Born between 1997 and the early 2010s, Generation Z accounts for 30% of the world’s population. The group has a purchasing power of about $360 billion in the US alone, and they prefer spending on fashion more than any other type of entertainment.
Gen Z fashion is bold, expressive, and unapologetic.
The world is shifting from idealism to realism thanks to the new generation. No more pretending to be perfect or trying to achieve impossible beauty standards. Gen Z values honesty and humanity, which also appear in their fashion trends.
Gen Z fashion trends you should know about
From athleisure and elevated minimalism to techwear and hot pink Barbiecore, Gen Z is rewriting the fashion playbook. In the past years, the fashion industry has seen 3 major shifts: the move towards timeless (classic wardrobe pieces), practical and wearable, and circular fashion.
Let’s explore the current trends and how to incorporate them into your style or brand.
🌱 Sustainable fashion
Environmental consciousness is one of Gen Z’s core values and appears in their fashion choices and trends. A 2020 survey revealed that 66% of Gen Z shoppers are willing to pay more for sustainable or environmentally friendly products.
👟 Streetwear
Gen Z streetwear fashion trends are inspired by the ’90s and early 2000s hip-hop, sports, and rave culture. It’s all about wearing what you want, mixing styles, and representing inclusivity, diversity, and equity in fashion. A typical Gen Z streetwear outfit consists of oversized clothing, such as custom t-shirts, baggy pants, custom hoodies, and chunky sneakers.
💾 Retro styles and nostalgia
Gen Z is bringing back ’90s grunge, ’70s boho chic, and ’60s mod aesthetics, driving the revival of vintage clothing. But they’ve added their own touch.
The cool thing about vintage fashion is that it doesn’t just give you freedom of expression—it’s also good for the environment. Vintage pieces can be found at thrift stores, consignment shops, or yard sales.
💼 Dark Academia
Dark Academia is a popular style inspired by Gothic 19th-century fashion with modern refinement. It combines a vintage feel with sophistication and high society. Think of Jo March in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women or Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in the fourth season of You.
The Dark Academia aesthetic exudes a sense of mystery, sophistication, and knowledge. You can achieve the style with soft knits, earthy tones, wire glasses or leather accessories, long coats, dress shoes, and tasteful knits.
👠 Y2K revival
Gen Z is bringing back the early 2000s style with a modern twist, and they call it Y2K. Think low-rise jeans, multiple belts, newsie hats, tie-dye tracksuits, neon prints, cargo pants, butterfly clips, and platform sneakers—all coming back from the dead. Y2K fashion is about being daring and adventurous, and it’s adaptable enough to suit anyone’s style.
👥 Gender-fluid fashion
Gen Z is at the forefront of the gender-fluid fashion movement, which embraces gender flexibility and inclusivity. Gender-fluid or gender-neutral fashion challenges societal norms of masculinity and femininity by offering clothing options that are free from gender restrictions. This fashion trend promotes unrestricted self-expression and undermines the dichotomous notion of fashion.
👕 Minimalism
Many current fashion trends focus on chaotic colors and prints, but some Gen Z fashion choices lean towards minimalism. However, the new minimalism is different from what millennials know from 2014. Gen Z infuses minimalism with individuality and personality, and it’s anything but basic.
Gen Z minimalist fashion is characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and simple silhouettes. It emphasizes wardrobe staples such as white shirts, oversized blazers, black trousers, and minimalist accessories.
👒 Cottagecore
Cottagecore is a Gen Z fashion trend that’s recently soared on TikTok. It’s most popular among young women who romanticize farm life. Cottagecore fashion typically includes loose-fitting, flowy dresses and skirts often reminiscent of housework wear from the 1900s–50s. It’s also inspired by the English upper class from those times, as in the movies based on Jane Austen’s novels like Pride and Prejudice.
The clothing is usually layered and features big pockets, puffy sleeves, and button blouses. Common patterns in cottagecore fashion include stripes, paisley, faded floral, and gingham. Embroidered designs of plants, animals, and insects are also popular.
Embrace Gen Z fashion because it’s here to stay
Fashion is constantly evolving, and the younger generation introduces many new styles. Gen Z fashion trends reflect the generation’s values and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of individuality, sustainability, and self-expression.
From vintage and retro styles to oversized clothing and sustainable fabrics, the Gen Z fashion movement embraces uniqueness and celebrates diversity. Keeping up with Gen Z fashion trends is not only fashionable but also a way to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
👀 Looking for more Gen Z fashion trends? Find them here!
