At UCLA, Bruin Walk is a fashion show, and everyone is a supermodel. Students catwalk through the cobblestone campus in outfits ranging from retro bell-bottoms to vintage Victorian gowns, modeling one-of-a-kind couture with the utmost confidence.
Generation Z – the generation known for TikTok trends, micro-influencers and dark-humored memes – is changing the fashion industry. Even as their fashion choices bewilder older generations, members of Gen Z prize creativity and sustainability in styling, stimulating a 50% increase in second hand shopping between 2019 and 2022, according to Forbes. Now in college, members of the generation enjoy more independence to express themselves through their clothing.
For me, coming to UCLA presented a Pinterest board of outfit inspiration. The styles I saw on a daily basis were muses for my own wardrobe and left me wondering about the stories behind peoples’ outfits.
And so, I consulted an expert to learn more about the style of today’s students.
Esther Blum, a third-year economics student, met me at Starbucks in an emerald-green blazer with a green cross-stitch-patterned purse to match. After brief introductions, I shifted my conversation to Blum’s forte: fashion. Her eyes lit up, and for the next few hours, we covered everything from her favorite brands to microtrends. I expected no less enthusiasm from the director of styling at Fashion and Student Trends, UCLA’s first and largest fashion organization responsible for the school’s annual fashion show and style magazine, FAST at UCLA.
Blum’s love for fashion was evident in her every word.
Coming to Los Angeles from Switzerland, Blum said she was amazed by the drastic difference in styles and trends that emerge across the world. She laughed as she recalled the contrast between young Americans’ obsession with Crocs and the daily formal dress of Swiss people. And the differences didn’t stop at countries – as Blum joined FAST and explored fashion’s evolution across generations, she came to a simple conclusion as to why she believes Gen Z dominates the scene.
"I think our generation just doesn’t give a fuck," Blum said.
She attributed her consensus to the radical role of social media. As users turn to Instagram and TikTok to showcase their creativity and popular styles, Blum believes that major brands take note of their young consumers’ preferences. With the fashion industry now catering to Gen Z, young adults feel a greater sense of control over what they wear and how they wear it.
Third-year English student Milagro Jones is just one member of Gen Z pushing the style boundaries.
Jones has walked campus in everything from formal suits to kimonos, and they do not disappoint when they arrive at our interview wearing red, black and white patchwork pants. Platform vegan-leather shoes adorned with silver spikes and buckles make for hardcore footwear, and their winged-heart choker complements the vampire cape draped around their shoulders. Without a doubt, this was the most far-out fit I had ever seen.
As a kid, Jones said their wardrobe was a collection of donated and thrifted pieces, adding that their sense of style was determined by necessity. Now in adulthood, Jones prioritizes sustainability as they add to their wardrobe, shopping from small businesses and environmentally friendly sources whenever possible.
Jones is not the only member of Generation Z who is prioritizing sustainability. In response to pressure from their young consumers, brands are making a conscientious shift toward eco-friendly production methods, Blum said. H&M, for example, has pledged to use 100% sustainably sourced materials by 2030 and encourages customers to recycle unwanted clothes at their retail locations. Similar actions have been taken by Levi’s and Patagonia, whose fair-trade and manufacturing practices aim to ensure environmental sustainability. Though many members of Gen Z still support fast-fashion companies such as Shein, whose mass production methods produce 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, the growing popularity of this sustainability movement may signal a shift in how companies and customers approach production and consumption in the fashion industry.
When we met at the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden, Jones told me their outfit choices come from a history of cautious dressing and constantly trying to blend in. Growing up in neighborhoods with heavy gang activity, Jones said they always found their punk rock style at odds with the expectations of local gang members. Their style was considered a challenge to authority, and threats from gangs quickly stifled Jones’ self expression.
Now at UCLA, Jones’ heightened sense of safety has manifested itself through fashion. They added that they feel no need to blend in when everyone’s expression is different on campus.
"I feel like UCLA is also an inspiration because there's so many people here that got dope fashion sense and different styles that I've never seen," Jones said.
Affability also characterizes Gen Z’s affiliation with fashion. Complimenting a stranger’s outfit can lead to new friends, which is exactly how I met Sylas Umoren.
Walking past Bunche Hall in a patched racing jacket and white-rimmed shades, the first-year global studies student caught my eye with his swag and a Snorlax. Stirred by childhood nostalgia, I complimented Umoren’s star-patterned backpack, whose cream-and-blue plush exterior takes the shape of one of my favorite Pokémon, Snorlax. Umoren proudly showed it off as he explained that he tries to incorporate personal interests, such as video games and music, into his outfits as much as possible.
Umoren said his newfound interest in styling came from a recent trip to Japan, where he observed a foreign fashion culture firsthand.
"There's all these people wearing whatever they want and looking nice," Umoren said. "It inspired me to also do the same with myself."
Back home in San Diego, Umoren said he has faced judgement from family members while experimenting with different outfits, making it difficult for him to maintain his confidence. But in Westwood, Umoren said he has joined a like-minded, inventive community that has helped him feel more comfortable with himself and his new college surroundings.
"I think expressing yourself through fashion is important because you get to connect with people," he said. "It's a lot about connecting with other people through your interests."
Blum said a big part of Gen Z’s claim to fame is its development of microtrends, which are styles whose popularity wanes within a few weeks or months. Many of these microtrends, such as bleaching and denim painting, emphasize the do-it-yourself attitude that encourages people to take clothing production into their own hands. Kayla Stonum, a fourth-year human biology and society student and frequent DIY-er, uses the creative freedom of microtrends to her advantage.
I met Stonum on my way back to the dorms. Her outfit was reminiscent of young Avril Lavigne – she wore a silver cross necklace intertwined with a snake around her neck and a laced, shoulderless top with a frilled black skirt.
Stonum’s style journey stems from a stifling history of high school uniforms. When she finally arrived at college, she took to designing outfits inspired by her favorite fashion influencers.
Throughout her years at UCLA, she’s resolved to find a compromise between functional and creative, turning to different materials such as ribbons and mesh when customizing her outfits.
Stonum said styling has introduced her to more friends in the fashion scene and has exposed her to the aesthetics of LA’s art and fashion districts. Through her adventures around the city, Stonum has found fashion to be one of the best outlets for creativity and camaraderie.
"I think it's a perfect platform for people to really hone in on their identities and how they want to present themselves," she said.
Stonum added that her exploration of fashion has inspired her to incorporate creativity into all aspects of her life. After graduating in the spring, she hopes to work in fashion and music management, drawing on the confidence she has gained through her stylistic pursuits.
"As long as you're ... pushing yourself and you have a supportive community of friends, then I think you're golden," she said.
And Blum believes that everyone should be free to dress how they like. For those who are still searching for their own identity and style, she shares her advice:
"Whatever makes you feel good in the moment, just go for it!"