Millennials don’t know what to wear. Generation Z has thoughts.

Something about my outfit just wasn’t right.

Was it the height of my socks? The cut of my jeans or sweater?

If you, like me, are asking yourself these questions, there’s a good chance you’re a millennial trying to navigate TikToks that shame your choice of jeans.

We don’t get dragged just because of our skinny jeans. Generation Z is letting us know that our choices in socks, shirt cuts, neutral colors, and even buying new instead of used are tired, outdated, and sometimes even offensive.

Every generation struggles to keep up with fashion trends, but Generation Z became the generation that defined cool in the TikTok era, when trends were moving faster than ever.

As you ditch curlers and tight cuts, instead of feeling overwhelmed (and having flashbacks to the early 2000s), try these stylists’ tips for embracing new trends while staying true to yourself.

Why is it so difficult to get dressed in the morning?

It’s not just you. The rise of TikTok has caused trends to change so quickly that brands and consumers can’t keep up, said Stacey Widlitz, a retail analyst.

“Everything Gen Z consumes is driven by influencers,” he said. “As fast as something goes in, as fast as something goes out.”

While we stayed indoors, fashion also continued to change.

If you weren’t actively searching for trending content, you “missed out.” Payton Dalesaid one 32-year-old stylist, estimating that many people missed up to six different trend cycles during the three years of the pandemic.

We’ll get right to the point: It may finally be time to retire your skinny jeans.

Kelly Augustine37, a celebrity stylist and size inclusion advocate, believes ditching skinny jeans has less to do with a generational shift and more to do with “post-pandemic freedom.”

“I don’t really want to wear things that are too tight and come down to my ankles,” she said, adding that she dresses her clients in (and wears) cargo pants with drawstrings at the bottom and baggy pants. Tailoring at the waist and seat is key, she said.

When asked if she was personally offended by skinny jeans, Ashlyn Greer, 33, founder of the virtual styling service. in fashionHe said yes, and suggested straight, skinny jeans as a starting point.

“There are ways we can update ourselves and still feel current without going against everything that seems normal,” she said.

But this time, he said in an interview, it’s different: “We’re talking about an increase of seven or eight inches, not two inches.”

For Brunton, it’s about finding a balance between trends and personal style “while realizing that something like a wide-brimmed Santa Barbara hat can be left in 2012.”

Kendall Hoyt 25, a digital creator who has three older millennial sisters, said many millennials were “traumatized” by the diet culture of the early 2000s. “A lot of people are afraid of showing their bodies or dressing too young,” he said. “Those are really limiting beliefs.”

But fear not, he said. Baggy jeans don’t have to be scary.

Ms. Greer said her favorite jean for multiple body types is the Perfect vintage straight jean by Madewell. For longer straight jeans that have a more vintage feel, she recommends Reformation Val 90s Mid-Rise Straight Cowboys.

For men, the easiest way to move to a looser fit is to try pants with a loose top, from the waist to the knee, but with a slight slope from the knee down. Although looser hemlines are more popular, Turner Allen31 years old, stylist, suggests wearing pants that touch the top of the shoe: in denim he suggests a quarter or half break. For relaxed jeans, he’s a fan of baggy jean from Abercrombie & Fitch and the Baggy jeans from Los Angeles Apparel.

When it comes to dresses and skirts, Greer said long skirts and dresses (specifically denim and sheer materials) are in, while high-waisted pleated midi skirts are on the way out.

Then there’s the pleat: You might be inclined to tuck the front of your blouse into your pants, but what was once known as the elegant French pleat is now considered the obsolete millennial pleat, Greer said.

Instead, consider layering to help define your waist.

Jeans with a sweater look better on the outside if you have a jacket over the sweater, she said. You can also pair a short shirt with a longer jacket, or a longer blouse with a short jacket, to help “break up your body a little.”

It’s not just about pants and dresses. Stay with me, here.

For men, we’re moving from minimalist, white sneakers to “dad sneakers,” Turner said. Start with a simple New Balance sneaker, a gateway to more elaborate designs.

For women, it’s time to retire the ankle boots known as mojo boots.

“People really use them for anything: jail, a funeral,” Brunton said. “Just no, girl. “This is not an all-weather time.”

No show or ankle socks were once ubiquitous. Now, showing your ankles is “pretty polarizing,” Greer said. Try layering socks over tights, or a round sock or quarter-length sock that shows a little over flats or sneakers, she said. (She has others suggestions on boots and clogs here.)

Infinity scarves are in, but blanket scarves, skinny scarves and medium-width cashmere or waffle knit scarves in neutral colors are good choices, she said.

Ms. Augustine suggested adding some feathers or other textures to her look “as a fun way to layer that doesn’t make winter feel like a prison.”

Crossbody bags, which millennials have clung to for decades, are no longer available, according to Hoyt, who called them “tedious.” Instead, he opts for a shoulder bag, tote bag, or slouchy bag.

She’s also sick of seeing the Gucci belt with double G. “That belt isn’t meant to hold up your jeans,” she said. “It’s an eyesore.”

What about gym clothes?

Hannah Brown32, He turned to his TikTok followers for help in a gym outfit that looked dated.

Her followers recommend that she trade in her V-neck top for a square-cut crop top; her ankle socks for some higher, bunched up socks to wear over her tights (definitely not under); white sneakers instead of black; and thicker leggings, flared leggings or cargo pants.

Ms. Brown said some commenters ridiculed her for asking for suggestions. She should wear whatever she wants, they said.

“I’m absolutely with them: Take what resonates and leave what doesn’t,” he said. “I think that’s the fun thing about fashion.”

Most importantly: wear what makes you happy

Stylists of all ages agree: embrace your style and creativity, whatever your look.

“The really nice thing about being in your 30s is that you get the chance to experiment and discover your style,” Ms. Dale said.

To start, Dale suggested asking yourself: If you could swap closets with anyone in the world and everything fit, who would it be?

Augustine emphasized the need for basic garments and good tailoring, regardless of what is happening in the fashion space. For her, that means a big long coat, a turtleneck, and a good boot (even better, a pointy boot).

But at the end of the day, changing your look requires a change in mentality. Brunton encouraged millennials to let go of the need to be perfect.