Cringe! These are all the uni fashion trends giving Gen Z the ick right now

It seems with the resurgence of TikTok, the trends of Gen Z’ers are embedded in the latest aesthetics. From the clean girl aesthetic to Charli xcx Brat summer (I look forward to this making an appearance this September), Gen Z has no bounds to what constitutes as fashionable and pretty much anything goes.

But it seems the chaotic spectrum of trends requires a comprehensive guide to what is hot and what is not. So, to avoid making any major fashion no no’s before the start of the new uni year, here is a rundown of the biggest uni fashion trends that give Gen Z the ick.

The Longchamp Bag

@sophadophie

in love with this bag 🤍 #foryou #viral #lepliage #longchamp #longchamplepliage #schoolbag #whatsinmybag #unibag

♬ STAY THE NIGHT PLUGGNB ON SC – cadenkala

For those who didn’t live under a rock last year, I’m sure you would know that the Longchamp Bag literally took over campuses nationwide – every basic girl had one. The emergence of the clean girl aesthetic on TikTok, telling girls minimalist is best may have made this bag so viral. 

Or perhaps it was Sofia Richie’s Parisian quiet luxury glow up fuelling our impulsive buying habits. All I know is this bag this bag is pricier than the Nike backpack you were carrying in secondary school and for what? It’s had it’s heyday.

The shoelace belt

@waistland.tm

We support shoelace belt slander here 🤝🏼 waistland pantsthatfit sustainableclothing adjustablepants trending fyp ootd dayinmylifevlog schoolproject trendign shoelacehack famous waisthack

♬ KUWTK _ You Look Like Clowns – Peacock

Why was this ever a thing? It’s not even innovative, it’s just rogue.

Crocs

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Whether this is a fashion trend or not is debatable. The very creation of Crocs is arguably a crime against humanity, but seemingly one of the hottest shoe’s on the blocks. Although ugly, (sorry not sorry) I must admit that they are extremely comfortable.

But unfortunately, not even their insane amount of comfort that makes sitting through a two hour lecture bearable would let their appearance slide. Gen Z are split on whether this shoe is an ick or in its comeback era – I vote the former.

Ugg shoes

@poppymayy

rain rain go away 🙁 #sustainablefashion #uggbootstyling #vintedfinds

♬ original sound – vintage

Considering the fact Gen Z’s distaste was expressed so firmly against Crocs, it is only right that Ugg shoes get slandered too. Uggs are the one shoe that you’ll see people try and bring back year after year – but they are firmly on the Gen Z uni fashion icks list.

The sad downfall of Uggs in 2016 appeared to turn around with the Tazz Slipper – but alas, they are still tragic.

If it was a test of the survival of the fittest, Uggs would bear Crocs, but they’d still get laughed at by Gen Z.

Lululemon Bottle

@cerysgraceful

in loveee with the lululemon waterbottle 🥹🎀☁️ – #lululemonhaul #lululemonwaterbottle #victoriasecretangel #victoriasecretaesthetic #unboxing #girlblogger #thatgirlaesthetic

♬ WHO IS VICTORIA – the golden era models

The lululemon Bottle, while in fierce competition with the Stanley cup, is another major L. Although arguably not a fashion trend (it is), the lululemon Bottle was once a staple to romanticising student life – now it’s just an old trend.

If you don’t have this bottle or at least have dreamt of it, I’m shocked. But you’ve also avoided one of the biggest Gen Z uni fashion icks so congrats.

Sambas

@kyliegarbourg

need them in every single colour💳💥🤍 #fashioninspo #everydayoutfit #neutraloutfit #adidassamba #unioutfits #stylingshoes #blackgreywhite #samba #elevateyouroutfit

♬ original sound – Elsie Silver

Although simple in design, Sambas might be one of the biggest uni trends about right now. So it’s no surprise that students across the globe want to wear these shoes due to their ability to make a basic outfit look edgy. Or at least, they had that affect in 2022.

Cargos

@carlycushnie

Don’t come for me, but there is NO reason we need that many pockets. 🫣

♬ Oh No Im devastated – jonscottwontstop

We all knew these were a passing trend. Whilst they looked fit at the time, they were way too specific to be a lasting look.

Air Forces

@itsmeechmackey

STOP WEARING THESE✌🏾 #fyp #viral #airforce1 #snkrs #sneakerhead #foryou

♬ original sound – cochise

This one is way too obvious but still needs to be said. Despite owning a new pair every six months, uni students just cannot seem to let go of the Air Forces. Iconic for their ability to make every student walk like Olaf from Frozen while also making them look criminally boring, Air Forces’ simple design will be analysed by fashion students for years to come. What was their niche? They’ll go down in history as one of the most popular Gen Z uni fashion icks.

Flares

@drippykickz_

Girls Stop Wearing These🤮 #drip #girl #girls #women #stop #ugly #2024 #jeans #flaredjeans #fypシ #fyp #trending #viral

♬ Nooran Sisters DRILL REMIX Prod. Philemon – philemon454

It should be no surprise that these are on the list, because if you haven’t seen some form of flared trouser on campus, do you even attend uni?

The fact that these were popular in 2019 is all that needs to be said.

For more like this look at all the Gen Z uni fashion icks and all the latest news, drops, quizzes and memes, like The Tab on Facebook. 

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• You can’t sit with us: The UK’s coolest unis right now, according to Google Trends

Featured image via TikTok @tamaraaattar @lieza16 @poppymayy