by Renaissance fairs and medieval-themed events, the aesthetic remains characterized by its focus on armor, cloaks, and regal attire.
- Cultural Impact: The popularity of Knightcore has been boosted by the resurgence of medieval themes in various forms of pop culture, from media such as Game of Thrones to series like The Lord of the Rings.
Impact on Contemporary Style
- Influence on Fashion Trends: Knightcore has left a significant mark on contemporary fashion by encouraging bold, imaginative expressions of historical themes in modern wardrobes.
- Crossover with Other Aesthetics: The style often merges with different aesthetics, such as Cottagecore and Medieval Core, thus giving rise to unique fusion of historical and modern elements.
- Sustainability and DIY: The emphasis on DIY approaches to fashion in Knightcore aligns with broader sustainability trends in fashion, promoting reuse and creative repurposing of materials.
- The Knightcore aesthetic, a unique blend of medieval glory days and contemporary fashion, has gained significant traction within the realms of pop culture and fashion-and-beauty, stirring a nostalgic longing for a bygone era amidst today's fast-paced lifestyle.
- This unexpected fascination with mediaeval majesty in entertainment and lifestyle has been escalated by an increase in popular media focused on medieval themes, such as The House of the Dragon, Dune movies, and The Lord of the Rings serial franchise, which have inspired Gen Z to embrace their inner warriors through Knightcore trends, affirming its integration into pop-culture.
