Fashion is a powerful form of expression that allows people to be creative and showcase their unique individuality through the outfits they wear. It allows individuals to communicate their personality, status, and values without words, which can make others perceive them in a certain way. For example, if you want to be seen as someone who is of higher importance, wearing pink linen pants can make you come across that way as opposed to choosing streetwear.
Gen-Z has fully embraced fashion as a form of artistic expression in the UK. It allows designers and individuals of this experimental-focused generation to express their creativity through the design, construction, and styling of clothing and accessories. Fashion shows, runway presentations, and personal style all demonstrate the artistic aspects of fashion.
This guide will explore how Gen-Z has altered the world of fashion in a budget-friendly manner, as they embrace second-hand clothing and sustainable options for a more unique, all-season aesthetic. Continue reading to find out more about Gen-Z’s impact on fashion.
How Gen Z is Shaping the Future of Fashion
Spending Power
The average Gen-Z consumer in the UK spends around £300 on clothing per year with the range of spending being quite large, as some spend around £100 and others up to £1000 during this period. This heavily depends on their income with those earning a higher amount ending up spending more on clothing.
Additionally, the average Gen-Z in the UK will allocate around 20% of their monthly income to purchasing clothing and accessories like pink linen pants. While prices of clothing and accessories have increased, there are still bargains that can be found while the minimum wage continues to rise. This means that Gen-Z can afford to purchase more pieces of clothing.
Eco-Friendly Brands
Sustainability has grown significantly in popularity over the past few decades. Google Trends data shows a significant increase in search interest for sustainable fashion, with a peak in April 2022. From 2008 to 2024, interest in sustainable fashion has grown by approximately 1116.67%. This growing demand has resulted in more Gen-Z individuals going to thrift stores to find their latest look with there being some of the most unique pieces found in these fashion havens. There are now also platforms like Vinted and Depop, which allow users to sell their pink linen pants online to other users. They can upload images of the clothing and negotiate prices with potential buyers. This has added to the popularity of this type of shopping, as people don’t have to leave their homes to find unique secondhand pink linen pants or other types of clothing.
Social Media Catalyst
A lot of UK Gen-Z’s fashion trends have come from social media. With more than 2.3 million views, the hashtag #tiktokmademebuyit highlights how significantly social platforms impact consumer behavior. This phenomenon demonstrates that trends can spread at a much quicker rate, as it generated large sales and influenced fashion trends all across the world.
Many of the top fashion brands in the world now have paid advertisements on social media platforms, which is actually where their most active user base comes from. These ads are always clickable and will take users directly to the product on the website. You’ll then notice that this same item will keep appearing on these social media channels.
Influencer Impact
Influencer marketing has fundamentally reshaped Gen-Z’s approach to fashion, serving as their primary source of style inspiration and product discovery. Unlike previous generations who relied on traditional advertising, UK Gen Zs heavily trust the recommendations of social media personalities, particularly micro-influencers who are perceived as more authentic and relatable. This dynamic has driven a strong demand for budget-friendly solutions, as influencers frequently showcase affordable hauls and promote thrifting and upcycling. Cargo pants and pink linen pants both regained huge popularity due to influencers making them more relevant in the modern era.
While Gen-Z often expresses a desire for sustainable and ethical fashion, the accessibility and low cost of fast fashion promoted by some influencers create an attitude-behavior gap, where affordability often wins out in their purchasing decisions. The only thing getting in the way of this is brand deals where influencers promote non-sustainable brands rather than being eco-conscious.
Cheap and Cheerful
Driving a constant search for budget-friendly solutions that allow them to stay on-trend without breaking the bank. Faced with economic realities like the cost-of-living crisis and growing awareness of fast fashion’s environmental impact, this generation has become incredibly resourceful. They actively embrace thrifting, DIY fashion, and online resale platforms like Vinted and Depop, not only to save money but also to express individuality and contribute to a more sustainable consumption cycle in the UK.
The thrill of finding a bargain and the ability to frequently refresh their wardrobes with diverse, affordable pieces have made cheap style hacks a staple of their online presence, proving that style is no longer synonymous with high price tags.
Blending Styles
Rather than adhering to singular aesthetics, Gen-Z excels at mixing and matching from various eras like Y2K and 90s UK grunge, alongside modern streetwear and athleisure. This eclectic approach encourages creativity with existing wardrobes and prioritizes versatility, allowing them to create their signature look, with pink linen pants becoming a very popular choice. Combining unexpected pieces into one outfit allows Gen-Z to demonstrate that personal style is about ingenious curation and self-expression.
Thrift shopping has influenced this, as they tend to have a wide array of clothing from different styles present in their stores. This allows Gen-Z to embrace a mixed basket of UK garments that they can combine into something unique.
