Gen Z Vs. Millennial Trends: 5 Fashion Faux Pas In 2024

While acceptable under boots (which, if you want to save face with the younger generation, should not be ankle boots), even then, you probably should just wear your crew-length or tube socks. As the Gen Zer in the clip called them, “normal socks”.

As one of the few millennials among my Gen Z colleagues, I wondered if I was unwillingly revealing myself to be, 1) ‘old’ and 2) ensemblé challenged (to quote a Millennial film, Clueless).

Here’s what they determined were the undeniable things Millennials wear that immediately give them away.

Millennial Fashion Trends (That Gen Z Hate)

Before I embark on this list, I’d like to remind my fellow Millennials that Gen Z are not the arbiters of style. You do you, babes. (Oh no, the Millennial phrasing…)

1. Straight and skinny jeans

I’ve heard skinny jeans are making a comeback, but one particular millennial-friendly jean is not on the roster for Gen Z: the mum jean. The high-waist, straight leg combo is officially off the menu.

Instead, Gen Z are all about baggy, low- or mid-rise jeans. You can also make a solid case for the bootcut.

Related: The Three Denim Trends Set To Dominate 2024

2. Crew socks

We’ve had this chat. Ankle socks are out. Socks should sit on or above your ankle. End of chat.

Related: Socks Were The Street Style Star Of Fashion Week

3. Tennis shoes

White, plain, slimline sneakers were once a revolutionary (read: comfortable) trend. Now? Both the colour and the silhouette are officially old news.

While you can still get away with some Sambas or other, colourful equivalent sneaker, Gen Z are officially lusting after ‘ugly sneakers‘. The chunkier and more monstrous — the better.

4. Long cardigans

There’s a time and place, to be sure. However, that long, thigh-grazing cardigan is not the Gen Z preference. Instead, today’s trendiest cardigans are cropped and fitted. Very French girl-inspired…

5. Ankle Boots

You may find the odd style that have survived the recent spate of ankle boot-hate (cowboy or biker boots, for example), however, the young ones hath spoken. And the verdict is: knee-high boots forever. (Or for a few years, at least…)

Having said all that, there are trends that I dare say we Millennials invented that Gen Z are coming around to. Time to dig into your wardrobes for…

Millennial Trends Gen Z Love

While you may not be seeing them on the streets yet, just around the corner you could find the youthful and stylish rocking some trends we thought we left in 2005.

For instance, you saw the viral platform wedges from the Chloe AW24 front row. You might have clocked a general air of ‘boho style‘ emanating from the autumn-winter runways, with brown leather and suede making a comeback, alongside flowing, handkerchief hemmed dresses.

Similarly, the style rocked by original Tumblr queens like Alexa Chung, Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny and Sienna Miller are all seeping back into favour. Indie sleaze has been on the lips of TikTokers for a while, with elements of grunge and also leopard print coming for your wardrobes.

Finally, one major — and very surprising — trend you’re likely to see, is the chunky belt, best showcased by Louis Vuitton SS24.

Senior Writer

Rebecca Mitchell

Rebecca Mitchell is a senior writer at ELLE Australia. She graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2011 already with solid media experience under her belt. She started her career in broadcast news, simultaneously hosting the Never Talk Politics radio programme on 2MCE and as a reporter at WIN News. After returning to her hometown of Sydney, she worked as a journalist in lifestyle media, including at Mamamia, SheSaid, and Foxtel’s Lifestyle group. Formerly a freelance journalist, you can find her words at Refinery29, Urban List, Broadsheet, and more.