Ask anyone who was born in the late ‘90s and the early ‘00s, and they’ll tell you the difficulty in determining whether they’re a Gen Z or a millennial. But, whether you grew up binging noughties teen dramas like The OC, were in the trenches reblogging American Apparel editorials on Tumblr or felt slightly taken aback by the way 2016 had become so collectively romanticised in 2026, if there’s one thing that both groups can agree on, it’s the desirability of these key spring trends.
The warming weather is always an invitation to refresh your wardrobe, be it through cleaning out the old and bringing in the new, or brightening up your staple pieces through injecting new prints, tones and textures into your trusty arsenal. And despite a few years separating these two demographics, it’s become apparent that strong silhouettes and refined pieces will always garner collective appeal.
That’s at least what I—a 26-year-old fashion writer who certainly falls into that niche 'zillennial' camp who subscribes to both ideologies—gleaned after charting the chicest dressers amongst each age range and the spring trends they’ve already begun demonstrating a proclivity for. A polished coat, new way of wearing denim, elegant colour or well-favoured print should really have no allegiance to the year you were born.
Style, ultimately, cuts through the discourse, though it’s clear that this generational divide is still impacting the way these trends are worn. Pieces like buttoned-up outerwear or tailored shorts might be adored by people on both sides of the spectrum, but they become unrecognisable when worn in different contexts. Curious to know how? From the mid-20s content creators making a case for new spots to the late-30s tastemakers embracing archival designs, scroll on below for the ways Gen Z and millennials are wearing the biggest spring 2026 trends.
How Millenials and Gen-Z are Wearing Spring 2026 Trends
1. Double Denim
A Canadian tuxedo will never go astray, just ask the likes of Rihanna, Julianne Moore and Simone Ashley. However, there’s clear evidence that double denim is toeing the line between trendy and timeless.
Gen-Z
The Gen Z cohort is gravitating towards lighter shades that evoke the lurid and chitzy atmosphere of Y2K. Even better, they’re prone to styling it in the same way noughties tabloid divas like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian would—tucked into a pair of boots and cropped to a low-rise fit.
Millenials:
Contrary to this younger and more contemporary take, I’ve observed millennials opt for more tasteful shades like indigo, though the silhouettes are quite similar in the fact that oversized shapes seem to be reigning supreme. Could this spell the end of the skinny jean?
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Peplum is a late-2000s-early-2010s trend that keeps teasing a comeback, but with styles like this, I can't see a world where this isn't well received.
This wash is universally cherished.
A denim jacket that will suit any stage of life.
Stovepipe jeans are a shape both Gen Z and millennials can't help but fawn over.
2. Icy Blue
From Yves Klein to Joni Mitchel and Phoebe Philo, there’s not a chic person around who hasn’t had a brief liaison with the colour blue. Now, for spring, the shade is getting far cooler, despite how anathema that might sound. Indeed, icy blue was one of the runway’s most prevailing colour trends, and the hue is garnering quite the fan base across both factions.
Gen-Z
For Gen Z, however, I’ve noticed ice blue takes more of a starring role in their looks. Often the primary colour featured in these ensembles, they’ll command attention, be it through a monochromatic moment like the one pictured here from Danish stylist and fashion influencer, Emili Sindlev, or an exercise in colour blocking, like Mode Mischief Velina top every in-the-know dresser can’t stop wearing.
Millenials:
For those children of the ‘80s and ‘90s, however, a different approach has been adopted. Rather than drenching themselves in a sea of frosted baby blue, this colour acts as a point of contrast that complements other neutral tones like brown, tan and sand. This conscious act of creating visual tension is a signature of dressers with more life experience, and could be considered a far more cerebral approach to wearing the trend, given how meticulously each layer has been selected..
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The airy fabric is divine for springtime layering.
A style inspired by Chloé's spring/summer 2024 runway.
A classic ice-blue button down is such a wardrobe staple/
As are the ultimate pair of blue jeans, courtesy of Agolde.
3. Nouveau Spots
From the Sloan Rangers of Princess Diana’s day to the TikTok sensation of Alix Earle’s era, polka dot is a print that unites the more sartorially inclined. For spring, this print is being spotted all over, albeit in different formats.
Gen-Z
For Gen Z, the dotty pattern invites a more care-free and flirty attitude, often styled with anything-but-boring-basics like Good Squish scrunchies and Peachy Den denim.
Millenials:
For millennials, however, the circular motif is treated with far more reverence. I think this is because polka dots are somewhat reminiscent of someone’s ‘Sunday best’, so they have a tendency to lean into the primness and preppiness associated with it.
Instead, they strip it back to the bare essentials, allowing the rounded shape to pull focus, especially when paired with more fundamental styling items like a strappy tank top and heeled flip-flop.
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From trousers to skirts, there's not a bottom around that wouldn't suit this silky style.
Wish-listed.
This looks nearly double its price tag.
This two-toned style will move so beautifully.
4. Lace Accents
Ladies in lace. A trend that speaks to our current penchant for bohemia, historical references and overtly romantic sensibilities, lace is a chic design element that’s courting fans on both sides.
Gen-Z
However, Gen Z seems to be taking the trend one step further, wearing it in a way that feels slightly overt and theatrical. Particularly, I’ve noted a preference for lace-trimmed dresses that could’ve been found in the costume department for characters like Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean or Satine in Moulin Rouge!
Millenials:
For millennials, there’s less of an impulse to wear lace in a way that feels over-the-top or extravagant. Subtly reigns supreme, as it’s just only a small trim or edge that ever gets displayed, once again speaking to this age group’s instincts for more enduring ways of wearing clothes.
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How sweet is this micro rosette?
Butter yellow is always a good idea.
Camille Rowe-approved.
Watch this space—the Peter Pan collar will make it's return.
5. Button-Up Jackets
Jackets and spring aren’t typically two words you’d see next to one another in a sentence. But when it comes to the biggest trends that Gen Z and millennials agree upon, spring jackets seem to be it. I must caveat that although they both have a liking towards collarless, single-breasted and button-up styles, there are still some minor differences.
Gen-Z
Firstly, Gen Z are showing a preference for outerwear options with more flair. Instead of regular buttons and precise tailoring, they’re after versions brimming with personality, whether it be through underrated toggle fixtures or decadent embroidery.
Millenials:
Secondly, millennials seem more aware of their purchasing power, so they are rarely taking a risk on these jackets. Because why would you gamble away on something that could look so passé by 2027, when you could just shop a style that’s decisive and sleek?
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The exaggerated waistline is such a severely charming silhouette.
The upturned collar? Chic.
Such a perfect piece for in-between weather.
Why not go full Victoria Beckham circa her Posh Spice days and double down in matching leather?
6. Tailored Hot Pants
Who would’ve thought that ‘short shorts’, as they’re sometimes colloquially referred to, would be something that both Gen Z and millennials admire? Whilst this certainly came as a surprise to me, one look at the most prolific Gen Z and millennial women around, and I noticed just how cherished this style was.
From Alexa Chung to Addison Rae, there is hardly a style savant that hasn’t tried their hands—or dare I say legs, in this instance—at this trend.
Gen-Z
For Gen Z, this style is worn far more casually, often seen with a boxy, oversized t-shirt or chunky boot. In this way, the tailored element of the shorts becomes relatively obsolete in keeping with their rejection of corporate norms or super-bourgeois styles.
Millenials:
As for millennials, the micro short is all about leaning into the tailored element. The fact that tailored trousers are seen in formal settings and the fact that they stop just at the top of your thighs, is a tension this age group loves to play with. Pairing it with other office-appropriate pieces of clothing, like blazers and argyle jumpers, is a brilliant way to add an element of sensuality and elegance.
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Satin is a material that will continue to explode come spring.
These are so soft to the touch.
More pleats, more polish.
This entire look is inspired by Anthony Vaccarello's Saint Laurent runways.
7. Capri Leggings
Don't let the rise of 2000s activewear trends fool you—capri leggings are a cropped trouser style that will stoke controversy across every age bracket. But whether you love them or hate them, they’re not going anywhere. And as it turns out, it seems that both Gen Z and millennial style savants are wearing them in quite a similar fashion. Indeed, out of all the spring 2026 trends I’ve chronicled here, it’s the capri leggings that appear to be the least disparate.
Gen-Z
Style Notes: Perhaps Gen Z are taking cues from millennials, as for the most part, their outfit choices seem near identical, both opting for heeled flip-flops, slouchy bags, breezy jackets and something to tie around their waists. Where the similarities end is there, with Gen Z opting for slightly less orthodox pieces for this outfit template.
Millenials:
Style Notes: Indeed, Gen-Z are wearing textured windbreakers instead of graceful cropped jackets, flannel prints instead of fine-knit sweaters and archival bags from the 2010s instead of the latest designer bag to covet. (Read: Balenciaga City styles over Alaïa’s Le Teckle.)
Either way, it's clearly a staple that cements both Gen Z and millennial shopping
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M&S never fails at delivering high-quality basics
As does Calzedonia, for that matter.
This jersey option from Toteme will feel like butter when you wear it.
For channelling your inner Jane Birkin.