Torn Jeans, Beat-Up Bags, and Thrift Therapy: Messy Girl Era Is Returning
Gen-Z is really shaking things up, as if they're rethinking many old rules, almost as if they're unlearning what millennials grew up with. The Messy Girl Era is quietly making a comeback. Known for their connection to French girls and a perfectly organised grunge style, they've become the coolest trend around. Having grown up amid many global challenges, they define fashion with pre-loved items, favour sustainable production, and stick to plant-based diets, all while enjoying a balanced social life without overindulging in alcohol and parties. So, where do they stand now that the pendulum has finally stopped swinging so wildly?
Gen-Z is challenging old conventions, often unlearning the habits that previous generations, like Millennials, were accustomed to. The resurgence of the Messy Girl Era highlights their connection to a blend of thrift shopping and relaxed pre-loved grunge styles, representing a calm confidence rooted in genuine self-expression. Having grown up amidst global challenges, they prioritise sustainability through pre-loved clothing, support ethical production, and adopt plant-based diets. They navigate social life with a balanced approach, avoiding excess and valuing authenticity. Fashion Giants Are Dominating the Art Collaboration Scene, Delivering Unmatched Value for Money.
Before the Clean Girl aesthetic gained popularity, they already embraced a gentle chaos—an imperfect yet sincere aesthetic that reflects their complex personalities. Understandably, youth today face immense pressure: crafting lives, careers, and health strategies amid a rapidly changing world. Their focus on ethics and sustainability reveals a desire to contribute positively to the future, even if it sometimes seems at odds with consumerism’s fast pace.
The duality of their aesthetic, a struggle between the polished and the messy
It feels less like internal conflict and more like a search for balance. They wrestle with expectations of perfection and the desire for authenticity, often with a quiet determination that reflects their hope for a better planet.
Their admiration for models like Mary-Kate Olsen, with her effortlessly worn style, is not about exhaustion but about embracing realness. Many bed rot by the book despite outward signs of understatement because they understand the conflict within and the genuine rest and self-care that ‘no care’ helps amid a hectic world.
The Clean Girl ideal sometimes felt restrictive—demanding discipline that was hard to sustain. In contrast, they gravitate toward more accessible, comfortable fashion: surplus store jeans, vintage bags, and pre-loved treasures—each piece telling its own story. Their approach reflects a desire to redefine beauty and style based on personal values, blending curated messiness with an appreciation for timeless elegance.
The return of the Messy Girl vibe isn’t just a trend; it’s a sense of belonging for many young women who prefer authenticity over perfection. It’s a subtle acknowledgement that imperfections are part of life—and that embracing them can be empowering. This attitude offers gentle resistance to an overly polished societal standard, favouring a more compassionate, honest look at life. 2025’s Fashion Revival of Smoking Campaigns and History, Which Turned Smoking Into a Revolutionary Act.
In essence, these contrasting styles mirror their broader world: a delicate balance between tech and gentle resistance to an overly polished societal standard, favouring a more compassionate, honest look at life. And awareness, one that highlights their wish for a more empathetic, sustainable future.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2025 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).