10 Millennial Fashion Trends
Since I was born the same year as Taylor Swift, I am a millennial…and an unabashed millennial at that! I have a couple of Gen Z brothers that keep me young and a blog that keeps me chronically online, so I like to think I’m up with the trends, especially related to fashion. That said, I’m pretty slow to try a new trend and will avoid trends completely if I think they’re not for me. Since I’m in my 30s now, I feel much more comfortable doing what’s best for me and not following what everyone else is doing.
You can probably spot a millennial from a mile away, and you know what, that’s okay! We are dressing for ourselves and for our millennial counterparts. We don’t need to impress anyone, and certainly not anyone in Gen Z. We like what we like! If you’re still wearing your favorite clothes from 10 or so years ago—and ENJOY wearing your clothes from 10 years ago—keep rocking them. There’s no need to buy a completely new closet to feel confident in what you wear. You’re already wearing what you love, you just might want to tweak a few things about your outfits to feel current for 2024 (and beyond).
Below, I rounded up 10 quintessential millennial fashion trends (with the outfits to prove it) and how I’d style them for today. The younger generations may not be caught dead in these trends, but we millennials wore these in our formative years, so it’s hard to get rid of them completely! (Plus, fashion goes beyond our physical clothes and includes how we express ourselves through our outfits.) I also shared a list of top millennial fashion brands to check out! If you’re a fellow millennial, this post is for you. 🫶🏻
READ NEXT: Millennial Style: 6 New Denim Trends to Try
10 Millennial Fashion Trends
1. Skinny Jeans
When you think of millennial, the first thing you probably think of is the skinny jean. That is the quintessential piece of millennial clothing. I’ve been known to say that you can have my skinny jeans if you pry them off of my cold, dead body. That’s how much I loved them. Ask any of us… We can’t quit the skinny jean.
I’m just as shocked as anyone else that I’ve been wearing other denim styles (try kick crop or straight leg if you’re still nervous to branch out). I now reach for jeans that are NOT skinny more than I do skinny. It took a couple of years of avoiding looking at myself in the mirror when I wear wide leg jeans to get to the point where I actively choose jeans that are not skinny.
That said, there is no denim style that works as well in the winter (rain, slush, snow, etc.) as skinny jeans. They don’t bunch when you tuck them into winter boots. Skinny jeans are still the GOAT. If you’re still wearing them now, I recommend going oversized with your tops, sweaters, and/or third pieces to balance the slim leg!
2. Ankle Boots
Besides skinny jeans, in years past, you’d find me in low-shaft leather ankle boots 99% of the time. It all started with the Madewell Billie boot. I was simply obsessed! The Sam Edelman Petty was another millennial classic; I’m pretty sure everyone on the Female Fashion Advice subreddit owned a pair of those boots 10 years ago.
Nowadays, people are saying the low-shaft ankle boots of 10 years ago are not in style anymore. (Who are “people”? I’m not sure to be honest. This is just what I’ve heard from being online.) The skinny jean and ankle boot combo like I’m wearing here screams millennial. Honestly, I don’t have a problem wearing these outfits now even if they aren’t considered stylish anymore.
If you want to update your outfits for 2024, pair your low-shaft ankle boots with different denim styles (straight leg, kick crop, or wide leg jeans) OR try a whole new ankle boot style altogether: pick a pair with a taller, slimmer shaft that hugs the leg. Skinnier heels and square toes are also considered on trend in 2024.
3. The French Tuck
I don’t know about you all, but I did a French tuck almost every time I wore a tee…or sweater. As a short person, most of the tops I own are just slightly too long to not tuck in some way, and we millennials loved a French tuck, which is when you tuck only the front of your top and leave the back loose and untucked.
Before high-rise jeans and pants were a thing (and hopefully won’t be going away for a while, I say as I side-eye the attempts to bring low-rise pants back), we were French tucking our tops. Now that I wear exclusively high-rise bottoms, I find a French tuck to be awkward and therefore either tuck the top entirely or wear tops that are cropped and don’t need any sort of tuck.
French tucks are associated with millennials and now feel “dated” (even though I still do it on occasion—sue me, ha). To feel more updated for 2024, wear high-rise bottoms and tuck your tops entirely! If you’re petite like I am, I also recommend shorter tops and sweaters to avoid having to tuck anything.
4. Utility Jackets
This military green utility jacket had an absolute chokehold on us millennials. The pockets! The random straps! The buttons! Everyone seemed to own at least one variation of this jacket, and many people (especially bloggers) owned different styles and colors of utility jackets. (I just had the one—this old green one from Madewell.)
The truth about utility jackets is that it hasn’t really gone away, but the style has evolved over the past 10 years. What was popular then isn’t as popular now. You’ll find utility jackets that have fewer “bells and whistles” (pockets and buttons), a cropped length, and/ or a slightly oversized fit.
If you still have a utility jacket from years past, pair it with a top tucked into high-rise jeans or pants (like in my first outfit above). Try to avoid wearing it with skinny jeans if you don’t want to scream to everyone that you’re a millennial with your outfit. If you’re like me and don’t really care that you look like a millennial, rock the skinny jeans with your jacket!
5. Tall Boots
I love tall boots, y’all, and not just because I’m a former equestrian. There was a very specific style that was popular when I started blogging over 10 years ago: the slouchy, just-under-the-knee, flat faux leather boot. I owned a pair myself and loved them. A couple years into blogging, I upgraded those boots to a much more timeless style from Cole Haan (the first pair above) and have owned those ever since!
Millennials also love the ubiquitous Frye leather boots, especially the Melissa button boot. I feel like everyone and their mom owned at pair at one point. The rounded top with the pull tabs on the sides are a very western style, which made them perfect to wear with flowy maxi skirts and to every country concert ever.
Tall boots have evolved a bit since then. Nowadays, tall boots have a thinner heel. I personally can’t walk in thin heels, so I’ll stick with my block-heel boots. Be sure to keep at least one pair of skinny jeans to tuck them into your tall boots! I’ve also worn my tall boots under wide leg pants.
6. Peplum Tops
Oh, the peplum top. I have a few nightmares relating to the very exaggerated peplum tops of 10 years ago (you know, the ones all over Pinterest with the giant ruffle worn with the bubble statement necklace and “arm party”). You probably think millennial when you see a peplum top because of that.
I only dabbled in the peplum trend. At one point, I owned three different peplum tops, all with less aggressive ruffles along the bottom of the tops (two of those tops are shown above). I love the subtle peplum ruffle; they’re just enough to add some interest to relatively simply tops. They instantly dress up any outfit.
Is it weird that peplum tops are kind of making a comeback? I’m not sure we’ll ever go back to the super exaggerated peplum ruffles (at least… not yet), but right now the slight ruffle is back and it’s time to rock them again if you stopped! Pair them with longer shorts or straight leg jeans this time around.
7. Oversized Scarves
Blanket scarves were THE thing when I started blogging. Do you remember that one Zara scarf that everyone had (or that everyone owned a knock-off of because every other retailer copied it)? I had my own, of course. Blanket scarves were so hard to style and make you look top heavy, especially if you’re short, but goodness, we millennials were going to wear them and we were going to like it!
I still own some oversized scarves, and I have one that I really could wear like a blanket (the camel one above). Those are extremely nice to carry with you on a plane! But, those blanket scarves that we millennials were into are not really on trend anymore. I’m not really sure what is, to be honest; thinner cashmere scarves? (I have one of those too so hopefully ha.)
If you still own your oversized scarf, I recommend using it like a blanket when traveling. You can also try tucking it into a wool coat to give you an extra layer of warmth. Otherwise, embrace it like Lenny Kravitz and make it the focal point of your winter outfit.
8. Flat Loafers
Loafers are very much a timeless shoe. They’ve been worn for decades, but in various styles depending on what’s on trend. 10 years ago, the only loafers you’d find on the feet of millennial women were flat loafers. They have a slim, low profile compared to the lugsole and platform loafers of 2024. I feel like my feet look “dainty” in them.
Because loafers are fairly timeless across styles, I have no problems wearing my flat loafers today, especially because Gucci has kept them in style thanks to their horsebit loafer (and people have been raving about these Boden loafers, which are similar to Gucci but way less expensive and are on my list to try).
To update your loafers for now, pair them with an updated pant or denim style (keep them cropped to show off your shoe). If you’re over the dainty flat loafer, there are tons of lugsole and/or platform loafers in stores now! The loafers with thicker soles read less casual if you plan to wear them to work.
9. Lightweight Cardigans
Millennials love a good lightweight, open cardigan, preferably one with pockets! The cardigans we gravitate towards hit at or just below the hip. Since I’m borderline petite, I consider cardigans this length to be “long” even though they aren’t really that long (some may consider mid-thigh-length or longer to be “long” cardigans); read my tips for how to wear a long cardigan!
You really don’t see these types of cardigans all that often anymore. Gen Z is loving cropped cardigans that they wear fully buttoned like a sweater. I still love wearing my lightweight cardigans, especially at the office in the summer months when the A/C is way too cold for how hot it is outside. They’re the perfect summer layer!
If you still own yours and want to wear them and look more updated for 2024, try not to wear them with skinny jeans (do as I say, not as I did a few years ago ha). Try them with a new jean or pant silhouette! Opt for jeans or shorts with a high rise and a cropped or tucked in top to elongate your leg line, especially if you’re short like me.
10. Short Shorts
It pains me to see myself in shorts this short, lol! I have to remind myself that I was in my 20s when I wore these outfits. It was a different time then. Millennials love a good short shorts moment; I’m sure it’s something all generations experience when they are in their 20s. That’s when you’re convinced you look terrible but then looking back 10 years later you realize you actually looked great and misogyny is ingrained into all of us! Yay!
Absolutely no shame if you are a millennial and in your 30s or 40s and still prefer to wear shorts with a short inseam (and lower rise). Please, wear what you love without worrying about what others may think of you! I don’t hate super-short shorts, but nowadays I’ll buy a higher rise to balance the shorter inseam.
If you are over short shorts, the bermuda shorts with longer inseams (to mid-thigh or the knee) are actually making a comeback. You can also try a looser chino short that comes to your mid-thigh. Or even a boyfriend-style denim short!
Top Millennial Fashion Brands
If you are a millennial wondering where to shop for clothes that fit the millennial aesthetic (or if you want to freshen up your wardrobe with a few new on-trend pieces without breaking the bank), here’s a list of 15 top fashion brands for millennials. What are your favorite retailers to shop for millennial styles?
Are you a millennial looking for workwear? This is one of the top fashion brands for classic, everyday pieces that can be worn to the office or to a fancy event after work or on the weekend.
Anthropologie is THE place to shop if you’re a millennial that loves a statement piece and don’t mind spending a little more for something special. Free People (Anthro’s sister store) is also popular amongst millennials if you are into the boho vibe.
Banana Republic is owned by the Gap (and they also own Old Navy) and, like Ann Taylor, is a millennial favorite for workwear. They’ve have a bit of rebrand in recent years but are still a brand you can count on for stylish office clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Everlane was the new kid on the block when I started blogging all those years ago, but they quickly rose to the top of the favorites list for millennials in grad school like me who wanted to buy some nicer pieces but not spend too much of their limited income!
If you’re a millennial and you see the brand Express, you probably think of nights out wearing those “fancy” night out tops everyone bought from Express. Haha! That is definitely a millennial core memory. Express is still out here thriving with their smart casual offerings that are perfect for an office setting.
H&M is a fast fashion brand that caters to Gen Z and millennials alike. H&M can feel super overwhelming, so it’s best to go into that store (or on the website) with a bit of a plan. It’s a great place to browse for new, inexpensive trendy pieces, and you can recycle your old trashed clothes to receive a discount!
J.Crew has been a classic for many years, and I’m not sure whether Gen X or millennials claim this brand, but I know it was definitely a millennial favorite, especially if you prefer the preppy style. J.Crew is the older sister to Madewell with a more timeless sense of style (but with plenty of trendy pieces, too).
LOFT is a sister store to Ann Taylor. She’s like the slightly younger millennial sister that offers stylish pieces for work as well as loungewear for remote work or lounging around on the weekends.
Millennials really love their Lululemon, and it took me until last year to understand why. If you’re shopping for activewear, you’ve probably heard about Lululemon, which offers cult favorites like their Align leggings (which pretty much never go on sale).
We millennials love a good pair of jeans (or two… or more), and Madewell is one of our favorite fashion brands to buy denim. Madewell has been a mainstay in my closet for close to 10 years now. They do denim, shoes, and leather bags very well!
Nordstrom is a top choice for millennials when it comes to big box stores that carry a variety of brands, from luxury brands all the way down to brands that you can afford even if you’re on a grad student budget. It definitely became a fast favorite of mine when I lived in Utah and still are thanks to their return policy!
The North Face is like the outdoorsy version of Lululemon. Those puffers have had a chokehold on me since I was in high school! They’re a consistent millennial favorite, and they offer outerwear for all kinds of summer and winter activities.
Old Navy is perfect for millennials shopping on a budget; they’re a fast fashion brand but are a great option if you’re looking to try a new trend without breaking the bank. If you take care of your Old Navy clothes, they’ll last for years!
Remember the Petty ankle boot I mentioned earlier? Not only is Sam Edelman known for that shoe, they’re also known for those suede over-the-knee boots that everyone wanted but few could afford (bc we all had student loans to pay off). Sam Edelman still offers beautiful, high quality shoes!
I’m sure one of—if not THE—first retailer you think of when you hear the word “millennial” is Target. Target is a favorite among all generations but especially millennial women. We can’t walk in without buying 10 things that weren’t on our list, and they have an extensive fashion section that’s always fun to browse.