Not long ago I was scrolling through Instagram and stopped to read a post that explained how certain aspects of your appearance can give your age away.
Apparently, something as seemingly arbitrary as how you part your hair is one of these things; millennials (the generation born between 1981 and 1996) strongly favour centre parts, while gen X (1965-1980) and older are less particular, but perhaps more likely to go for side partings.
Having never thought that a hair parting preference was a generation-defining feature, I had a little chuckle to myself until I realised that this observation was alarmingly accurate. For reasons that evade my understanding, nearly every woman I know under the age of 35 parts her hair in the centre, while my fellow gen Xers wear their hair on the side or simply pulled back so that no part is visible.
Wondering if a centre part would make me look younger or at least a bit cooler, I gave it a go, but my annoyingly fine hair is stubborn and refuses to sit neatly against my head when worn in that style. A parting down the centre is also severe and unflattering on me (and perhaps older women in general?). Musing about whether those 30-somethings are wearing centre parts simply to mock us more senior ladies, I started thinking about other elements of styling that define the generations. Here are a few of my own observations – do you recognise any of these?
Baby boomers
I’m not sure why it is, but older women love three-quarter length pants. Also known as pedal pushers, this style is particularly prevalent in summer, with white three-quarter length pants, a colourful top and sandals the go-to look for many senior ladies.
However, while currently worn almost exclusively by baby boomers, trend forecasters are predicting cropped and capri pants – close relations of the three-quarter length style – will make a comeback this year. So be on the lookout for how the style is reinterpreted as it becomes popular among younger generations.
Gen X
While many of us in this age bracket still keenly follow trends, many more of us are less interested in the latest fashions and dress for comfort and function. This is the generation that is currently mid-career with teenagers to taxi around, as well as ageing parents to worry about. So it’s hardly surprising if they’re reaching for activewear-inspired silhouettes with skinny jeans in the leading role.
I don’t intend to delve into the history of denim here, but around 20 years ago – when gen Xers were still forming their ideas on style – skinny, low-rise jeans were a huge trend. Although they might go for a bit more tummy coverage these days rather than a low-rise style, many gen X women continue to be fans of the skinny jean. They’re also the only age group other than girls under 10 who wear leggings under skirts in winter.
Millennials
In addition to parting their hair in the centre, millennials (and older members of gen Z, the generation immediately following them) can be identified by their love of playing with proportions. While their mums might have started their careers in suits that threatened to cut off circulation, millennials love ‘grandpa chic’: exaggeratedly oversized blazers and full, wide pants with too-long hems that are prone to drag along the ground, in non-colours such as beige, black or grey. Out of office hours, you’ll find them in reinterpretations of ’90s trends: chunky ‘dad sneakers’, tight midriff-revealing tops and sloppy jeans.
Gen Z
Born between 1997 and 2011, gen Z is arguably the generation creating and defining the trends. With a large cohort still at high school and uni, they are perhaps the most receptive to peer influence and apparently also the keenest to keep hydrated, if their love of large drink bottles is anything to go by.
Yes, even drink bottles have a trend cycle these days – the domestic brand all the kids were toting around a year or so ago in Australia is now passe, superseded by a sturdy American import that apparently keeps drinks cold even in the midst of fires and explosions. I’d argue that if your car caught fire or your house exploded, there might be more pressing concerns than the temperature of your beverage, but as a gen Xer, what would I know?
That’s the thing about generation-defining fashions, trends and items – they resonate with one age group but make less sense to others (or in some cases are utterly mystifying). It would be boring if everyone had the same taste though, so while we may not always understand what other generations get into, at least we can enjoy it as a source of entertainment – and laugh at ourselves sometimes too.
What was a popular fashion back in your day? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.
Also read: Is this Japanese concept the shake-up your wardrobe needs?
