Team Millennial vs. Team Gen Z: The 8 Major Fashion Trends Dividing the Pack This Autumn

Okay, we're all getting a little bit tired of the narrative of pitting the generations against each other. Instagram or TikTok, WhatsApp or Snapchat, iced lattes or matcha—ultimately, the year we were born doesn't really matter when it comes to how we decide to dress, but as a millennial fashion editor, I can't help but notice that my Gen Z colleagues seem to be one step ahead of trends before they even make it to the mainstream.

Bandanas over caps and the latest Aries collab? Half of our team have already added them to basket before the rest of us have even seen the hashtag, and with a whole host of new trends landing in time for autumn, I quickly turned to my fellow editors to get their take on those worth investing in and those best left to socials.

Where Gen Z leads, the trend cycle tends to follow, and if you don't believe me, we've got Gen Z to thank for the resurgence of jorts, football shirts, low-slung jeans, bandeau tops and UGGs—you know, all the things millennials wore the first time around and didn't think we'd find cool again quite so soon. There’s also no denying that the under-27s are racking up the kind of purchasing power that makes brands sit up and take notice, so who better to lead the charge than an open-minded, experimental generation geared up to make a movement out of any fashion moment?

Well, some millennials aren't convinced, and after conducting a quick straw poll in the office, it became clear that there are some trends that the two generations just don't agree on (but seasoned shoppers might enjoy both). Curious? Keep scrolling to see the eight trends millennial and Gen Z editors are most excited about right now, and choose your fighter.

1. Gen Z: Faux Fur

Style Notes: It's not even winter yet and Gen Z-ers are already stocking up on ostentatious faux fur. Big, bold and impossible to ignore, statement fluff is gaining in popularity in the form of collars, cuffs, cardigans and of course, coats—the only secret to nailing the trend is throwing minimalism out the window.

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2. Millennial: Leather

Style Notes: Call us creatures of habit, but if we're looking for autumnal pieces worth investing in, it's more than likely you'll find a millennial shopping leather. Long-wearing, timeless and practical, you won't go wrong with leather if you get caught in the rain (plus it scores bonus points for being the easiest way to elevate even the most simple outfit in just one step).

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3. Gen Z: Cow Print

Style Notes: Mooove over, safari (see what I did there?)—cow print is the unexpected animal print replacing zebra in 2024. Can we pinpoint exactly where this trend came from? No. But are we down to try anything at least once? Why not. There's something to be said about the tongue-in-cheek factor of cows, especially when it comes to accessories, and all of the Gen Z editors in the office agree that Acne's calf-hair loafers are a must.

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4. Millennial: Leopard Print

Style Notes: In the past few months, we've spotted Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber, Sienna Miller and Zoë Kravitz all wearing leopard-print clothing and accessories—a sure sign that big-cat energy is not dead. For those of us whose most formative fashion years were spent in the late noughties, leopard print will always be synonymous with Hedi Slimane, indie sleaze and Alexa Chung at Glastonbury, and until we're ready to give up on our headliner fantasy, leopard print will continue to be a seasonal staple alongside cosy knits and knee-high boots.

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5. Gen Z: Skinny Scarves

Style Notes: Speaking of indie throwbacks, the skinny scarves that were a permanent fixture around the necks of supermodels and musicians in the 2000s are back, albeit with a cosier twist. Whilst we aren't quite ready to welcome back the pencil-thin, metallic scarf quite yet, slimline knitted scarves are gaining traction with Gen Z's most stylish, and are perfect for the in-between weather that doesn't require a chunky cable knit. Take notes from influencer Hollie Mercedes [pictured above] and pair a tonal outfit with a pop of colour, like this scarf in a perfect shade of red from Hollie's new wool brand, Cloimh.

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6. Millennial: Scarf Coats

Style Notes: Looking for a scarf that matches everything? You must be a card-carrying millennial, and the shortcut to matchy-matchy styling that feels anything but boring is of course the ultra-chic scarf coat. Thanks to Toteme, we've been rushing out to buy them in droves, and the uptake in popularity means that the high street has cottoned on, so you can now shop the designer-looking style for as little as £40. Good news for when the cold snap sets in.

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7. Gen Z: Lace

Style Notes: If you've taken a scroll through TikTok trends this month, you may well have come across summer's lace skirts, trousers and tops being repurposed for autumn via clever layering with knits, leather jackets and T-shirts by Gen Z stylists. It might not be the obvious choice for cooler weather but expect to see much more of these sheer styles come party season.

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8. Millennials: Boho Chiffon

Style Notes: It would only take the debut show from Chloé's new creative director Chemena Kamali to breathe new life into a millennial favourite trend: boho. Before you could say "disc belt", we were collectively rushing to buy floaty blouses, peasant skirts and wedge sandals like it was 2005 all over again. This time around, there won't be headbands worn around foreheads or excessive fringing, but you can comfortably wear sheer layers of chiffon and ruffles paired with high-waisted denim for a nod to the look without straying into cosplay.

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