Academia aesthetic
You don’t have to be a student at a fancy boarding school to dress like one. The academia aesthetic, especially “dark academia,” is huge with Gen Z. Think pleated skirts, loafers, plaid, diamond patterns, and sweaters with collared shirts underneath.
Maximalism
Minimalism used to be trendy, but now maximalism has taken over. Maximalism has grown in popularity with Gen Z, in everything from clothing to jewelry to home furnishings. It’s all about making a statement with things that are colorful, shiny, and loud. The more pieces of jewelry you have on, the better.
Miniskirts
The only thing Gen Z has spared from maximalism is the size of the skirt. Micro minis are in, and Gen Z is happy to show off how small their skirts can be. Who What Wear correctly predicted this trend in 2023 and showed that it’s possible to wear minis all year long, even in winter.
Gender-fluid fashion
Gen Z has fully embraced gender fluidity, turning it into a fashion headliner for the younger generation. From makeup tutorials with genderless borders to androgynous fits inspired by bygone eras, Gen Z has shredded the boundaries of fashion and put fashion retailers on notice. Some major sellers have already addressed the evolution by partnering with fashion brands to meet the demand with gender-fluid collections.
“Retailers and brands should be looking at gender-fluid apparel as an opportunity. It absolutely can’t be ignored. It will definitely be impacting the fashion trends of the future. And the retailers and brands that are doing it now are really going to be ahead of the curve.”
Anything but skinny jeans
Skinny jeans are out. Gen Z deemed tight jeans “uncool” in 2021, and (despite some millennial tears) it looks like they were right. From loungewear and baggy jeans to #grandpacore, loose fits are here to stay—at least for now.
A push for sustainability
Protecting the environment is a major concern for Gen Z. A 2024 Deloitte survey found that 64% of Gen Z is willing to pay more to buy environmentally sustainable products, and 25% reduced or stopped buying from businesses with unsustainable practices. The younger generation has called for more brands to eliminate fast fashion and begin using sustainable practices – and plenty of fashion brands have stepped up.
Thrifting
The push for sustainability gave rise to the thrifting trend. Some of the most engaging fashion content on TikTok comes from creators who hit second-hand stores and share their haul with their audience. The practice also makes for great vintage finds that pair nicely with pieces from some of today’s hottest brands and styles.
