Fashion evolves faster than you can say ‘outfit of the day,’ especially when Gen Z gets involved. As a fashion expert who’s been watching these trendsetters closely, I’ve noticed a major shift in summer style preferences this year. The kids are ruthlessly culling dated looks while embracing fresh alternatives that might surprise you. Let’s explore what’s in and what’s definitely out according to the generation that practically invented cancel culture for clothes.
1. SKIPPING: Skinny Jeans Are Dead and Buried
Remember when we couldn’t imagine life without skin-tight denim? Gen Z collectively cringed and tossed these circulation-cutters into the donation pile.
The skinny jean era has officially flatlined, with young fashionistas mocking these once-essential pants as the ultimate millennial uniform.
2. WEARING: Wide-Leg Denim Rules Supreme
If you spot a Gen Z-er in the wild, chances are they’re swimming in fabric from the waist down. Wide-leg jeans have conquered the youth market with their breezy comfort and 90s nostalgia vibes.
These roomy pants offer the perfect balance of style and practicality for hot summer days.
3. SKIPPING: Logo-Heavy Designer Items
Gone are the days when plastering yourself with luxury logos earned street cred. The younger crowd finds obvious designer flexing painfully tacky and inauthentic.
They’re laughing at those monogrammed bags and belts that scream ‘look how much I spent!’ while quietly judging your fashion insecurity.
4. WEARING: Subtle Thrifted Vintage Pieces
Nothing makes a Gen Z heart flutter like scoring a perfectly worn-in band tee from 1997. Thrifting isn’t just shopping—it’s treasure hunting with environmental benefits!
Vintage pieces tell stories while giving unique character to outfits. Plus, sustainability credentials earn major social points this summer.
5. SKIPPING: High Heels Are Torture Devices
Though their mothers wobbled valiantly through life on stilettos, Gen Z has collectively said ‘no thanks’ to foot pain. High heels have been demoted from sexy staple to occasional special-event footwear.
Why suffer when comfort alternatives exist? The practical rebellion against beauty-related discomfort continues gaining momentum.
6. WEARING: Platform Sneakers and Chunky Sandals
Height without the hurt? Sign them up! Platforms and chunky sandals give Gen Z the elevated look they crave without destroying their arches.
These statement shoes blend nostalgic 90s aesthetics with modern comfort technology. The chunkier and more colorful, the better for making a sidewalk-stomping summer statement.
7. SKIPPING: Fast Fashion Hauls
While not entirely abandoned (budgets are real, folks), conscious Gen Z-ers increasingly side-eye massive fast fashion purchases. Those giant shopping bags stuffed with trendy polyester that falls apart after three washes?
The environmental awareness movement has many young shoppers questioning disposable clothing habits.
8. WEARING: Upcycled DIY Statement Pieces
Nothing says ‘I have thoughts and creativity’ like showing up in pants you painted yourself! The DIY revolution has Gen Z cutting, cropping, dyeing, and embellishing with abandon.
Thanks to TikTok tutorials, transforming basic items into personalized masterpieces has become the ultimate summer hobby and fashion statement.
9. SKIPPING: Matching Sets Are Too Predictable
Though convenient, those Instagram-friendly matching sets are losing their grip on young fashionistas. The perfectly coordinated look feels too curated, too obvious, too… algorithm-friendly.
Gen Z craves authenticity and personal expression, making these ready-made outfit solutions feel like cheating at the fashion game.
10. WEARING: Chaotic Layering and Mismatched Patterns
Imagine your grandma’s curtains meeting your dad’s fishing vest with a dash of 80s prom dress energy. That’s the vibe! Intentionally clashing patterns and unexpected layering create the perfectly imperfect summer aesthetic.
The more it looks like you dressed in the dark, the more Gen Z fashion points you score.
11. SKIPPING: Neutral Minimalism Feels Boring
The clean girl aesthetic with its beige palette and slicked-back buns? Yawn city, population: millennials. Gen Z finds this Instagram-perfect minimalism sterile and lacking personality.
The younger crowd is abandoning safe neutrals faster than you can say ‘oatmeal-colored cashmere’ in favor of expressive alternatives.
12. WEARING: Dopamine Dressing in Bold Colors
Why wear one bright color when you could wear seven? Gen Z embraces the mood-boosting power of vibrant hues this summer. Electric blues, neon greens, and sunset oranges dominate their closets.
After years of pandemic gloom, these fashion risk-takers use color as emotional expression and visual vitamin C.
13. SKIPPING: Structured Handbags Feel Stuffy
Those rigid, ladylike purses that scream ‘I have a mortgage and a 401k’? Gen Z wouldn’t be caught dead. Structured handbags feel uncomfortably formal and impractical for their on-the-go lifestyle.
These young fashionistas need hands-free options that can transition from coffee shop to spontaneous dance party.
14. WEARING: Multifunctional Crossbody Bags and Totes
Functionality reigns supreme with Gen Z’s bag choices this summer. Canvas totes emblazoned with cheeky slogans or crossbody bags that fit just the essentials dominate the scene.
Hands-free is the way to be! These practical carriers accommodate everything from reusable water bottles to emergency snacks without cramping their style.
15. SKIPPING: Micro-Mini Skirts Feel Limiting
Despite Y2K revival attempts, those tiny mini skirts that require constant tugging and strategic sitting aren’t getting Gen Z’s stamp of approval. The constant vigilance needed to avoid wardrobe malfunctions feels outdated and restrictive.
Today’s youth prioritizes freedom of movement over skin exposure.
16. WEARING: Versatile Midi Skirts and Shorts
Length with personality! Midi skirts with unexpected details or longer shorts that don’t ride up have captured Gen Z hearts this summer. These versatile pieces allow for carefree movement whether biking to brunch or dancing at festivals.
Comfort and style coexist beautifully in these practical length alternatives.
17. SKIPPING: Perfectly Coiffed Beach Waves
Those meticulously styled, Instagram-perfect beach waves that require two hours with a curling iron? Gen Z scrolls right past this high-maintenance hair trend.
The younger crowd finds these obviously styled ‘natural’ looks both time-consuming and fundamentally contradictory. Why fake what could be authentic?
18. WEARING: Effortless Natural Texture and Experimental Cuts
From embracing natural curls to rocking mullet-inspired chops, Gen Z celebrates hair authenticity this summer. Experimental cuts with lived-in texture dominate their social feeds.
Bold colors, shaggy layers, and statement bangs allow for personal expression without hours of styling. The messier and more individual, the better!