Fashion is a favorite hobby of many people, being the preferred instrument when looking to express individuality and personality. Dressing the way you like boosts your confidence, cultivates your sense of uniqueness and creativity, and allows you to identify with different social groups. Young people who are still developing their sense of self and figuring out what they like and don’t like are the ones setting most of the trends, and right now, that baton has been passed to Gen Z. This cohort refers to the group of people born roughly between 1997 and 2012, and studies have found that they’re less hedonistic than previous generations, being less likely to consume alcohol, and are generally more focused on schooling and their job prospects.
Gen Zs are better at delaying gratification than young people living in the 1960s, there is a greater awareness of mental health conditions, their politics are overall more progressive than those of previous generations, and they are the most interconnected generation in the world. Their clothing and fashion styles have also been widely discussed and debated in the media. Gen Z doesn’t care about many of the fashion norms older people saw as a must, as they are more focused on self-expression and seek to set trends rather than follow them. The fashion world has also changed significantly over the last few years, with fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion becoming the norm, leading to a culture of overconsumption and more clothes being discarded than ever before, an attitude that contributes to the global climate crisis.
So, how are Gen Zs dealing with all these aspects, and what are the fashion choices and trends they’ve popularized?
Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a big thing for Zommers, with many feeling nostalgic for a time when they weren’t even born or were far too young to care about fashion. The 90s and noughties are among the most important sources of inspiration for the generation (indie sleaze, anyone?), with Y2K fashion being an enduring, relevant trend, particularly as a result of its appeal to nostalgia. The skinny jeans look of the 2000s and early 2010s disappeared completely, being replaced by 90s wide-leg styles. Claw clips, Von Dutch caps, flared leggings (which the Millennials called “yoga pants”), slogan t-shirts, tie-dye, bucket hats, and retro sneakers are also very popular, and you’ll most likely see at least one of these items integrated into the outfit of a teenager or young adult.
Nostalgic characters such as Miffy bunny have become commonplace as well. T-shirts, tote bags, and pins became popular as people are looking for ways to integrate the comforting character in their outfits and carry her with them. The reason why the fictional Dutch rabbit is so popular is because she sparks joy and relaxation, but also the fact that her design is minimalistic, making her an amazing and understated addition at the same time. Also, everyone loves cute and endearing things.
The love for Miffy and other characters like her also has to do with the kidult trend, the tendency of young adults to be interested in toys, cartoons, and other media that are traditionally connected with children as a means of relaxation and embracing their inner whimsy.
Oversized fits
Fashion rules dictate that if you wear oversized bottoms, you should wear a tight-fitting top, and vice versa. There are also some who believe that not all people can don baggy clothing, with the idea being that some body types fit the style better than others. Gen Z doesn’t care about any of that, mixing wide-leg Bermuda shorts with oversized t-shirts and then adding a boxy, relaxed blazer on top as well. Oversized clothing, whether it is trousers, sweaters, jackets, or coats, creates a flowing silhouette, making it seem like the clothes are moving alongside the body.
Footwear
Gen Z fully embraced the “ugly shoe” trend, footwear that is deemed comfortable at the expense of aesthetics. Crocs and Birkenstock clogs are the most obvious examples of this trend, but good sneakers are the quintessential Gen Z shoes. Many are constantly looking for new styles to add to their wardrobes. The appeal of sports shoes comes from their timelessness. They look good with every outfit and are youthful and effortless. The styles Gen Z are more likely to gravitate towards are those that feel sleek and retro, with the color palette typically being muted and neutral. Ballet flats are also seeing a resurgence, and sneaker ballet flats are their latest iteration, combining their dainty appeal with sporty functionality. Loafers are popular, too, showing once again that Gen Zs are driven by nostalgia.
Pre-Loved
The rise of ultra-fast fashion and the constantly changing trends have led environmentally conscious Gen Zs to gravitate towards second-hand and thrift stores. Both brick-and-mortar stores and online marketplaces alike are scoured for the latest drops, as sales of pre-owned clothing surged by nearly 20% in 2023 and are forecasted to reach $350 billion by 2028. You can find some true gems when shopping second-hand, but you’ll have to look around a bit and put in some effort. It can take a few months or even years, but if you look around enough, you can find designer vintage pieces from decades ago at very affordable prices.
The bottom line
Fashion is an ever-changing industry, and over the last few years, trends have become increasingly fast. Micro trends are only popular for a couple of months at the most before being discarded for the next best thing. Gen Z has responded to that by being more focused on sustainability, shopping second-hand, and even making their own clothes in some cases. However, there are also many who subscribe to fast fashion culture. Nostalgia is also at the forefront, highlighting the emotional connection Gen Z has with their clothing and style.
Many feel like every single garment should tell a story and be connected to a certain event, memory, or feeling. This narrative-driven approach shows why nostalgia is so important in Gen Z fashion and why vintage is so popular nowadays. Most of all, Zoomer style emphasizes individuality and doing your own thing, a liberating philosophy that wants everyone to feel confident and express themselves.
