Gen Z vs. Millennial Fashion Trends
Image Courtesy: TranslateMedia
Baggy jeans or skinny jeans? Leggings or yoga pants? Maximalism or minimalism? These are only a few stylistic differences between Generation Z and Millennials.
While the two generations seem to be more similar than different — both were raised in digital ages and are defined by being more educated about and open to the LGBTQ+ community, and racial and ethnic diversity — there are a few key distinctions. Notably, each generation’s respective fashion trends stand in stark contrast against each other.
Let’s compare the different fashion trends that defined each generation.
High-Waisted Jeans vs. Low-Waisted Jeans
Low-waisted jeans were all the rage in millennial fashion. Serena van der Woodsen from “Gossip Girl” and Paris Hilton wore them religiously. Millennials in the early 2000s loved to pair both short and long tops with low-rise jeans, exposing large parts of their torsos.
Gen Z took the opposite route and turned to high-waisted jeans that sit above the belly button, only exposing a midriff if paired with a crop top. Many believe this has to do with the generation’s increased focus on body positivity and ensuring that fashion trends look good on all figures, not just slim ones. This also explains why Gen Z prefers baggy jeans to skinny jeans, which millennials have an affinity for.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Cropped Cardigans vs. Long Cardigans
Recently, Gen Z has been loving cropped cardigans, especially ones with buttons. Sometimes the cardigans are worn completely closed, fully buttoned, but it has also become trendy to close only the top button and leave the rest of it open. These are usually worn with nothing underneath, much like a normal crop top, but they can also be paired with tanks and dresses. They add a cute, endearing element to any outfit.
Millennials, on the other hand, loved long cardigans. They would often pair them with camis, or graphic t-shirts and skinny jeans. They also tended to leave cardigans completely open rather than having just one button closed. Long, open cardigans were seen as a way to make any outfit look new, working as the defining piece of the outfit, whereas Gen Z sees the cropped cardigan as more of an accessory than a defining element.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Grandpa-core vs. Athleisure
Millennials spearheaded the athleisure trend, which is essentially defined by comfortable exercise clothing. From matching sets, to workout leggings and to yoga pants, they made it so that a person does not have to be athletic or physically active to lounge around in workout clothes — it just makes them appear as if they did a 45-minute HIIT workout. Even with Gen Z, athleisure definitely defines the average college student’s class attire.
Gen Z took a different route when it came to staying comfortable and cozy. This generation took “grandpa” style clothing, such as plaid sweaters and knit sweater vests, and made them trendy! Now, Gen Z-ers can be found in the men’s sections of thrift stores, on the hunt for cozy sweaters their grandpas would wear.
Photo Credit: Vogue
Graphic Sweatshirts vs. Graphic Tees
Stores like Hot Topic ran with the millennial obsession with graphic t-shirts. Whether advertising a band, cartoon character or cheesy quote, graphic t-shirts were all the rage for millennials. They’d often pair them with some of the above-mentioned trends, especially skinny jeans and long cardigans.
Gen Z is in love with graphic sweatshirts. These baggy tops are worn with high-waisted jeans or leggings, and sometimes with an exposed button-up collar underneath. This generation is more attracted to crewnecks and sweaters than they are to t-shirts, unlike their predecessors.
Photo Credit: Brandy Melville
Although Gen Z-ers and Millennials seem to clash when it comes to their distinct fashion styles, I think it’s fantastic that every generation is defined by different fashion trends. It helps each generation form a distinct identity, which is a beautiful thing. Besides, fashion trends always die and come back, so maybe we’ll see millennial fashion making a comeback in the future!
Strike Out,
Nimra Ahmad
Athens
