Every generation has its defining trends and cultural quirks. Boomers were known for tie-dye shirts and terms like “groovy” and “far out.” Gen X embraced grunge fashion and slang like “rad” and “psych!” Millennials wore trucker hats and Livestrong bracelets and used terms like “YOLO” and “bae.”
Gen Z is no exception. Today’s younger generation has its own set of beauty standards, slang, and social media habits. But while many of these trends might stand the test of time, others could become tomorrow’s equivalent of disco fashion, tribal tattoos, and emo hairstyles.
This discussion came up in a Reddit thread months ago when someone asked, “What Gen Z social trends do you think will age poorly?” Responses flooded in, which we’ve compiled into this list.
#41
one thing I think is sad that I see about GenZ is the crippling self-consciousness. they get a lot of flak for being haters and always having something nasty to say about other generations, but people aren't like that if they're happy with their own lives. It looks like they have a lot less fun because they're so self-conscious about everything.
also they're so prudish. I always think they're older than they are because it's a trend to dress like an eldery librarian spinster.
also they're so prudish. I always think they're older than they are because it's a trend to dress like an eldery librarian spinster.
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4points
#42
Calling people unc and old because ageism always ages poorly if you’re blessed enough to age.
3points
#43
This is a much more superficial one, but the excessive flash tattoos. Nothing against tattoos to be clear, it’s just that when you’ve got 20 plus flas tattoos and no big pieces it just makes you look like you were always too broke to afford a real piece.
3points
#44
I think the over-sensitivity to social issues, specifically in the absence of much critical thinking.
It's gotten to a lot points where the fundamental goals of a lot of minority causes is kind of buried under a lot of more superficial, performative virtue signaling (as much as I hate the use of that term) in lieu of more grounded advocacy.
I think people have internalized the most extreme reactions that they see, and replicate them without any insight or nuance - they just understand "this thing is absolutely this level bad, period."
A general example is how I've seen so many rude, awkward, or simply uncomfortable situations being labeled as actual crime.
The pendulum swinging that far ostracizes way more people from the cause who could otherwise contribute, and the social mindset panders to extreme minorities rather than benefitting the movement as a whole.
They're getting to be essentially the same as blind party voters on the other side who don't know why they vote that way except that its "normal" and "correct" in their camp.
It's gotten to a lot points where the fundamental goals of a lot of minority causes is kind of buried under a lot of more superficial, performative virtue signaling (as much as I hate the use of that term) in lieu of more grounded advocacy.
I think people have internalized the most extreme reactions that they see, and replicate them without any insight or nuance - they just understand "this thing is absolutely this level bad, period."
A general example is how I've seen so many rude, awkward, or simply uncomfortable situations being labeled as actual crime.
The pendulum swinging that far ostracizes way more people from the cause who could otherwise contribute, and the social mindset panders to extreme minorities rather than benefitting the movement as a whole.
They're getting to be essentially the same as blind party voters on the other side who don't know why they vote that way except that its "normal" and "correct" in their camp.
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3points
#45
Pimple patches, silent screaming in palm, that gesture of clapping with their index finger and thumb.
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3points
#46
Not sure what to call it, but the premature adulting. I have noticed younger people focusing on career and money really early and while, at first glance, that seems like a good thing I think it causes a lot of unhealthy anxiety. It's like they're not allowed to be stupid and have fun anymore. Everything has to be done with purpose and a plan for the future. If it's not profitable it's not valuable.
I wonder if we're going to see worse effects of this later down the line, like an increase in burnout.
I wonder if we're going to see worse effects of this later down the line, like an increase in burnout.
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3points
#49
I think adding “-core” and “-coded” to the end of things is going to age like doggo.
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3points
#50
Re-inventing human nature
Deciding words don’t have meanings
Discarding concepts like “context” and “intent”.
Deciding words don’t have meanings
Discarding concepts like “context” and “intent”.
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2points
#52
Right wing "alpha male" BS. I see it as largely a phase for young Gen Z men triggered by covid and social isolation rather than a perminant trend towards conservatism and toxic nasculinity for the next generation. I mean, I was misled by the alt-right pipeline when I was a teen. (2018-2020, ages 16-18) A lot of young gen Z men who voted for Trump in 2024 will look back at their "chud phase" and utterly cringe.
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2points
#53
Irony. I think Gen Alpha will genuinely love things whole heartedly and not feel socially forced to layer on irony. "I wore a suit to the minions movies cuz it was a funny ironic thing to do." is out and "I cheered after chicken jockey at the minecraft movie and it was so fun." is in.
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2points
#54
Gen Z stare or having it be socially acceptable to just not interact with people.
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1point
#56
The 2016 obsession. Most of them were NOT there to experience it and are just copying what millennials are saying.
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1point
#57
Poorly?
Honestly the dating, people are starting to seeing and feeling the downsides to having such insane standards and thinking they are the center of the universe.
Honestly the dating, people are starting to seeing and feeling the downsides to having such insane standards and thinking they are the center of the universe.
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1point
#58
I really hope the romantasy trend goes away. It's impossible to find good fantasy with actual worldbuilding since there's so much slop.
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0points