Cargo pants, halter tops are back in demand as Gen Z gets obsessed with early 2000s fashion
If there's one thing retailers can agree on, it's that Gen Z is hot for the early 2000s fashion trends now booming in popularity. College interns and young workers are donning wide-legged slacks at the office. The claw clip, a retro hair staple, is back; as are mesh tops, miniskirts and a host of colorful apparel that can make consumers look like they stepped out of a Disney Channel show from 2004.
Fueled by social media platforms including TikTok, the so-called Y2K trend resurfaced as consumers began attending parties and going out after pandemic lockdowns. What began with hair accessories like butterfly clips and the comeback of straight-leg jeans has expanded to all-denim garments, cargo and flare pants and everything shiny, among other looks. Casey Lewis, a New York trend analyst, noted so many micro trends — often tagged with the suffix «core» — cranked up in the past few years that she created a newsletter about them.
Think 'Barbiecore' and 'mermaidcore' which highlight the hot pink reminiscent of Mattel Inc.'s Barbie doll or sheer materials with ocean-like hues and sequins. There's also «coastal granddaughter,» the youthful update that evolved from the «coastal grandmother» trend featuring oversized cardigans and linen sets. «Gen Z is not even close to being done revisiting these old trends,» said Lewis, whose 'After School' newsletter documents youth consumer behavior.
«They are going to dig into every weird trend from way back when and bring it back.» Retailers from high-end Nordstrom to discounters and fast fashion outlets are pushing the styles in campaigns and on shelves. And consumers seem to be eating it up. Sales of women's cargo pants jumped 81% from January to May, the latest month of available data,
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