Millennials are firmly team side part, while Gen Z has vehemently declared that the middle part is more flattering. For those of us who sport side parts it's a tough pill to swallow learning that we nay be dating ourselves with our hair. Excuse us while we clutch our skinny jeans.
Whether you like it or not, agree or disagree, Gen Z has a clear and unanimous point of view when it comes to where people should be parting their hair -- and it's straight down the middle. According to the TikTok generation, skinny jeans are over, and any variation on the side part is officially ``uncool.''
Gez Z is well known for flaunting middle parts while millennials are all about side parts. Hairstyle preferences can vary widely among individuals within both the millennial and Gen Z generations, so it's important to note that there is not a one-size-fits-all answer.
The general consensus seems to be that parting on one's left makes a person look competent and masculine, whereas parting on the right makes a person look warm and feminine.
"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes. "A middle part gives a slimmer look," Bergamy adds.
Millennials rejoice: all experts say that side parts will be making a triumphant comeback. “I'm so excited that side parts and side-swept bangs are making a comeback,” says celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway.
It wasn't that long ago that Gen Z declared the side part makes you old. Now, it's making a comeback. Side parts had joined the likes of skinny jeans, no-show socks and other defining factors that declare someone a millennial — but the hairstyle seems to be resurrected, with many celebrities sporting the 'do.
Parting the hair from the middle carries cultural and symbolic significance in many societies. In ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, this hairstyle was associated with gods, goddesses, and deities. The symmetry of the parted hair represented divine beauty and ideal proportions.
A normal hair part features an even distribution of hair with consistent coverage that keeps the scalp mostly hidden. In contrast, a thinning part appears wider due to decreased hair density, increased scalp visibility, and an overall lack of volume.
Of course, like all trends, middle parts eventually came back in style, and for years I couldn't imagine ever parting my hair on the side again. But in a case of trend whiplash, experts are saying the side part is officially back.
Gen Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, has been at the forefront of embracing natural hair textures, particularly curls. This trend is not necessarily due to Gen Z having more naturally curly hair than Generation X, but rather a shift in attitudes towards hair care and styling.
Although this look went out of fashion in the 1960's and 1970's, it has come back with a vengeance as many men embrace the old-fashioned look. A side part is simple yet sophisticated, and is very easy to achieve either at home or in the barbershop.
Gen Z was born between 1997 and 2012 and is considered the first generation to have largely grown up using the internet, modern technology and social media. Members of Gen Z are sometimes known as zoomers.
Generation Z women don't want to wear bras and the new trend has become a hit. They are photographed in fun outfits without bras to show that different breast shapes are normal. TikToker Vaninileon went viral after she announced that she would try to go braless for an entire week, the Telegraph reports.
While middle parts vs. side parts has turned into a generational discussion on TikTok, Brandon Curtis, L'Oréal Professionnel national artist, suggests that choosing how to part your hair should have nothing to do with age. In fact, it all comes down to which one flatters your face shape.
Four of Gen Z's top five reasons to exercise are linked to health and happiness, with this demographic demonstrating a strong appreciation for the holistic benefits of activity. That said, they still want to look good, with 47 per cent listing 'improving their appearance' as a key reason to work out.
The popular culture view is that the left hair part makes a person appear more competent and masculine and the right part warmer and more feminine.
Progression: Cowlicks remain consistent, whereas balding areas will continue to thin and expand. Location: Cowlicks can appear anywhere but are most common at the crown or hairline, while balding often starts at the temples, crown, or hairline and spreads.
Conclusion. In conclusion, some scalp visibility is normal, but significant changes might indicate hair thinning or loss.
Now, a sharply demarcated middle parting shows you may be a bit controlling and a force to be reckoned with during a debate or argument. A messy middle parting may show that you do like to display your individuality but you could take the middle road depending on the situation.
The perceived power of a short haircut
“With age comes experience and self-assuredness, which is probably why women with shorter hair can appear more confident,” notes Spelman.
“The way you part your hair helps to bring out certain features of the face,” explains hairstylist Anh Co Tran, co-owner of L.A.'s Ramirez | Tran Salon. For example, a deep side parting can flatter those with rounder faces while a center part can help bring out the cheekbones for those with heart-shaped faces.
The Oxford Dictionaries define Generation Z as "the group of people who were born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, who are regarded as being very familiar with the internet." Encyclopedia Britannica defines Generation Z as "the term used to describe Americans born during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
After years of the side part being dubbed "uncool," the look is having another moment in the spotlight in 2024 with stars like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Eva Longoria sporting the style at recent events — and the switch-up is good news for your hair.
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.