Gen Z 100: Trends, Culture, & Food

• Cancel Culture (Joslyn Bowman)

Ever since the sister scandal at the beginning of the year, cancel culture has been much more prominent within our generation. Being canceled is a form of a boycott in which the person being canceled is removed from social circles. Cancel culture is the way that our generation deals with the wrongs that famous people do, especially social media influencers. Canceling people is our way of cutting toxic people from our lives, especially people who don’t particularly deserve fame. Cancel culture definitely won’t be canceled any time soon

• 2016 Clown Breakout (Alexis Drummond)

On October 3, 2016, roughly 500 people were combing the streets looking for cosplayers dressed up as clowns in what is now called the “Penn State Clown Riot.” At first, it didn’t seem like a very big issue, but after a few months of these “evil clown sightings,” it put many people into a panic and many people died, including a 16-year-old boy who was wearing a clown mask. Since this breakout, there have been fewer sightings of “evil” clowns — unless you are counting Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Many people came up with the theory that it was Pennywise coming back after 27 years of being dormant.

• Monster High (Anise Gonzalez)

Calling all girls and ghouls to Monster High, the school where it’s cool to be dead, drop-dead gorgeous. Ever since 2010 Frankie and her ghoulfriends have left a huge imprint on the kids of Gen Z. Their unique personas and fashion style taught boys and girls it’s okay to be unique, it’s okay to be you and it’s definitely better than being like everyone else.

• Street Fashion (Anise Gonzalez)

 Teenagers go through trends like crazy every year we’re out with the old and in with the new, mostly being clothing brands or styles. A style that has taken to us pretty quickly was street fashion. Dressing in baggy clothes, a crap ton of layers and only the best accessories.  Street fashion gives us the excuse to dress how ever we want and basically call it fashion.

• Designer Brands (Stephanie Pickens)

In songs and commercials to fashion and celebrities, designer brands have transformed the culture of the materialistic world. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, and Chanel are a list of many that are constantly seen on today’s artists and have become a very prominent measure of success and riches as well as something to flex with in art. Many rappers and hip hop artists refer to a designer in different ways in their songs to reflect the success they have achieved. 

• Screenshots Culture #NoPicHoax (Irl Paulalengan)

In today’s world, technology makes it easier for fake news and fake information to go around. Especially for Gen Z that is always curious about the latest and most controversial tea, exaggeration and false information seem unavoidable. However, our generation is pretty resilient — maybe because we always wanted to be heard and taken seriously — and that’s when screenshots become super popular to back up an argument or chats. Just take a look at James Charles and Tati’s Feud; almost all videos that talk about the video, even the video from James himself consist of receipts and screenshots. 

•  Popeyes (Ruth Mesfin)

Popeyes recently introduced their chicken sandwich which instantly became a craze for teenagers everywhere. Competing with Chick-Fil-A, it became a popular trend for teenagers to compare the two sandwiches. The first time they released, within hours the sandwiches were gone, and were off the menu within two weeks, before finally returning. It’s safe to say that Popeyes has the approval and support of generation z.

• Chick-fil-a (Cade Palmer)

Chick-fil-a is for sure one of the best restaurants of the decade. Even though they’re closed on Sundays, they’re still one of the most popular and successful restaurants in America. And, even though Popeyes tried to take their thunder with the chicken sandwich, they held strong and still have the best chicken sandwich out there.

• Canes (Oscar Perez)

Canes is arguably one of if not the best fast food restaurant on the west side of the United States. Slowly but surely, it is making its debut in various cities and they aren’t slowing down. The perfect food bundle consists of french fries, chicken, bread, and a mysterious best tasting sauce that’s ever been created.

• Thrift Stores (Mercedes Capozzolo)

With the unique clothing and cheap prices, gen z has flocked to the thrift stores to buy their new outfits. Thrift stores hold everything from new, used, brand name and even designer for cheap prices. It’s easy to go into a thrift store and find exactly what you’re looking for and leave without spending over $50. Therefore they are common today’s generation.

• Vintage Style (Mercedes Capozzolo)

The vintage style coming right out of the 70s, 80s, and 90s have come back full force in today’s generation, from curly and permed hairstyles tot he high waisted and mom style jeans. Even fanny packs have become popular again! This style is either loved or hated in today’s generation but is absolutely adored by the former generations who watch as today’s kids rock the same styles that they used to. 

• The comeback of friendship bracelets  (Miriame Dimulu)

Friendship bracelets are making a comeback because, in recent years, there has been a need for items that bring nostalgia and friendship bracelets are one of those. The same generation of kids that abandoned these cute sentimental items are the same generation looking for people to make cute ones that they now wear with their best friends on a day to day basis.