For many in Gen Z, these prices are prohibitive, turning sustainable fashion into a luxury rather than a norm. Moreover, the second-hand market, though booming, can't always satisfy the desire for trend-specific items or certain sizes, making fast fashion the more convenient, accessible choice.
Gen Z consumers are plugged into social media trends that appear with every scroll and swipe on TikTok and Instagram. Social media have spiked cultural trends that accelerate fast fashion. Influencers promote “reps” (slang for replicas) and “dupes” (duplicates): cheaper, imitation versions of high-end fashion items.
It's not just about fashion, it's about narrating the Gen Z experience through attire, using fashion as a potent medium for self-expression. Thus, with every graphic tee, every chunky sneaker, and every oversized sweatshirt, Gen Z communicates their narrative, etching their individuality on the canvas of streetwear.
Just look at the Gen Z product trends we've seen so far; they're selling out the Sephora shelves, bringing back New Balance sneakers, and buying Stanley tumblers like there's no tomorrow. Not to mention, they're using social media as a search tool over Google.
We've referenced Gen Z's reputation as digital natives, but thanks to their love affair with plastic surgery, some media outlets also refer to them as aesthetics natives. Heavily influenced by their constant screen time, Gen Z craves the same procedures as their favorite content creators.
Regular exercise routines, balanced diets, and mindfulness practices have become integral parts of Millennial lifestyles, contributing to their maintained glow and vitality. Gen Zs, on the other hand, are at an age of living fast and large, with their bodies not yet feeling the effects of their lifestyle choices.
This aligns with research that claims Gen Z yearns for their accomplishments to be rewarded quickly. The endless stream of content and the ability to go viral in an instant provides gratification for its users.
Gen Z Struggles With Mental Health
Social media, which many Gen Zers have used for most of their teenage and adult life, exacerbates these issues — no other generation has had such immediate and unfiltered access to the news for most of their lives, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
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.
Gen Z's particular interest in nostalgia tells us something: they're not sure about their online lives, and are looking for a better version of what we had before.
“Emotionally and psychologically, not wearing a bra can be a statement about how you want to present yourself to the world, and also how you want to cover up very normal body parts,” she said. Dober said many women feel “liberated” by not wearing a bra, which is a sign of young women wanting to reclaim their “agency.”
Saving money, a key advantage of thrifting across generations, is certainly a motivator for this shift. Gen Zers are also turning to thrift stores for sustainability, creative ideas, social connection and a sense of nostalgia, a trend that is occurring across consumer culture for the generation.
For a majority of Gen Z youth, gun violence—mass shootings and school shootings—are significant sources of stress. 75 percent of those in this age group report mass shootings as a significant source of stress, and nearly as many (72 percent) say the same about school shootings or the possibility of them occurring.
Skincare experts warn that getting Botox or using anti-aging creams too early can cause unwanted side effects and that vaping and e-cigarettes, which Gen-Zers gravitate toward, can also cause premature aging.
Women are the largest consumers of fast fashion
Many women see shopping as a fun activity to do with friends and family. About 41% of young women feel pressured not to wear the same outfit twice when they go out. Meanwhile, men generally shop less frequently and are slower to change their fashion habits.
“There's a certain nostalgia in Y2K because a lot of Gen Z kids grew up in the early 2000s. Revisiting the old styles from when we were little, it feels like it's comforting in a way and it's cool to draw inspiration from those things.”
She explained that wearing baggy jeans to bars and clubs serves as a subtle rebellion against societal expectations of “dressing up” in the same way previous generations did, such as the millennial trend of opting for business casual for nights out.
Generation Z (often shortened to Gen Z), also known as Zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.
Preppy in its new definition is anything girly and pink and cute according to Gen Z. A far cry from all the 90s girls in my school who were sporting polo t-shirts in pastel tones and wearing plaid skirts or well cut jeans.
Generation Z is beginning to enter a workforce that isn't fully prepared for them. As many recent graduates face complaints about how they fit into the workplace, employers report increasing hesitancy in hiring them, according to a report by the education and career advisory platform, Intelligent.
If you have not heard, Gen Z (also referred to as Zoomers), those people born between 1997 and 2013 have been using their “ghosting” powers to not show up for interviews with employers or even going through the interview process, getting the job, and then not showing up for their new job without the courtesy of even a ...
Generation Alpha includes those born in 2010 and onward. Generation Alpha, the youngest generation, born between 2010 and 2024, quickly emerged as an influential demographic, one poised to shape society like never before.
Gen Z's obsession with aesthetics stems from their desire for self-expression and individuality. Aesthetic-driven content allows them to curate their online personas and create visually cohesive feeds that reflect their personal style and interests.
Gen Z wants authenticity, creativity, and a break from the norm – that's what draws them to retro things in the first place. They want products and experiences that feel unique and meaningful, not just trendy for the sake of it.
TikTok was temporarily banned in the U.S. in January, as some government officials believe the platform is a national security threat. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order to extend the ban deadline for 75 days.