Summary of "How Are Different Generations Approaching Style? We Hosted a Roundtable to Find Out"
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Podcast: The Who What Wear Podcast
Host: Who What Wear
Introduction to the Roundtable Discussion
In this engaging episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Cat Collings moderates a dynamic roundtable featuring diverse voices from different generational cohorts to explore how each generation approaches fashion and beauty. The panel includes:
- Faith Hitchin: VP of Marketing at Voicemail and content creator specializing in Gen Alpha trends.
- Tabitha Sanchez: Celebrity stylist working with prominent Gen Z figures like Chloe Cherry and Tate McRae.
- Casey Lewis: Youth trend reporter and author of the widely-read Substack newsletter, After School.
- India Hitchin: Faith’s daughter, representing the Gen Alpha perspective.
This episode delves deep into generational preferences, favorite brands, style icons, trend cycles, and beauty practices, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of fashion across ages.
Favorite Brands Across Generations
The discussion kicks off with each panelist sharing their favorite brands and designers that resonate with their respective generations.
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Faith Hitchin ([07:28]) highlights a resurgence of early 2000s brands among Gen Alpha, noting how brands like etiquette have become popular again. She observes, “Gen A has reclaimed brands that millennials didn’t quite pick up on, making them their own.”
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Tabitha Sanchez ([09:55]) points out Gen Z’s love for smaller, niche designers such as Blondita, Mew Mew, and vintage shopping is prevalent among her clients. She emphasizes, “It’s all about the hunt and personal style rather than sticking to one brand.”
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Casey Lewis ([10:36]) discusses the division within Gen Z, where older members lean towards designer brands while younger members, akin to Gen Alpha, prefer retailers like Garage and styles such as baggy cargos from Hollister and American Eagle. She notes, “Younger Gen Zers are shopping at Garage, which I never even heard of until I started watching back-to-school hauls.”
Style Icons: Shifting Aspirations
The panel explores how style icons differ across generations and the shifting nature of celebrity influence.
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Casey Lewis ([13:21]) shares insights from interviewing tweens who largely look up to TikTok influencers rather than traditional celebrities, stating, “They're consuming YouTube and TikTok stars, not the OG celebrities like Misha Barton.”
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Faith Hitchin ([13:57]) adds that Gen Alpha and Gen Z prefer influencers like Tara Yummy, saying, “TikTok girls really grab their attention, but mainstream celebrities don’t hold the same sway.”
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Tabitha Sanchez ([15:10]) agrees, emphasizing minimal interest in traditional celebrities among Gen Z, “I don’t think many of my friends care about older celebrities. It’s about the new wave of influencers.”
Navigating Rapid Trend Cycles
A significant portion of the discussion centers on how different generations handle the fast-paced nature of modern fashion trends.
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Cat Collings ([16:07]) expresses surprise at the speed of trend cycles, remarking, “Keeping up with the pace of the trends feels intense to me as a millennial.”
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Casey Lewis ([16:18]) reflects on the fluidity of identity and style among young people, influenced by platforms like TikTok, “Young people can try on different styles with low stakes, unlike the high stakes of school fashion days.”
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Faith Hitchin ([16:40]) observes that younger generations integrate inspiration organically, without feeling pressured to conform immediately, “They integrate inspiration into their organic style, not feeling the need to follow trends rigidly.”
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Tabitha Sanchez ([16:59]) adds that her clients prefer timeless individual styles over fleeting trends, “We try not to lean into any trends or micro-trends because they go away so quickly.”
Millennials vs. Younger Generations: Fashion Faux Pas
The conversation turns to items fashionable among millennials that younger generations find outdated or cringe-worthy.
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Cat Collings ([18:30]) lists items like skinny jeans, side parts, and short ankle socks as millennial staples that elicit strong reactions from younger listeners.
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Tabitha Sanchez ([19:24]) humorously declares an aversion to exposed toes, “If we can avoid me seeing your toes, I prefer it.”
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Faith Hitchin ([22:00]) shares her millennial perspective, contrasting it with Gen Alpha’s playful mixing of patterns and colors, “I need a color palette to make sense in my outfit or else it triggers something in my brain.”
Beauty Trends: From Mascara to Minimalism
Shifting focus to beauty practices, the panel discusses generational differences in makeup and skincare.
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Casey Lewis ([21:37]) notes a decline in traditional makeup like mascara among Gen Z, with a preference for minimalism, “Gen Zers are moving away from mascara and embracing more natural looks.”
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Faith Hitchin ([25:04]) observes that Gen Alpha's beauty routine is casual and emphasizes skincare over heavy makeup, “My daughter does a lot of skincare at night and prefers a low-key morning routine.”
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Tabitha Sanchez ([25:15]) complements this by mentioning the popularity of clean faces with subtle lip or eye accents in Gen Z styling.
Emerging Trends and Future Outlook
The panelists share their perspectives on upcoming fashion trends and their implications for different generations.
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Casey Lewis ([27:50]) is excited about denim's resurgence, predicting a broader acceptance and experimentation with styles like high-rise and baggy jeans post-COVID.
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Tabitha Sanchez ([29:54]) expresses enthusiasm for unique designer pieces and the challenge of maintaining originality amidst trend cycles, “It's hard to pin down trends because so much is happening online.”
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Faith Hitchin ([30:23]) highlights Gen Alpha’s affinity for personalized accessories like Crocs and the ongoing interest in sweater styles with a Scandinavian influence.
Generational Communication and Trend Translation
Towards the end, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting generational differences in style and expression.
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India Hitchin ([35:44]) appreciates her mother's efforts to translate Gen Alpha trends for older audiences, stating, “It's helpful for people who don’t really understand it or are a little confused.”
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Faith Hitchin ([48:10]) advocates for acceptance and support of younger generations’ self-expression, “It's important that millennials let them figure it out and not judge them too harshly.”
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up with gratitude towards the panelists and a reminder to listeners to subscribe and engage with the podcast. The discussion underscores the evolving nature of fashion and beauty across generations, highlighting the importance of embracing diversity in style and the continuous cycle of trend innovation.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Faith Hitchin ([07:28]): “Gen A has reclaimed brands that millennials didn’t quite pick up on, making them their own.”
- Casey Lewis ([10:36]): “Younger Gen Zers are shopping at Garage, which I never even heard of until I started watching back-to-school hauls.”
- Faith Hitchin ([13:57]): “TikTok girls really grab their attention, but mainstream celebrities don’t hold the same sway.”
- Casey Lewis ([16:18]): “Young people can try on different styles with low stakes, unlike the high stakes of school fashion days.”
- Tabitha Sanchez ([19:24]): “If we can avoid me seeing your toes, I prefer it.”
- Faith Hitchin ([25:04]): “My daughter does a lot of skincare at night and prefers a low-key morning routine.”
- Casey Lewis ([27:50]): “Denim is going to have a bigger season this year than they've had since 2019.”
- India Hitchin ([35:44]): “It's helpful for people who don’t really understand it or are a little confused.”
Final Remarks
This episode of The Who What Wear Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of how different generations navigate the dynamic worlds of fashion and beauty. Through insightful discussions and relatable anecdotes, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the unique stylistic preferences and cultural influences shaping each generation's approach to style.