Gen Z spent years mocking “Millennial cringe”—now they’re fully embracing it. After waves of Y2K and ’90s nostalgia, the late 2000s and early 2010s are returning to the trend cycle. But it’s not just the aesthetics Gen Z is after this time; it’s the mindset. YPulse already told you about Gen Z creators romanticizing “Millennial optimism” on TikTok, which they describe as the unironic confidence of an era where chevron prints, Pinterest motivation boards, and BuzzFeed quiz results ruled. Musically, the “stomp-clap-hey” indie-folk sound is back too. Spotify’s 4th most-streamed song globally in 2025 was Alex Warren’s song “Ordinary,” which could have come straight from an early 2010s movie trailer. In entertainment and fashion, Lena Dunham’s Girls has become a trendy rewatch, skinny jeans are back on Burberry and Gucci runways, and “indie sleaze” is finding new fans who were too young to experience it the first time. (GQ)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Gen Z Wants to be an “Optimistic Millennial” on The Viral List
