In June 2025, a cool shift happened: Gen Z tapped the brakes on hyper-curated, formulaic aesthetics and started wearing looks that feel personal, meaningful, and unmistakably their own. Instead of matching filters or chasing viral vibes, they’re mixing thrift finds, niche subcultures, and creative mashups. These six trends aren’t about viral fame—they’re about authenticity, storytelling, and tapping into personal identity. Let’s unpack what’s trending—and why style in 2025 is feeling more personal than ever.
1. “Smellmaxxing”: Perfume as Signature Identity
TikTok’s PerfumeTok exploded in June with “smellmaxxing”—layering individual scents to craft a signature aroma that tells your story. Gen Z creators are swapping mass-market perfume dumps for niche fragrances like Thin Wild Mercury, mixing indie art-house scents to build something uniquely theirs. Guardian reports show the UK indie fragrance boom hit £1.74 billion in 2024, led by this new trend
This isn’t shallow perfume bragging—it’s scent as personal branding. Tap into this by researching your own scent preferences, supporting indie brands, and thinking of fragrance as an accessory akin to jewelry—a subtler but powerful form of expression.
2. Indie Sleaze & Cottagecore Collide
Spring trends show Gen Z embracing both cottagecore’s romantic pastels and indie sleaze’s gritty counterculture. Crochet minis and flowy blouses mingle with intentionally messy thrift flips and punk boots. Public interest in both aesthetics surged in early‑2025, per TikTok and Reddit reports .
The mashup makes sense. It’s personal-curation at its best—soft meets rough, handcrafted meets rebellious. Readers can blend soft-linen dresses with thrifted combat boots or layer lace camis over ripped jeans. The trend says: build your look, don’t just follow it.
3. Stealth Wealth & Quiet Flexing
Gen Z is drifting away from overt logos and toward “stealth wealth”—investing in quality pieces like vintage boots, hard-to-find accessories, or discreet minute detailing. According to ImFirenzeDigest and Glance AI, over 60% of Gen Z seeks subtle, statement-making purchases and values resale or DIY over fast fashion.
This trend underscores a values-first shift. Instead of flashing designer tags, you’re quietly signaling taste and awareness. Readers: invest in fewer, better-made pieces—think leather loafers, classic trench coats, or artisanal jewelry. It’s less about price—and more about purpose.
4. Alt-Girl Aesthetic: Bold, Not Branded
The alt-girl movement—marked by pastel hair, statement piercings, bold eyeliner, and mixed subcultures—is surging on TikTok. The look is unapologetic, self-authored, and stands in contrast to homogenous trends.
There’s no template here—alt-girls mix goth nails with Y2K skirts, or tie-dye hoodies with army boots. The lesson? Experimentation is key. For readers: want to try bold style? Keep it playful—consider a single statement element (hair, makeup, jewelry), then adjust based on how it feels.
5. Oversized Athleisure Meets Tailoring
June saw a rise in oversized gym wear repurposed for daily wear—baggy joggers with tailored blazers or graphic tees tucked into loose cargos. Vogue Business confirms Gen Z prefers this relaxed fit over tight gym looks, while Wikipedia cites athleisure’s persistence in 2025’s day-to-night outfits.
This mash-up blends comfort with polish. Think linen-adorned lounge sets or sports bras under oversized silk shirts. Readers: elevate gym clothes with structured pieces—like layering wide-leg sweatpants under a soft blazer for cool-girl energy.
6. Seesaw Styling: Balanced Chaos
TikTok’s “seesaw styling” method encourages balancing extremes—a baggy top with a structured skirt, or mixing textures and colors to maintain harmony in eclectic outfits . The advice? Let contrast create cohesion.
It reflects Gen Z’s desire to curate looks that are purposeful yet personal. For readers: apply the seesaw rule—if your outfit feels lopsided, flip it. Pair a pastel skirt with combat boots, or an oversized jacket with dainty jewelry to stay coherent but bold.
In June 2025, it’s clear: Gen Z isn’t following aesthetics—they’re building them. Personal style isn’t copy-paste—it’s intentional, individual, and multi-layered. From perfume layers to alt-girl energy, these trends celebrate what makes you you.
If you’re searching for inspiration, these six are a strong starting point. Remember: real style is less about fitting in—and more about standing out because it feels like you.