Neon-printed t-shirts and wrists filled with sh*g bands might have once been the big trend at school discos, but it’s safe to say they’re pretty much out of fashion nowadays. Much like the big shoulder pads from the 80s, these staples of past decades have fallen by the wayside in 2024.
The New Fashion Divide: Skinny Jeans
And yet, it’s a more recent style choice that’s really dividing generations, and no, it’s not ankle socks this time. It’s fair to say most of those born between 1981 and 1996 (and those of the inconspicuous late 90s generation) will have owned at least one pair of skinny jeans at some point. Perhaps they had a pair lasting right from their teenage days into their young adult lives; either way, they were a staple of noughties fashion.
Gen Z’s Verdict on Skinny Jeans
However, some Gen Z members have seemingly canceled the slim style of denim trousers with a suggestion of what you should be wearing instead. One TikToker took to the platform to share with her dozens of thousands of followers ‘3 ways’ to style the figure-hugging jeans. The user, @momohkd, sarcastically advised viewers exactly what to do, with the first tip telling them: “Throw them out.” She then jokingly popped the black skinny jeans in a bin. The second ‘styling’ tip was to ‘burn them,’ while the third creatively advised: “Cut them up and make something else.”
Millennial Outrage
Unsurprisingly, Millennials were not happy with the news that their beloved wardrobe essential was now no longer in vogue. One TikTok user wrote: “Just because you don’t like them doesn’t mean we all shouldn’t like it.” Another revealed: “Guys what I kinda like them…” while a third echoed: “I… kinda like them…”
Another hit out: “Can we stop hating on [sic]pieces of fabric…it’s just clothes.” One skinny jean loyalist admitted: “I know some people hate them but I really like them and feel really comfortable in them,” and a final defender warned: “They’ll be back soon just wait…”
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Gen Z’s Embrace of New Styles
The rest of the internet, however, happily chimed in to the skinny jean slander. One TikTok user explained: “I put a pair on yesterday for the first time in SO long and I immediately took them off.” A second quipped: “I genuinely don’t know how I ever wore skinny jeans, they’re uncomfortable and make me feel insecure like??? What was going on inside my head?”
“I put them on for a joke today and I nearly cried,” commented a third. Another thanked the TikToker, before adding: “Idk why I ever wore skinny jeans like who let me out like that?”
New Silhouettes on the Rise
Fellow Gen Z members have since rushed in to share other silhouettes former skinny jeans advocates can opt for if they want to spruce up their style. From cargo trousers and utility pants to the likes of wide and straight-leg jeans, it’s apparently time to ditch the skinny.
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Conclusion: Fashion’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Fashion is an ever-changing landscape, with trends coming and going as quickly as they arrive. While skinny jeans might be out of favor with the younger generation, their nostalgic charm keeps them alive in the hearts of many Millennials. Whether they make a comeback or remain a relic of the past, one thing is certain: fashion will always be a topic that unites and divides across generations.
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