There is something about clothing that matters to all of us, whether we admit it or not. As a generation, we have transformed our styles both individually and together through the years.
As a whole, millennials are generally more knowledgeable about clothing and fashion, and we like shopping more. Male millennials buy twice as much apparel as non-millennial men, and women buy a third more than women from older generations. Shopping is viewed more than anything as a social experience. Millennials are typically seen shopping in groups, valuing the opinion of their friends and relatives.
Why wear jeans when leggings are so comfortable? Leggings are common in this generation, and are worn as pants.
Shirts blazoned with the Hollister logo used to be all teens wanted. Now, most do not wear t shirts with brand names, unless it is for athletics.
Popular brands of our generation have included Nike, Adidas, American Eagle, Express, H&M, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Abercrombie&Fitch, Wrangler, Victoria’s Secret and Pink, Calvin Klein, JCPenny and more. While women tend to have multiple favorites that develop and change over time, men are more likely to choose a brand and stay loyal. Men will also stay with brands longer as the women outgrow certain ones.
It is funny to see how our fashion choices have evolved. The millennial generation was the one that struggled with punishment for wearing hats and wearing shorts and skirts that were shorter than our
fingertips. Now that we have the freedom to wear what we like in college, we often choose things like maxi dresses and skirts, big sweaters and scarves. Boys who got in trouble for wearing shirts with inappropriate messages now tend to wear button-downs and athletic shirts. While it used to be cool to have “Hollister” printed across every shirt, it is now seen as juvenile.
Girls of this generation have made so many transitions, such as the jean transition. Starting at the boot-cut, we have progressed through to skinny jeans of every color of the rainbow, to blue-jean skinnies and to high-waisted jeans, although now you will see more girl sporting leggings and yoga pants over jeans most days.
Victoria’s Secret remains a popular store among millennials.
As the millennial men have been getting older, they have transitioned from skinny jeans that sag too low and band t-shirts to khakis, button-down shirts and athletic gear. Accessories such as watches and sunglasses have become more important to them as well.
That is not to say that all the other options are out. In fact, the millennials have start repeating previous fashion trends.
Crop tops are back! 90s fashion styles are making a comeback for the spring and summer.
High-waisted shorts and jeans were first popular decades ago in the ‘40s, when women started doing more outside work. They made a huge comeback in the ‘70s in competition with low-rise jeans. Now, they are back in style with the young women of our generation.
90s trends are back, including iconic red lipstick.
Many trends that were popular within our generation in the ‘90s are coming back and are being revamped. Red lipstick, tousled hair, Dock Martens, floral print, jean jackets and crop tops are all styles popular now that have been revived from previous tastes. Even things like bright colors from the ‘90s are coming
Justin Timberlake’s infamous frosted hair is a trend of the 90s that can stay in that decade.
back in the form of sports gear.
Thankfully, there are those trends that have not come back (and hopefully never will). Kangol hats, fanny packs, overly-baggy jeans, chunky men’s jewelry and frosted tips—rocked by Justin Timberlake himself—are all styles most of us probably pray stay locked in the ‘90s vault.
Of course, on any college campus, varieties of fashion preferences will be seen. Though the general consensus is that looking good is in style, we will always be a generation of comfort as well. Shorts and t-shirts will never go out of style, and sweatpants will always be a go-to for the average worn-out student.
More than anything, our generation will wear what we want to wear without regards to the tastes of other generations, seeking the approval only of those our own age who “get it.”
We are, for the most part, casual. Some like to dress up, some prefer to dress down, and when we go out at night, we like to look good and cute and sexy. We like to stand out while at the same time still fitting in somehow.
