Generation Z, the population born between 1997 and 2012, is stressed. But alongside concerns about climate change, geopolitics, and war, these people also worry about fashion.
One of the things that has become synonymous with Gen Z is an eclectic sense of personal style, usually comprised of carefully recycled items, that frequently appears on social media feeds . This may all seem like fun and games, but a new study finds that Gen Z may be more concerned about their appearance than just how they look.
Edubirdie, an online academic aid platform, found that fashion was a major concern for this demographic cohort, along with anxiety about major global issues. The study, which involved 2,000 Gen Z participants, highlights the significant mental strain many people face as they feel the need to keep up with fashion trends.
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The study found that 47 percent of Gen Z feel pressured to buy clothes just to “fit in,” pointing to broader issues that drive this preoccupation with appearance. 56% of these young people reported feeling a “financial burden” from keeping up with fashion trends, which led to increased stress. Amid concerns about keeping their wardrobes in shape, 89% of those surveyed said they were “stressed out” by global issues such as climate change and war.
“Gen Z is revolutionizing the fashion industry by rejecting fast fashion and championing personal style and sustainable practices,” Ksenia Huska, data lead at EduBirdie, said in a press statement. “But it comes at a financial and psychological cost.”
The survey results show that 42 percent of Gen Z admit to sacrificing essentials for fashion, and 52 percent feel guilty for caring about their appearance in the face of global issues. It shows what you feel. The data collected highlights the complex reality of Gen Z. We also found that despite the stress of keeping up with trends, 36% of this generation are undergoing some form of retail therapy, using shopping as a way to reduce stress. 1st place.
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Joe Percoco, co-founder of wealth management platform Titan, spoke to Newsweek about the data.
“Most people have an overly functional view of how humans think about money,” Percoco told Newsweek. “For many people, there is something even more important than necessities: status.
“They would rather sacrifice the basics of daily life to maintain their status.”
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Percoco says the concept of social currency tied to fashion is even harder to ignore today, thanks to social media.
“Social media culture has amplified Gen Z’s desire for status, often through fashion and lifestyle,” he says. “Platforms like Instagram and TikTok constantly feature influencers, celebrities, and even real-life peers flaunting the latest trends, resulting in an ecosystem where appearance is linked to social recognition.
“The fast-paced nature of online culture has created a world where Gen Z subconsciously feels pressure to keep up.”
A young man is browsing the clothing racks in a store. A new study pinpoints what Gen Z is stressed about, and fashion is one of them. A young man is browsing the clothing racks in a store. A new study pinpoints what Gen Z is stressed about, and fashion is one of them. Getty Images
Percoco contrasts this with previous generations, noting that they encountered fashion trends through slower-moving media such as magazines, radio stations, and television shows.
The financial expert, who has worked at McKinsey & Co. in California and Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York, added that in the past, people were less likely to be exposed to constant glitz and glamor. First, there were no influencers, no influencers promoting new products online, no showing off their latest style purchases and looks to a large digital audience.
“Rewarding yourself with new things to gain status was often tied to important life milestones and long-term aspirations, rather than the everyday need to be noticed online.” ” Percoco added.
This cultural shift reflects a broader shift in how today’s young people interact with the world around them. The findings paint a picture of a generation torn between a desire for personal expression and the pressure of external expectations, reinforced by the proliferation of the internet.
Gen Z also has about 26 percent more debt on average than Millennials. Because of their difficulty balancing wants and needs, these people are more likely to default on their debts or simply spend money they don’t have, which can increase feelings of worry and anxiety.
Yet, despite concerns about not staying on top of the latest trends, 69 percent of this generation reports that they are confident that Gen Z can solve many salient global problems as they age. did.
