Why every generation thinks the

next one dresses like clowns

From togas to tube tops, why every new fashion trend makes older generations clutch their pearls.

By Mehak Aggarwal

At some point in life, you wake up, see a Gen Z kid wearing baggy jorts, a mesh top, and Crocs with socks, and realise you’ve officially become the person who says, “What are they wearing?” That’s the moment you understand that you’re no longer cool. But don’t worry, it’s not just you. Every generation, without fail, thinks the next one dresses like they’ve escaped from a clown car.

Your grandparents nearly fainted when miniskirts showed up, convinced hemlines that high would end the world. Your parents lived through the tragic era of neon windbreakers, and thought fashion couldn’t get worse, until the rise of jelly sandals. And now Millennials are breaking into a cold sweat because Gen Z, has declared war on skinny jeans, replacing them with pants so baggy they could double as parachutes.

“This isn’t about bad taste, it’s about rebellion. Every generation dresses to separate themselves from the one before. That’s why Gen Z is out here mixing grandpa sweaters with parachute pants and accessorizing with beads, butterfly clips, and sunglasses that make them look like they’re auditioning for The Matrix”, confesses Sanah Gupta, a 19-year-old fashion designing student at Pearl Academy. The goal isn’t to look chic, it’s to confuse Millennials, and it’s working.

Millennials, of course, are deeply offended because they worked hard to figure out skinny jeans, and fitted blazers. Their wardrobes were carefully curated for Instagram, coordinated neutrals, sleek leather jackets, and just the right shade of oat milk beige. Now, gen Z is dressing like they raided a Y2K thrift store blindfolded, and somehow, it’s considered chic.

But let’s be honest: Millennials weren’t exactly subtle with their fashion choices. Remember their obsession with giant belts? Not the ones that held up your pants, no. These were decorative monstrosities worn over tunics, dresses, and sometimes just for the vibes. “A wide patent leather belt cinched at the waist could apparently solve all your fashion problems, even if you were wearing a dress that looked like a jute sack with glitter on it”, laughed Deepika Aggarwal, a 40-year-old advocate.

And how about those oversized handbags? Millennials carried purses so massive you could smuggle a small dog and a full skincare routine in them. Mary-Kate and Ashley practically made it a competition, the bigger the bag, the more mysterious, and cooler you were. Meanwhile, Gen Z is out here with micro bags that can barely fit a single AirPod, calling it “minimalism.” “Imagine explaining to a Gen Z-er that you once carried a purse, so heavy it gave you scoliosis, and you did it for the look”, says Rani Gupta, a 60-year-old, living in Dwarka, New Delhi.

Oh, and we have to talk about feather hair extensions. It was like everyone thought they were in Charlie’s Angels with a Farrah Fawcett blowout (except, let’s be real, only she pulled it off). Who convinced Millennials that looking like you’d been bombed by a confused parrot was fashionable? Paired with side-swept bangs so intense they could block out the sun rays, the whole vibe was less “effortless cool” and more “woodland creature escaping a music festival.” Say what you want about Gen Z’s chaotic fashion choices, but at least they’ve spared us the bird cosplay.