• Fast fashion is slowly replacing buying from stalls and shops
• Gen Z's are embracing thrifting due toits convinience and affordability
Image: PINTREST
From Tiktok fashion trends to Instagram feeds and reels, fashion for Gen Z makes ‘statement’ that does not need to be backed up by words, but rather a picture.
According to researchers and popular media, Gen Z’s are from the mid-to-late 1990s as the starting birth years and the early 2010 as ending birth years.
Known by their ever present messaging on the internet and popular social networks like Snapchat, Tiktok and Instagram, Gen Z’s love for video gaming and music is slowly being replaced by their love for fashion.
Fast fashion also known as thrifting, is slowly replacing buying clothes from shops and stalls.
“I just want to look good and stylish, sometimes I can buy a shoe and never wear it on a regular day, unless it’s for parties or for Snaps on my IG,” Shayna, a 20-year-old USIU student told the Star.
"I go to Toi on the weekends, a budget of Sh2,000 is enough for me to look fashionable in school." she said.
From bursts of tie-dye, matching sets, pleated skirts, fun knits, piercings and 90’s vintage jewellery, sweatpants and high waist mom-jeans. Gen-Z’s love for high waist jeans is the highlight for them.
“I love how high waist jeans makes me feel good both inside out, whether baggy or tight, I always go for high-waisted jeans!” Crystal a fashionprenuer said.
Reports indicate that Gen Z are popular in thrifting worldwide. It is not daunting to see popular marketplaces such as Gikomba, think twice and Toi flocked by them.
“Thrifting allows me to find affordable, unique style that will turn heads” Ken Kangethe, 22 says
“I like standing out with my clothes, and fashion is a way I express and push myself out of the comfort zone. I love it that as a man I get to inspire gents, not to have boring styles”
According to Deloitte’s report on Generation Z’s fashion, the iGeneration’s interest in thrifting could have something to do with having entered adolescence during the 2007 to 2009 when the oldest member of Gen Z were between 12 and 14.
The report however, attributes financial hardships to them searching for economically friendly ways, of staying in the fashion industry as well as exploring their creative side.