Low-Rise, Lacy, and a Little Bit Delulu: Welcome to the Gen Z Pop Girlie Summer
Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear’s own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.
Somewhere between the rising temps, the late-stage-capitalism fatigue, and the brain fog from watching too many “get ready with me for a breakup” TikToks, Gen Z decided one thing for sure: This summer, we’re dressing like our favorite pop girlies—or at least trying to. It’s not just a style shift; it’s a collective mood swing. Although Gen Z might not have our own Alexa Chung, we do have an army of well-dressed, unapologetic female stars ready to take over our playlists, mood boards, and now, closets.
In a world that’s only getting weirder by the day, it’s no surprise that young people are gravitating toward a hyper-feminine, Y2K-inflected aesthetic pulled straight from the playbook of today’s reigning pop stars. There's comfort in the fantasy. When everything else feels out of our control, curating a little sparkle—literally or metaphorically—can feel like an act of rebellion. It’s not just about looking cute. (Though, that’s part of it.) It’s about capturing a certain kind of mood: emotionally unfiltered, a little unhinged, but still totally in on the joke.
There's also a deep nostalgia baked into the moment. For many, this style revival taps into a collective memory of growing up watching music videos, raiding Claire’s for rhinestone barrettes, and imagining what your life might look like if you were famous, even just for a day. Now that fantasy is being lived out on TikTok, where re-creating a pop star’s tour outfit or getting ready for a night out “as if you’re Olivia Rodrigo’s backup dancer” is just another casual scroll. It’s giving “dress-up, but make it existential.”
The best part about the Gen Z pop girlie summer? There are no real rules. The trend is less about exact silhouettes and more about a vibe. Some go full coquette; others lean into punk. Some are playing the sad girl in soft knits and corded headphones; others are dancing in metallic minis like they’re closing Coachella. The only requirement is that you commit and nail down a certain singer—even if just for the duration of a photo dump.
At the end, it’s not just about the baby tees or the fishnets or the little bows—though they’re cute. It’s about curating a version of reality that feels a little shinier, a little messier, and a lot more you. Because if Gen Z is going to spiral, we might as well look hot doing it.
Katseye
Katseye isn’t just a global girl group—it’s a global style phenomenon mixing punk, streetwear, and that effortlessly cool L.A.-girl energy. Born from a collaboration between South Korean label Hybe and American-based company Geffen, Katseye is new to the pop-girlie scene, but it’s by far one of the most exciting additions. Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae, aided by Creative Director Humberto Leon, have perfected a timely, Gen Z vibe. Think oversize fits, vintage tees, baggy jeans, and combat boots, with plenty of Y2K low-rise flare moments thrown in.
