Gen Z’s fashion identity is defined by two things: constant flux mixed with basic-core. From clean girl to mob wife to underconsumption core, the generation cycles through aesthetics faster than anyone can keep up. But as one fashion journalist put it, the chaos isn’t random: “We were born into the 2008 recession, the aftermath of 9/11, the pandemic, the Trump administration, and now another looming recession. Chaos has shaped so much of our lives, and that same chaos shows up in our style.” However, the micro-aesthetics that trend on socials aren’t what many are wearing IRL day-to-day—as YPulse’s Fits For the Feed trend report unpacked years ago. Many Gen Z are really wearing a new kind of capsule wardrobe, made of basics, athleisure, and comfort hoodies and sweats. But, the instant gratification of buying a trendy piece isn’t going away anytime soon—and maybe mixing the two is the aesthetic. (Buzzfeed)
👀 Read more from YPulse: The Top 10 Fashion Trends of 2025—According to Gen Z
