Fashion for Gen Z is more than fabric and trends. It is comfort, identity, mood, and subtle communication. As part of our research into Gen Z values, we analysed over a thousand open-ended comments from Australians aged 14 to 29 who described how someone would look if they thought, “They dress just like me.”

While comfort connects this generation as a whole, deeper insights emerge when we look closer at differences between girls and boys, younger and older respondents, and the language they use to express their style.

Comfort as a Universal Style Code

Across genders and ages, comfort is a universal principle in Gen Z’s fashion vocabulary. Their comments echo a preference for clothes that feel relaxed and easy to wear. Hoodies, T-shirts, baggy jeans, and sneakers are staples that appear again and again.

“A hoodie, baggy jeans and Converse shoes.”
“Loose T-shirt and shorts with slides.”
“A casual jumper, baggy jeans, hair styled, and nice shoes.”

Comfort is not only physical. It offers psychological ease. Clothing for Gen Z is about feeling natural, unbothered, and free to move through their day without feeling restricted or exposed. Even when simple, their outfits carry subtle individual choices that transform “comfortable” into personal style.

How the fashion styles expressed

One of the most interesting differences between genders is in their language. Young women’s comments are rich with detail, often weaving small styling choices into vivid pictures. Their words include colours, cuts, textures, and sometimes specific brands.

“Light-blue jeans with an oversized T-shirt tucked out on one side with either white shoes or Birkins.”
“A cardigan with a cute tank top underneath, light blue mom jeans and either sandals or sneakers.”
“An oversized shirt with biker shorts and white sneakers.”

Young women’s vocabulary reflects an awareness of trends circulating on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Terms such as “crop top,” “baby T-shirt,” “cargo pants,” and “flare pants” show how digital culture influences how they talk about fashion.

Male respondents rarely use such vocabulary. Their descriptions often remain functional and concise:

“A T-shirt and jean pant.”
“A bland T-shirt and cargo shorts.”
“A jacket over a T-shirt with jeans.”

When they do elaborate, it tends to be limited to colour, brand, or simple pairings:

“A black shorts, red shirt and sandals.”
“Nike sneakers, a loose hoodie and jeans.”

These differences in language suggest that young women often see fashion as a creative, expressive medium, while for young men it remains more practical and straightforward.

Using fashion to express emotions

For young women, fashion is tied to mood and context. Their comments reveal clothing as an emotional language, chosen to reflect how they feel or where they plan to go.

“It depends what my mood is and where I’m going, but I’d usually say a pair of baggy dark wash jeans, specifically Motel Rocks, and some sort of going out top. I like ones that aren’t too basic and kinda different, maybe floral. Some dainty gold jewellery. One hundred percent pearls are involved, otherwise I wouldn’t be wearing the jewellery. Either Doc Martens or Adidas Spezials in a funky colour. Hair either blown out or in a slick back bun.”

Even shorter female comments carry a sense of adaptation and versatility:

“A blouse with puff sleeves or a tight top that is a bit tight. They are also wearing baggy jeans or cargos. They like to dress casual and fancy depending on their mood.”

In contrast, young men rarely link clothing to emotional states. Many of their comments are simple lists of items. Clothing for them appears more like a reliable uniform than a way to navigate shifting feelings.

Changes in style as Gen Z grows older

Among girls under 17, style tends to be simpler, though even younger respondents hint at personal touches:

“A cargo pants, a tiny bit crop T-shirt, a watch and sneakers.”
“A T-shirt and track pants.”
“A hoodie and baggy jeans.”

These young women keep things comfortable, but details like a crop top or accessories suggest early experimentation with individuality.

As girls grow older, their fashion narratives expand. Clothing becomes an expression of identity, shaped by mood, social settings, and even brand choices.

“Coordinated that they thought out clearly. They would probably be wearing boots, a skirt and black stockings with a white collar undershirt and a small lacy overshirt or faux corset. They would definitely be wearing jewellery layering necklaces, wearing rings, maybe a silver bracelet. Sunglasses depending on the weather, and probably have a cute bag that pairs with the outfit on one arm, and a bubble tea in the other hand.”

In contrast, boys’ fashion evolves less dramatically. Younger boys keep it extremely simple:

“A casual person.”
“A T-shirt and track pants.”

This pattern suggests that while women’s fashion grows richer and more complex with age, many men maintain a more consistent, practical approach.

Oversized fits could be a statement or just for comfort

Oversized clothing is a common thread in Gen Z style, appearing in comments from both genders. Among women, it’s often paired with fitted pieces, creating a deliberate balance between shape and looseness.

“An oversized shirt with biker shorts and white sneakers.”
“A loose hoodie and baggy pants with my hair in a messy bun.”

Among boys, oversized items also appear but without much narrative:

“Baggy pants and a hoodie.”
“Loose T-shirt and shorts with slides.”

For both genders, oversized fits seem to be part of a modern silhouette that signals ease and subtle style.

The “Gen Z Look”

There is no single unified “Gen Z look.” Instead, what emerges from the data is a mosaic of individual choices shaped by comfort, identity, and evolving trends.

Among young women, fashion becomes a personal narrative, full of detail, mood, and styling. They show growing complexity in their fashion language as they age, suggesting that clothing is a powerful tool for expressing who they are and how they feel.

For young men, fashion remains practical and consistent. While some do hint at individuality through brand names or quirky items, their comments generally reflect a preference for simplicity and reliability.

Yet even in their differences, young women and young men share common ground. Both value comfort. Both gravitate towards casual, relaxed styles. And both are influenced by the broader cultural currents of streetwear, social media, and peer culture.

The truth of Gen Z style is that it is diverse, personal, and evolving. Whether in baggy jeans, layered jewellery, minimalist basics, or colourful sneakers, fashion remains one of the clearest windows into how this generation sees themselves and the world around them.