If there is one thing consistent within the fashion world, it’s change.
Gone are the days when Millennials would dictate the rules of the fashion world, instead it is the new era where Gen Z reigns supreme.
Making around 30% of the world population, Gen Z has a purchasing power of around $360 billion. With such exceptional buying power, there is no doubt that they are proudly cooking up a storm within the fashion world.
Thanks to their interventions within the industry, Millennials have finally taken a backseat and said goodbye to skinny jeans.
If you are also a Millennial like me, trying to look slightly young, here are some fun Gen Z fashion trends to try.
Dark Academia
As a die-hard fan of Dead Poets Society, you bet I am in love with Dark Academia fashion. However, I am glad that I am not alone. It seems that Gen Z is equally in love with this trend.
Dark Academic is a 19th-century-inspired gothic fashion style with a touch of aristocracy. In fact, if you pitch this style to a Baby Boomer, they will instantly call you too sophisticated for this generation.
Consisting of solid color buttons down, perfectly tailored blazers, 19th-century style trousers, skirts, and some fun combos, this fashion trend will make you look like a member of high society.
If this is your style and you are currently looking for fashion inspiration, I would recommend you keep Newt Scamander and Greta Gerwig in mind and create your own Pinterest mood board.
You can also find a good dark academic lookbook on YouTube. When I started getting into this fashion trend, I spent an entire day with my trusty MacBook, Xfinity internet, and a cup of coffee, endlessly scrolling through Pinterest.
If you ask me, I landed on an aesthetic that was a blend of Peaky Blinders, Castlevania, and Dead Poets Society.
Moreover, do not forget to accessorize your outfit by adding some long coats, wire glasses, hats, and fun knitwear.
Baggy Jeans
Millennials were hooked on skinny jeans for the longest. However, it seems that baggy and boxy fits are finally making a comeback.
Now, we see more people adopting the baggy jeans fashion. The best part of this fashion trend is that it is giving rise to unisex and gender-fluid clothing styles. Now, thanks to this trend you can share clothing items with your siblings and partner as well.
Apart from the jeans, we are also noticing baggy and straight trousers making a comeback within the formal fashion. Especially for office fashion, breathable trousers with wide silhouettes are becoming more common.
Crop Tops
What looks good with high-wasted baggy jeans?
If you are guessing a fitted crop top, you are right. However, if you have guessed a baggy crop top, you are also right.
I know for Millennials like me, this can be a little confusing, but it seems that when it comes to crop tops, there is no right answer. Most of the Gen Z fashion influencers approve of this fit.
Artists like Billie Eilish are a great influence in baggy-on-baggy fits.
Moreover, if you are curating your outfit for the day, you can wear your straight-legged baggy trousers with a loose-fit button-down shirt, baggy T-shirt, or a tight-fitted top. Everything looks perfect with a baggy trouser. This trend is also perfect for people who want to wear different outfits every day but do not want to spend a lot of money.
Socks
Within the last few years, I have seen countless ankles peeking through the shoes. While I declare myself the president of the ankle socks club, I am glad that the days of the ankle contest are behind us.
Thanks to Gen Z we are now seeing mid-length socks making a comeback. Paired with fun chunky loafers or ballet flats, this fashion trend elevates any simple outfit in your wardrobe. However, my suggestion is to keep it a bit minimal especially if you are wearing a printed dress or a formal dress.
On the contrary, if you are wearing a plain boring outfit, experimenting with a funky pair of socks will instantly enhance your look.
Athleisure
If there is one trend that I fell in love with as a Millennial, it would be Athleisure.
Back in the late 2020s, fitness fashion was a big trend and everyone seemed to love it. We saw people roaming around in tight Lululemon yoga pants for office, work meetings, day out with friends, casual coffee dates with their partners, and more.
In fact, yoga pants stayed a dominant fashion choice for picking kids from school, daily lunch, and casual grocery runs as well.
However, it was expected that this Millennial fashion style would soon become outdated. Surprisingly, Athleisure is still considered one of the most loved fashion trends. While the silhouette of this trend has changed from tight-fitted yoga pants to joggers, most women still prefer wearing them everywhere.
The best part of the new Athleisure style is that you no longer feel like your blood circulation is getting restricted due to the tightness of yoga pants.
Simply put, there is no wrong answer in fashion. As long as something suits your body type and style, you can try it. Moreover, you can easily find look books and inspirations on the internet.