It's official: this summer is all about nostalgia where Gen Z is concerned. From Pucci-era prints to the colour of the season—aquamarine—so many formally "dated" trends have received a 2026 facelift, and next, it's the turn of the humble graphic tee.

With deliberately irreverent, anti-"fashion" appeal, slogan and graphic tees were all the rage in the early-to-mid-2000s. Think Britney Spears's iconic "Dump Him" baby tee, or Paris and Nicky Hilton's messy "Team Jolie" vs. "Team Aniston" raglan tops. Equal parts witty, chaotic and unapologetically unserious, these tees became a way for the era's biggest celebrities to broadcast their personalities—and occasionally stir the pot. Fast forward to summer 2026, and the style set is once again embracing the slogan T-shirt.

Don't believe me? Note Olivia Rodrigo's growing collection of ironic slogan tees, or Taylor Swift and Danielle and Alana Haim's courtside Knicks tees. If you've got something to say this summer, it's time to do it with your chest.

This isn't to say that graphic T-shirts have ever been "out", but during the 2010s, they looked a little different. In an era when luxury logos meant status, fashion's swing towards rave culture and personality-driven maximalism meant that anything that felt slightly chaotic was right on the money. Henry Holland's supermodel slogan tees, anyone?

And now, after falling out of love with pared-back quiet luxury, we’ve already seen several trends start to filter in alongside graphic tees that just make sense, like the vivid, Y2K-inspired prints popular right now, or It girl-coded mermaidcore. The same bold yet nostalgic era that gave us dresses over jeans is back for summer, and slogan tees are the obnoxious, slightly raunchy way to channel throwback energy.

Resurfacing at a time when carefully curated aesthetics and algorithm-friendly grid posts have slowly started to make fashion feel "same-y", graphic tees offer something refreshingly different, managing to inject humour, messiness and contradiction back into the conversation. For those sick of the over-automation we've had to become accustomed to, the return of analogue experiences is a return to familiarity. Be it wired headphones, hardback books or film cameras, it was only a matter of time before the appetite for all things retro would filter into fashion too.

Also, as Gen Z's most influential fashion references are no longer dictated by top-down luxury branding, they are now shaped by memes, Tumblr-era mood boards, niche internet culture and nostalgia rather than gate-keeper confusion. To put it bluntly, graphic T-shirts feel like an act of rebellion against a "polished" backdrop. It's meant to feel like you’re wearing your Saved folder and impressing no one but those in the know. With a dwindling desire to "look expensive" for the sake of it, the unachievable polish that filtered through social media in years gone by is very much out, so, in summer 2026, Gen Z is aspiring to look authentically more themselves.

In this post-polish era, "clean" is no longer the goal; personality is, and the statement graphic tee is the best way to do it. Scroll to shop the trend.

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In my youth, my little sister felt like a nuisance. Now, she's one of my best friends and, admittedly, one of my style icons. We're both Gen Z, but she has a certain effortless, cool-girl personal style that I love. (Don't tell her I said that.) In celebration of her recent graduation and new internship, I knew I had to show her how proud I was of all her accomplishments the best way I knew how: I gave her a $250 Nordstrom gift card to buy whatever she wanted.

She's one of those shoppers who can find anything for a bargain. Since her college days, she's been a frugal but chic shopper, and that won't be changing any time soon. Where some see an obstacle, she sees a challenge and accepts it. I asked her to share everything she was thinking of buying in her cart, and I was astounded by all her good finds within the $250 price range. Keep scrolling to shop all her Gen Z–approved fashion items.

In the year 2026, the world has no shortage of internet boyfriends. From silver-screen regulars like Jacob Elordi to the actors playing beloved BookTok characters (Every Year After's Matt Cornett is the latest to step onto the scene), fans have been well-fed this year. But there's another slightly unusual place the chronically online have turned their attention lately: the world of sports. And we're not just talking about the New York Knicks' historic NBA Championship win or the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

People have been all about the fictional happenings inside and out of the hockey rink (or "boy aquarium"—IYKYK) since the late-2025 debut of Crave's Heated Rivalry, a TV adaptation of the enemies-to-lovers series by Rachel Reid that shot its leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams into superstardom. The latest spicy hockey sports-mance to enter the chat—Off Campus, which is based on the NYT best-selling college romance series by Elle Kennedy—is doing the same with its cast of fresh faces.

The show's slam dunk of a first season broke Amazon Prime Video's viewership records with 36 million streams in its first 12 days, according to Variety, and now, lead actors Ella Bright (who portrayed Hannah Wells) and Belmont Cameli (Garrett Graham) are passing the main-character torch to their costars Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn, who will take center stage as spunky Allie Hayes and playboy Dean Di Laurentis. While both casts of Off Campus and Heated Rivalry continue filming their respective second seasons in Canada (no, they haven't yet run into each other—yes, Kalyn's heard the Storrie comparisons), we caught up with the faux-blonde burgeoning star to discuss his flourishing career and past life as a real high school hockey player, his style evolution, this hotly anticipated second season, and, of course, that sexy dance party scene.

First of all, how are you? How's your day so far?

It's been really good. We had a hockey rehearsal today. My one day off, they had to throw something in there! I just had my morning coffee, I've been sitting on the couch and doomscrolling for a minute, and now, I'm here.

A healthy morning, honestly. Since you have your morning coffee, let's get into it. Do you remember where you were when you learned you got the role of Dean Di Laurentis?

I was in my parents' basement when my agent called me and told me that I had to get on for another meeting. [I was thinking], "What, another audition?" Then he said, "No, no, no, no," but he kept it quick. He never keeps it quick. When we talk, we talk for like 25 minutes. This was 90 seconds, and he says, "You just gotta get on the call. Bye!"

In my mind, I took it as them just calling me to let me know that "You did a great job in the audition process, but unfortunately, we're gonna go with someone else." But then I thought, "Wait, why would they call me just to tell me that I didn't get the role?" But they told me on Zoom in the basement—I had all my hockey equipment and weights around—and then it all changed from there.

That feels authentic to the character.

I remember in between takes in the audition—because it was a three-hour chemistry read—I had a mirror right beside me, and every time they'd give us a break, I'd turn and go, "You're f*cking Dean. You're Dean! You got this!"

You were manifesting! I know hockey was a big part of your life growing up, but when did acting come into play?

I went to drama camps as a kid if I wasn't playing hockey, but I did a play in high school. I remember doing the rehearsals and auditioning, and I just loved it. I stepped on the stage. There were about 500 parents in the crowd, and I loved every minute of it. I did that for two years in high school and thought, "Okay, I know what I'm going to do." Hockey was wrapping up, and I knew I wasn't going to the NHL. I could see more of a future in a career as an actor. Even though I knew it wouldn't be easy, I could just see it happening.

You're like a hockey Troy Bolton.

Pretty much! That's exactly the story. "What am I gonna do, Dad? Hockey, performing?!"

It's great that you were encouraged to do both growing up.

My parents have been so supportive in the sense of, "Whatever you want to do, go after it," and I'm very thankful for that. I know for a lot of people it's like, "No, you can't do that. It's not gonna work out. Just go get a serious 9-to-5 job somewhere." But they always respected this, and I'm very thankful for that.

My dad's always said, "You're gonna make it. Just keep going and banging out those auditions, and one of them is gonna stick." And then [it] ended up being a hockey-player role.

They've got to be so happy about that.

Oh, they're extremely happy.

Especially teeing up to this season! I know you're in production for season 2 of Off Campus right now—what has your preparation process for a role like this been like?

I read a little bit of The Deal because I had heard about the series, and I wanted to audition for Garrett. And then no audition came in for Garrett, but one did come in for Logan. I'm like, "Oh, here we go. Now's my chance." I sent it in, and then I never heard anything back. "All right, well, there goes that one." But then I got Dean, and within a day after getting the role, I read his book.

It's an easy read; you can fly through it.

Very easy read. I'd never read a smut book before, and I actually really enjoyed it. Well, technically, I read Fourth Wing before that, and this book was kind of like it, in a way. I just wanted to know what was next, you know? It was intriguing.

You have good taste in books. If you really want to commit to a series like that, try Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

Is it spicier than Fourth Wing?

When you get there! It takes a few books. But speaking of books, we've seen bits of Allie and Dean's storyline in season 1. What can fans expect in season 2?

I think you get really great, iconic moments from the book that fans love, but you're also going to get a lot more in-depth situations that these characters go through. You get more into it. It makes it much more interesting, heartbreaking, and very, very sweet at the same time. You really get to see why they are the way they are, and you start to feel it for them even more.

What does it feel like to step into the lead role of such a hotly anticipated season?

I love it. It's so much fun. I was very nervous at the beginning, but this is our third weekend of shooting. We're just about to wrap up episodes 1 and 2, and it's been great so far. I've been working a little harder, but I love that, and it's been really fun.

You got to see fun party Dean and some emotional stuff toward the end of last season, but this time, you don't just see the playboy anymore. You start to strip the walls down a bit and see his vulnerability, which has been so much fun to play with.

There's also a lot more ensemble stuff, too, which has been great. We have so much fun filming these scenes together.

It's probably cathartic. You all went through this major change together and then went right back to filming.

It couldn't have gone any better, honestly. I'm so grateful and happy that the show has been received in such a positive way, but it's nice to get right back to work and focus on what we have to do—to do what we did last season but find ways to make it even better. I think our writers and our showrunners know our characters that much more now, so they can write toward how we would do them as us, as actors.

Every time I read the new scripts that come in, I can see what we learned from season 1—what worked and what didn't—and that we're really applying that this season. I think we have a really damn good season coming.

This is definitely getting me hyped up for the next one.

Yes! I just read a new script recently, and it was a page-turner. There was so much going on, so much happening, and I was like, "I can't wait for people to see this."

You had a wild press tour for season 1. I've seen you guys everywhere, from Off Campus–themed bars in New York to red carpets. How do you feel your sense of style has changed in this time?

Big shout-out to my stylist, Amanda Lim, for knowing what I like and making it come to life. Before I started this, we met over Zoom, and I sent her all my inspirations: a little Jacob Elordi, some Drew Starkey, a little Austin Butler. She really, really nailed it and found a way to make it more Stephen at the same time. We've been working together for a bit now, and she's been amazing. She's done a great job. She works really, really hard, and I love her. She's the best.

What's the Stephen touch? Do you take inspiration from pop culture, maybe even other actors?

I've always loved the classic '90s Hollywood stars, that '90s vintage style—Johnny Depp, DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, all those cool guys, I love their style. They've been huge inspirations to me in the fashion world and as actors.

Going back to the show, it's hard to convey chemistry, but you and Abdalla nail it. How did you find your stride as scene partners?

We're both very similar in the way we work. We didn't really talk much at the very beginning because I didn't have many scenes with her, but then Louisa [Levy, the showrunner,] was like, "You guys need to get to know each other." The only scenes that we had done [at that point] were for the audition, which was already somewhat tough because we did it on Zoom, and everyone else she did chemistry reads with was in person in L.A. for the screen tests. Dean and Allie's relationship at the start is very physical and touchy, so it was hard to navigate that over Zoom in the audition process. But we somehow made it work and made it believable.

We ended up going out. She invited me to a Pilates class with her, and I didn't make it, and she was not happy about that. Then I said, "Well, let's go get a drink." So we had vodka sodas, talked for two or three hours, and I really got to know her. She got to know me. I learned her process of how she works, and it's very similar to mine, and then it was pretty cool from there.

The classic Pilates-to–vodka soda pipeline. You did owe her for the no-show fee, though.

Yeah, I actually still have to pay her back.

You've been playing Dean for about a year now. Are there any aspects of Dean's character that you feel overlap with yours? Where do you separate?

I think Dean loves to put on a show, and [it's] something that Steven likes to do too. … If Dean wasn't this hockey guy, he would be in the arts and performing. I feel like that's where we click: that performance style and always wanting to be "on." And, of course, hockey and coming from a good home.

Briar University is the backdrop for this entire series, and watching it made me nostalgic for my own college days. Did you get a university experience before beginning your career?

I did! After I finished high school, I was accepted into Humber College, their acting for film and television program. I met some really great people there that I still speak to today, and I studied there for two years. I learned the basics of acting and the structure of the business, and it helped catapult me into auditions and getting an agent, so that was a huge help.

Would you say there were any parallels between Dean's college experience and your own?

Literally no, not at all. So experiencing this through the show was definitely interesting.

Fair! Your life has changed drastically in the last few months—millions of Instagram followers, a hit show, and a season focused on yours and Abdalla's characters currently in the works. What does life feel like nowadays?

It feels the exact same. The only difference is when I walk around, I get the odd head turn and "Are you in Heated Rivalry?" And then I'm like, "No, no, no, no—other show." Then they say, "Oh, Dean?"

Wow, they think you're Connor Storrie.

It happened once! The other day, I was walking down the street with Victoria [Lovatsis, Kalyn's fiancée], and this guy was listening to "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson—no, he was blasting it. He looked at me; I looked at him. He kept driving, and then he pulled over and goes, "Hey bro, are you in Heated Rivalry?" I'm like, "No, different show." He goes, "Oh, cool" and just drove away.

No follow-up or anything!

Nothing. Everything was a little overwhelming at first, but it's been really cool, and I'm so happy that people have felt connected to the show. I want to get these episodes for season 2 out there right now because I just know that we have such a good season coming. But maybe the wait is good, actually. Maybe this will make people really excited. We want to feed the fans.

You guys definitely are—I saw countless TikToks of that J.Lo scene before I'd even watched the show.

I can't believe that was the scene that people felt so wowed by. It felt so awkward doing it, but sometimes, you do a take, and you think, "That was the best acting I've ever done in my life," and then you go watch it, and you're like, "That's it?"

We did a quick rehearsal for that too—an hour of Mika just learning some moves and me just kinda swaying in the back. It's just so funny that that was the scene that people felt really connected to.

Fortunately, they were able to blast "On the Floor" [by Jennifer Lopez] when we filmed. At the beginning, Silver Tree, our director, was like, "You need to loosen up a little, man." I was like, "I'm f*cking loose, Silver, I'm loose!" She said that, on camera, I was too tight, so I was like, "That's it." I went to Mika and said, "On this one, I'm dropping it low, and you just gotta go with it. You can do whatever you want, but I'm dropping low."

We were shooting it in slo-mo, and I remember Belmont afterward saying, "You're so hot." He was watching it on the monitors in slow motion and said, "Man, this is gonna be good."

Was that the take that made the final cut?

I think it was!

I heard you received the Most Likely to Win an Academy Award superlative in your high school yearbook. What's your wildest career dream?

Living in the Amazon and taking photos of animals for National Geographic. Something to do with animals and filming them. In an imaginary world, it might be fun to do that.

When this is all said and done and you get a great camera, you should go off and do it.

Maybe I might! Might have to retire after season 2 and move to the Amazon.

If you could go back and tell that kid in your yearbook what life looks like today, what would you say?

I would have told him, "Hey, man, you were right—not that you won an Oscar but that you chose the right path. Continue. Keep doing what you're doing. Don't give up, and just keep trying to get better every day."

Photographer: Max Schultz
Stylist: Amanda Lim
Groomer: Colleen Dominique

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

If last summer belonged to capri pants, this summer is shaping up to be the season of something far more unexpected: pantaloons. Yes, pantaloons—the airy, gathered, slightly theatrical trousers that look like they were pulled from a Victorian wardrobe, a ballet rehearsal, and a Hamilton-outfits Pinterest mood board all at once. The silhouette has quietly been bubbling up among the fashion crowd for months, but now it's reached critical mass with the Gen Z set. Suddenly, the coolest people under 30 are pairing billowy pantaloons with everything from delicate ballet flats to slouchy motorcycle boots, making a strong case for the trend as summer's most interesting anti-basic pant.

Fashion feels noticeably less interested in looking conventionally "flattering" right now, and that's exactly why pantaloons make sense. The current mood isn't about sleek minimalism or algorithm-approved outfit formulas. Instead, it's about personality. The most stylish Gen Z dressers aren't building outfits around a single aesthetic anymore—they're mixing references, eras, and vibes with reckless abandon. One day it's bloomer-style pants worn with an ironic baby tee and retro sneakers. The next, it's a sheer lace camisole, oversize leather jacket, and dramatically gathered pantaloons that feel equal parts romantic period piece lead and downtown indie sleaze.

Like many of this summer's defining trends demanding play and whimsy, the appeal lies in the contrast. Pantaloons are dramatic but easy to wear, nostalgic but surprisingly fresh. In a season increasingly defined by individuality over perfection, they're exactly the kind of unexpected piece that fashion people can't stop reaching for. Sorry, capris—there's a new summer pant trend taking over the group chat. Below, shop the best pantaloons to buy that Gen Z will probably sell out by July 1.

On the Runway

On the Gen Z Style Set

Shop the Pantaloon Trend

Gen Z is known for being daring, outspoken, and going against the grain. Over the past few years, Coach has drawn the attention of the Gen Z fashion crowd with authentic storytelling and youthful styles. Now, the brand has gone a step further by launching a platform specifically catered to Gen Z, cocreated by Gen Z from the inside out: &Coach.

&Coach is an “always-on” content series designed to connect to the Gen Z audience through prominent Gen Z creators—musicians, athletes, filmmakers, fashion people, and activists—including as Charli XCX, Malala Yousafzai, Paige Bueckers, Toni Breidinger, PinkPantheress, Avantika, Iga Świątek, and KiiiKiii.

The chief marketing officer at Coach, Joon Silverstein, shared what to expect from the platform: "With &Coach, we're exploring a new model for how brands build relevance and participate in culture. This generation doesn't want to inherit a prescribed version of aspiration—they want to shape identity for themselves, and they want to be part of the process. &Coach was built by bringing creators, cultural voices, and hundreds of consumers into the work from day one. It's a fundamentally different brief, and it changes everything: the stories we tell, the voices we center, and how the platform evolves."

Each participant will post their intimate perspectives of big moments from Bueckers getting ready for a big game to PinkPantheress preparing to take center stage. Every moment will be accompanied by a personal reflection and a Coach bag. It isn’t just about the bag, though; it's about redefining luxury not as a status symbol but as a way to magnify confidence in all these intense and intimate moments. Coach is creating a platform that strays away from luxury’s typical formula of aspiration to one that lets Gen Z define who they want to be instead.

"At Coach, we believe luxury should inspire confidence without conformity," added Silverstein. "For this generation, self-expression is personal and constantly evolving. A Coach bag doesn't define identity—it supports people through the moments that shape it."

Expect to see a newly launched Instagram and TikTok accounts from @and.coach, where the platform will continue to expand through new voices, community participation, and culturally relevant moments over time, rethinking not only how campaigns are made but who gets to author them.

Shop Gen Z–Approved Coach Pieces

Gen Z has a reputation for being adventurous in style and an even bigger one for being outspoken about their beliefs. Whether it's sports, politics, or fashion, you can count on a Gen Zer to be brutally honest about any subject. We're in an era of fashion where trends cycle in and out so quickly thanks to social media. When scrolling through Instagram and TikTok or seeing trends IRL, Gen Z is religiously following them, even for a short period of time. However, Gen Z seems to be a generation that both follows trends and rejects them vehemently at times.

I reached out to some of the coolest Gen Zers to find out which trends they deem worth wearing and which ones they are completely against. Keep scrolling to learn how they all feel about trends like culottes, jelly shoes, carpenter belts, skinny jeans, and more.

Lucy Rae McFadin, Influencer + DJ

Yea: Neons + Minidresses

"I've been super into neons at the moment. They are always fun for summer and make [me] look extra tan!! I also just live in any thin minidress during the NYC summers because of how hot it gets. Cou Cou Intimates makes some of my favorites!"

Nay: Jorts + Logos

"I'm not really into the whole jorts vibe anymore or anything with big logos, but I guess that's a more year-round preference."

Shop McFadin's Yeas

Kayla Curtis-Evans, Highsnobiety Senior Editor

Yea: Excessive Layering + Optical Glasses

"I've been really into excessive layering lately. I just got this dress from Verconiik, an NYC-based label, and I love that it's designed to look like multiple pieces in one. I've spent a lot of time in Copenhagen, so I feel like I've absorbed some fun style cues from the cute Danish girls. I also have really been loving neon tones and glasses galore lately. I have always worn contacts, so it's pretty cool that glasses are extremely en vogue at the moment."

Nay: Skinny Jeans

"Current trends I'm not behind are skinny jeans (sorry, guys, I'm still not on the bandwagon!) and minimalism à la Love Story. Maybe that's controversial. I'm all for a '90s vibe, but I think maximalism is fun, and I'd rather encourage the masses to dress playfully than to water their style down—unless simplicity is your thing. To each their own!"

Shop Curtis-Evans's Yeas

Jazmine Brown, Sustainable-Fashion Influencer

Yea: Aqua/Teal

"The 2010s are calling, and I'm happily answering. I've always loved wearing blue, but aqua/teal specifically brings the exact whimsical, nostalgic vibe we need this summer. (It's been a hard year.) And since it's a color trend that's come around again, it'll be easy to cop a secondhand piece instead of having to buy new."

Nay: Capris

"I do like the look of capris, but I wish mini shorts would be more popular instead. I personally get too hot and have to hike up my capris to get more airflow. Additionally, my legs are so pale right now, and I need every opportunity I can to get tan whenever I step out of the house. So catch me wearing Daisy Dukes and singing 'California Gurls' this summer."

Shop Brown's Yea

Josephine Hadjiloucas, WWW Assistant Shopping Editor

Yea: Carpenter Belts

"Now this is a trend I've only seen in IG's niche and chic styling. Over a skirt or a pair of baggy cargo pants, this toolbelt-esque waist cincher does two jobs at once. It's a signal to other stylish dressers that you are in the know, and you have a chic place to hold your phone and lip liner. Who doesn't love a pocket? Yes, you can stop in at your local hardware store for an authentic option, but Zara and Free People also have plenty to choose from."

Nay: Disc Belts

"While I was talking about trends with a fellow fashion editor, we discovered a shared distaste for a certain Y2K-inspired accessory: the disc belt. There's a good chance you've spotted it at music festivals, from Coachella to Lollapalooza, styled with a pair of micro shorts and Western boots. But lately, it's lost its charm—at least, that's this editor's opinion."

Shop Hadjiloucas's Yea

Aniyah Morinia, WWW Editor, Branded Content

Yea: Culottes

"This may be controversial, but I'm so here for a culotte revival. Did I wear them in middle school 15+ years ago? Yes, but fashion is cyclical, and I'm happy to revisit them in a way that still feels very 2026. I'll be wearing them with kitten heels and a ribbed tank all summer long."

Nay: Jelly Shoes

"Jelly shoes have been trending for a while, and while I don't hate them, I'm swapping them out for crochet flats or even ballet sneakers. I think it's a fun trend to tap into for beach or pool days, but 2026 is cooking up fresher and more visually appealing footwear that I'll be sporting."

Shop Morinia's Yea

Amazon Prime Video is on a hot streak both literally and figuratively. For four years running, the streaming giant has dominated the "YA BookTok series adaptation" genre with successful shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, We Were Liars, My Fault, and its recent juggernaut Off Campus and their ensemble casts of attractive breakout talent. It stands to do it again with its latest series Every Year After, the adaptation of Carley Fortune's best-selling beach-read romance Every Summer After. Sun-soaked, feel-good, second-chance love set to Lana Del Rey and Dolly Parton? Consider us seated.

Every Year After follows the tender friends-to-lovers story of Persephone "Percy" Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) across six summers in the idyllic lakeside town of Barry's Bay. A decade after a devastating mistake tears the young couple apart, a tragedy brings the two back together for another chance at love.

Cornett, with his gentle demeanor and charismatic charm, is next in line to carry the internet boyfriend torch thanks to his spot-on portrayal of kindhearted boy-next-door protagonist Sam. Having graduated from the Disney Channel pipeline with past roles in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Zombies 3, Cornett emerges in his leading-man era this month ready to sweep you off your feet. Trust us—he will.

Take me back to when you got the audition for Every Year After.

I got the original audition when I was filming a movie in North Carolina. It was under a fake title for a romance show for Amazon and to play the leading guy, and I was so excited. He was this sweet, kindhearted, gentle boy, and it was such an interesting thing that I was going to be playing him at 16 and also 28. I was like, "This is strange. Super cool but how weird." I sent the audition in and didn't hear anything for a few months, and then about three months later, I got a call from my team saying, "Hey, they want you to come back in and meet with the producers for the show." I had completely forgotten about it. As actors, we audition for things, and then we let it go. So I had gotten that call to meet with Amy Harris, the showrunner, and one of the directors. And then I got brought back again with Amy another time, and that is when Amy told me that it was based on the book Every Summer After.

At the time, I didn't know what Every Summer After was. I wasn't really into the whole romance genre. After I got off the session, I was like, "Let me research and figure out what this little book is." Little did I know, it wasn't so little. It was a very large book, and when I went to buy the book at Barnes & Noble, I walked in, and it's the first book on the first table at the main entrance for Your Summer Reads. And I was like, "Okay, so this is a really huge deal." It was a very interesting way of finding out that I was gonna be playing this guy in this really awesome book.

What was your first impression of the story?

I didn't read the book until after I booked the show because I didn't want to get my hopes up and get excited about it and fall in love with it and then not be able to do it. So once I booked the show, I read the book, and it's such a strange thing. I wanted to read it as just a fan, but it's hard because I knew I was going to be playing Sam, so inherently, I read the book seeing myself as Sam. It was strange because I'm seeing myself as this guy. As I was reading, I immediately was falling in love with these characters and with this story. Carley wrote such a beautiful book, and I think that this world that she created is so incredibly impressive and so in-depth, and these characters have so much heart and so much soul behind them. Something that really intrigued me was how they bounce back and forth in the timelines. I was like, "I cannot wait to see how they do this in the show." The second I read the book, I was like, "Oh, this is gonna be something really special."

What a surreal experience. In what ways did you immediately connect with Sam while reading the book?

When I did my audition with Amy Harris and one of our directors, there was a scene I did. It's a different version of the scene than what happens in the show, but one of my audition scenes was the big, long monologue that happens at Sue's memorial. In my audition, I had one singular hair that kept falling in front of my eye. As I was doing the scene, I was so annoyed because this hair keeps falling. I move it, or I'll run my fingers through my hair, and that one hair always falls back. I don't know why, but this one thing was just pissing me off. I read the book, and it mentions multiple times about Sam having his long hair and a few times having one hair that dangles in front of his eye. And I was like, "That's insane." It was pissing me off, but I didn't even know that that was the most insane thing that could have been happening at that moment.

There were so many different parts of Sam that I saw myself in. When he gets comfortable around people, he becomes a bit of a goofball. I feel I tend to be the same way. And he's just got such a kind heart, and he's just such a good guy. Obviously, he has moments where he kind of teeters and is trying to figure things out, and he gets nervous and pulls away. But at his core, I think he is just a kind, loving guy that cares with every bit of his being. That was something that was just so intriguing to me about him.

When did you first realize or experience the dedicated fan base of the book series?

[There are] two moments that I remember. There's the moment when they announced the casting. That was really nerve-racking because inherently fans, as they should, have an image in their head of who these characters are. So when they announced the casting, we were all a little nervous—like, "I hope that they feel I'm this character. I hope they feel like we fit these roles." I think the casting team and Amy and everyone involved killed it, in my opinion. I'll speak for every other character. I think Sadie is so perfect for Percy, and Michael [Bradway] is so perfect for Charlie. I cannot picture better people to play these roles. They just knocked it out of the park, and that was something I know was really important to them—not only in casting but in every sense of the matter—staying true to the book. It's a phenomenal book for a reason. We wanted to stay very true to the book, and I think that starts with the casting. So for me, the first moment was that casting announcement, and then seeing how excited people were getting about feeling like we were capturing what Carley captured in her book was really exciting. And then seeing those things pop off and blow up and [seeing] all the talk and chatter about that was really exciting.

The second moment was when I was out to lunch with Joseph Chiu, who plays Jordie in the show. We went out to get lunch one day, and we were walking back to our places, and all of a sudden, this group of people [walked] up, and the show's not even out yet. I think they had just announced the casting, and we're walking out, and this group of people comes up freaking out, and they're like, "You guys are the cast of Every Year After!" They were just talking about how much they loved the books, and at that moment, I was like, "Oh, this show has a big enough audience that people are seeing us and recognizing us simply from the fact that they follow the book enough. They know this casting."

The story hinges upon the chemistry between Sam and Percy. What was the chemistry read like with Sadie Soverall?

Coming into it, I believe Sadie was already cast. I believe that they had just cast her or offered her a couple days before we did the chemistry read. I went into the call, and we had a 10-minute little moment on Zoom where we just chatted. Everybody got off the Zoom, and just Sadie and I stayed on and chatted for about 10 minutes to get to know each other and get comfortable with each other. I remember immediately being so enamored by her accent because I've never worked with a British actor or anybody with an accent nonetheless. I just kept asking her questions about where she's from and her accent and stuff. She was probably like, "This kid is so weird." I was just so enamored by it. We did that little 10-minute thing, and I felt like there was an instant comfortability with each other that we had, and then we hopped on and did these scenes.

One of the scenes was the anatomy-textbook scene, which is such a huge scene in the book and, I think, a scene that a lot of fans are really excited for on the show. And then another scene was where Percy reveals to Sam what happened. So two very important scenes. Intensity on two totally different spectrums. I felt an instant connection with Sadie, and obviously, she's a phenomenal actor. I remember being in this chemistry with her and being like, "Wow, this girl is really good. I need to step up my game." I felt really confident about the session, and what Sadie and I were doing was really working, and I felt like we had this connection that we knew this version of Sam and Percy we were doing was working.

Did it feel that instant on set as well?

I think it was very important to us that we had this chemistry going into it because, obviously, these characters have such immense chemistry. We both got to Vancouver, and at night, we went and got dinner and bonded over our love of bread. The restaurant we went to had the most incredible starter bread. It's so funny because it's strange meeting a person that you know you're going to be kissing a lot and talking about that—being like, "We have to have this chemistry that two friends who've known each other for years and years have." And also, sitting across from somebody that you've never met but knowing "I have to play your love interest, and we're going to be kissing a lot. We're gonna have a lot of physical contact"—let's talk about it. Let's make sure we're all good. Let's get the weirdness out of the way now.

Sadie always made things so comfortable and fun and silly. I know there were so many moments in those intimate scenes where we would just laugh through it because inherently, it's so funny to do these things with your friends. I just love Sadie to death, and we had so much fun on set, and I think we had this immediate comfort with each other where we felt like we could fully be ourselves. There was one scene where we have to kiss for a very long time, and it's kind of a montage-y scene, and we're kissing for like a solid minute in this take. We were in between takes, and before we were shooting the scene, we were both eating chips and salsa over in the green room. It was like, "You're going to eat salsa. I'm gonna have salsa. We are not gonna worry about the breath, man. Just gonna lock into it." I think that's a beautiful testament of Sadie and I's friendship and how comfortable we were with each other.

Was there a scene that felt particularly giant for you?

I think there's a few. The anatomy-textbook scene was a big one. Honestly, most of the scenes that are big scenes in the book are the ones that were really, really important because it was important to me and the entire team that we really do the book justice and that we stay true to the book. I wanted to make sure that we were capturing the book scenes the way that the book captures them because they are so beautiful. Carley wrote them so perfectly that I wanted to make sure that the feeling and emotion that she captured in the book we were able to capture on-screen to a more heightened degree. But I think the anatomy-textbook one was a big one and then also the memorial scene. Those are two huge moments for Sam: that first moment with Percy when they have their first real intimate moment together and then the moment where he's having to speak at his mother's memorial.

How was it shooting on location with this great ensemble cast of rising actors?

It definitely felt like summer camp. Everyone was so lovely. We had this really fun dinner with everyone and went over to Sadie's, and she did a roast. There was another night where we came over to my apartment and just played games. This was all before we started shooting—just getting to know each other and hanging out. Michael and I spent so much time playing games on set. I would come in with a new game every week. Michael, Joe, and I would go play golf, and we would spend so much time together outside of work. I had so much fun with them. They are all so silly and goofy and fun in their own ways. They're such a little family.

Amazon is on a hot streak with its YA romantic dramas. Are you prepared for the massive response to the show?

You know, it's so weird because me and Michael have talked ad nauseam about this. I'm a "don't count your chickens until they hatch" kind of guy, and … I obviously see the success that The Summer I Turned Pretty had. I see the success that Off Campus is having. I am so happy for both of them. They both deserve it so much. The casts are lovely people, and the shows are phenomenal shows, and they deserve it. I feel very good about our show. I feel like our show is a really solid show. I'm so proud of it. It's a weird thought to me—and this is with every project—to think of people watching this thing that I did. I hope that we're able to make something that people love, and I hope we're able to talk to people's hearts that are missing certain things and bridge a gap in so many different areas and do it in our own new way. I really hope it does that well, where people love it and they want more and it blows up. Obviously, we all want that, but it's such a weird thing to be like, "This show's gonna blow up" because you never know. I feel like our show has the legs to do really well, that people are going to love it. I'm just excited to see fans' reactions to it and let them see the love that we poured into it.

Every Year After is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Photographer: Henry Wu
Stylist: Ashley Weston
Groomer: Aika Flores

Of all the microtrends to resurface from the Y2K era, capri pants have to be one of my favourite. Unlike many who were unsure at first, I hopped on that train immediately. I'm someone who likes a legging anyway (I wear flared ones even to the office on occasion), but there is something about a simple black capri that keeps me coming back to them. I think it's that I find them as easy to style as jeans, but just a little bit more of a statement.

Whilst some find it tricky to know what shoes to wear with them (we get asked this all the time at Who What Wear), I personally find anything but boots or sneakers look great. Thong sandals, chunky wedges or a simple ballet flat, it goes with any and all summer shoes.

But as much as I love the simple sleekness of the black capri, there are so many new styles and sub-trends emerging for summer 2026. Backed strongly by Iris Law—we've spotted her in all kinds of takes on the 3/4 trouser, from harem-style loose-fit leggings, to the Zara yellow pair she wore in the brand's campaign. So, if you too love the capri as much as me, then look to these 7 trending styles for this summer.

7 Capri Trouser Trends For Summer 2026

1. Polka Dot Pedal Pushers

Style Notes: Polka dots were everywhere last summer, and this year people have found new ways to wear it. Capri pants is one of them. I've noticed mainly slim-fit silhouettes, often reaching just a little lower on the leg towards the ankle, in a more pedal-pusher style. A polka dot capri actually looks quite '50s at first glance, but styled with a top that's reminiscent of the early 2000s era, be it a halterneck, an asymmetric long sleeve or a layered T-shirt and tank top, it feels fresher than any other trouser trend this summer.

2. Camouflage Capris

Style Notes: Camouflage has been a trending print for a little while, but usually on baggy cargo pants. Now we're in the summer months however, I've seen a few capri cargo camo pants (get your mouth around that!) and camo jorts and culottes. They're giving TLC, Destiny's Child and Avril Lavigne—into it!

3. Lace Capri Tights

Style Notes: Okay, so this one might not be for everyone, but mark my words, you're about to see capri tights everywhere in the next year. Especially lace or printed versions. Great when you want to wear a short skirt but the weather isn't quite warm enough, the lace capri is pretty and fun.

4. Technical 3/4 Lengths

Style Notes: I've been practically living in my technical capri pants I bought from Bershka last month, whenever I wear them I feel like Sport Spice. So comfortable and easy to style, they look best with a casual top like a plain white tee, then a fun heel like a thong wedge sandal or mule.

5. Cargo Capris

Style Notes: The next capri trend on my shopping list is the cargo capri. I've seen lots in Urban Outfitters, Pull & Bear and ASOS, and have already noticed a few Gen-Z editors in the office wearing a pair. Although there are lots of options out there, I particularly love the stark crisp white ones, or khaki green—these feel the most nostalgic for 2005.

6. Harem Pants

Style Notes: I really didn't see the return of the harem pant coming, but when Iris Law wore a pair last month, people went crazy for them! The best thing about them is their loose-fit silhouette, offering a more slouchy and comfortable style to the usual capri pant, making them perfect for summer airport travel. Bon voyage!

7. Gingham Prints

Style Notes: A much more classic summer print, the gingham check capri is not a trend that will pass any time soon. Dress down with a pretty boho white blouse, or dress up with a matching top and heel—too cute!

For the longest time, I assumed footless tights were reserved for the most experimental of Gen Z's style set. But Jennifer Lopez has just made a case for the emerging trend to find a place in an entirely new styling demographic.

Stepping out in New York, Lopez wore a pair of black lace footless tights that cropped just above the ball of the foot. Worn with pointed-toe heels and a thigh-grazing tuxedo dress layered over a dramatic bow-adorned blouse, JLo crafted a glamorous daytime look to see her through a brimming day of engagements.

While the arrival of summer usually means your tights drawer gets a well-earned break, footless styles offer a lighter alternative to traditional full-coverage pairs. Their open-foot design feels fresher for warmer weather, while still bringing the texture and dimension that tights can add to an outfit. Styled with a mini dress, they offer extra coverage without feeling overly heavy on milder days.

I can't necessarily see this trend hitting the mainstream anytime soon, but a growing number of stylish dressers across generations are giving it a try. If you're tempted to join this stylish set, keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best footless tights available now.

Shop Footless Tights:

My mum is the person in my life that I turn to for almost anything—advice on the big-picture parts of my life, insights into how to navigate a sticky situation, or even just mundane matters like recommendations on what to cook for dinner.

We’re incredibly close, courtesy of there being only 17 years between us, but where I don’t seek her insights is when it comes to suggestions on style. Don’t get me wrong, she’s always incredibly complimentary on whatever I wear and loves getting dressed up as much as I do, but given I’ve been a fashion writer for close to a decade, she really leans on my expertise when it comes to building her wardrobe and honing her taste.

Where we diverge, however, is in the specific styles of clothes we gravitate towards. Though there’s a very small age gap, those years seem to be magnified whenever we hit the high street, with her drawn towards more classic silhouettes appropriate for a 44-year-old, whilst I run straight towards contemporary shapes suitable for a 26-year-old.

“I like to wear clothes that look and feel luxurious, without necessarily the expensive price tag to match, and make me feel confident and empowered when I walk out the door,” she tells me. “I don’t really follow trends, but now as I get older, I’m trying to build my wardrobe with specific items tailored to each season, as well as timeless pieces I can wear all year round.”

On the contrary, I’m someone who isn’t afraid of subverting sartorial archetypes and often am pulled towards pieces that are eclectic, romantic and a little vintage-inspired. (If she had kept any of her clothes from the ‘90s, you can rest assured that I’d be wearing them today.)

In saying this, there are some things that we agree on, despite her attitudes towards fashion being extremely Millennial and mine Gen Z. Most days you’ll find us sending links to one another of treasures we’ve uncovered whilst online shopping, and it was during one of these exchanges that I realised we were regularly sending each other the same exact pieces, even if we would wear them totally different.

Whether you’d like to call this mother-daughter bonding or not, we decided to set ourselves the challenge to pursue our favourite stores and pick out the styles we both approve of. Some of them sat in our wish list, whilst others we purchased on the spot, with the plans to share them. (Unfortunately, she’s two sizes bigger than me in shoes, otherwise we certainly would’ve picked up some dreamy flats and sandals, too.)

Ahead, you’ll find a new-in shopping edit across Zara, Mango and COS that both over-40s and over-20s agree on. Regardless if you buy these or not, I implore you to send this list to the maternal figure in your life and take on this test for yourself. Trust me, you’ll find you have far more in common, at least when it comes to clothes, than you first realised.

Shop New-In Pieces From Zara

Shop New-In Pieces From Mango

Shop New-In Pieces From COS

Millennials seem to be passing down style gems to Gen Zers, unbeknownst to them. The latest example of the “hipster” generation’s trends trickling down to the new wave of fashion connoisseurs comes via Olivia Rodrigo, wearing a trend millennials still love today. While gallivanting around London, Rodrigo was spotted wearing the trend that every fashion person, no matter the generation, loves: a graphic tee.

She wore her vintage pink Sex Pistols T-shirt the Gen Z way, styled with a black leather mini skirt and a pair of black leather knee-high boots. She accessorized with a simple black shoulder bag and a pair of sleek wraparound sunglasses, which many other Gen Z celebrities, such Kaia Gerber, have been choosing. Millennial celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and style icon Alexa Chung have been styling graphic tees since their earlier stardom, but Rodrigo’s recent outing proves the trend is surpassing generational lines.

If you’re inspired by Olivia’s Gen Z take on the beloved millennial graphic tee, keep scrolling to recreate her outfit and shop more graphic tees.

How Olivia Rodrigo Styles It

Get the Look

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If there’s one thing I trust heading into summer, it’s a fashion-forward woman who is in the know about what's up and coming. Not in a trend-chasing way—more instinctive, buzzy, and exciting. So instead of pulling together another "summer trends" story, I decided to go straight to a few of my favorite sources. I'm talking about the women on my FYP who always make me stop scrolling and start filling up my cart.

I asked a handful of stylish Gen Zers, from trouser loyalists to coastal dressers to minimalists who dabble in fringe, to share exactly what they’re wearing, buying, and excited about right now. The result? A mix of outfit formulas, under-the-radar brands, and very specific trends that feel personal—and actually wearable. Consider this your guide to the perfect summer wardrobe.

The Distinct POV

London Boscamp (@lboscamp)

Trend she's wearing for summer: I’m really loving all of the fringe and lace details happening right now. I feel like both trends add so much movement to a look without feeling overdone. Fringe feels playful and perfect for summer events or vacations, and I’ve always loved how romantic lace can feel when it’s done in a modern way. Zimmermann always does such a beautiful job interpreting both. They make pieces feel effortlessly feminine, elevated, and very wearable.

Brands to watch for summer: I’m currently loving Proenza Schouler, Posse, Destree, Éliou, and Christopher Esber. They all feel very distinct right now and are creating pieces that feel fresh while still being timeless.

Go-to outfit formula: I love a good matching set because it gives you so many options. You can wear it together for a polished look, then mix and match the pieces separately. I have this polka-dot set from Cara Cara. The pants came with a matching vest, and I’ve worn it so many different ways. I constantly find myself rewearing the pants with other staples in my closet.

Item in her closet people wouldn't expect: Probably a simple workout set and sneakers. It's honestly what I wear most on my off days.

Shop London's Style

The Unexpected Color Pop

Sophia Bounou (@sophiabounou)

Trend she's wearing: “Transparent fabrics and layering pretty bralettes underneath. Also flats with skirts—so chic.”

Brands to watch: “Acacia for swim, Undress Code for unique bodysuits, and for everyday staples—Mother Denim and Me+Em.”

Go-to outfit formula: “I always start with a well-tailored pair of pants, then build from there. I’ll match my top to my shoes and my bag to my belt—it’s simple but always works.”

Unexpected closet item: “Anything bright and colorful. I mostly live in neutrals, so color is reserved for big moments.”

Shop Sophia's Summer Style

The Statement Layer

Olivia Hurst (@oliviamhurst)

Trend she's wearing: “Fringe—it’s more timeless than trendy to me. And kaftans—very Brigitte Bardot in Saint-Tropez.”

Brands to watch: “My own line, Olivia Hurst Designs. The summer collection is everything.”

Go-to outfit formula: “Day: ripped jeans, a linen tee (preferably Isabel Marant), and Ray-Bans. Night: minishorts, a vintage Tom Ford heel, and a loose blouse with a plunging neckline.”

Unexpected closet item: “Color. I usually wear all black, but in summer I love aqua, green, and turquoise.”

Shop Olivia's Summer Style

The Off-Duty Formula

Hadley Greene (@hadleyhgreene)

Trend she's wearing: “Aquatic-inspired dressing—surf, sporty, slightly waterproof energy, even if I’m nowhere near the ocean.”

Brands to watch: “Cordera—their beaded bags are beautiful, and I love their focus on sustainability and craftsmanship.”

Go-to outfit formula: “Bermuda shorts are a constant. They’re flattering, breathable, and transition perfectly from day to night.”

Unexpected closet item: “Sports jerseys. I love pairing something masculine with something feminine—it creates tension.”

Shop Hadley's Summer Style

The Unexpected Add-On

Kate Yarbrough (@tsquaredofficial)

Trend she's wearing: “Crochet—but in a refined, minimal way.”

Brands to watch: “For the beach: Holli, Éliou, and vintage from The Frippery. For the city: Liberowe, Aflalo, Carelli, Éterne, and Ending Soon Vintage.”

Go-to outfit formula: “Fitted somewhere—never nowhere. I always balance proportions to keep things intentional.”

Unexpected closet item: “A 1968 Yves Saint Laurent safari dress—an exception to my usual aversion to khaki.”

Shop Kate's Picks

The Trouser Shift

Maddy G. (@maddygstyle)

On her summer style shift: “I’m definitely a trouser girl over dresses or skirts, so I like to get creative with different pant styles to stay comfortable in warmer weather. I just picked up a pair of capri trousers that I’m so excited to work into my wardrobe—they’re more breathable than full-length pants but still feel polished. Plus, they add a fun, summery twist to my usual look. I can’t wait to style them with a flip-flop heel.”

Brands on her radar: “As a stylist, I spend most of my day browsing brand websites, so I’m always in tune with new drops and collections. Right now, I’m obsessed with everything from Sandro—I probably have 10 pieces sitting in my cart. They strike the perfect balance between high-quality staples and quirky summer styles.”

Go-to outfit formula: “Baggy trousers, a white tank or tee, and either a jacket or sweater—finished with statement glasses and a great handbag.”

Style note: “I’m a men’s fashion stylist, and my closet reflects that—tailored trousers, loafers, high-quality tees, and a great bomber. But in summer, I lean more into statement pieces and color.”

Shop Maddy's Style

The Coastal Uniform

Corryn White (@corryntimm)

Trend she’s wearing: “Fringe is probably my favorite trend right now. I love incorporating Western pieces into a basic outfit—it just makes everything more interesting. I also love zebra print, especially as an accessory.”

Brands to watch: “I’ve been loving matching sets for summer—especially linen. Australian brands like Showpo, Meshki, and Billy J Boutique have great options.”

Go-to outfit formula: “I’d describe my style as coastal chic. Living in Florida, I’m usually in a neutral linen outfit with a fun accessory.”

Unexpected closet item: “My hats—I have a big collection but don’t get to wear them as often as I’d like.”

Shop Corryn's Style

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

This summer, fashion feels a little less concerned with perfection and, thankfully, it's a lot more because of it. The coolest fashion people I know aren’t dressing around curated TikTok aesthetics anymore and instead leaning into personal style. One day, they're wearing vintage board shorts with a sculptural watch and jelly sandals while the next day, they're pulling on a pocketed carpenter belt styled with a tiny lace tank and studded capri pants. From the LES to Silver Lake, personal style is back in full force, and the vibe is playful, chaotic, hyper-individual, and deeply Gen Z coded.

What’s emerging this season isn’t one singular trend but a wave of micro-trends that feel simultaneously nostalgic and entirely new. There’s still an appreciation for polished, luxe pieces—think micro watches and artful timepieces from brands like Movado or runway-inspired shield sunglasses as seen on the likes of Bella Hadid—but they’re being styled in intentionally unexpected ways.

This season, the cool Gen Z style set is clearly dressing for themselves, for their friends, and, of course, for the photo dump. Whether it’s tomato-red swim shorts, sheer T-shirts layered under tanks, or workwear-inspired accessories, these are the seven micro-trends defining what Gen Z cool looks like this summer.

Shop the Best Gen Z Summer Micro-Trends

Carpenter Work Belts

Micro Watches

Board Shorts

Lattice Jelly Flats

Layered T-Shirts

Shield Glasses

Statement Denim

A few years ago, even the slightest whisper of the word “peplum” would’ve sparked such ire and condemnation that you would’ve believed the polarising hemline was the most maligned fashion trend to exist. Fast forward a bit, and peplum tops are jackets are being peppered back into the wardrobes of the most tasteful, courtesy of intriguing denim options from Agolde, sculptural styles from Alaia and dreamy iterations from Dior.

Though the trend will always have connotations with the everyday business casual aesthetic that reigned in 2010—especially given the fact they’ve been enshrined in history through pop culture monoliths from the decade like Lena Dunham’s Girls—the protruding shape has appeared to shed its harshest critics and naysayers. Now, peplum tops seem to have done the unthinkable and united both Gen Z and Millennial tastemakers in their unified appreciation for the silhouette.

Or, at least that was the case overnight in New York when both Taylor Swift and Millie Bobby Brown stepped out in the city, albeit for separate occasions, wearing the style. Though falling on either side of the sartorial spectrum—Swift is far more classic and preppy compared to the Stranger Things star’s penchant for ‘90s references and casual loungewear—who would’ve thought it would take something so controversial and dated to bring together two vastly different approaches to dressing?

For her part, the Life of a Showgirl singer remained true to her roster of favourites. The specific peplum top she wore came courtesy of Stella McCartney’s spring/summer 2026 collection and is made of a wafty cotton-poplin fabric. She styled it with a Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU Petite, straight-leg trousers from The Row and her signature Cartier Santos watch.

Cerebral, classic and certainly more fitting for her The Tortured Poets Department era, the look was the latest in a slew of public outings she’s been making recently as she soft-launches her bridal wardrobe.

Elsewhere, across town, the Enola Holmes actress cut an equally architectural figure in a peplum-cropped trench coat from Stockholm-based brand Arakii. She paired her look with white lace-up pumps from Jimmy Choo and stovepipe jeans.

Interestingly, the 22-year-old also spent the previous evening reviving the ultra-cropped bolero jacket, pairing it with a corset top and peep-toe heels like it was 2002 again for an event with Netflix.

These sightings are proof that Millennials and Gen Z need not let the discourse divide them. Because if they can both agree that peplum tops are a winning fashion trend and find common ground in comfort shows like The Hills and The O.C., why let disagreement on punctuation use and correct sock length get between?

Shop the Peplum Fashion Trend:

You're reading Worn Weird, Who What Wear UK’s latest monthly column, where I, acting deputy editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans, will spotlight the fantastical world of shoes. From split toes to soleless styles (yes, really), I'm covering the most "cult" and controversial pairs money can buy. Think PVC, furry exteriors, thick wooden clogs and anything else weird and wonderful sparking hot debate online. They might be a little silly, they may repel men (if not, what’s the point?), but that’s fashion, darling!

First up, I’m debating "princess" shoes; essentially, footwear you’d expect to be worn by Princess Diana and Disney’s Cinderella alike. From Chloé's jelly shoes to buckled and bow-adorned almond-toe pumps that Marie Antoinette herself would have drooled over, follow me…

Though I consider myself a woman of the world, there are times I like to think of myself as a bit of a princess. But nowadays, being a princess is so much more than a state of mind; it’s a style of dressing. Fashion people have long had an obsession with black, and in recent years, what has been deemed stylish within the zeitgeist has been led by the likes of Charli XCX and (model and musician) Gabbriette. To be "cool" has meant wearing dark, moody shades, having an irreverent attitude and carrying an almost grunge aesthetic.

Conversely, Taylor Swift, as popular as she is, has never been followed for her sense of style. But something is changing—or rather, has changed. The "pop princess" prototype is well and truly back, and as such, so is the fantastical world of "princess" style. Olivia Rodrigo is wearing tiaras, Zara Larsson and Addison Rae adorn themselves in saccharine and neon-pink palettes… girly pop is on the menu, and yes—the cool girls are diving in.

What Are "Princess" Shoes?

We’ve been aware of the princess effect for a while, but it’s becoming more prevalent in shoe trends as we get closer to summer. Giving credit where credit is due, shoe brand Melissa has long reigned as the ugly-pretty plastic footwear label, delivering Y2K-style wedges, mules and heeled flip-flops in unexpected colours and PVC materials season after season. When the label collaborated with Y/Project (designed by Glenn Martins) on a Rococo-inspired collection in 2021, it gave us one of the earlier examples of the princess shoe trend.

Then, at the Chloé spring/summer 2026 show, creative director Chemena Kamali sent models down the catwalk in jelly mules. Close your eyes and imagine Cinderella’s glass slipper, with its rounded toe, light-blue tint and folded bow sitting on top. This is exactly what we got from Chloé. Not a slipper made of glass, of course, or even leather, but soft, transparent TPU. And then there are the Junie sandals, which, despite their "petridish" silhouette and emerald-green-and-fuchsia satin soles (very princess-coded, no?), are completely see-through on top, with a clear PVC thong strap.

PVC dominates this trend material-wise, and is what gives it that nostalgic early-2000s feel. Valentino Garavani’s open-toe Révélé pumps appear completely naked above the toes, and like the Junie sandals, if you squint and tilt your head in the right way, look as though they are made for tiny little doll's feet to slot into. But the princess-shoe trend isn't just about the Y2K-inspired "life in plastic" footwear of Barbie and Polly Pocket. It goes much, much further back. We’ve talked about the return of Rococo fashion in ready-to-wear, with soft florals and coquette-coded corsets, and it’s the same with shoes.

Manolo Blahnik has long led the charge here, with its satin spool heels, frothy bow tops and delightfully gaudy colour palettes. The brand famously designed the shoes for Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette, which were recently displayed in the V&A’s exhibition based on the fashion of the 18th-century French queen. No doubt boosted by a collection to celebrate the exhibition last year, the signature Manolo silhouette, although forever timeless, has really garnered momentum lately.

Classic princess-shoe details, be they of pairs worn by 18th-century or 1980s royals, are everywhere right now. Think almond toes, high-vamp silhouettes à la Princess Diana, moiré silk, sculptural heels and bows, bows, bows galore! As well as newer styles by luxury brands such as Lanvin and Roger Vivier (which have long championed this aesthetic), ‘90s Prada and Miu Miu pairs are also in demand on the resale market.

Then there's the cohort of more independent labels filling my Instagram Saved folder with vintage-inspired styles fit for royalty. Merrfer's XXL bow shoes are prime princess, and Anna Sui's collaboration with John Fluevog presents silk mules with lace floral rosettes, which feel hyper-feminine. Cult Berlin-based headwear brand Between Beauty, adored for its whimsical regency-style hats, also creates the occasional silk shoe adornment. Made with vintage pairs in mind, they'll add a sprinkling of princess personality to your existing footwear collection.

So, be it luxury, vintage or just a bit of fun, if you, too, consider yourself a princess, make sure the shoe fits.

Shop the Princess-Shoe Trend

If you looked through the Saved folder of this 26-year-old fashion editor, you’d find a lot of chic outfit inspo. From an abundance of vintage, archival pieces (Chanel's Ladybug heels are my newest fixation) to easy-breezy linen ensembles perfect for the summer heatwave I’m manifesting, my mood board is a style treasure trove. Scrolling through recently, I came to a realisation that almost every single post centres around the outfit of a Gen Z It girl.

Celebrity event wardrobes are full to the brim with enviable fashion finds, and whilst our lives couldn’t be more different (I’m unlikely to headline a tour or host Saturday Night Live any time soon), when you look at their off-duty personal style, it couldn’t feel more… normal. Whether they’re leaning into vintage eras and dusting off prim polka-dot dresses or channelling a WAG in their heyday in an outfit worthy of Victoria Beckham's approval, these fun looks feel perfect for the upcoming warm weather.

I'm in the market for a dash of seasonal outfit inspiration, and the cool girls below were my first port of call. Not only does their style cover every aesthetic we'll see this summer, but their ability to blend the old with the new and the fashion-forward with the pared-back makes them worthy of the It girl title. Having searched through their most recent 'fits, I’ve found eight excellent outfits worth re-creating this summer. Scroll down to discover.

9 Gen Z Outfit Ideas to Re-Create in Summer 2026

1. Hailey Bieber

Style Notes: Whether she’s promoting Rhode or dictating the season's biggest shoe trends, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a celebrity Gen Z adores more than Hailey Bieber. With a personal style that toes the line between pared-back minimalism and fashion-forward It girl, everything from floral appliqué dresses to capris and pointelle tees features in Hailey's summer outfit rotation. And the shoes? Think classic. She's regularly seen in The Row's City flip-flops, with a streamlined shape that makes for the perfect finishing touch.

Shop the Look:

2. Iris Law

Style Notes: As the quintessential London It girl for Gen Z, Iris Law’s summer outfits blend unexpected textures with eclectic prints and kitschy accessories with the coolest hybrid shoes on the market. Her bold looks feel innately "her", whether she's pairing a pinstriped miniskirt with a fitted, hooded top, or layering a pretty broderie mini over a lilac bikini. Her unique brand of worldly whimsy runs through every ensemble.

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3. Devon Lee Carlson

Style Notes: To Gen Z as Alexa Chung is to millennials, Devon Lee Carlson needs no introduction. After a chance meeting with Miley Cyrus in 2012 catapulted her to fame, you're likely to spot Devon bouncing from star-studded events like Charli XCX’s wedding to sitting FROW at a Gucci show. As such, her summer style is all about playful, kitchy pieces, and the Gen Z style set adores it. Her recent look in Rome (a gingham skirt, peep-toe kitten heels and 3/4-length T-shirt) is so charming and one you're likely to see replicated this summer.

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4. Olivia Rodrigo

Style Notes: After sending the internet into a frenzy by professing her love of babydoll dresses, what Disney-star-turned-pop-sensation Olivia Rodrigo will wear next is the question on every Gen Z’s lips. On the press tour for her latest album, the ex-London resident channelled her innermost '00s WAG in an FC Barcelona top and low-rise True Religion jeans. With the World Cup mere weeks away, it's a look every stylish, fashionable fan at home and away must see before the games begin.

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5. Alex Consani

Style Notes: The British Fashion Awards' 2024 Model of the Year, Alex Consani, knows her way around a chic summer outfit. Her meme-inspiring personality might be seriously extroverted, but style-wise, Consani's summer looks couldn’t be more pared-back. As a lover of structural cuts and fashion-forward detailing, her outfits give serious '90s supermodel energy. But it's her recent balloon trousers, loose shirt and peep-toe heel combination during a Parisian excursion that I’m looking to re-create asap.

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6. Sabrina Carpenter

Style Notes: What do Madonna, Barry Keoghan and vintage dresses have in common? Well, Sabrina Carpenter, of course. After shooting to superstardom over the past couple of years, the ex-Disney star is proving to be one of pop culture’s most compelling recent style icons. Expect drop-waists, minidresses, tall heels and lots of sparkle in her tour wardrobe, but well-deserved downtime in T-shirts, loose jeans and ballet flats.

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7. Billie Eilish

Style Notes: Billie Eilish’s summer style might not be for you; however, we at Who What Wear UK think it's high time we give the singer her flowers for being unapologetically herself. With layered tees and oversized silhouettes becoming Billie's brand signature, this look (pictured above) from her press junket for Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour feels decidedly fresh. Be it the divisive lace-detail Prada pumps or the knee-grazing pleated skirt with stockings, it's a look I can already see being re-created by her nonconformist fans.

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8. Kylie Jenner

Style Notes: For the stylish Gen Zer, it's impossible to find a celebrity It girl as influential as Kylie Jenner. The youngest member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan has been making waves since the "King Kylie" era (who else could convince a generation of pre-teens that all you need is a lip kit to look like her). Having now evolved from her skinny-jeans-and-logo-mania days, today, her summer style is all about bodycon separates and a cute colour palette. Looking for a casual 'fit for weekends? Try yellow jeans, a white tank top and Maison Margiela ballet flats that are more fun than trainers.

Shop the Look:

9. Manon Bannerman

Style Notes: Since rising to fame in Netflix’s Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, Manon Bannerman is the new name on everyone's lips. From her surprise appearance PinkPantheress’s set during Coachella Music Festival 2026 (alongside Chase Infiniti and Slayyyter) to fronting campaigns for brands like Versace, Saint Laurent, and Levi's, she's quickly become a celebrity Gen Z It girl to watch. Whilst she does hyper-glam impeccably well, it's the pared-back looks on her Instagram that have our full attention. Blending ‘90s minimalism with a Y2K edge, we’ve been loving the distressed minis and vintage leathers that are the foundation of her best summer looks.

Shop Her Look:

Gen Zers know what trends are up-and-coming, and they especially know what brands to buy into. I’m always on the lookout for fresh, fun, and cool brands to explore, and lately, I’ve been on the hunt for a new pair of eye-catching sunglasses. While on my search from site to site, I realized there are a lot of emerging and established brands popping up that are dedicated to making high-quality and stylish eyewear.

The brands I’ve been perusing are known for their unique aesthetics and exciting approach to design. Sunglasses have always been a way for me to express my personal style, even if my outfits are basic and plain, and I'm sharing my top picks with you. Dress up your outfits by shopping these standout sunglasses brands that Gen Zers love.

Bonnie Clyde

Founder Jon Yuan launched Bonnie Clyde in 2016. The company was operating in a converted movie theater in Downtown Los Angeles, and since then, it’s taken off with brick-and-mortar stores, including a new location in New York. These frames are stylish and modern with classic twists that are undeniably chic. I’ve already bought a few pairs of the optical options, and now that I know the brand makes sunglasses, I’ve added a few to my wish list.

Chimi

Chimi’s cofounders, Daniel Djurdjevic and Charlie Lindström, have their fingers on the pulse. From the cool marketing, featuring tastemakers and artists galore, to the unparalleled design codes, Chimi is a brand Gen Z is obsessing over. It girls such as Lila Moss have been spotted wearing them, and rising superstars like Precious Renee Tucker have been featured in its campaigns. As a Gen Zer, I just know this brand will become a mainstream go-to soon.

Shop Chimi Sunglasses

Heaven Hayhem

Los Angeles–based brand Heaven Mayhem was launched by chic influencer Pia Mance in 2022 and has risen in popularity. Mance’s goal was to create a brand curated with pieces that make a statement. While the brand designs various accessories, its sunglasses have been on my radar. Each frame is classic, sleek, and easy to implement into your daily outfits. I already have a few pairs I know will be in my rotation soon.

Shop Heaven Hayhem Sunglasses

Miu Miu

Miu Miu is a Gen Z fan favorite. We were all obsessed with the oval pair of frames that went viral last year. It was an intergenerational phenomenon between millennials and Gen Zers (I love an overlap). Miu Miu has risen in the ranks of luxury brands Gen Zers are willing to cash into. From its clothing designs to its sunglasses, it’s clear the luxury label is about keeping up with the cultural shifts and, most importantly, creating them, a tactic Gen Zers will always love.

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Jimmy Fairly

French brand Jimmy Fairly is bringing the chicness of Paris to the U.S. Its flagship store recently opened in SoHo, NYC, and the lines were filled with Gen Z fashion people. Every weekend since its opening, I’ve noted the young crowd, and after further investigation for myself, the brand’s designs warrant the long lines filled with stylish people. These sunglasses are quite Parisian and chic, which is an aesthetic Gen Zers are into these days, given that Euro summers are approaching soon.

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Lexxola

Lexxola, which was founded by Zane Saleh in 2019, has become a growing independent eyewear brand for the masses. The London-based brand focuses on designing eyewear that is long-lasting without compromising style. Lexxola makes pieces that are biodegradable with 100% bioacetate. It also uses eco-friendly packaging materials for a more sustainable approach to fashion and design.

Shop Lexxola Sunglasses

For a young person working in fashion, it's easy to constantly spend on low-quality items to keep up with appearances. So far, I haven't fallen into that trap. I'm an older Gen Zer, so I take my spending very seriously, even with the clothes I purchase. Among all my stylish friends, I'm the most frugal, often thinking over a purchase for weeks before deciding to make it. Sometimes, I wait so long that the item sells out, and while it stings a little not to have that instant dopamine rush, I know that this shopping method works best for me in the long run.

Over the past few months, I've been on a no-buy streak, saving money to splurge on a few items that I absolutely know are worth it. I'm talking about high-quality, long-lasting fashion items that I'll keep and pass down. Instead of gatekeeping my precious luxury wish list, I decided that I'd share it with you, fashionable readers. If you're looking for items worth splurging on this spring, keep scrolling to shop my top selections.

As one of Who What Wear UK’s resident Gen Z fashion editors, I’m always quick to note when a new shoe trend begins to emerge amongst the fashion set. So far this year, it's been a particularly mixed bag. With so many aesthetics and "cores" floating the social media-fuelled zeitgeist (think 2000s athlesiure or 2016 as the real 2026), the start of the year suggested anything but a trainer takeover. From the return of the thong heel to an influx of heeled ballerinas, the silhouettes spotlighted feel softer, and we thought a dainty approach to footwear was set to prevail this year. Yet a mid-week scroll through the feeds of my favourite fashion people under 29 painted a different story. Trainers aren't dead to Gen Z, and one sneaker brand proves just that: Adidas.

For so long, it was the Samba. Loved for its clean lines and versatility, it arrived as a breath of fresh air in an era dominated by large, chunky silhouettes. Since then, Gen Z has been Adidas-obsessed. From the retro-runner-shaped SL72 (a best-seller that comes celebrity-approved by Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski) to the Campus and the Samba 2.0 (revived thanks to collaborations with musician Bad Bunny and Hermès menswear creative director Grace Wales Bonner), each style has become like gold dust in its own right amongst trainer enthusiasts everywhere.

Fast forward to spring 2026, and a variety of newer Adidas styles are shaping Gen Z's footwear rotation. Be it the sleek yet sporty Tokyo or the under-the-radar Taekwondo, each is buzzing amongst the Gen Z style set ahead of summer. Read on to shop the five Adidas trainers they’re choosing right now.

The Five Adidas Trainers Gen Z Adore Right Now

1. Taekwondo

Style Notes: A shoe rooted in martial arts, the Adidas Taekwondo lives up to every part of its name. Defined by a low-profile, laceless design, these slip-on-and-go trainers have a nostalgic 2000s-street-style essence (which could be why It girls like Iris Law, Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson adore them). Available in the classic shape and the sneakerina Mai design, we've seen them styled with everything from capri leggings to track pants and loose trousers.

Shop Adidas Taekwondo Trainers:

2. Handball Spezial Loafers

Style Notes: Hybrid trainers are officially a thing, and the Handball Spezial Loafers are Adidas’s latest rendition of the trend. Part loafer, part trainer, they carry all the familiarity of a tried-and-true loafer, but reworked with the cushioned gum sole and signature three-stripe design of the ever-popular Spezial. With an IYKYK feel, whether paired with a maxi skirt or longline denim shorts, these trainers are for polished dressers who want to blend comfort and style.

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3. Superstar II

Style Notes: Having been discarded as "dated" for a while, Adidas Originals Superstar II are back in style once again in 2026. A ‘90s classic on its way back, these trainers' shell toe and serrated stripes make them instantly distinguishable. Whilst they’re not a far cry from the pairs we owned 15 years ago, the energy feels completely renewed. It's another style that's benefited from fashion-name collabs, from Molly Mae-Hague's latte colourway to the muted toes of the Sporty & Rich collab, the Superstar II is so back.

Shop Adidas Originals Superstar II Trainers:

4. Tokyo

Style Notes: The Tokyo is one of Adidas's most in-demand styles. A simple yet quietly cool design, the signature cross-back adds dimension, setting it apart from classic silhouettes. Available in both the classic design and a Mary Jane version with an elasticated strap across the foot, these trainers have an It-girl edge and look particularly good with a two-piece matching set.

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5. Samba

Style Notes: Despite some declaring them "dated", Gen Z is still turning to the OG Samba. With a narrow silhouette and streamlined design free from bells and whistles, the Samba has solidified itself as a footwear staple. They're versatile enough to pair with everything from skirts to leggings and jogging bottoms, and their comfort goes unmatched.

Shop Adidas OG Samba Trainers:

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

I didn’t expect to be personally victimized by a pair of sunglasses this year, but here we are. After seasons of slim ovals and classic aviators dominating the conversation, there’s a noticeable shift happening in eyewear for 2026. Oversize, bug-eyed sunglasses—whether circular or rendered in sleek, wraparound shield shapes—are quickly becoming the defining accessory of the moment. If we had to pinpoint the emergence of this early-aughts trend coming right back around, there's one defining group leading the charge: Gen Z.

As they're rooted in early 2000s style, the look taps into a familiar sense of nostalgia, but its current appeal goes beyond a simple throwback—beyond paparazzi shots of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears stepping out of their cars with Juicy Couture tracksuits and frames so big they practically screamed, "Don't perceive me." Gen Z is using bug-eyed glasses instead as an accessory that practically begs to be noticed.

That influence has already made its way onto the Spring Summer 2026 runways. At Saint Laurent, strong tailoring was paired with oversized lenses that added a sense of drama and polish. Celine approached the trend with graphic, circular frames that contrasted clean, minimal outfits. At Miu Miu, shield-style sunglasses brought a sportier, more playful energy, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing focus on proportion and youthful styling. Across each collection, the message was consistent: bug-eyed eyewear is no longer a finishing touch—it’s central to the look. Out with the micro-oval frames of 2025, and in with looking like an insect in 2026.

Bug-Eyed Sunglasses on the Runway

On a practical level, they also fit seamlessly into everyday dressing. Oversize frames pair just as easily with relaxed denim and basics as they do with cargo mini-skirts or spring 2026 micro-trend pieces. The result is an accessory that can adapt, while still making a clear statement.

Ultimately, the resurgence of bug-eyed sunglasses signals a broader move away from subtlety and toward individuality. For Gen Z, in particular, the appeal lies in their ability to transform a look with minimal effort.

Gen Z's bug-eyed sunglasses aren't here to blend in this spring and summer. They’re here to take up space. To obscure. To signal taste while pretending not to care. Also, let’s be honest: they’re practical. Didn't take off your waterproof mascara? Tired after doomscrolling? Avoiding your situationship? Just throw your biggest pair of sunglasses on, and you're ready to take on the day.

If the past few years of eyewear were about minimalism—sleek ovals, understated aviators—Gen Z is swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction. Sunglasses have never been bigger, bolder, and just a little bit ridiculous in the best way.

Shop the Best Gen Z–Approved Oversize Sunglasses

Gen Z is known for being innovative, funny, and incredibly stylish. This youthful fashion crowd is full of opinions, trends to copy, and brands to share. On my daily TikTok scrolls, I've discovered new brands that I'm really into and excited to share with you all. Spring is finally here, and that's the perfect time to explore your personal style with pieces from emerging fashion brands.

As I saved all these emerging and established brands beloved by Gen Z, I also shopped each of them, and I can confidently say these pieces won't disappoint. From clothing to accessories, these brands are offering some of the coolest pieces to try for spring.

If you're curious about what stylish Gen Zers are wearing this spring, keep scrolling to discover the brands they're shopping.

Willy Chavarria

Willy Chavarria is an eponymous brand popular among the Gen Z fashion crowd. Chavarria designs pieces that are both relatable and aspirational, from baggy pants to cool jackets. Spring is looking like the best season to sport a look from the label.

MargeSherwood

If you're ever in need of a cool-girl bag, you've got to try one from MargeSherwood. I'm eyeing a few for spring and know other fashionable dressers would look great with them too. The brand offers an array of styles in modern shapes and colors that are easy to add into anyone's wardrobe.

Damson Madder

Damson Madder is my favorite brand out of the bunch. Each piece is trendy but not so much that I'd get rid of anything in a year. I love its printed pieces, from skirts to tops to jackets. The brand has pieces you can dress up or down, which is always a plus.

Kallmeyer

This brand is the perfect blend of older and younger Gen Zers. As an older Gen Zer, I'd wear any of these pieces to the office, which might be anti-officecore, but so be it. These pieces are long-lasting, colorful, and easy to style. I love the basics because they have an elevated feel.

Bonnie Clyde

Bonnie Clyde is the new It glasses brand for Gen Zers. I have its Dance Dance style, silver wired frames that make all my outfits look cool and sophisticated. I've been a fan from afar online, but once I went to a pop-up in NYC to try a pair, I became a forever fan.

Margaux

I've been digging for the best new spring shoes to wear this year, and I've turned to the brand Margaux during my search. These shoes are equal parts comfortable and chic. I have sandals and flats on my wish list that I won't gatekeep. I'm excited to sport some sandals for the season.

Éliou

As a Gen Zer, I love colorful jewelry, from charms to beads. I find jewelry like Éliou's to be youthful and chic. I tend to wear colorful jewelry with basic outfits to elevate them in a fun and fresh way.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes; speak to external experts and fashion insiders; and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels, so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

Have you noticed an unexpected uptick in the number of posts on your Instagram Explore page and TikTok FYP touting the word "whimsy" in the caption and hashtags attached to TikTok beauty content? Over the past few months, my feed has been populated with everything from overflowing junk journals with beauty inspiration to scent hauls championing unexpected note combinations. While I wouldn't describe myself as whimsical by nature, I've frequently been told I possess a certain, youthful energy and look… not unlike that of someone far younger than I am (believe it or not, I'm closer to 30 than 20).

I've recently begun to reframe it as a testament to my innate whimsy that can be further highlighted by quirky, colorful, and playful beauty practices with the help of a few key products. Keep reading to discover the ones I've added to my routine to lean into the trend with my own personal take on it.

Moody Makeup

Multi-Faceted Fragrances

Detailed Hair Accessories

Unexpected Manicures

Over the past few years, perfectly fitted, color-coordinated workout sets have evolved into a kind of status symbol. Since the pandemic, brands have generated enormous revenue by appealing to consumers who want their activewear to look just as polished as their designer wardrobes. Labels like ALO, Set Active, Adanola, and Outdoor Voices have grown into major players in the space. But alongside their rise, a quieter shift has been taking shape—one that challenges the idea of the perfectly curated workout look altogether.

Gen Z, in particular, has been subtly reshaping fitness fashion. Instead of sleek, matching sets, they’re embracing a more eclectic, personality-driven approach to dressing for movement. The result is a deliberately mismatched, expressive 2000s activewear style that prioritizes individuality over coordination and pushes back against the polished, brightly colored sets that, at times, can feel more performative than practical.

That shift isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s being built piece by piece in secondhand shops, on running paths, and inside boutique fitness studios. For Isabella Oday, founder of vintage and archival activewear brand Rummage Stretch, it started with a personal disconnect. “I realized I didn’t like the style of any yoga clothes,” Oday explains, recalling a post-breakup retreat that unexpectedly sparked the idea for the brand. What followed was a return to something more intuitive: old track shorts, vintage Nike tanks, pieces that felt lived-in and personal. “Feeling like an individual with personal style has been sort of missing from this space,” she notes.

Rummage Stretch leans into that absence, embracing what one early write-up described as a “cornucopia of maximalist workout clothing from the late ’90s and ’00s”—an era when getting dressed for a fitness class was less about optimization and more about just showing up.

That sense of individuality is precisely what feels new again. Instead of buying into a single aesthetic, Gen Z is pulling references from everywhere: nostalgia, thrift culture, and even humor. “Nostalgia is a huge part of this trend,” the founder adds, “but it’s also the expressiveness and fun that brings a whole new energy to a previously exhausted workout space.” Rummage Stretch customers, Oday adds, aren’t just dressing for performance; they’re dressing for themselves. “Ultimately, people want to feel good about themselves and feel like themselves.”

The same ethos plays out online, where creators like running influencer Jenna Litner have built a following around deliberately eclectic, personality-first workout looks. For Litner, the shift away from matching sets is less about rejecting style and more about reclaiming it. “I started showcasing [my outfits] more intentionally when I felt fatigued by how homogenous fashion was becoming because of social media,” she says. “It never made sense to put effort into how I dressed in one core part of my life and not the other.”

While you'd think this retro and personality-forward activewear moment is just a pan in the flash, Litner believes it speaks to the broader fatigue everyone is feeling right now. “Gen Z grew up in peak trend culture,” she explains. “With constant access to social media, it became easy to dress in whatever set was trending… instead of what actually felt personal.” The result is an audience that's hungry for her outfits comprising colorful workout shorts, vintage jerseys layered over turtlenecks, neon shorts, and Y2K-style sunglasses.

Most importantly, this evolution in style isn’t just aesthetic—it’s psychological. Litner is candid about the role expression plays in her performance: “I have no shame admitting expression is my number one priority because I perform best when I feel confident.” That confidence can look wildly different from day to day. “Some days I want retro/vintage, some days futuristic, and some days I want to be a fitness Barbie,” she jokes. The point, she emphasizes, is freedom: “Wear whatever helps you get out the door and move your body.”

In fitness spaces, that mindset is becoming increasingly visible. Pilates instructor Taylor Isabelle sees it firsthand in her classes, where the once-dominant matching set is no longer the default. “People want different cuts… halter tops, capris, wide leg leggings,” she says. “When New Yorkers start wearing color, you know fashion is shifting.” Beyond silhouettes, there’s a noticeable change in attitude. Clients aren’t just dressing for the workout—they’re dressing for the experience. “Some have even told me wearing a cute outfit… has improved their performance,” she notes, pointing to the familiar idea that “look good, feel good” still holds weight.

There are also practical reasons behind the shift. As Isabelle points out, changing spending habits is playing a role: “People would rather spend their money on supplements, treatments, and experiences. Therefore, this forces them to use what they already own… and start to mix and match.” In other words, the chaotic gym outfit isn’t just expressive for Gen Z—it’s also resourceful.

What emerges from all of this is a redefinition of what gym style is supposed to do. Gen Z's activewear in 2026 is something messier, more personal, and ultimately more human. A vintage tennis dress paired with worn-in sneakers. A neon sports bra under an oversized graphic tee. An outfit that doesn’t quite “match,” but somehow makes more sense.

In the end, Gen Z isn’t just abandoning the perfectly curated workout set—they’re rejecting the idea that there’s only one way to look put-together. The new gen is turning the gym into something it’s never quite been before: a space not just for movement, but for self-expression. And, of course, wired headphones with a neon polka-dot sports bra in tow.

Shop the Trend

As one of Who What Wear UK’s resident Gen Z editors, it’s my personal mission to keep my finger on the pulse of the ebbs and flows shaping the fashion zeitgeist. Be it monitoring the cultural throwbacks taking over our algorithms (see CBK and the sudden fascination with 2016) or keeping an eye out for the new brands deserving of a permanent spot in our wardrobes, paying attention to fashion is what I do best. A few years ago, any label specialising in ultra-eccentric, colourful and in any way attention-grabbing pieces would probably rank highly as a Gen Z go-to, but in spring 2026, the name currently front and centre may well surprise you: Zara.

A cross-generational high-street hero, Zara has long carried the "hit or miss" reputation many of us probably remember from years gone by. Today, though, its digital (and physical) shelves have become something of a hotspot. A fan of runway trends? Zara’s got you covered. In the market for high-quality transitional staples? It's practically a one-stop shop. Blending the fashionably nostalgic with the trending and the timeless with the personality-driven, Zara continues to hit the nail on the head for the variety of aesthetics and pieces that Gen Z aligns with best. And better yet, there are plenty of affordable buys.

Despite all the great options, sifting through Zara’s seemingly endless new-in section is a big job (even to a seasoned fashion editor), so to take the work off your hands, I've trawled through each section of the site meticulously so you don't have to, and have uncovered the best Zara buys for Gen Z shoppers (and, really, anyone looking to put a fresh spin on the classics). So whether you're looking for on-trend shoes to pair with low-rise jeans or just want to peruse the Zara newness, scroll down to discover my picks.

Shop the Best Gen Z Zara Buys for Spring 2026:

Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.

In case you missed it, angels, cherubs, Cupid, and other whimsical fairylike creatures have been on the rise lately. Perhaps it's our shared desire to bury ourselves deep in the nostalgia of our childhoods, or frequently associate images of these winged figures with art museums and history books, but we’re all for taking cues from their unique aesthetics. So, what better way to look at the trend than through beauty-centered lenses? Edwardian- and Victorian-inspired beauty may currently be taking over Instagram feeds as movies set in those time periods take to the screen, but cherubs (and other similar angelic beings) have been lingering in our psyche longer than we may realize.

As Who What Wear's resident art-history-obsessed beauty editor, I've challenged myself to take a closer look at the influence of these figures in modern-day beauty, and how to interpret their most recognizable features and overall angelic aesthetic through fragrance, makeup, skincare, and more.

Delicate Dewiness

Cherubic Makeup

Ethereal Glow

Halo Hair

Angelic Fragrance

Romantic Details

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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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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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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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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