I don't think everything needs to be a -core or an aesthetic particularly. But I do actually agree with the general sentiment that's being expressed here. In terms of what I actually enjoy wearing, and think I look good wearing, I prefer traditional menswear to anything else. But the imagery and general cultural associations that trail along behind traditional menswear nowadays don't do anything at all for me. It all feels quite cartoonish and unreal and distant from my own life. Distant from almost everybody in the world's life, moreover. I'm not a member of the Martha's Vineyard Yacht Club. I'd be out of place at an English country estate or an Italian sockless loafers terrace party. I don't dream of luxury, quiet or otherwise. I certainly don't care about How To Style Old Money Polo Shirt Best Menswear In 2025 (etc etc)
And all this has led me to some kind of preppy or "academia" kind of look. I don't really like those labels either, as they speak to ultimately just a different caricature of social exclusivity (based on academics instead of wealth) which doesn't apply to my own life either. I'm not trying to evoke that style intentionally, but I think that's where you end up if you wear sport coats, slacks, knitwear, tweed, etc, but you're a little shabby and second-hand about it, as I am. Unironically, I do actually think ancient Jack Black in >>18552758 is a good evocation of the sort of look I think is tasteful.
tl;dr I really don't think Doug-core is the worst thing in the world, although the Tumblr sexyman stylings aren't quite to my tastes so much