PUBLISHED
August 27, 2024
As a generation born at the crossroads of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Gen Z is rewriting fashion’s playbook, leaving behind the silhouettes loved by their predecessors and breathing new life into long-forgotten styles.
Their approach to fashion has sparked both admiration and controversy, making waves both online and in real life. But these trends aren’t just about aesthetics; they reflect a deeper evolution in how this digitally native generation shops, finds inspiration, and expresses their individuality.
For Gen Z, style is all about self-expression. Unlike millennials, who often found comfort in coordinated outfits, Gen Z takes pride in standing out. Walking into a room and spotting someone else in the same outfit? That’s a fashion nightmare for them.
This drive for uniqueness, combined with a focus on sustainability, naturally leads Gen Z to the world of vintage and thrift shopping. According to a report by ThredUp, Gen Z is the force behind the boom in the secondhand clothing market, with Vogue Business noting that their “biggest ask” is the inclusion of vintage pieces in their looks.
A generation that lives largely online, Gen Z draws both inspiration and validation from the internet. With so much of their life shared on social media, their fashion choices are often designed to be photogenic and ready for the ‘gram. You’ll find outfits that play with perception, often referencing other iconic moments in pop culture.
With all of its divisive trends and internet-driven aesthetics, Gen Z is rapidly redefining how we think about fashion. Ahead, we break down five trends that are at the forefront of Gen Z style.
1. Oversized Silhouettes
Gen Z may be best known for making skinny jeans a thing of the past. While millennials were all about form-fitting denim, Gen Z turned the tide, embracing longer, looser cuts like baggy jeans and cargo pants. The request for oversized and loose-fitting clothing has become a staple among Gen Z, particularly for street style and everyday wear.
This generation loves to play with proportions, often pairing oversized pieces with more fitted items for balance. “Little shirt, big pants, or little pants, bigger shirt” is a simple rule to follow. For those who want to take it further, pairing oversized pants with an oversized shirt can work if you play with elements like a scooped neckline or rolled-up sleeves to add definition.
2. Y2K Revival
Image: Shutterstock
After the resurgence of ’90s fashion—think slip dresses, baby tees, and bucket hats—came the inevitable Y2K renaissance. Waistlines dropped, pastel-tinted sunglasses made a comeback, and Juicy Couture sweatsuits were suddenly relevant again. Julia Fox made headlines with her daring, low-rise pants, while Addison Rae and Bella Hadid brought Ed Hardy back into the spotlight, and Ice Spice channeled early 2000s vibes with a custom Baby Phat look at the Grammys.
Brands like Coach and Tommy Hilfiger, which were all the rage in the early 2000s, are enjoying a renaissance. In 2023, Coach reported a 25% increase in spending by Gen Z consumers, and the brand has responded by selecting ambassadors like Ariana Greenblatt, Dove Cameron, and Lil Nas, who resonate with this younger audience.
3. Reimagining the 2000s
Instagram @bellahadid
Gen Z isn’t just bringing back the 2000s—they’re reimagining them. Drawing inspiration from the 2010s, this generation is redefining workwear for the modern day. What was once confined to office attire is now part of streetwear, with oversized blazers and menswear-inspired pieces making their way into everyday fashion. Sales of oversized blazers, for example, have surged by 25% year over year.
Even peplums, which once dominated early 2010s fashion, have made a comeback, appearing on 2023 runways and 2024 red carpets. Despite the hesitation from older generations who recall the era of pencil skirts and statement necklaces, Gen Z is embracing these styles with a fresh perspective.
4. Athletic Inspiration
Gen Z isn’t afraid to mix and match different aesthetics within a single outfit, often adding sporty elements to their looks. Having grown up during the rise of athleisure, they’re comfortable blending athletic details with more formal pieces. Adidas Sambas with dresses, track pants paired with feminine tops, and tennis skirts that go with just about anything—these are all hallmarks of Gen Z’s athletic-inspired style.
Internet-born trends like “blokecore,” a soccer-inspired aesthetic, are also gaining traction, bringing jerseys and other athletic merch into the fashion mainstream.
5. Trompe L’oeil
The art of trompe l’oeil has a long history in fashion, from Elsa Schiaparelli’s 1927 bow sweater to Loewe’s fall/winter 2023 collection, which featured satin shift dresses printed with blurred images of garments from the ’40s and ’50s. The effect is dizzying, as the garments appear out of focus or still loading in real life.
For a digital-first generation, trompe l’oeil is a natural fit, drawing on the aesthetics of early video games and the rise of NFTs. It challenges viewers to distinguish between reality and illusion, a skill that Gen Z has honed in a world increasingly dominated by deepfakes and digital trickery.