Okay, we're all getting a little bit tired of the narrative of pitting the generations against each other. Instagram or TikTok, WhatsApp or Snapchat, iced lattes or matcha—ultimately, the year we were born doesn't really matter when it comes to how we decide to dress, but as a millennial fashion editor, I can't help but notice that my Gen Z colleagues seem to be one step ahead of trends before they even make it to the mainstream.
Bandanas over caps and the latest Aries collab? Half of our team have already added them to basket before the rest of us have even seen the hashtag, and with a whole host of new trends landing in time for autumn, I quickly turned to my fellow editors to get their take on those worth investing in and those best left to socials.
Where Gen Z leads, the trend cycle tends to follow, and if you don't believe me, we've got Gen Z to thank for the resurgence of jorts, football shirts, low-slung jeans, bandeau tops and UGGs—you know, all the things millennials wore the first time around and didn't think we'd find cool again quite so soon. There’s also no denying that the under-27s are racking up the kind of purchasing power that makes brands sit up and take notice, so who better to lead the charge than an open-minded, experimental generation geared up to make a movement out of any fashion moment?
Well, some millennials aren't convinced, and after conducting a quick straw poll in the office, it became clear that there are some trends that the two generations just don't agree on (but seasoned shoppers might enjoy both). Curious? Keep scrolling to see the eight trends millennial and Gen Z editors are most excited about right now, and choose your team.
1. GEN-Z: COLOUR POP FAUX FUR
Style Notes: Spring is just around the corner and Gen Z-ers are still wearing the coats they stocked up on over winter—i.e. ostentatious faux fur. Big, bold and impossible to ignore, statement fluff is gaining in popularity in the form of collars, cuffs, cardigans and of course, coats—the only secret to nailing the trend is throwing minimalism out the window.
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This looks like it could be vintage.
An influencer and editor favourite.
Shrimps always gets faux fur right.
This is giving Studio 54 energy
Such a fun colour!
MILLENNIAL: LEATHER
Style Notes: Call us creatures of habit, but if we're looking for autumnal pieces worth investing in, it's more than likely you'll find a millennial shopping leather. Long-wearing, timeless and practical, you won't go wrong with leather if you get caught in the rain (plus it scores bonus points for being the easiest way to elevate even the most simple outfit in just one step).
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You can wear this everywhere.
The perfect shield from the elements.
This whole outfit is going on my everyday mood board.
They're back in stock! But likely not for long.
A strong contender for the perfect everyday bag.
2. GEN-Z: CAPRIS
Style Notes: For millennials who wore "pedal pushers" the first time around, the return of the capri trouser is a bitter sweet throwback. Is it nostalgic? Undoubtedly. Can we figure out ways to style them that feel chic in our 30s? Trickier. The Gen-Z style set have no problems with this "in-between" length however, and are leaning into the fun silhouette by maximising on prints and layering to play with proportions.
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Capris pair so well with mules.
This print is so cute.
Wear black capris with anything you would your wide-leg trousers.
The heritage check makes these look far more expensive.
MILLENNIAL: BARREL PANTS
Style Notes: Who says Millennials can't experiment too? The barrel and horseshoe leg are the current shape of choice for shoppers in their 30s who are looking for fashion forward silhouettes that are also practical. Not too baggy, and certainly not too skinny, this is a jean or trouser that can be dressed up for the office or kept casual with trainers.
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COS have executed the perfect cut.
A supersized fit, not for the fainthearted!
These come in 21 different colours, so there's one for every style and outfit.
GAP are experts in good denim.
You'll get plenty of wear out of these in spring, summer and autumn too.
3. GEN-Z: COW PRINT
Style Notes: Mooove over, safari (see what I did there?)—cow print is the unexpected animal print replacing zebra in 2025. Can we pinpoint exactly where this trend came from? No. But are we down to try anything at least once? Why not. There's something to be said about the tongue-in-cheek factor of cows, especially when it comes to accessories, and all of the Gen Z editors in the office agree that calf-hair pumps and loafers are a must.
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There's a lot to love about these cute flats.
So good with denim.
A cute companion to a black or white tee.
You don't have to wear the look head to toe; this would be just as commanding with a leather jacket.
Bravo, Manolo.
MILLENNIAL: LEOPARD PRINT
Style Notes: In the past few months, we've spotted Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber, Sienna Miller and Zoë Kravitz all wearing leopard-print clothing and accessories—a sure sign that big-cat energy is not dead. For those of us whose most formative fashion years were spent in the late noughties, leopard print will always be synonymous with Hedi Slimane, indie sleaze and Alexa Chung at Glastonbury, and until we're ready to give up on our headliner fantasy, leopard print will continue to be a seasonal staple alongside cosy knits and knee-high boots.
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Damson Madder leopard print is so good.
Ganni's leopard jeans are a best seller in the making.
Our editor-in-chief Hannah Almassi's current favourite coat.
Dream bag alert!
I'd happily make plans just to wear this.
4. GEN-Z: METALLIC TRAINERS
Style Notes: Looking for a shoe trend that's guaranteed to turn heads? Metallic trainers have been on the rise and rise over the last 6 months and show no signs of slowing down. Silver may be the street style set's colour of choice, but with just about every colour available on the market, it's impossible not to sit up and take notice of this Noughties-coded trend.
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These would really pop against dark blue jeans.
These come in red, gold, blue, green and silver, but the pink immediately got my attention.
A pared-back style that lets the gold speak for itself.
If you don't already know under-the-radar shoe brand Alohas, consider this the perfect introduction.
MILLENNIAL: SUEDE TRAINERS
Style Notes: If a Millennial is going to wear trainers, you best believe they're going to find a way to make them look luxe. After a spike in suede bags and jackets over autumn, we're hooked on this decadently soft fabric, and it makes sense that this infatuation would extend to our shoes too. Suede loafers are a Millennial go-to for outfits that need a little extra polish, but when you want to keep it cool, a suede trainer bridges the gap between casual and chic.
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A certified cult classic.
I love this warm shade of brown.
Miu Miu are the experts in designer suede trainers.
These would go with everything in your wardrobe.
5. GEN-Z: SKINNY SCARVES
Style Notes: Speaking of indie throwbacks, the skinny scarves that were a permanent fixture around the necks of supermodels and musicians in the 2000s are back, albeit with a cooler twist. Whilst we aren't quite ready to welcome back the pencil-thin, metallic scarf quite yet, slimline scarves are gaining traction with Gen Z's most stylish, and are perfect for the in-between weather that doesn't require a chunky cable knit. Take notes from influencer Hollie Mercedes [pictured above] and pair a tonal outfit with a pop of colour, like this scarf in a perfect shade of red from Hollie's new wool brand, Cloimh.
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Such a cute colour.
This pairs perfectly with blazers and dresses too.
I feel happier just looking at this.
A lesson in cool-girl layering.
MILLENNIAL: SCARF COATS
Style Notes: Looking for a scarf that matches everything? You must be a card-carrying millennial, and the shortcut to matchy-matchy styling that feels anything but boring is of course the ultra-chic scarf coat. Thanks to Toteme, we've been rushing out to buy them in droves, and the uptake in popularity means that the high street has cottoned on, so you can now shop the designer-looking style for as little as £40. Good news for us every time a cold snap sets in.
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Act fast whilst this is still in stock.
Simple, chic, sophisticated.
An unbeatable price.
There are longline options too!
Just as good without the scarf.
6. GEN-Z: MINI BAGUETTES
Style Notes: The 90's called and mini bags are back, a welcome return for those who like to grab their phone, keys and mirror and go. Maybe the result of reassessing our need for copious amounts of "stuff", and maybe just just cuteness of a shrunken down mini, but either way, miniature bags are everywhere on socials RN and you can usually find Gen-Zers loading theirs up with bag charms and accessories.
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The smallest bowling bag we ever did see.
You may be more familiar with The Row's bigger bags, but they've also perfected the 90's mini.
Such a fun pop of colour!
You'd be forgiven for thinking that this was designer.
MILLENNIAL: SUPERSIZED TOTES
Style Notes: The Margaux, the City, the Ciao Ciao, the Lotus—roomy totes are top of the list if you're known to carry everything (including the kitchen sink). If you were a teenager or in your early twenties in the 2010s, it's likely you had the Olsen twins, Nicole Ritchie and Rachel Zoe somewhere on your outfit inspo board, and the only thing that they wore more than floaty dresses and oversized sunnies was the giant tote that we're still besotted with 15 years later.
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If you weren't quick enough to get your hands on The Row's bestselling style, this is designer dupe for a fraction of the price.
I spotted this in the wild the other day, and it really does look just as good IRL.
You had me at mock croc.
An unrivalled classic.
7. GEN-Z: LACE
Style Notes: If you've taken a scroll through TikTok trends this month, you may well have come across summer's lace skirts, trousers and tops being repurposed for spring via clever layering with knits, leather jackets and T-shirts by Gen Z stylists. It might not be the obvious choice for cooler weather but expect to see much more of these sheer styles come april onwards.
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Cute and cosy.
Add a chunky knit for day and swap in a blazer for night.
Very Charli XCX-coded.
Undeniably pretty.
MILLENNIALS: BOHO CHIFFON
Style Notes: It would only take the debut show from Chloé's new creative director Chemena Kamali to breathe new life into a millennial favourite trend: boho. Before you could say "disc belt", we were collectively rushing to buy floaty blouses, peasant skirts and wedge sandals like it was 2005 all over again. This time around, there won't be headbands worn around foreheads or excessive fringing, but you can comfortably wear sheer layers of chiffon and ruffles paired with high-waisted denim for a nod to the look without straying into cosplay.
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So elegant.
I'm obsessed with these shades shade of brown.
How to do sheer for the office.
You'll want to wear this with everything.
9. GEN-Z: PATTERENED TIGHTS
Style Notes: If there's one thing Gen-Z knows how to do, it's introducing.a pop of colour or texture to their outfits, and in this case, you can tick off both boxes at once. Tights are the quickest way to upgrade a look in an instant, and printed, patterned and lace tights are the look du jour for under 30s who want to make a statement without print clasing from head-to-toe.
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Annie's exact tights [pictured above] are still in stock.
Every bit the perfect folk accessory.
Just in time for spring.
These are just too pretty to ignore.
MILLENNIALS: 90S NEUTRALS
Style Notes: Thanks to the rise and rise of the "office siren" trend, sheer tights are as much a part of the starter kit as glasses, pencil skirts and pinstripes. You might not spot many Millennials in the boldest hosiery trends, but you can guarantee that they do have a sock drawer full of black and brown sheer tights for the chillier days when going bare legged isn't an option, only now we know how to. style them to give them a little more pizzazz.
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A subtle nod to prints in watercolour form.
I'm convinced that these are a universally flattering shade of deep cocoa.
Stock pile for chilly days.
When it comes to quality tights, Calzedonia are always on the list.
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