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As the parent of three teens and a 12-year-old, I’ll be the first to admit that Gen Z trends make my head spin. Slang words disappear almost as soon as they’re cool (“Nobody says ‘cringey’ any more, Mom!”), TikTok trends are all but dead by the time they hit my personal FYP, and items that are “must-haves” one week will quickly be out of vogue the next (RIP to the Stanley cup trend — more on that later).
If you feel hopelessly old when it comes to keeping up, you’re definitely not alone. It is literally my job to keep tabs on what today’s teenagers are loving and hating, and even though my kids grudgingly admitted yesterday that I’m “sort of” on top of things, I still sometimes feel like I’m pitifully doggy-paddling through an ever-changing sea of what’s cool and what’s not. So I’ll admit, doing this roundup of the Gen Z trends of 2025 was selfish on my part, because I too am a parent just trying to keep up with my Gen Z kids. I combed through trend forecasts, corporate reports, and TikTok hauls to figure out what they’re into as we head into the new year, so we aren’t totally behind. Sigma!
It’s a Jellycat Jubilee!
Move over, Squishmallows — Jellycats are a hot commodity at the moment. Maybe it’s because they have a variety of fun plushes (shrimp! Snowflakes! Hot dogs!), or maybe it’s because they’re just so darn cute and cuddly. Either way, this is a trend I’ve personally seen in action; my son bought his girlfriend a Jellycat capybara (yep, they’ve got those too!) and she literally almost cried with happiness. And yes, they ARE as cute as they look online! There are a lot of impostors out there, but as with most Gen Z trends, the actual Jellycat brand is part of the appeal.
Hollister, Hollister, & More Hollister
If you remember how popular Hollister was in the mid-2000s, you may not be surprised to hear that it’s back in a big way — especially its oversized sweatshirts and baggy sweatpants. Gen Z loves its clothes big and comfy … sweats were among my 15-year-old’s favorite Christmas gifts!
Stanley Who?
New water bottle, who dis? Owala has booted the Stanley tumbler as the hydration vehicle of choice among teens. Though overall, water bottles aren’t quite as popular as they were at this time last year, they’re still on plenty of wish lists. And the Owala comes in a ton of colorways!
How Low Can (Jeans) Go?
Ring, ring — it’s the ’90s calling! I wish I’d kept some of my teenage clothes because low rise baggy jeans are back. More specifically, these low rise baggy jeans from Garage. Not gonna lie, the ’90s teen in me kinda wants a pair for myself … although I suppose that would render the brand totally uncool!
Picture It: Tech Meets Nostalgia
In a world where we can literally whip out our phones and take a snapshot of anything, it’s fascinating that the popularity of digital cameras is really on the rise. Yet here we are! Kids who’ve probably never used a digital camera before in their lives are suddenly flocking to them. One of my kids has a camera from Camp Snap (like the one pictured) and loves the screen-free, point-and-shoot aspect. But what do I love about it? No expensive film to buy and develop! If you need proof of popularity, Camp Snap’s website is currently informing customers that there’s been an “unexpected demand.”
Palettes, Please!
I’m an absolute sucker for an eyeshadow palette, and apparently this is a trend that transcends age, because so is Gen Z — right now, anyway. There are so many choices when it comes to palettes, but Makeup by Mario is mentioned a lot on TikTok. Luckily, so is the smaller-but-more-affordable Glossier palette.
Clamoring for Camo
Gen Z is all about comfort, and athleisure is big business going into 2025. Take this hoodie, for example: Abercrombie’s Essential Popover Hoodie. But though it comes in nearly 40 colors and prints, camo and ONLY camo is what’s stealing Gen Z’s hearts at the moment.
UGG Abounds
You can’t set foot outside the house these days without seeing someone in UGGs, and the trend seemingly isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. However, new styles are trending; where it used to be the Tasman, it’s now the platform version (the Tazz), the Mini Bailey Bow Boot, and the Classic Ultra Mini. They’re on the feet of every It Girl.
Tuning Parents Out, But Make It Apple
Though I can’t vouch for all teenagers, I can say based on my own — and on the fact that it’s been a preferred teen pastime for decades — tuning parents out is the ultimate goal of every earbud and headphone Gen Z buys. But the brand they prefer far and beyond any other? APPLE. The noise-cancelling AirPods Max wireless headphones are the most wished-for, and also the steepest in price, typically fetching over $500. But following close behind are the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, which at $250 or less are still steep, but much more affordable (and still just as cool).
Well, Well, Well
It’s a sad fact that the teen mental health crisis has reached critical levels — even the Surgeon General says so. That being said, I’m so happy to report that one trend predicted to be strong among Gen Z in 2025 is taking more control of their mental health. Whether that’s through digital mindfulness or wellness apps like Finch (where completing self-care goals helps a little bird grow and thrive) or through offline means like “junk journaling” (there are so many satisfying and inspiring TikToks about it!), I’m just glad it’s happening.
Adidas, But Not the Samba
Remember not too long ago when the Adidas Samba made a huge comeback? It seems like just yesterday to me, since I’m an oldster and all — but like most Gen Z trends, the Samba has already been bumped in favor of the Adidas Campus OOs. Thanks to the popularity of street style for both sexes, this gender-neutral shoe is selling like hotcakes. Plus, it comes in 30 (thirty!!) different colorways!
In Love with LoveShackFancy
From perfume (particularly the fruity floral “Forever in Love” scent) to bedding, the super-girly brand LoveShackFancy is really on Gen Z’s trend radar right now.
DoorDashin’ It
If I had a dollar for every time DoorDash was at my house thanks to my teenagers, I could be sipping mojitos on a resort somewhere. I swear, every Dasher in the area knows our address by heart. And I’m not alone in this: according to Greenlight’s latest “year in review” data, which tracks teen spending, DoorDash was the top food merchant — and is showing no sign of slowing down any time soon.
Baubles and Bangles and Beads, Oh My!
When it comes to jewelry, gold once again reigns supreme over silver, and these delicate gold-tone beaded bracelets are adorning fashionable Gen Z wrists everywhere. There’s a brand called enewton that’s highly prized, but you can find these nearly-identical versions on Amazon.
On the Rhode Again
Hailey Bieber’s brand, Rhode Beauty, continues to dominate — especially where lip products are concerned, as Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint was a hit in countless TikTok holiday hauls. It’s a great product, of course, but some of its appeal might come from Rhode’s commitment to philanthropic giving, and its packaging made of recyclable post-consumer materials, since ethical and sustainable products are a huge draw to Gen Z.
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