Explore Gen Alpha and Gen Z fashion, from the trends to the vibe.
GEN Z
There’s no denying that Gen Z has strongly influenced fashion trends in recent years.Born between 1997 and the early 2010s, Gen Z accounts for 30% of the world's population. With the oldest members turning 27 this year, the group prefers spending on fashion more than any other type of entertainment. Gen Z prioritise authenticity and personal identity. They value sustainability and humanity, which also appear in their fashion trends. It's a dynamic blend of individuality and self-expression.
This generation embraces diverse styles, from vintage-inspired looks to modern streetwear, reflecting their desire to stand out.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
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Timothée Chalamet leaned the way of the baby girl trend with a mauve Tom Ford tuxedo jacket against bare skin and a custom Cartier necklace at the London premiere of Wonka. Photo: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com |
- Sustainable fashion: Any clothing or accessories made from recycled materials or following sustainable practices are a big yes.
- Gender-fluid fashion: Gen Z is at the forefront of the gender-fluid fashion movement, which embraces gender flexibility and inclusivity. To put it simply: think Billie Eilish.
- The New Minimalism: Despite the bold side of Gen Z fashion, there is also a new minimalism which is different from what millennials know from 2014. Gen Z infuses minimalism with individuality and personality, and it’s anything but basic.
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 trainers. Nike and Adidas are considered as Gen Z’s favourite brands. (As a Gen Y, New Balance is still my favourite)
5. Retro styles and nostalgia:
Gen Z is bringing back ’90s grunge ’70s fashion chic and ’60s mod aesthetics driving the revival of vintage clothing. But they’ve added their own touch.
6. Athleisure:
With the rise of this trend popular brands like Lululemon and Adidas have totally nailed the athleisure game offering fashionable yet functional options.
7. Customisation:
Customized garments and accessories allow Gen Zers to express their unique stories and highlight their individuality. Personalized fashion also allows Generation Z to break free from store-bought clothing.
8. Techwear
9. 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. The clothing is usually layered and features big pockets puffy sleeves and button blouses.
10. Old money:
Old money often goes hand-in-hand with minimalism. To put it simply: Everything about equestrian show or Wimbledon guests. An essential old money outfit will include simple but high-quality on-trend pieces. You won't find any baggy jeans or flare pants here - it's all about subtlety.
GEN ALPHA
Cassandra Napoli, a senior strategist for WGSN Insight, explains this to mean they will grow up living fluidly between the boundaries of reality and fantasy, between IRL and URL. "Alphas are individualistic, hyper-empathetic and wellness-oriented, like their millennial parents," says Napoli. "They are the most diverse and inclusive generation to ever exist." Source: fashionista. com
"The youngest consumers will be more discerning with their time, money and attention," says Abigail Bailey, managing editor at consumer-insights consultancy Coller Davis & Co, "finding it cringe to be too over-exposed online or too on-trend." Source: fashionista. com
The real answer for Gen Alpha fashion is wear whatever you want and be confident. Alphas don't try hard to look alpha. They generally don't care about what they wear our you wear :) But just to frame it a little bit, here are some highlights:
- My personal opinion, they might be the generation who is into cosmetics most. Any skincare or makeup products is well accepted by Gen Alpha.
- Gen Alpha Boys wear plain black and white t-shirts with a chain or watchLong fit t-shirts
- Watch, chain, hat, bracelets, necklaces, earrings… Any accessories should be added.
- Gen Alpha Girls: Coquette. Sweet and flirty.
- Cottagecore: You may think of Cottagecore as so 2020 but for Gen Alpha it’s still very much in vogue. You can see the detailed explanation above at Gen Z fashion.
- E-Girl: E-Girl fashion is a combination of punk and early 2000s style characterized by bold makeup fun hair colours and edgy clothing. E-girls wear baggy thrift-store finds crop tops platform shoes plaid miniskirts pigtails and anime-inspired makeup.
- Aesthetic-Aesthetic (a.k.a. Vanilla Girl): This style is all about the beige the neutrals the cozy the soft and the mellow—hence Vanilla Girl.
- Kawaii: The Kawaii aesthetic which is also a Japanese street style look.
- Preppy: Takes the place for ‘’Old money’’.
After Gen Alpha what comes next?
Enter: Gen Beta.
Born between the mid-2020s and 2040 as the kids of the chronically online Gen Z the Betas will be AI-first which is already shaping how they live learn work and shop.