orn between 2010 and 2024, the youngest living generation of our times is…interesting. The trends that show up within this particular demographic, as well as in younger Gen Z folks are so contradictory, it’s terrifying. To the millennial parents of this generation, we ask the following question: what were you thinking? But also, well done…? You’re raising some pretty confident little humans there, who have some extraordinary ideas about style.

Born into a world literally and figuratively burning down to the ground, maybe Gen Alpha realize life’s too short to care too much about what anyone thinks, or perhaps they just want to do everything the opposite of their parents, the millennials. Who knows?

While some of the things Alpha think about when picking what they wear is very comfort-centric, studies also show that they consider sustainability as an important factor when choosing fashion.

This of course is not a new phenomenon, as thrifting has become a buzzword when it comes to clothing. Whether it was born of the need for the generation prior to Alpha to be more conscientious about the lives they lead, or because not everyone has the purchasing power to afford brand-new clothes off the rack anymore, it lulls us into a sense of wellbeing. We are, after all, choosing pre-loved, or clothes left over from stocks that made it to the shops, and doesn’t that mean we’re making the greener choice?

That, of course, is a whole other can of worms, because a lot of clothes that make it to online thrift stores or apps are leftover stock from fast fashion brands, which is labeled such because of its short life cycle. When considering this, one of the best case scenarios to reduce waste and economize would be - regardless of generational demographics - to revert to the old loose fabric and tailor method, which in Pakistan at least would be much easier to do.

Now to those contradictory styles that the future of planet Earth favors so.

Everything must go loose

If you’re trying to impress the Z or Alpha in your life, but insist on doing so while wearing even the merest hint of a straight-cut pant, you’ve already lost. Apparently everything from baggy to balloon and slouchy is acceptable, while yoga pants and leggings can’t be fitted anymore. Those too must be flared. Which totally defeats the purpose of wearing leggings, but what do I know, I was only born before Google. Although, this style of pant does mesh quite well with the aesthetic popular with the very young ones these days. (Like, so young, that ‘90s Pakistani pop-and-rock-stars would probably be handing them their phone numbers at the end of concerts. Burn, ‘90s predators!)

And everything must be coquettish

To someone whose primary aesthetic is stolen button-downs, I wouldn’t personally go for this myself, but I see the appeal. The Coquette Aesthetic is feminine but slightly goth, but romantic. So basically you can wear that lacy top with beat-up balloon-fit jeans, and a pearl necklace and be on point. Or wear your utilitarian cropped tee with any number of combos of bottoms and accessories. Or just be top-to-toe coquette, although that might just be a touch costume-y. However, you must remember the following:

It doesn’t matter what’s popular as long you’re totally feeling yourself in whatever you’re wearing.

And as the glum intro of this article states, the world is crashing and burning babe, wear what you want, when you want, and just know it looks good.