Learning the Gen Z Fashion Trends

Fashion Tips and Aesthetics You Should Know About the Gen Z Fashion and Wardrobe

As people who grew up in the age of information, Gen Zs have a strong set of values they live by. The Generation Z or Gen Z as they are popularly called, are those who were born between the late 90s and early 2010s. They are socially aware, conscious of consumption, and authentic in self-expression.

These things also often manifest in how they present themselves. Often, Gen Zs do not subscribe to preset standards and carve the path of their own.

All of these internal and external forces create a fashion style and aesthetics that is uniquely Gen Z or Generation Z.

Gen Zs spend most on fashion, not just with their resources but also their time, among other types of entertainment. Moreover, they not only buy but curate to achieve a personal style. The fashion trends reflect the generation’s unique style, values, and self-expression and identity. But what are the most identifiable and well-known Gen Z fashion choices?

Gen Z Fashion Trends

Though not all Gen Zs are fashion enthusiasts, most of them strive to present themselves in a way that best reflects their self-identity.

From this comes a well of inspiration that gives rise to the reinvention of old trends and the creation of unique, exclusively Gen Z fashion trends.

Below are the many ways this younger generation introduces new styles to the fashion world:

Vintage and Retro Styles

Decades after their peak, vintage and retro styles are coming back into mainstream aesthetic themes. Thanks to Gen Zs, what used to be Halloween costumes have now become part of contemporary streetwear fashion trends.

As Gen Zs perceive the present and the imminent future as turbulent, they look at the past and find comfort and nostalgia in it. These young, creative people not only embrace Gen X fashion but also add their own interpolations to create a whole new and unique Gen Z fashion trends.

Digging up their parents’ closets for their OOTD (outfit of the day), Gen Zs has given the vintage fashion of the 70s and 80s a modern twist and renewed its relevance.

For Gen Zs who did not have access to their parents’ old stuff, rummaging through pre-loved stores and thrift shopping is the key.

Vintage and retro style essentials:

• wire glasses

• dress shoes

• statement accessories

• slip dresses

• mom jeans

• denim

• saturated colors

• oversized blazers

• printed tops

A Return to Y2K

Apart from the 70s and 80s vintage clothing nostalgia, Gen Z also borrows from their closest generation, the Millennials, and their Y2K fashion.

The revival of the Y2K glory in fashion is another Gen Z fashion trend that is hinged on nostalgia. To invoke the heydays of the early 2000s fashion, Gen Zs incorporate classic wardrobe pieces from this era into their everyday outfits.

At the turn of the millennium, rave culture was at its peak. In clothing, this meant loose-fitting pieces, bright colors, and bucket hats.

Shiny fabrics and playful accessories like butterfly clips and chunky platform shoes are also iconic elements of this trend.

As with the vintage aesthetics, Gen Z has also enthusiastically embraced the revival of Y2K fashion, infusing it with their own unique twist and mixing styles to give Y2K a modern refinement.

Y2K style essentials:

• low-rise jeans

• mini skirts

• baggy pants

• cropped tops

• track suits

• metallic clothing

• trucker hats

• kerchiefs

• hand bags

Gender Fluidity

While not exclusively a Gen Z style, gender-fluid fashion has found one of its loudest advocates in this generation, championing greater inclusivity and self-expression. More than a trend, the rise of the gender-fluid fashion movement is a philosophy.

The idea is to challenge the prescribed societal norms of how a masculine and feminine person should look like. Moreover, it rejects the entire concept of the binary gender in favor of unisex and gender-neutral clothing.

More specifically, this look emphasizes wardrobe staples like oversized clothing, androgynous cuts, and neutral color palettes.

Social media platforms are also important in amplifying these messages as they provide a space for people to showcase their unique style and inspire others to embrace fluidity in fashion.

Ultimately, Gen Z’s impact on gender-fluid fashion style lies in its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accepting fashion landscape for future generations.

Gender fluid style essentials:

• skinny jeans

• chunky sneakers

• baggy pants

• oversized blazers

• loose-fitting jeans

• neutral colors

Dark Academia

While the previous generation had its emo phases, Gen Z’s Dark Academia mood boards is as close as they can get.

Dark Academia is a popular style inspired by Gothic aesthetics, as we see in movies like Harry Potter or Saltburn as a more recent reference.

Gen Z’s fascination with nostalgia, intellectualism, and aesthetic cohesion has propelled Dark Academia into the mainstream. Essentially, the Dark Academia aesthetic exudes an air of mystery, sophistication, and knowledge.

Overall, the end goal is to achieve a scholarly charm that mirrors a deep interest in literature, philosophy, art, and other branches of intellectualism.

Dark academia essentials:

• leather accessories

• pleated skirts

• turtlenecks

• vintage accessories

• muted color palette

• tweed blazers

Minimalism

While the older generations have embraced minimalism into their interiors, Gen Z has wholeheartedly embraced minimalist fashion to influences the fashion landscape.

Gen Z’s take on minimalist clothing revolves around simplicity and elegance, which have become the hallmarks of contemporary style.

However, this minimalism can suit anyone’s style, regardless of personal preferences or aesthetics. With Gen Z minimalist fashion, you can either go with monochromatic ensembles or streamlined silhouettes.

Ultimately, Gen Zs have demonstrated that minimalism need not be a passing trend but a timeless approach to style.

Moreover, it is not only limited to the younger generation and but to anyone who wants simplicity and refinement in their wardrobes.

Minimalism style essentials:

• platform sneakers

• clean lines

• sustainable items

• high-quality materials

• sleek watches

• minimalist accessories

Cottagecore

Like minimalism, cottagecore has also made an impact on Gen Z fashion choices that are both nostalgic and romantic escapes from modern life. In the Gen Z interpretation, cottagecore fashion is a whimsical blend of vintage-inspired garments, rustic textures, and pastoral aesthetics.

Think Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ and other period pieces that a typical Gen Z holds dear to their heart.

Often, these images inspire a yearning for simpler times and idyllic countryside living. Especially after the onset of COVID-19, young people have gravitated towards cottagecore to seek solace and comfort in nature’s embrace.

Young women, in particular, have embraced cottagecore with its flowing dresses, floral prints, puffed sleeves, and delicate lace accents.

Overall, it is a fashion movement that not only celebrates rural life but also reflects Gen Z’s desire to reconnect with nature. It is an expression of their need to cultivate a slower, more mindful way of living amidst the chaos of the modern world.

Cottagecore style essentials:

• flowy dresses

• lace accents

• puffed sleeves

• collared blouse

• straw hats

• rattan bags

• skirt with pockets

• patchwork clothes

• floral clothes

Sustainability

Despite the variety of the previously mentioned trends, one undercurrent of the Gen Z fashion movement is sustainability. This generation’s current fashion trends focus on reducing their negative impact on the environment.

This reflects Gen Z’s deep awareness of the global impact of their daily choices. Being aware of how they fit in the sociopolitical space, Gen Zs are the group most likely to subscribe to ethical fashion practices.

A sustainable streetwear outfit consists of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, or hemp. Additionally, thrift or second-hand pieces also promote the reusing and repurposing of clothing.

For the accessories, it may include sustainable options such as vegan leather bags or recycled metal jewelry. In short, it involves making mindful choices that prioritize the planet’s well-being without compromising style.

As a response to this attitude, many current fashion trends now focus on environmental protection and ethical sourcing of materials. These are the more impactful ones that define the Gen Z fashion movement, where fashion choices lean towards environmental protection.

This also solidifies the push for circular fashion that aims to create a closed-looped cycle that reduces waste and maximizes the longevity of clothing.

Sustainable fashion essentials:

• organic cotton

• bamboo

• recycled polyester

• upcycled clothes and accessories

• local and artisanal materials

• ethically manufactured items

• vegan leather

Gen Z Fashion choices and the fashion industry

Gen Z’s choices in fashion have a significant impact on the industry as a whole. Moreover, Gen Zs, with a large following on social media, become fashion influencers who use their platform to forward advocacies.

For Gen Zs, this fashion movement embraces uniqueness, allowing individuals to express their personal style without conforming to traditional norms.

Gen Z’s core values and their resulting choices have the power to influence the fashion industry as a whole. This then prompts brands to reconsider their practices and adapt to the evolving preferences of this new generation.

These young people bring a consciousness that not only veers away from trying to achieve impossible beauty standards but also emphasizes authenticity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

As a result, they are redefining the fashion playbook, encouraging innovation and accountability within the industry. Gen Z shoppers prioritize transparency, ethical production, and environmental responsibility, driving demand for sustainable and socially conscious brands.

These fashion trends reflect the Gen Z ethos of being true to yourself, whether that is hot pink Barbiecore or countryside cottagecore. Ultimately, this signals a shift towards a more diverse and inclusive fashion landscape shaped by the values of this new generation.

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