A Gen Z woman’s sudden fashion realization while mocking millennial trends has captivated the internet.
Claudia Matas (@polishlaurapalmer), 23, from Toronto, shared a video showcasing the outfit she planned to wear to a friend’s art show before heading for a night out. Her ensemble consisted of a black knit cardigan, a polka-dot slip midi skirt and white socks. The video quickly gained traction, amassing 32,100 likes and 259,500 views.
“I was getting ready for a night out, and it was a struggle. Getting ready for the Toronto cold, especially when you know you’re going to go out dancing, and still dressing to my own personal style is such a nightmare,” Matas told Newsweek.
“I was experimenting, and I don’t know just the combination of my thermal socks, rollers in my hair, with a midi skirt and cardigan just really made me laugh. Like how did we get here? How did I get to a point style-wise where this is what I turned to.”
A split image showing Claudia Matas trying on the outfit she ultimately did not end up wearing.
polishlaurapalmera/polishlaurapalmera
In the video, she admitted to the hypocrisy of her age group ridiculing millennials for wearing business casual when going out in the 2010s, while she was about to leave the house in her own confused get-up.
Reflecting on her fashion choice, she acknowledged that she needed to strike a balance between classy and club-ready due to her plans for the evening.
However, she couldn’t ignore the irony of her outfit. She noted that she had even planned to wear the cardigan fastened with just two buttons, to show off her midriff.
“This is neither business nor casual. It’s something sinister inbetween. I look like the secretary that just had an affair with the boss,” she quipped.
Matas noted that her look reminded her of Girls, a show she had been rewatching.
Girls is an HBO series created by and starring Lena Dunham, which aired from 2012 to 2017. The show follows a group of twentysomething women navigating life, careers and relationships in New York City.
“It is just so funny how Gen Z thinks we’re so different, when this outfit is something that came to me! And it was doubled down on when I posted this, and so many people loved the outfit
“I don’t even hate the outfit, but it’s the fact that no one understood that I wanted to wear that to the club!” she said.
Ultimately, she opted for a slightly different outfit, wearing the same skirt but pairing it with black long boots and a black T-shirt. While not ideal for the weather, it suited her personal style and the occasion.
“I guess my closing thoughts are that now that Gen Z is established in the workforce, we’re going to see this a lot more. I think that transition is always clunky, and not just unique to millennials. We’re gonna feel like children in adult clothes,” she reflected.
A file photo of millennials in a night club.
jacoblund/iStock / Getty Images Plus
Her video sparked widespread discussion on TikTok, highlighting the evolving fashion contrasts between Gen Z and millennials.
Millennial fashion is often defined by business casual attire and skinny jeans, whereas Gen Z leans toward more experimental pieces and baggier silhouettes.
TikTok users had a lot to say about the fashion phenomenon.
“I saw a tweet that young women are dressing like Mennonites and I haven’t stopped thinking about it,” wrote one user, referencing the traditional, modest dress associated with the Christian sect.
Mennonites are an Anabaptist group known for wearing long plain dresses and bonnets.
“The return of business casual is a recession indicator!!!” another user joked, drawing a connection between fashion trends and economic cycles.
“Millennials’ business casual is Gen Z’s office siren… coming from a Gen Z,” added another commenter, recognizing the way Gen Z repurposes past trends with a different attitude.
“I physically cannot stop my mind from thinking of wearing a blazer when I’m trying to go out,” shared another user, echoing the subconscious pull toward structured clothing.
Others, however, saw the outfit in a more flattering light.
“But baby, this is so Prada editorial of you!” one user complimented.
“No but I love this, give me a blow wave and some heels and it’s a look for sure!” added another TikToker named Anya.
link