What’s Out of Style According to Gen Z and Stylish Alternatives to Buy Instead | 2025

Last Updated on January 2, 2025

If you have been on the internet at all in the past few months, you have probably heard about the all-out war between millennials and Gen Z. If you haven’t heard about this, you might be wondering what it was about. Well, long story short: it was about side parts and skinny jeans.

Both millennial style staples, and younger members of Gen Z have almost unanimously agreed that these are now out of style. Millennials did not seem to like this news. While many of us still do plan on rocking our side parts, we were still curious about what the latest style trends were. And if you’re still reading, we bet you are too. So here are four styles that Gen Z has decided are out of style, and what is replacing them.

It’s fascinating how quickly something once loved can become out of style. Side parts and skinny jeans may feel like they just entered the mainstream, but to Gen Z, they are firmly out of style. Keep reading to find out what else has been labeled as out of style and how to update your wardrobe accordingly!

Side Parts to Middle Parts

We don’t know about you guys, but many of our younger selves would laugh about how silly we looked when we switched our side part hairstyle for a middle part. You may have said, “Look how weird I look!” and almost immediately changed it back to your trusty side part. Well, times are changing. Because one of our younger sisters (who used to joke about this with us) now rocks a middle part on the daily.

You heard us right; side parts are no longer the hair trend. With Gen Z, it is all about the middle part. There are a few different ways they are doing this. One of our personal favorites is with the curtain bang cut. But there are plenty of options! Just to name some others, you can style layers with beachy waves or even with a short, blunter style.

No matter how you decide to style it, know that switching to a middle part will likely give you the nod of approval from Gen Z.

Skinny Jeans to Mom Jeans

This is one that took the internet by storm. You could say, for lack of a better word, that this had many millennials and older Gen Z members “triggered”. Nevertheless, the younger members of Gen Z have decided that skinny jeans are no longer in style.

Here are some of our favorite mom jeans:

Rather than skinny jeans, Gen Z has opted for more straight-leg “mom jeans” or oversized high-waisted jeans. This goes for other denim as well. Gen Z has left behind the short tight denim jeans for more loose-fitting and longer mom jeans. Many Gen Z members have said they gained their inspiration for bringing this trend back from style icons like Princess Diana. And we will admit that after hearing that, we were a lot less upset about having to say goodbye to our skinny jeans.

Bold Brows to Natural Brows

According to Gen Z, the era of ultra-bold, heavily sculpted brows is over. The focus is shifting towards a softer, more natural look that embraces individuality and subtle definition. Instead of carving out harsh arches, Gen Z prefers gently brushed, fluffy brows that enhance your natural features without overpowering your face. For a modern touch, consider investing in lightweight brow gels or pencils that fill in sparse areas while maintaining a low-key finish.

This style aligns perfectly with the “effortless beauty” aesthetic that’s taking over social media.

Triangle Bikinis Tied New Ways

Before you freak out, let us clarify that Gen Z is not canceling triangle tie bikinis; instead, they are reinventing the way we have worn them for as long as we can remember. TikTok trends have shown hundreds of different ways you can tie the same triangle bikini so that you get tons of different looks from the same piece.

You can turn it into a cute tube top shape, wear it upside down to get a more rounded shape, or crisscross in the front – honestly, the possibilities are endless! If there is one thing that this trend has taught us, it is that Gen Z’s creativity truly is endless, so rest assured that the classic triangle bikini is not going out of style.

Here are some of our favorite triangle bikinis:

High-Waisted Jeans to Low-Rise ’90s Jeans and Baggy Cargo Pants

High-waisted jeans, once the go-to silhouette for a polished yet casual look, are taking a backseat as Gen Z embraces the nostalgia of low-rise ‘90s jeans and the effortlessly cool vibe of baggy cargo pants. While the high-waist trend dominated closets for years, younger fashion enthusiasts are leaning towards styles that exude a relaxed, carefree aesthetic. Low-rise jeans bring a touch of retro rebellion, while cargo pants offer a practical yet stylish edge with their oversized fits and utility-inspired details.

These alternatives reflect a shift toward individuality and comfort, redefining modern denim and casual wear.

Low-Rise Bikinis to High-Cut Bikinis

Bikinis appear again on the list of things Gen Z is trying to change. But in all honesty, this is one trend we are here for. So many of us have gone through trying to buy a bikini and having the low-rise bottoms dig into our sides, making us feel less than ideal. Well, with this new Gen Z trend, that out of style look is a thing of the past.

You can say goodbye to bikini bottoms that dig into your sides and hello to high-waisted bikinis. Out of style low-rise designs are officially over, and high-cut bikinis are in. If you don’t already have one, you need one (especially with summer coming up)! High-cut bikinis really can hug you in all the right places, elongate your legs, and even give some more structure to your figure. Out of style swimwear doesn’t stand a chance with this chic and flattering trend.

While we may not agree with every trend Gen Z is creating, this is one we like. Say goodbye to out of style bikini mishaps and hello to something truly stylish and comfortable!

Here are some of our favorite high-cut bikinis:

Final Words…

So which Gen Z trend did you like the most? Or were there any trends you’re not quite on board with yet because they feel out of style? Let us know in the comments below or on Instagram @succesiblelife. If you think some Gen Z trends are already out of style, we’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’d like to show off some of your looks—whether they’re trending or intentionally out of style—tag us with #SuccessibleFashion for a chance to be reposted!