16 Trends Gen-Z is Totally Over

Gen Z knows what’s in and what’s out, and they don’t hold back. They’re quick to retire trends that feel stale, inauthentic, or just plain overdone. Here are 16 trends that Gen Z has officially filed under “cringe” and would rather leave behind in favor of fresher vibes and, of course, fewer filters.

1. Skinny Jeans

Once a staple in every wardrobe, skinny jeans have now fallen to the bottom of the denim drawer. Gen Z has fully embraced looser, more relaxed styles like mom jeans, flares, and wide-leg pants. They’re all about comfort and a silhouette that feels effortless instead of constricted. The skintight, leg-hugging denim trend has had its time, but Gen Z is ready for a little breathing room.

2. Side Parts

The age-old debate: side part or middle part? For Gen Z, it’s no debate at all—the middle part is where it’s at. They’ve turned the side part into a Millennial “tell,” favoring a sleek, center part that brings out a balanced, symmetrical look. The side part isn’t officially banned, but it’s definitely on the outdated list. The middle part reigns supreme on social media and in selfies alike.

3. Overly Curated Instagram Feeds

Gone are the days of the meticulously planned, color-coordinated Instagram grid. Gen Z is over the perfectly polished aesthetic and instead opts for candid, spontaneous posts that reflect real life. They’re less about filters and more about authenticity, ditching the “Instagram vs. Reality” cliché by making reality the new norm. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s refreshing.

4. Unnecessary Hashtags

Hashtags like #blessed, #wanderlust, and #fitfam? Yeah, those are totally passé. Gen Z isn’t into hashtag overload, seeing it as dated, desperate, and a little bit cringe. If they use hashtags at all, they’re minimal, ironic, or entirely for humor. Their motto? If your post needs ten hashtags, it probably needs rethinking instead.

5. Influencer Culture

While Gen Z isn’t saying goodbye to all influencers, they are definitely calling out the overly promotional, “buy this for perfect skin” side of influencer culture. They value authenticity and are quick to spot when someone is just in it for the money. If influencers aren’t genuine or relatable, they lose Gen Z’s interest fast. It’s less about #ad and more about real, authentic connections.

6. Over-the-Top Contouring

Heavy contouring once dominated makeup routines, thanks to celebrity influence, but Gen Z is done with the full-face sculpting trend. Instead, they prefer a natural, fresh-faced look with a touch of blush and highlighter for a subtle glow. The days of spending 30 minutes to chisel cheekbones are over, and skin that looks like skin is officially back.

7. Fast Fashion Hauls

Fast fashion is getting serious side-eye from Gen Z, who values sustainability and quality over quantity. The once-popular “haul” videos are now viewed as wasteful, and many Gen Z shoppers are turning to thrift stores or investing in ethical brands. They’re calling out the environmental impact of constant clothing hauls and promoting more thoughtful fashion choices.

8. Fake Lashes Every Day

Gluing on fake lashes every day used to be a beauty must-have, but Gen Z is ditching this high-maintenance look. They’re going for more low-key lashes, opting for mascara or a lash lift that doesn’t require an hour of prep. False lashes are still great for special occasions, but the daily application feels too fussy and overdone.

9. “Live, Laugh, Love” Decor

Inspirational quotes like “Live, Laugh, Love” were once a home decor go-to, but Gen Z has officially retired the phrase. They favor art and decor that feels personal, eclectic, and often vintage rather than store-bought and generic. If you see “Live, Laugh, Love” on a wall, you’re probably not in a Gen Z space. They’re all about unique vibes, and cliché sayings aren’t part of the picture.

10. Super Long Coffin Nails

Long, extravagant nails were the beauty trend of the last few years, but Gen Z is opting for something a little more functional. Shorter, natural nails are on the rise, with minimal designs or neutral colors taking center stage. They’re embracing nail art but skipping the impractical lengths. After all, typing with claws isn’t exactly convenient.

11. Excessive Filter Usage

Overly filtered selfies and videos are no longer cool. Gen Z is into authenticity, and heavy filters can come off as inauthentic or insecure. They’re embracing natural looks, sometimes even posting “no-filter” selfies with pride. If they use filters at all, it’s minimal and subtle, enhancing rather than masking their features.

12. Gender Reveal Parties

Gen Z isn’t too keen on the trend of gender reveal parties, seeing it as outdated and, in some cases, even problematic. They view gender as fluid and personal, and these parties can feel too binary and old-fashioned. Instead, they’re celebrating personal milestones in less traditional ways, leaving gender reveals behind.

13. Obsessive Diet Culture

Gen Z is breaking free from restrictive, image-obsessed diet culture, replacing it with intuitive eating and mental health-focused wellness. They’re more about body positivity and celebrating all body types, making rigid diets seem unnecessary and outdated. They view health as holistic and inclusive, with less emphasis on calorie-counting and more on self-acceptance.

14. Emoji Overload

The days of communicating through excessive emojis are fading fast. Gen Z uses emojis sparingly, often ironically, or opts for a minimalist approach to texting. A single, well-chosen emoji says more than ten in a row ever could. Gone are the overly enthusiastic faces, hearts, and thumbs-ups, leaving only the rare and strategic use of a well-placed emoji.

15. Digital Wallet Flexing

Gone are the days of flaunting Venmo transactions or “flexing” via digital wallets. Gen Z values privacy and finds public money transfers a bit cringeworthy. If anything, they might laugh at it ironically, but they’re not about to make their financial lives public. Flexing cash apps is a trend they’re ready to leave behind, preferring a more low-key approach to their money matters.

16. Clout Chasing

Whether it’s fame or followers, “clout chasing” for the sake of validation is officially out. Gen Z values authenticity, and clout-chasing comes off as try-hard and inauthentic. They prefer originality over popularity and are quick to call out anyone who seems more focused on numbers than on real connections. In Gen Z’s world, real is always better than “influential.”

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