Gen Z went through many fashion choices in 2024. From clean girl to rock star girlfriend, many aesthetics were great while many were ignored. Here are the 2024 aesthetics ranked worst to best in my opinion.
9: Gen Z Preppy
What Gen Z calls “preppy” started with the VSCO girl. Back in 2019, she was the girl everyone wanted to be. She wore scrunchies, Fjällräven Kånken backpacks, oversized shirts, Nike shorts and the combination of sandals and socks. Since then, VSCO girl of 2019, there has been a new version of preppy, which is notably one of the most popular aesthetics of the year. The 2024 preppy girl is wearing the Nike Blazers, straight-leg jeans and the oversized pink Nirvana crew neck and is always sporting her 64 oz Stanley cup.
8: Clean Girl
When I think of Clean Girl, I think of youtuber Caroline Tucker’s “Stuff for 2024 I’m Excited to Wear” “go girl give me nothing” tier. The aesthetic originated on TikTok after creator, @xolizahbeauty, showed her viewers how to be one of the “girls that always look clean.” The clean girl aesthetic is neutrals, solid colors, skin-tight tops with loose-fitting jeans, platform Disquette Uggs slippers, slicked-back hair and the ‘no makeup’ makeup look.
7: Old Money
Although the old money aesthetic was coined in the summer of 2023, its clothing style is what would be called preppy in the 1990s. The meaning of old money is wealth in the family throughout multiple generations; think of the Rockefeller family. If you have yet to hear of or see the old money aesthetic, think Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Armani, loafers, tennis skirts, and dainty jewelry. It’s cute but it’s not a style I would wear.
6: Coquette
The coquette aesthetic came from Tumblr in the mid-2010s; the term came from a group of people who wanted to take on the persona of a nymphet. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and early Lana Del Rey can be considered the main representatives of the coquette aesthetic. Coquette is the definition of soft and feminine; it’s bows, pearls, soft pink everything, lacey tops, frilly skirts, cardigans and ballet flats. I like the style, but I think it is getting old and don’t think it deserves all the hype it has gotten in the past year.
As stated in the title of this section, clothes popular in the 90s have made a comeback in 2024. While many different iterations of 90s fashion came back this year, the most notable of them are timberlands, overalls and cargo pants. The combination of nostalgia, cultural references, social media influence and sustainability trends like biodiversity, social sustainability are the main things that caused the comeback of 90s fashion.
Originating in New York City, Downtown Girl comes from many pre-existing aesthetics but mainly comes from the indie-sleaze and model-off-duty movements. The aesthetic is inspired by fall and most notably, Gilmore Girls. Downtown Girl is leather jackets, black mini skirts, converse, grandpa sweaters, low-waisted flare jeans, black tights, tote bags and graphic tees.
3: Office Siren
Office Siren is an aesthetic and fashion trend that began on TikTok in late 2023 and early 2024. It takes inspiration from the ’90s and 2000s corporate culture; but is also femme fatale-inspired. An office siren is a hyper-sleek woman who typically has her hair up in a pulled-back bun or straightened with a precise middle part; a wardrobe consisting of neutral shades and the occasional jewel tone and oval or rectangular-shaped glasses. This aesthetic takes its inspiration from movies like “The Devil Wears Prada.”
2: Rock star girlfriend7
When a rock star girlfriend comes to mind, so does Courtney Love, who was a certified rock star girlfriend popular in the 80s and 90s. Rock Star Girlfriend style is meant to capture the 70s groupie lifestyle with a more modern twist. Daisy Jones & The Six helped with the comeback of the aesthetic. If you haven’t been on Pinterest and haven’t seen the rock star girlfriend aesthetic, it’s black or red leather jackets, cheetah print fur coats, dark gogo boots, messy eyeliner and the shag haircut.
1: Mcbling
Originating in the early 2000s when hip hop and rap were increasing in popularity, Mcbling is one of the many aesthetics that falls under the “y2k” umbrella. Often getting confused with indie, a popular aesthetic from 2020, it’s sometimes seen as not being part of the “y2k” aesthetic. If you don’t know what Mcbling is, think Juicy Couture tracksuits, everything bedazzled, jean mini skirts, big sunglasses and chunky flip-flops. I love everything about Mcbling, from the big sunglasses to the mini skirts and the chunky rhinestone belts.
I say that 2024 was a good year for fashion, but in the words of Abby Lee Miller, American dance instructor, studio owner and television personalityr “you were good, but I’m waiting for you to be better.” I think we could make 2025 a great year for fashion if we brought back more maximalist styles and stopped modernizing everything.
