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Gen Z Fashion Trends in 2020

By Aly
In Fashion
on

With outrageous style, daring trends, and a passion for fashion, Gen Z has made headlines across the fashion world. Icons like Billie Eilish, Zendaya, and Luka Sabaat lead a new generation of trendsetters into a bold era of style, no more cute outfits for teenage girl. They’re breaking the rules and making up new ones as they go!

To keep up with this trail-blazing generation, check out this A-Z guide for Gen Z fashion trends in 2020:

Gender Fluid Flare

Gen Z is growing up with more knowledge of race, gender, sex, and sexuality than any generation before. As a result, Gen Z style challenges the status quo of gendered clothing. Just take a look at Jaden Smith rocking a midi skirt, or Zendaya’s stunning red carpet suit. By blowing up fashion the binary of gendered clothing, Gen Z has opened up a whole new spectrum of fashion. 

So whether they’re dressing for a dinner party or a chill hang with friends, Gen Zers find inspiration from every kind of clothing item—regardless of gender.  

Check out these ungendered pieces that can suit every gender and everybody: 

Normcore

In an almost ironic nod to individualistic styles, normcore style stands out by blending in. The fashion of undercover celebrities, normcore is all about emphatic simplicity. This style rejects extravagance and flare, and instead, leans into comfortable pieces and neutral tones.

But what’s the difference between normcore and just… normal clothes? Quality.

Polished and high-quality products are essential to the normcore aesthetic—whether that’s a simple nude 34AA bra or a plush zipper hoodie.

These simple normcore styles look good on anyone:

  • White tee-shirts
  • Button-ups in neutral tones
  • Monochrome sneakers
  • Black or blue jeans
  • Ball caps
  • Sweatshirts
  • Zip-up hoodies

2000’s Alternative Throwbacks

Nostalgia will never go out of style. The Bright colors, gadgets, and outstanding animation of the late 90s and early 2000s defined the Gen Z childhood. Fast-forward almost 20 years, and you can see these elements all over the most fashionable influencer feeds.

These pieces will help your style flashback to 2005: 

  • Graphic tees
  • Animation merch
  • Jewel tones or neon on black
  • Colorful hair
  • Plastic and clear outerwear

Athleisure

When yoga pants hit the scene in the early 2000s, Gen X and Gen Y flipped for the fun and functional fashion piece. But for Gen Z, yoga pants have always been a wardrobe staple. Comfy athleticwear that looks good at the gym and in TikTok videos is a Gen Z essential.

Give your clothes an athleisure-update with a few of these essentials:

  • Yoga pants or leggings (obviously) 
  • Dusters
  • Racerback crop-tops
  • White sneakers

Rocker Chic

Festival whimsy is out, rocker chic is in. Throw out your flower crowns and grab your steel-toed boots, because Gen Z has embraced the rock revolution. Channeling Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, Gen Z has adopted the distressed denim, leather, and band tees of the 90’s rock era. It makes sense—after all, this generation lives every day with a revolutionary attitude.

Take down The Man and look good doing it with these revived 90s rock essentials:

  • Distressed jeans
  • Leather jackets and pants
  • Ripped shirts
  • Lace-up boots
  • Tattoos

Conscientious Clothing

Gen Z grew up with a digital world of information at their fingertips. And what have they done with all that knowledge? Learned how to change the world! Gen Z knows the power of purchase—buying from certain businesses can help support a family, build a sustainable future, or even save an endangered species. 

Here are just a few brands that Gen Zers love for their give-back approach to the world:

  • Pura Vida – With the help of Pura Vida, Gen Zers can accessorize for a cause. Each jewelry piece supports artisans across the world, plus different styles support different non-profits.

  • Ivory Ella – Ivory Ella is a clothing company that donates 10% of their net profits to elephant conservation.

  • Nisolo – Nisolo provides living wages to all employees across the world and fights against climate change. 

Pattern Mixing

For generations, fashionistas have shied away from the potential fashion faux pas of mixed-patterns. Meanwhile, Gen Zers have sprinted, leaped, and swan-dived into the deep end of mismatched styles. Icons like Billie Eilish have challenged Gen Z to play with color, stripes, florals, paisleys, polka dots, and everything else under the sun.

Mix it up with these Gen Z-approved outfits:

A Generation of Fashion Game-Changers

Whether they’re rocking retro 2000’s alternative chic or keeping it simple with a normcore ensemble, Gen Z is changing the fashion world forever. So grab your graphic tees, your florals, and your brightly-colored athleisure-wear and get ready to jump into the next generation of fashion!