Atlanta is a central hub for all things creative, including the fashion industry, where teenagers have created a unique style in the clothing industry. Oversized clothing, baby tees, tote bags, mini skirts, pajama pants, pimple patches, and platform shoes are all staples in Gen Z fashion. By combining vintage looks with Y2k throwbacks, a mix of various styles, and flashy statement accessories, this generation has revolutionized fashion, ushering in a never-before-seen look.
Generation Z comprises approximately 70 million people, over 20% of the United States population. This generation encompasses those born between 1997 and 2012, with the oldest being 28 and the youngest 13 years old. Gen Z fashion is about creating a unique identity, prioritizing authentic self-expression, and challenging social norms.
“Our generation does a really good job of combining lots of different styles and also having our own unique styles. People take inspiration from trends, but they don’t follow them exactly. It’s more about personal taste and what you like personally,” said Marley Gordon, an 18-year-old fashion enthusiast.
Many applaud the uniqueness that Gen Z brings to the fashion industry, but others, who are constantly in the fashion world, see it differently. They believe that the social media trends that teenagers participate in are merely a source of repetition, eliminating creativity, and encouraging copycats.
16-year-old Joshua Reid agrees with this sentiment, “I think Gen Z fashion differs from other generations because back in other generations, there was creativity, and real versatility. Nowadays, when you go out and see ‘fashion’, it’s the same thing everywhere. It’s hard seeing creative people with creative outfits.”
He continued, “When I go to these fashion events, space is being taken up by all of these copy and pastes. If fashion is such a big thing in this generation, then everywhere I look, I should see something different.” For every generation, fashion has been a means of expression, but Gen Z has repeatedly demonstrated its value of making a statement with its clothing.
One teenager, Narayah Slowe, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, said, “I use fashion to feel more confident about myself and to show my personality off of first looks. In other generations, you typically see the same style over and over again, but when it comes to Gen Z, everybody dresses differently in their own personal style.”
Bubble skirts have recently gone viral, a 1950s fashion trend that teenage girls have revived. Bold accessories, such as chunky earrings, blinged-out belts, and oversized sunglasses, are also very popular. From Nike compression shirts and tennis skirts, it is now more likely than ever to see someone wearing athleisure as a casual, everyday style.
“There’s a difference between wearing fashion and being fashion,” Ried stated. “I don’t want to just look good, I want to say something with what I wear.”
Political awareness is prominent in the fashion industry, with Gen Zers carefully choosing what businesses they support and which they choose to boycott. SHEIN, for example, a fast-fashion Chinese brand, has grown in popularity over the past few years; however, it has also faced controversy regarding its labor practices and environmental impact. The company heavily utilizes artificial intelligence to predict consumer preferences, among other things. SHEIN received an overall F on STAND—Earth’s 2023 “Fossil-Free Fashion Scorecard.”
“[I don’t support] Prada because they have displayed figures who resemble Black face caricatures. They had over-exaggerated Black skin with big red lips,” Slowe stated. “The collection was called Pradamalia. Not a lot of people have spoken out against it, but that is why I will not be purchasing from them.”
Increasingly, teenagers are finding themselves shopping at second-hand retail stores, such as thrift stores, which offer lower prices and recycled clothing. Eco-friendly companies like cycora are on the up and up. Cycora prides itself on creating clothing from fabrics found in landfills, offering a sustainable alternative to fast fashion brands.
“Fashion is one of the most polluting things in the world. I always wanna have clothes that are long-term so I can share with my kids and have generational wear,” Reid said. He also mentioned that he and his family make a lot of their clothes, another sustainable tactic.
Androgynous, gender fluid fashion has become mainstream, with many teenagers ignoring the intended gender audience of clothing and wearing whatever falls into their style. Musician Billie Eilish is a notable example of this, promoting inclusivity within the fashion world. She can be seen on stage wearing baggy, oversized jerseys, backwards caps, and long shorts. Harry Styles, a British musician whose primary audience consists of Gen Zers, is another example of a celebrity sporting androgynous clothing. In 2020, he appeared on the cover of Vogue wearing various dresses and skirts, sparking discussions about gender-fluid clothing.
“I honestly like the idea of it,” 17-year-old Najee Hayes said when asked her opinion on gender fluid clothing. “I personally wear men’s clothes just because of how free and loose it feels on me, and I think it’s cool how women and girls can pull off masculine clothing while also looking feminine.”
DIY and customization are other staples in Gen Z fashion, with many teenagers becoming entrepreneurs by creating their own clothing or altering what they already own. Depop is a global marketplace where users can sell their clothes, buy from others, and connect with peers in the fashion world. The company encourages “upcycled” and “reworked” clothing on its site, specifying that “handmade, customized, or repaired items that give old clothes a new life” are welcome.
Christopher Smith, 21, is the owner of Resist the Doubt, founded in 2022. He upcycles old denim and thrifted items to rework them into new pieces. “I try to prioritize uniqueness through the expression, which is why I love 1 of 1 pieces. I feel like our generation uses a culmination of different styles over the years to develop their own sense of fashion.”
