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In an era where clothing trends repeatedly pay homage to the cyclical nature of fashion and style, it is challenging to determine one that is truly Gen Z at its core. Our style is a mix of everything, but you don’t have to be Gen Z to dress like one — there are certain versatile essentials that can be found in every Gen Z’s wardrobe, and we’ve got you covered on some that should be in yours as well.

The popularisation of thrift stores and awareness of eco-friendly and sustainable fashion has enabled the younger generation to explore their style in a realm of temporal suspension between the old and the new. Some might say we don’t have much to call our own, but on the flip side, there’s everything and more to experiment with.

Despite various influences, ranging from 2000s Y2K fashion to 90s baguette bags, Gen Z style is characterised by its minimalistic nature, which makes it perfect for beating this summer heat while expressing yourself through fashion.

1. Oversized anything and everything — especially jeans

From tees to jeans to skincare routines, Gen Z truly believes in going big or going home (in more ways than one). For the younger generation, Billie Eilish is quite a style icon and has her very own signature style — think ‘big t-shirt Billie Eilish’. Her oversized t-shirts and shorts or jeans also challenge the norms of conventional performing outfits for women pop stars.

So, when you get tired of thinking of your future career and employment prospects, a fun activity to indulge in is playing with the incongruity of proportions and silhouettes in your outfits. While conventional fashion may guide you towards more structured outfits, this Gen Z trend is all about being comfortable and stylish.

Shape is perhaps the easiest way to make an everyday article of clothing stand out and demand attention. You can do it fashionably by investing in a decent pair of wide-legged jeans that will lend your outfit a casual charm, or steal something from your older brother’s closet if you’re into being lowkey — though this will only work if you don’t end up face-planting on concrete, drowning in all that fabric.

2. Floral co-ord sets

Florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but Karachi’s humidity could force even Miranda Priestly to touch grass and embrace the flowers. Despite there being nothing revolutionary about this design, it has quickly become a staple in Gen Z’s ethnic fashion game thanks to its versatility.

You can either head to the mall and take your pick from the dozens of designs displayed in every other store, or kickstart your creativity and choose from a variety of fabrics and prints available at local markets to get everything from shalwar kameez to tiered dresses customised to your style. Whatever you decide, this age-old forgiving pattern will make sure to accommodate you — as long as it doesn’t resemble the design of blankets from your mother’s wedding trousseau.

For a chic and comfortable look, you can turn to small floral prints on cool, pastel bases that have found the perfect balance on the tightrope of casual and pretty outfits that don’t demand much effort, making them characteristically Gen Z.

3. Long skirts

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that this generation is full of paradoxes; on one end, we preach about the importance of sustainability in fashion, but on the other hop on every micro trend that shows up on our Instagram feeds. Yet we’ve also forged a pathway down the middle in the form of thrifting. Teenagers and young adults today are more eco-conscious than any other previous generations, which prompts them to invest in fashion trends that are both sustainable and can be styled in multiple ways.

One such versatile item of clothing is a plain white cotton skirt, which, following the rise of cottagecore and coquette aesthetics, has become a part of every Gen Z closet. However, very few major brands are retailing them, and this has led to many fashion enthusiasts frequenting local markets or Instagram thrift stores, ironically promoting healthier consumption habits.

Now, a white skirt can be styled in multiple ways: you can either dress it down with a graphic t-shirt, or elevate it with a structured top, add platform boots or sneakers, or deck it up with lace, ribbons, or belts, the ball is in your court with this one so make sure to have one as well while you’re at it!

4. Front tie-up shirts

From ramen to SPF to clothes, it’s raining Korea in Pakistan. If there’s one formula brands have cracked to boost sales, it has to be flooding the market with ‘Korean-inspired’ items to entice K-drama and K-pop fans. The good news is that for every subpar remix of flavours, there’s a welcome arrival of fresh, modern style that makes sure to grab our attention, and these front tie-up blouses, popularly known as ‘Korean style blouses’, are an instant addition to our favourites folder.

It highlights the essence of cultural integration via fashion and media and should be celebrated, without being overdone. By spinning a little more modest take on the usually sheer front-open tie-up blouses that can be found all over Pinterest, Pakistani fashion brands have introduced an element of fun to the usually dull monologue of local western-wear.

These blouses are available in a variety of prints and colours, and they can be paired with multiple kinds of undershirts, as well as different bottoms such as jeans or skirts, which makes them inherently versatile. With a breezy and comfortable front-open look, they are an essential garment to don this summer.

5. Fusion fits

Most people would say that there is nothing as essential to a summer wardrobe as a simple white kurta, and even the most uncultured of the youth will agree. From endorsements by millennial celebrities like Mahira Khan, who has a brand dedicated almost entirely to white kurtas, to Gen Z ones like Hania Aamir, no article of clothing has been marketed more effectively or organically.

With a PR game stronger than your favourite influencer, it is hard to resist this age-old garment’s ability to make you romanticise every delusion you’ve ever had.

So, embrace tradition by pairing it with a skirt and khussas as you arrive fashionably late to your next hangout; for an added oomph, grab an iced latte and talk about how much you need it after the long day you’ve had (a 101 on how to trick the amygdala to feel better about yourself).

Or go contemporary by throwing on rugged, oversized jeans, bandanas and chunky sneakers for the perfect Indo-Western fusion outfit that’s comfortable, versatile, and stylish.