← The Who What Wear Podcast
The Who What Wear Podcast
How Are Different Generations Approaching Style? We Hosted a Roundtable to Find Out
00:49:07
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- [00:02]
Faith Hitchin
Thank you to ebay for sponsoring this episode.
- [00:05]
Casey Lewis
This is what you do.
- [00:06]
Cat Collings
When you have high standards and fancy all the fancy things like an iconic Dior saddle bag or that diamond tennis.
- [00:14]
Faith Hitchin
Bracelet, you go to ebay.
- [00:17]
Cat Collings
There you'll find new loves that will never disappoint. Expertly authenticated and everything. Whether it's that vintage pearl necklace or brand new ruby earrings, a Prada crossbody.
- [00:29]
Faith Hitchin
Bag to be besties with your other handb. Even an eternally classic watch like that Rolex oyster or that Cartier tank. You know the one. And when you find it, ebay has their expert's eyes to make sure you're.
- [00:45]
Cat Collings
Getting the real deal. That way you can be confident that the designer finds you came for the luxury wardrobe that you've always wanted. It's all real.
- [00:55]
Faith Hitchin
In fact, it's verified authentic.
- [00:58]
Cat Collings
So bring your high standards and never limit what you can find.
- [01:02]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah, ebay.
- [01:04]
Cat Collings
The place for new, pre loved vintage and rare fashion. Ebay things people love. Welcome to the who what Wear podcast, your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors and tastemakers who are shaping the ever evolving world of fashion. I'm who what where Editor in Chief Cat Collings, and today we're talking all about generational trends. We've assembled a panel of four different voices from across the spectrum of generational style. Joining us today is the very talented stylist Tabitha Sanchez, who's worked with celebrities like Chloe Cherry, Tate McRae and lots of other Gen Z folks. We've also got Casey Lewis, the youth trend reporter who writes the popular substack After School. And lastly, we have Faith Hitchen, who works in marketing and also happens to create hilarious, insightful videos reporting on popular trends from her daughter's middle school carpool pickup line. And of course, for the Gen Alpha pov, we had Faith's daughter India come on as well. Probably the youngest person to ever join the who what where pod. It's all coming up on who what where. Hi everyone. Welcome to the who what where Podcast. I am so excited for this episode because we're doing something a little different today. We're hoping to encourage some group chat energy with a panel of lovely people. And so let's start start by introducing our group we have here today. We'll start with Jen A. So Faith, even though you yourself are not Jenna, you speak for them and you are in a household with at least one gen a person. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the type of content you create?
- [03:04]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah. So my name is Faith Hitchin. I am the VP of Marketing at Voicemail, so I am a marketing girly myself, and I was kind of inspired to create content about what I was seeing with my own daughter, I think in an effort to kind of, like, process her growing up and just kind of, like, the differences that she was experiencing as a teenager and what I experienced. But I used to send text updates to all of my friends who are also in brands, and we would chat all the time, and I would be like, this is what I'm seeing. You know, this is what India's doing. This is what all of our friends are doing. And one day I was sitting in a carpool pickup line, and I was like, oh, my gosh, I should just record this on TikTok. Because, like, all my friends thought it was hilarious that they were getting all these updates. And so I just did it, and then I just kept doing it. I like to give the updates that I'm seeing irl, and a lot of times it is in the carpool pickup line.
- [04:02]
Cat Collings
I love your content, and it's fun to hear the backstory. It's smart to me that these people that are really tapped into youth culture, that you have this direct line to them and are supplying your insights. But I'm glad you took them to the masses, because that's how I came across your content.
- [04:16]
Faith Hitchin
Thank you.
- [04:17]
Cat Collings
Okay, next we have our Gen Z representative, Tabitha Sanchez. Tabitha, tell us how you got into celebrity styling, who you're currently working with, and how you sort of lean into the Gen Z aesthetic in your work.
- [04:29]
Tabitha Sanchez
Yeah, I got into celebrity styling kind of like when Covid hit. Before that, I had been assisting and then interning, and Covid hit, everything shut down. And my younger sister, she's 13 now, suggested I download TikTok. And I realized there was this whole group of untapped talent who didn't have stylists. So I reached out to a lot of them, and I kind of just started working virtually with them while I was still living in New York. And then I moved to LA and started styling, and I've kind of just, like, gone from there. And in terms of, like, who my clients are, I'm working with Hannah Berner. She's a comedian. She hosts a podcast. She's amazing. Chloe Cherry, Zoe Lerma, Quinn Blackwell. Like a lot of the Gen Z girls.
- [05:19]
Cat Collings
Yeah. I feel like, honestly, as a millennial, knowing your client list is kind of like a who's who in the Gen Z world. Yeah, I love it. I'll be representing the millennial pov Today, I am smack dab in the middle of that generation. And then to top it off, we have Casey Lewis, who authors the popular After School substack and hosts a podcast by the same name. So, Kasey, tell us how you got interested in youth trends and Internet culture and the content we can find on your platforms. I'm a big fan of your newsletter.
- [05:49]
Casey Lewis
Thank you, Kat. I have always been really interested in youth trends since I was a teen myself and was obsessed with teen magazines. And I didn't think about trend cycles then the same way I do now, but a lot of my interests were the same in terms of like, oh, they're wearing a chunky gold bangle here and here and here and here. What is this larger trend? So about three years ago, I started after school. The trend cycle was just so accelerated with TikTok and wanted a place to keep track of all this stuff. And so I had worked in media for a long time, worked at Teen Vogue, worked at mtv, and had always spoken to young people. But then as I was getting older, speaking to young people was becoming increasingly hard, but also less interesting. But understanding young people and how to translate that for brands became more interesting. So that is a lot of the content that I make with after school. I dabble in TikTok here and there and, you know, LinkedIn, Twitter, like all of the platforms that we content creators and also just humans that have professional lives have to exist on.
- [06:52]
Cat Collings
Amazing. Sounds like you're very interested in the data of it all too, in terms of spotting trends and tracking them over time.
- [06:59]
Casey Lewis
Yes, a hundred percent. Especially because the way that media covers trends has changed so much in the last couple of years.
- [07:05]
Cat Collings
Okay, so let's dive into some quick rapid fire questions about the fashion world just to get a pulse of, like, what's the millennial Gen A, Gen Z perspective on some of these things? And I'd love to hear each of your thoughts. So let's talk about favorite brands to shop that are favorites of your generation. Like, what are the designers that your cohort buys and or aspires to buy? Why don't we start with you, Faith?
- [07:28]
Faith Hitchin
So what's interesting to me about Gen A is that right now there's a lot of callback to brands that I think were really popular in the early 2000s, which I think we all know, and also the styles that some brands have continued to make but that millennials didn't quite pick up on, and then, like, Gen A has reclaimed. So in terms of brands, the store etiquette is like massively blowing up right now. I was just in New York over the weekend. There was like, a line around the corner in soho. It's huge. What I'm seeing on my side is that, like, they're pulling some things from Gen Z, but then they're kind of making it their own in some ways. So my daughter will get things from etiquette, and then she'll kind of tweak them in a Gen A way by, like, cutting them or, like, tying a string around the back of her pants in order to make it a little bit more Gen A. And then Brandy Melville has and always will be the reigning brand when it comes to controversially, probably younger generations. I think that it was true for millennials all the way down to Jenna. And then she wanted all of these different styles of dickies for this school year. So she was really, really into a lot of the cargo style dickies. And I mean, we are a West Coast. We're in la. You know, trending on Coastline is a little bit different. I was seeing different things when I was in New York this weekend with younger kids. And the preppy girls tend to be in the middle of the country who are a little more Stanley driven. And then Pro Club. Pro Club has had a massive rise, I think, in the last couple of years, and she's obsessed with them.
- [09:04]
Tabitha Sanchez
What's Pro Club?
- [09:06]
Faith Hitchin
Pro Club is an athleisure wear brand. Originally, they were really big in the 90s, and a lot of Gen A kids, at least in California and la, have kind of again, they're a little bit dickie style. It's just like hyper baggy cargo pants and shorts.
- [09:25]
Cat Collings
I have some addicted shoes and I got rid of them recently because I was like, I'm too old for these.
- [09:30]
Faith Hitchin
It's very millennial of me to have botched the name of it. Also, haven't had coffee this morning yet. But yes, she's obsessed with that brand. But it's funny because, like, when we're shopping, if she sees someone too much older than her grab something, she will put it back. They're a little brutal, I would say, Jenna. Like, they're very territorial about their generation and, like, what it means to a Gen A versus a Gen Z. Even so, I think it's kind of funny.
- [09:56]
Cat Collings
Interesting. What about you, Tabitha? What do you think are some of Gen Z's favorite brands to shop or designers they gravitate towards?
- [10:02]
Tabitha Sanchez
It's kind of similar to, I feel like the Gen A, like the addicted, the jaded London. But then there's like, all of these smaller designers, like Blondita is a really cool like LA based brand. Sabrina Carpenter just wore them in her taste music video. The girls love Mew Mew. They love also just like vintage. I feel like most of my clients and like my friends, we go to the flea market every weekend. We're vintage shopping. I think it's all about the hunt. Less so like the brand, if that makes sense. The personal style of it all.
- [10:37]
Casey Lewis
I think Tabitha and Faith, you guys both hit on things that I'm seeing. And I think a really interesting layer of this generation Gen Z is that the elder Gen zers are very interested in designer and finding designer gems, while the younger gen zers are a bit more like the alphas in that they're shopping at Addicted. Garage is a big one that came up in Back to School Halls. I think a lot of the baggy cargo, the baggy sweats from Hollister and Abercrombie and American Eagle and this like tube top cargo sweats look that was very popular on Back to School halls seems to be a very big thing. And that's mostly Garage, which Garage was a retailer that I never even heard of until I started watching Back to school hauls last year.
- [11:27]
Tabitha Sanchez
It's actually really funny. I've also styled a campaign for Garage when they were trying to bridge this Gen Z market and a lot of the girls I work with model for them. So they bring in these influencer girls instead of models to almost self style and target the Gen A and Gen Z audiences and brand partnerships and stuff.
- [11:47]
Casey Lewis
Almost like the Brandy Melville model, like let's put our clothes on cool girls.
- [11:52]
Tabitha Sanchez
It's very that. And they like put the clothes on these cool girls and then it seems kind of like organic content. But they're, I mean not obvious to like a consumer, but they're obviously getting paid to like do this. But it looks organic.
- [12:05]
Cat Collings
That's interesting. I feel like in the millennial world, you know, in the accessible brands, realm brands like Levi's, New Balance, things like that, have a lot of weight in the designer world. Brands like Kate, for example, are kind of like catnip for a certain millennial lady. And it's interesting that like the Abercrombie and Fitch of it all, like ones that were relevant for millennials in their high school years and now has had this interesting resurgence.
- [12:32]
Faith Hitchin
There was a TikTok going around of an old Abercrombie catalog and I sat down with India and I was like, okay, tell me what of this you would wear now? And it was really fascinating. Because it was like over half of it, like slay boots. Like she was really very into it. And I feel like it's interesting because Abercrombie is like the brand we all share and it's just a testament to their ability to have rebranded, honestly. But I think it is interesting.
- [13:01]
Cat Collings
Let's move on to style icons. I'm curious the people that are aspirational, style wise for each generation. I've just got some people on my list here, like Zendaya. And then there's the throwback people like Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana. We've got a millennial favorite, Alexa Chung, maybe Gen Z, Emma Chamberlain. But Jen A. I could not even come up with a name. So I'm very curious to hear.
- [13:22]
Casey Lewis
Yeah, I actually interviewed 20ish tweens for a story in February and I asked them all about their style icons and none of them had like, names that they could provide. You know, they would say like, oh, influencers I see on TikTok. And then I would say, what influencers? And they would say, oh, you know, just like there was just like no specific names. And then I would say, well, what about celebrities? And they're like, ah, well, I think many of them are so young at this point that they're consuming YouTube. They're not consuming the OC like we were. You know, it's not like Misha Barton. You don't have that sort of name recognition. But Faith, what are you seeing?
- [13:58]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah, I actually agree. I'm like, very curious what is going to happen to celebrities when Jenna really comes to fruition? Because they don't really care that much about them. Like my daughter even. She'll catch on to certain, like, dramas that are going on, but only if they make it onto TikTok. But like, she will watch TV but she doesn't attach herself to celebrities in the same way that hyper millennial culture was attaching yourself to like what you were seeing on tv. And like, it's just very different for them. They're much harder to impress, I think, in some ways, or they just don't care as much. But I would say that like the TikTok girls really do grab their attention. I think that they can just get really easily influenced by random videos that they see. But there are people like Mads, like Tara Yummy. Like, you know, some of those creators who are like, again, they're firmly Gen Z. I think that's what happens. You tend to look at an older generation, but I do think if they identify anyone, it's those people. But in General, if you were to ask them about, like, a major celebrity outside of a musician, they don't really care that much about them, so. So that's my experience, at least.
- [15:11]
Tabitha Sanchez
I agree. I'm not Jenna, but, like, I guess Gen Z, I don't particularly care about any celebrities, and I don't really think many of my friends do. I think there's, like, very few. I feel like Emma Chamberlain is amazing. Like, you mentioned, like, Tara Yummy. It kind of depends on what the person likes.
- [15:29]
Cat Collings
Casey, what you're saying with Misha Barton made me think of also, like, Serena Vander woods and Gossip Girl. Like, there was not very many choices, and everybody had the same opinion. And it just sounds like worlds apart from where Gen Z or Gen Alpha are today.
- [15:43]
Casey Lewis
Yeah. With young people, they can have parasocial relationships with so many people, and they're not even celebrities to them. They, I guess, are celebrities. They can find so many people whose lives, styles, manners of speaking, et cetera, they want to emulate. And it can change every day too.
- [15:59]
Tabitha Sanchez
I mean, it's even like the quick shift between, like, Bratz Summer and then, like, literally, like, overnight, they were like, it's demure fall.
- [16:07]
Cat Collings
The quickness blows my mind. Just the keeping up with the pace of the trends feels intense to me as a millennial. But I'm curious how Jenna and Gen Z approach that speed of the trend cycle, at least.
- [16:19]
Tabitha Sanchez
Like, in my experience with my clients, we try not to lean into any, like, trends or micro trends because it goes away so quickly. Tara Yummy is, like, a great example. She has such a unique sense of style, and it's not a trend. That's just how she dresses and how she is. And so I find that, like, a lot of my clients, we stay away from trends.
- [16:40]
Faith Hitchin
It's interesting because I feel like what's actually happening for Jenna and Gen Z, there's just a lot of inspiration coming out of a lot of, like, creative and authentic people. And it's hyper online, and so you're getting a lot of it. So I think that millennials at the top of the media funnel are, like, at the bottom, I guess, maybe because we're, like, in charge now, are kind of, like, try to trendify it, you know what I mean? Because, like, that's the fashion cycle. That's the way that things go. But I think that, like, younger generations are just getting inspired, and they'll integrate certain things that inspire them into their organic style. Like, it's not like we have to follow this right now. We have to make This a part of our personality right now. I have to change my whole look right now. The way that millennials used to follow.
- [17:24]
Tabitha Sanchez
Trends, you can kind of like pick and choose. And I find myself doing it. Like, I kind of like pick and choose what works for me.
- [17:30]
Casey Lewis
I think the nature of TikTok and social media platforms, young people are able to try on so many different identities or styles or. I mean, obviously their identities are more fluid in many different ways. But for us growing up, I feel like when I was growing up, like, I was a cheerleader and that was my whole identity and I dressed accordingly and I. And not just me, it's like you're on the football team. I mean, I'm from small town Missouri, so that's why my references are like, cheerleader in football. But, you know, it's like you are one person. That is your identity. And you don't come to school dressed like a goth chick. Now it's like because of social media, because of the nature of trends, because of the access of fashion, they're able to just see if something feels right in a way that is lower stakes. And something I think about a lot is like, they can film a TikTok of an outfit, a getting ready with me, try on something totally different. And that feels almost lower stakes than like, wearing a new look to school and having to like, sit with it all day in the classroom and your classmates are like, making fun of you or saying like, who are you now?
- [18:31]
Tabitha Sanchez
Lower stakes. But also, like, on such a higher scale of visibility, I feel like you can post something online, like TikTok especially, and it might go mega viral. And then you're like, opening yourself up for unprecedented visibility and like, comments from people that you would never. I don't know, I just feel like the Internet is kind of brutal. Like, it's maybe worse than in person sometimes.
- [18:55]
Cat Collings
Yeah. Massive audiences of strangers is so different than, like, the people that you sit with in a class every day. I'm going to name some things that millennials wear that seemingly make younger generations cringe. Skinny jeans. Side parts.
- [19:10]
Tabitha Sanchez
I love a side part.
- [19:11]
Cat Collings
Okay, well, that's the thing is it's like, it's uncool, then it's cool, then it's uncool. I don't know. The whiplash. Short ankle socks. We know the socks debate has been a big one. The New York Times had an article called A sock wore is a foot, which kind of made me laugh. Open toed shoes, tucking in shirts. And I think the entire category of wearing necklaces was under fire at one point. So being a male, nail myself. Some of these I really get right. But some of them, like an open toed shoe, are tucking in your shirt. Why are these so offensive?
- [19:44]
Tabitha Sanchez
I fear there's nothing more revolting than an exposed toe. Like, I actually not like revolting. Maybe that's a little harsh. But like, if we can avoid me seeing your toes, I prefer it like with my clients. Like, you'll never see an open toed shoe.
- [20:01]
Cat Collings
As a millennial, I'm just like, it's summer, the feet are breathing, the toes are out there. And also I think it comes into play dressing to go out or like go to a club or whatever. Like the Millennial, traditionally, you're like wearing a little strappy heel of some sort. The toes are definitely out. And then I think you see a lot of more casual dress for going out for younger generations. Like a sneaker to go out. But I feel like millennial, it was like very dressed up to go out. Okay, I'm curious what else millennials wear that you're like, nah, it couldn't be me. Or like, what do you think is next that's going to be added to the list of these sort of verboten items?
- [20:38]
Tabitha Sanchez
I mean, just like from my experience in my fittings, like with my clients, nobody likes a high waisted pant. Like, literally no one wants to wear a high waisted pant. Like a high waisted tight pant, which I used to wear a lot. I don't really wear jeans anymore, but when I did wear jeans, you would have never caught me in like a baggy low rise. But that's all my clients wear. It's like more comfortable.
- [21:01]
Cat Collings
Yeah, absolutely. And there's another one that at least for millennials in high school and stuff was a big deal. What about the beauty space? A little pivot from fashion. I've personally noticed that Gen Z is way less into mascara and curling their eyelashes. And millennials also, like, will do a lipstick, a lip color. And I feel like versus Gen Z and maybe, I mean, the Gen Alpha relationship with makeup and skincare as a other category. We've all seen like the Sephora videos about them taking over, but I feel like Gen Z is like more glowy skin. Like, the brows look good. It's less about the eyes and the lips. And I'm curious what you guys are seeing in terms of generational differences in beauty.
- [21:38]
Casey Lewis
I agree. I think you're totally right about the mascara. I mean, we've seen that play out across TikTok of young people just saying that a full eye or like, what's the word I'm looking for?
- [21:49]
Cat Collings
Like, a smoky eye look on the.
- [21:51]
Casey Lewis
Eye is like, not chic and is overdone. And at first I was like, if I'm not wearing mascara, like, I will look like I just slept in, like, I just rolled out of bed. But then the way that TikTok works or you see these and then it like infiltrates your brain and then you put mascara on, you're like, I look so overdone. Another example I think is my FYP has been infiltrated with Gen zers saying that they are no longer using concealer. But that one feels a little bit different than mascara because it's like, like, well, you're 24. Like, I'm 37. You're not a 37 year old. Like, it's interesting the trends that feel decidedly like you're a young person, like, you can do that versus, like, oh, this is actually like a trend that's indicative of a larger preference, like mascara. But I do think the interesting thing about lips is how much lip liner is sort of taking hold. Because I have never owned a lip liner in my life and there's so many lip liner launches and you see any gen zers getting ready with me and she's lining her lips and then she's putting like a road lip peptide over it. And then of course, like the tween skincare thing we could talk about for an entire episode. But feels to me like it's more of a this is just tweens experimenting with pretty things, which we all did with our mom's makeup. But Sephora's everywhere now and they can go in and try all this different makeup on.
- [23:14]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah. My daughter thinks that the obsession that Gen Z and Millennials have with Jenna and Sephora is cringe. According to her. She's like, we're just girls trying to, like, discover products. Like, it's not that serious. And I made a video where I, like, came to their defense because I do feel like it was a barrage on them when, like, everyone goes through it and every generation has a self discovery moment. Jenna is just in theirs. They happen to be more online, they happen to be more exposed. I also think that, like, a lot of beauty and a lot of these critiques are falling on traditionally people who identify as girls. And I don't think that we have that same critique back on the bull boys and all their skibidi toilet like, conversation, which is like a whole other thing. But what I am Seeing in beauty. My daughter likes to do high key nighttime for a low key morning is her, like, mantra. So she goes to bed with heatless rollers. She does a lot of skin care at night. She wears a silk bonnet for her hair. She puts on an eye mask. Like, she goes to bed really early. She loves magnesium to go to bed. Like, she has a routine to go to bed. And then when she wakes up in the morning, it doesn't take her as long to get ready. But, like, she is also a middle school girl and I think that she's a little bit more fixated on some of that stuff right now. I think Gen Z's a little more casual with what they're doing because they're like, becoming themselves. They're in their 20s. It's like a little different. But I do personally love the resurgence of, like, a lighter makeup, like the sparkly eye. You know, it reminds me of early 2000s. Like, I remember having, like, a light, sparkly eye palette. I remember putting white eyeliner in the corner of my eye when I would go to, like, homecoming dances. It's all kind of a resurgence. And I personally love that.
- [25:05]
Tabitha Sanchez
I know, like, I love when I do like a photo shoot or when my clients are doing glam. Like, I love bare, clean face and like a pretty lip or like an eye, I guess. Exactly what you were saying.
- [25:15]
Cat Collings
Yeah, absolutely. Like, kind of picking one area to focus. Okay, we'll jump into your questions. Kasey, just for you. Kasey, you've launched a newsletter and podcast all about trend reporting. What do you think makes people so interested in following youth trends? Like, why was this even a great idea to do this for the who it where pod, where, like, people are going to be fascinated and what people are doing that are younger.
- [25:35]
Casey Lewis
As we've sort of talked about earlier, like, young people don't know who they are. They're experimenting with every aspect of their lives. But I think when you add TikTok to it, then the level of trends and experimentation just truly gets so cranked up. And just the memes and the Internet culture, it just adds so much interesting lore around it. And I think that older people want to understand what young people are up to so that they themselves stay current. There's just a lot of people wanting to keep up just for their own benefit.
- [26:06]
Cat Collings
One thing that's most comforting is it's like a tale as old as time, right? In terms of, like, the older generation looking at the younger generation being like an interesting mix of either like confused, angry, worried, and or intrigued by what they're doing because it's so different and.
- [26:20]
Casey Lewis
Sometimes all those feelings at once.
- [26:22]
Cat Collings
Right? Exactly. Love your podcast as well. Any takeaways from the most recent episodes? You talked about boys getting perms recently, which is a really fun one.
- [26:32]
Casey Lewis
I talked to two Gen Z sisters about what they're buying, seeing how they're spending money. The episode is about money. But I got a lot of really interesting insight from them. In fact, I'm happy to have talked to them before this conversation because they are saying a lot of the things you say, Tabitha, in terms of like, they want to be unique. They feel like they're owning a piece of history. A lot of these pieces will appreciate in value. So really it's they, they mentioned girl math. Like maybe they're not investing in real estate, but they do have a one of a kind poochie dress or something. You know, that kind of like reasoning. You're saving money, you're being sustainable, you're finding something one of a kind. Like it hits on all of the levers. And I think it says a lot about how elder gen zers are shopping. My favorite thing about doing the podcast is I just love talking to young people about a lot of these trends that the media is reporting on because so often, like the young people's voices come through here and there, but you're not sure how much is this a media driven story or is this a real thing? Faith, I think that's why I love your TikTok so much, because it's like, this is the voice of a gen alpha. Like, this is straight from the mouth of an alpha, where it's really hard these days to really get that kind of access.
- [27:39]
Cat Collings
Yeah, absolutely. And sometimes it's just older generations who have the job at the Wall Street Journal or whatever who are like, this is what's relevant or whatever. What trends are you looking forward to this fall season?
- [27:50]
Casey Lewis
Denim, I'm just always fascinated by like high rise, low rise, Are they pulling at the ankles? Are we doing barrel jeans? And it seems like denim coming out of COVID was a little less popular. People, a lot of young girls were wearing like twill baggy cargos. And I think that was because denim has this sort of reputation of being hard pants or uncomfortable. But then it's like Gen Z was like, no, actually low rise, baggy, three sizes too big are comfortable. And it's really interesting to see now this trend trickle down or up with millennials where it's like, I'm seeing women my age, older wearing these Low rise, baggy jeans. It looks so cool. It looks so fresh and like, I never thought I'd see the day. But I did have a gen zer on my podcast a couple of episodes ago, and she said that she is seeing skinny jeans make a comeback. And so it's like, already we're there. What goes up must come down. Another trend area is sneakers. Just because the evolution of the it sneaker of the moment is just so fascinating. And living in New York and I'm sure you guys in LA too, you see this, but it's like to see it sort of manifest on the street where, you know, everyone was wearing the sambas, and now you're not seeing sambas as much. You're seeing a lot of colorful gazelles. But you can tell that the gazelles are. Are close to being a little too ubiquitous. Like, are we going back to the dad sneaker? Because that silhouette works with the baggy jean. You know, it's like, what is next? So I have not given you actual trends that I'm excited about, but trend categories that I always love to look forward to in the fall.
- [29:21]
Cat Collings
Yeah. They're such signifiers of what's happening at large, especially denim. I don't know why it's so, like, emotional and personal. Yes.
- [29:28]
Casey Lewis
I just love the denim category, especially just post Covid. It's been so interesting to see because everyone's sort of stopped wearing jeans. Rightly so. Because who wants to wear jeans when your world is what it was? I think denim is going to have a bigger season this year than they've had since 2019.
- [29:44]
Cat Collings
Okay, Tabitha, I'm going to ask you what trends you're looking forward to this fall season, if any, because I know you were kind of like, we don't follow trends so much.
- [29:51]
Tabitha Sanchez
Well, I. I think it's not that we don't follow trends. It's just really hard to, like, pinpoint what even is a trend. I mean, I like what Casey was saying about denim. I was paying attention to, like, London Fashion Week. Like, Simone Rocha had some really amazing denim situations. I don't know. Trends are, like, over my head. I fear.
- [30:14]
Cat Collings
I love it. Honestly, like, the fact that you're a stylist and that's the Gen Z perspective. Like, that's not your orientation towards tracking those things says it all to me. What about you, Faith?
- [30:24]
Faith Hitchin
I mean, from the gen A perspective, I can say that we did a full rehash on the sneakers. So that's very real. Last year, she wanted very different shoes than she wanted this year, so I picked up a pair of Van Campus sneakers and a pair of Adidas Campus, because they're just like a wider set shoe, a little bit more of, like, a traditional, like, skater shoe. That kind of is what I'm seeing, just like a wider, flatter shoe where we were seeing kind of, like, chunkier shoes taking over. We definitely did, though, get chunky Crocs.
- [30:55]
Tabitha Sanchez
Oh, I love Crocs.
- [30:56]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah. I think that millennials have had such a judgment around Crocs for such a long time. But like, like Gen Z, Jenna, they love them. And I think it's also the accessorizing of them. I think that what I'm seeing the most is the personalization, the accessorizing of everything. So your bag, your keychain, your lip gloss, your Crocs, whatever it is, we're accessorizing it, and we're making it unique. And I think that that's the main takeaway is, like, how can you take something that could be a little bit more mainstream and make it your personality? And then I would also say that, like, I'm very interested in sweaters because I think that there is this, like, Scandi girl sweater thing that has even made it down to Gen A. And I'm very much a sweater girl myself, being an LA girl. So I am, like, very curious about what's gonna happen in sweaters this season.
- [31:50]
Cat Collings
Very cool. I feel like in the millennial perspective, there's a few key outerwear moments for this fall, like the suede coat coats, the brown chocolate, whatever, suede coat, and the chore coat. And I saw this TikTok that was like, do not buy a chore coat. It is the same. Like last year's was the toteme sort of, like, scarf coat with the, like, whip stitch contrasts, whatever. They were like, the chore coat is the new one of that, so it's going to be one and done season. I like what you said about the personalization, too, though, because I feel like one category that millennials are into is the bag charms and kind of doing your sort of custom curation there. And I think think part of maybe why millennials are into it is because it was these resurgence of the images of, like, Jane Birkin with her, like, highly charmed out Birkin bag. Millennials were like, oh, me too, Tabitha. I'm gonna do some questions just for you. So we talked a bit about the pace of trends and whether or not even trends are really relevant to your work. I'm curious where you find inspiration for your work, since it seems sort of like, outside of this cycle that maybe a lot of people are following kind of everywhere.
- [32:57]
Tabitha Sanchez
Like, books, magazines, just, like, the street. My clients will send me just, like, screenshots of things. They see lots of vintage designer, like, archival references and kind of, like, recreating those, making them our own, referencing them. But then again, like, there's nothing, like, more tired than, like, a archive designer reference. So I don't know. It's. It's hard.
- [33:24]
Cat Collings
Okay, wait, tell me more about that. There's nothing more tired than, like, a Runway image from the 90s or something like that.
- [33:28]
Tabitha Sanchez
Yeah, it always looks good, but it's kind of like. I feel like these are, like, controversial thoughts, but, like, let them out. Why at the VMAs, are we referencing a pop icon from, like, the early 2000s versus, like, perhaps creating your own moment? I mean, and I think they're beautiful moments, but the references are a little old. The recreations of, like, exact looks that someone has already worn.
- [33:54]
Cat Collings
I mean, it adds some sort of interest. I love to see the, like, comparison of the how it looks today versus back then. But it does seem like if you're ahead of the curve, that curve has been curving for a minute.
- [34:06]
Tabitha Sanchez
Exactly.
- [34:07]
Cat Collings
Are there any brands or styles that you. You are particularly excited about that you want to, like, incorporate into some of your upcoming work?
- [34:15]
Tabitha Sanchez
I don't know. It's kind of, like, overstimulating sometimes. There's so many amazing designers just, like, scrolling through Instagram. It's, like, kind of endless. But I really love this designer. I might be pronouncing it wrong. Meryl Rogue just, like, makes really cool things.
- [34:31]
Cat Collings
Are there any projects that you have coming up that you're excited about or any recent work that has come out that you've loved?
- [34:37]
Tabitha Sanchez
Loved? Yeah, I just did a music video with a new client, Benny, that just came out, like, last week, and I love it. It's, like, my favorite styling as of late. And I did her tour. She opened for this band, Wallows. I just styled this influencer, Erica Titus, for New York Fashion Week. And we did probably, again, like, some of my favorite looks I've done recently. And then I've been styling this, like, comedian Hannah Berner since the start of summer. And we've really had just, like, such a great evolution from, like, where we started to where we're at now. And she's also on tour for her podcast this fall, which has been really fun.
- [35:18]
Cat Collings
We interviewed Paige, her counterpart, for the who I Wear pod recently.
- [35:22]
Tabitha Sanchez
Paige is great.
- [35:23]
Cat Collings
Amazing. Well, thank you all for joining me today. This was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed hearing everyone's perspective.
- [35:31]
Casey Lewis
Thank you guys so much.
- [35:32]
Faith Hitchin
Thank you.
- [35:33]
Tabitha Sanchez
Thank you.
- [35:34]
Cat Collings
So now we have Faith's daughter, India, joining us for a few questions. India, what's it like to have your mom report to the world on what your generation likes?
- [35:45]
India Hitchin
I really think it's helpful for people who don't really understand it or are a little confused on certain things, because I feel like Jenna is a very complicated generation. It's like some things mean multiple things at the same time. And so I feel like my mom reporting it on social media kind of makes it more helpful for people who kind of want to understand it a bit more.
- [36:10]
Cat Collings
Yeah, like, she's like a translator of sorts. Does she ever get it wrong?
- [36:15]
India Hitchin
I don't necessarily think she's gotten it wrong. I think it's more like there's more meaning to one word, and it's kind of like how you say it that's hard to get right.
- [36:27]
Faith Hitchin
You've also said that you think I'm a little dramatic. Like, I think the fact that I call it a trend is, like, dramatic too.
- [36:34]
India Hitchin
Yeah, a little bit.
- [36:35]
Cat Collings
Sometimes I get that. But I know many people, myself included, who have come to really enjoy Faith's reporting live from the front lines of your pickup line. Also, I have to ask about your little patch there. Is that a hello Kitty?
- [36:49]
India Hitchin
I can't say it's like a hello Kitty character. Oh, it's Keroppi.
- [36:53]
Cat Collings
Keroppi, yeah.
- [36:54]
Faith Hitchin
Little frog.
- [36:55]
India Hitchin
One love.
- [36:56]
Cat Collings
Do you guys wear those to school, like, regularly?
- [36:59]
India Hitchin
Yes, a lot of my friends wear them. I wear them. Like, people just around my school wear them. It's like really normal. Like, I think it's funny because, like, people used to, like, try to hide pimples with, like, concealer and stuff. Now people are, like, drawing attention to them. But it's like a little cute little sticker that you put instead.
- [37:16]
Cat Collings
It's very normalized, which I like. It's like, oh, yeah, of course, I have a pimple and we're making it cute. Faith, I'm curious what it's like to watch trends from your youth come back. You know, we've seen low rise pants, for example. Obviously, a lot of Y2K stuff. What's that like to experience?
- [37:34]
Faith Hitchin
I mean, it definitely makes me feel old. Like, I feel like I remember when I was a teenager and there was like a resurgence of flares and 70s style. Kind of like indie, I guess, sleaze in its own way. And my mom, you Know, used to make comments about us, like, repurposing her generation style. So I definitely have had, like, a couple of moments where I'm like, like, oh. I'm like, definitely in my 30s and I definitely have a middle schooler to see it all resurface. But I think for the most part, it feels, like, fun. Like, I think that there are parts of that style that I still really love, particularly the wide leg jeans. If it all, like, I never really loved skinny jeans. I like baggier clothes. I kind of like a more casual way of dressing as well. So in some ways it's, like, kind of nice. Nice to have some things that I really loved come back. But for the most part, I just find it interesting. Like, again, I'm in marketing, so trend watching is part of what I do. And yeah, I find it funny. I mean, there are things that we definitely don't agree on completely, to be honest.
- [38:44]
Cat Collings
Give me it all. Tell me.
- [38:46]
Faith Hitchin
Yeah, I feel like India cares a little bit less about matching your clothing tonally sometimes. And, like, my millennial brain, like, can't handle that. Like, I need, like, a color palette to make sense in my outfit or else it, like, triggers something in my brain. But she'll mix patterns, she'll mix colors. Like, she's a little bit more playful with what she wears. And so I think that sometimes I'm like, are we sure that that's what we are liking? But I really do try to, like, keep my opinions off of it.
- [39:16]
India Hitchin
Yeah, but you also wear, like, all black sometimes.
- [39:18]
Faith Hitchin
I do wear a lot of all black. Black. So she's. Yeah. I have, like, an extreme pov.
- [39:22]
Cat Collings
I do agree. I feel like a millennial have a hangover of, like, on the most extreme end, it's like your bag has to match your shoes almost, in a way. And it looks so cool. It looks the coolest when people are wearing, like, a sort of off combination of colors or patterns. I love it.
- [39:36]
Faith Hitchin
I agree.
- [39:37]
Cat Collings
We talked a little bit about the translation of words and what they really mean and some things having different meanings. I really want to understand the word preppy a little bit more, for example. So this means one thing to me and maybe to you, faith, too, like, growing up, which is like, sweaters tied over the shoulder, polos, collegiate prep school energy. And my understanding is that it means something different to your generation. Can you explain what preppy means?
- [40:05]
India Hitchin
Well, it's a new VSCO girl is kind of how I see it. It's like, really bright colors. It's like, honestly, the opposite of original preppy, which I think is kind of funny. It's like neon colors and. And an obsession with skincare and all these beaded bracelets and Stanleys and kind.
- [40:23]
Faith Hitchin
Of like it's like the millennial cheugy is the way I interpret it.
- [40:27]
Cat Collings
So kind of like mainstream girls, kind of a mass thing to be into. Okay, interesting. So is it kind of a put down?
- [40:37]
Faith Hitchin
I mean, I think when you say like that's so preppy to me, I feel like you're being a little sarcastic.
- [40:42]
India Hitchin
I don't know. So it's a little.
- [40:44]
Faith Hitchin
She says it to me all the time.
- [40:45]
India Hitchin
If I do something basic, a couple meanings. You can be like, oh, that's so preppy. It's almost kind of like an insult and a compliment at the same time. You're kinda turning basic a little bit. But it's also kinda like.
- [40:58]
Cat Collings
But we're self aware.
- [40:59]
India Hitchin
We love you cause of it.
- [41:00]
Cat Collings
Yeah. Okay, gotcha. That makes sense. So it's not necessarily aspirational to be preppy?
- [41:07]
India Hitchin
No, it's kind of like if you are, you're there or I guess some people look forward to it, but I'm just kind of not my thing.
- [41:16]
Cat Collings
How would you describe your style?
- [41:18]
India Hitchin
My style? Oh, it's a little all over the place right now, but I really like like baggy pants or flare pants, kind of keeping it like very street wear. And I think a little bit of clean girl. And I kind of just mix those two together a bit.
- [41:34]
Cat Collings
All right, cool. Can you share some trends that you think are popular or emerging among your peers or anything you're seeing at school that you want to try?
- [41:43]
India Hitchin
Nails are a really big thing.
- [41:45]
Cat Collings
What kind of shape? What are we talking about? What colors? Nail art.
- [41:49]
India Hitchin
Everyone has like these 3D flowers on nails. They're just like 3D nails, which I think are so fun and playful and I really want to try them. I just love like all the dimensions and stuff.
- [42:00]
Cat Collings
Yeah, I mean, it's so cool. Is there a like a fake nail or is it just on top of people's regular nails? Nails.
- [42:06]
India Hitchin
It's a fake nail for sure. Like people like at my school, it's either. Usually almond shape is really popular at my school. Like almond nails with like the cool little designs and a lot of press ons.
- [42:19]
Faith Hitchin
I buy a lot of press ons.
- [42:20]
Cat Collings
Oh, okay. Fascinating. Love it. So do most people have like, they come to school in middle school with like their nails done?
- [42:28]
India Hitchin
Yeah, like those people could go to like salons and get their nails done.
- [42:32]
Cat Collings
Amazing.
- [42:33]
Faith Hitchin
I would say that they are, like, 10 times the level of styled out for school than I could have ever imagined being at that point. Hair is done. Nails are done 90% of the time.
- [42:47]
Cat Collings
Yeah. It sounds like a lot of prep. Do you have to wake up kind of early to get ready for school?
- [42:52]
India Hitchin
Well, it depends on the day, but I wake up between five and six.
- [42:56]
Faith Hitchin
Okay, that's a new thing. We're negotiating it because I don't know that I feel it's necessary for her to be getting up that early, but there are days where she kind of insists on it, so.
- [43:09]
Cat Collings
I mean, I remember getting up really early, especially, like, in high school, to, like. I don't know what I did. Curl my hair, put on makeup, put on foundation. I know. I'm sorry. I saw your face. India's horrified. Anything else interesting in beauty? You know, whether it's makeup or skin care that you and your friends are loving.
- [43:26]
India Hitchin
Weird thing. I've noticed, again, a lot of people are bringing back side parts now.
- [43:32]
Cat Collings
Right. Because we learned about the middle part.
- [43:35]
India Hitchin
Yeah. It's really confusing. So you either have a middle part, or there's gonna be girls who have, like, a side part and slick down into, like, a messy bun in the back.
- [43:43]
Cat Collings
Yeah.
- [43:44]
India Hitchin
And I just think it's really interesting how they were, like, so persistent about no side parts, and now everyone's like, okay, now we're just gonna kind of go back to side parts again.
- [43:54]
Cat Collings
But have you ever done a zigzag part? I have to ask.
- [43:57]
India Hitchin
Yes. It's actually becoming popular in my school, at least. There's a lot of, like, 2000 hair st, like, little butterfly clips and, like, very, like, Y2K vibes. Just, like, especially at my school, like, half up, half down with, like, a.
- [44:13]
Cat Collings
Little claw clip and. Cute. I love it. I'm curious where you get style inspiration or, like, who inspires you or how you, you know, decide what you like. Even in the fashion space, I feel.
- [44:27]
India Hitchin
Like I get a lot of my inspiration off Pinterest.
- [44:30]
Cat Collings
Cool. Me too.
- [44:32]
India Hitchin
I just love it. And I feel like you can find anything. Like, you literally just search up a cute outfit with black leggings, and there's gonna be, like, a bunch of different options and styles. Sometimes TikTok, I feel like, has really cute stuff.
- [44:46]
Faith Hitchin
Are there any people that. Whose style you follow?
- [44:49]
India Hitchin
I think there's. Because there's so many kinds of style, it's really hard to find because, like, you have your people who are, like, really coquette and, like, really love the bows and the cardigans and the white and the pink. And then you have your Tara Yummies, who like the stars and the black and the rhinestones and. I don't know. I mean, it really depends on the day, because there's some days where I'm, like, feeling kind of, like, cutesy, and I'm like, oh, I'm gonna wear some Nike socks and some leggings and gold jewelry today. And then there's the next day where I'm wearing, like, baggy black pants and, like, a studded belt. So I really don't.
- [45:26]
Faith Hitchin
No.
- [45:27]
Cat Collings
Is there anything that you wouldn't wear? Like, a few things that are like, wow, I would. I couldn't be caught dead in that.
- [45:33]
India Hitchin
Black, ripped skinny jeans.
- [45:35]
Cat Collings
Oh, okay. So within the jeans, that is the most offensive subcategory.
- [45:40]
Faith Hitchin
Anything else?
- [45:41]
India Hitchin
No offense to preppies, you wouldn't catch me in neon colors. I'm not a preppy.
- [45:48]
Cat Collings
Well noted. What do you think about, like, millennials trying to stay relevant with, like, what Gen Alpha or Gen Z are wearing? Or should we just not even try? Like, should. Should we just stay in our lane?
- [46:00]
India Hitchin
I honestly think it really matters to the kind of person, like, if you're really interested in, like, seeing the trends, like, my mom is, because, like, well, she works in marketing. I think you should look into it. But I feel like it's a little weird when millennials kind of, like, start to incorporate themselves in our trends a little bit. I mean, I don't mind it. Like, if you want to do it, it's your choice, but it is a little weird when, like, I'm starting to see this thing we have called Preppy Mod, where it's pretty much moms address as preppies, and it's a little weird to me.
- [46:32]
Cat Collings
Yeah, right? You're like, okay, are there any other words that would be new to somebody my age's ears?
- [46:41]
India Hitchin
Okay, so we have this thing called brain rot.
- [46:44]
Cat Collings
Brain rot.
- [46:44]
India Hitchin
And it's pretty much like, these random words that some person came up with on YouTube. I feel like older Jenna kind of uses it as, like, a joke. There's this thing we call skibidi, right? Where it's like, oh, you're so skibidi. Like, we use it, like, sarcastically. Where, like, skibidi would actually is literally a Roblox head popping out of a toilet. And so kind of when you say that, it's almost like saying, like, oh, that's so cool. Or, like, that's so funny.
- [47:13]
Cat Collings
Interesting. Do you ever use that to, like, talk about someone's outfit, like, compliment it or no.
- [47:17]
India Hitchin
Yeah. Like, we literally either say you ate that's so Skibidi or Ultimate Rizz.
- [47:24]
Cat Collings
Right? Ultimate Rizz. I love it. Anything else either of you want to share about fashion in your generation? Fashion or beauty?
- [47:33]
India Hitchin
I don't really know.
- [47:35]
Faith Hitchin
I think that it's important that millennials let them figure it out and like, not judge them too harshly on it. And I think we got really close with the Sephora conversation of kind of taking it over the line and like judging a generation for self expression and figuring out who they are. And so I think my biggest hope is that, like, having like such a fun generation like that we're raising is just acceptance across the board. Like, they're going to get some things right, they're going to get some things wrong. And like, I think it's important that we just support them as much as possible and not take it too seriously.
- [48:11]
Cat Collings
Yeah, the conversation around the Sephora thing got very finger pointy and very like this entire generation and is ruining this shopping experience for everyone. And I don't know, it seemed kind of dramatic.
- [48:22]
India Hitchin
I will say it's just kind of weird when they felt like they were all like, oh, all of Jenna kids are Sephora kids. And I was like, no, me and my friends just go for fun sometimes.
- [48:36]
Cat Collings
Yeah, a thousand percent. It's like a was very broad strokes and probably just maybe a few experiences different people had and then it turned into this like blanket statement about a white group of people. Yeah, I think it's a good lesson though, like we don't have to take it all too seriously. I know people with your content sometimes get so, you know their panties in a bunch as if they've been personally called out for things they wear that aren't cool. And it's just fun. It's fun to talk about the differences and learn new things from new generations and different perspectives. And I'm so grateful that both of you were able to lend your thoughts to the podcast.
- [49:10]
Faith Hitchin
Thank you for having us.
- [49:11]
India Hitchin
Thank you.
- [49:18]
Cat Collings
A huge thank you to stylist Tabitha Sanchez, trend reporter Casey Lewis, and content creator Faith Hitchin and her daughter India. Make sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode. And while you're there, I'd also be so grateful if you'd rate and review us. If you have guest suggestions or any other feedback, please drop us a line@podcastoowhatware.com or you can find us on social at whowhatware. See you next Wednesday on the who. What Where Podcast this episode was produced by Hilary Kerr Subtitles and Natalie Thurman. Our production assistant is Claire Schmidt. Our audio editor is Ko Takasuki Chernovin. Our audio engineers are at Glen Canyon Audio and our music is by Jonathan Leahy.
- [50:23]
Bobby Schessler
Hey everyone, it's Bobby Schessler here, the shopping director at Hu what Wear. As an avid podcast listener and part time host, you can catch me on the who what Wear? Podcast from time to time. Who's into all things shopping and style. You can imagine my excitement about this episode on Generational Fashion. I love the roundtable discussion Kat hosted with Tabitha Casey Faith in India Diving into what matters in the style universe for the different generations. I was inspired right off the bat when Tabitha mentioned that she loved the thrill of the hunt and sourcing vintage items. While I'm a millennial and Tabitha is Gen Z, I could totally relate because I love sourcing vintage Items from eBay. EBay has always been a go to for scoring special gems from top brands. The selection has always been amazing. I recently used ebay's Authenticity Guarantee service, which provides authentication for eligible items by true experts. It's easy to filter by ebay Authenticity Guarantee when I'm searching for designer items to see which pieces are eligible for authentication and ensure I'm getting verified pieces. I'm a self described bag person. I love how that perfect style can add the finishing touch to a look. So yes, bags are one of the key categories I search for on ebay. Just this week I turned to ebay to search for vintage Miu Miu bags, one of the favorite brands mentioned in this episode. I found a stunning yellow bag top handle bag. While it showed that the tags were included, having the ebay Authenticity Guarantee option makes shopping for pieces like this a no brainer because you know you're getting the real deal. I could picture wearing this pretty bag with an of the moment suede trench in chocolate brown, a cashmere sweater, relaxed jeans and cool boots. Naturally, my ebay search didn't stop there. I've also been on the hunt for a vintage Louis Vuitton keep all duh bag for travel. Ebay has so many great options. Under the ebay Authenticity Guarantee filter, I found one in perfect condition for a much better price than a new duffel bag. In addition to bags, I've also recently gotten on the bag charm craze. And yes, ebay's selection of unique charms and designer iterations is top notch. I simply typed designer bag charms into the ebay search bar, checked the ebay Authenticity Guarantee Guarantee filter and found the cutest Burberry bear charm to add to my collection. A Prada robot charm also caught my attention. I just love how a bunch of charms can add even more personality or, you know, charm to a bag. I've always trusted ebay as the destination for cool vintage items and shopping with the Ebay Authenticity Guaranteed filter has made the process even easier and, well, better because I know what I'm getting is real, period.