Is this newly targeted fashion trend a total giveaway that you're ... gulp ... old? See why Gen Z says this style trick should be left in the dust.
Attention, Millennials: Gen Z Is Now Coming for This Fashion Trend
Published on Dec. 20, 2024
Gen Z is not shy about sharing opinions, and so often, members of this generation take issue with styles of the past loved by millennials and Gen Xers. Skinny jeans? Out. Side hair parts? So out. Don’t even get them started on no-show socks.
Now, they are coming after another beloved fashion trend that you definitely know and are likely sporting right now. So do you have to ditch it for good? We checked in with Charlotte Bergemann, style director at Princess Polly, a brand loved by Gen Z, for her take on the trend.
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What fashion trend is Gen Z targeting?
@didonatoemily Send help for the millennials
“I was today years old when I learned that Gen Z is making fun of us for the ‘front tuck,'” says Emily DiDonato, a very stylish and put-together mom and model with over 650,000 TikTok followers. Her video has nearly 4 million views, with thousands of comments arguing for and against the front-tuck trend, which is also called the French tuck.
This comes as a shock and surprise to most millennials, who saw the trend again and again on mainstream media during their formative years. “We saw the front tuck everywhere in the early to mid-2010s,” says Bergemann. “Tan France, the fashion expert on Queer Eye, featured it as a pro styling tip on the show—everyone started obsessing over it after that. It was seen as the perfect way to complete a look and look polished.”
Doing a front tuck became a shortcut to looking and feeling more put together, and the styling trick became a staple for both men and women for many years.
In a TikTok stitch with Brianna Hawkins, who suggested that Gen Z “shut the [bleep] up,” another creator, Erica Suckow, made the point that many millennials are mothers who can’t have their bare stomachs showing at school pickup. “Let us tuck, and let us live,” she joked. The video has close to a million likes.
What is the issue with this trend, according to Gen Z?
According to Gen Zers, the front tuck instantly dates you—and it turns out, it’s not just the tuck that’s a dead giveaway of your age. There has been a resurgence of crop tops and low-rise jeans, especially for the younger generation, which has made the front tuck irrelevant. That’s bad news for Suckow and other millennials, as Bergmann says those styles are here to stay.
“In 2025, we’ll see a continued shift toward more tailored top lengths, especially baby tees that hit just above the waistline,” she says. “The revival of low- and mid-rise pants has a lot to do with this. These fitted silhouettes paired with those Y2K-inspired bottoms are flattering as is, resulting in less of a need for any type of tuck, the French tuck included.”
What is the more modern way to wear shirts?
There is a way to skirt around the tucking issue. Many younger people are using elastic belts or their bras to “tuck” in their shirts, creating a less bulky look at the waist. “When Gen Z tucks in their shirts, they use a more understated technique—rolling the bottom of the shirt and tucking it under their bra or top,” explains Bergemann. “This creates less bulk to the waistline and an overall cleaner silhouette. Otherwise, they’ll just leave the shirt untucked entirely, embracing the oversized look.”
This TikTok from Bobrownn_fan_36, with over 1 million views, is an excellent explainer on bra tucking for anyone adventurous enough to try it.
What other once-popular fashion trends might date you?
Even though it’s clear fashion trends are cyclical and come back around between generations (think bell bottoms and low-rise jeans), there are certain things that don’t help your case if you’re trying to “fit in with the cool kids” in 2025. Here’s what’s on the “out” list.
- Peplum tops. Opt for more fitted or oversized silhouettes.
- No-show or ankle socks. Swap them out for crew socks.
- Overly groomed and too-perfect eyebrows. Go for a more natural, full look.
- Chunky, colorful statement necklaces. Trade for delicate, layered chains.
- Skinny jeans—yes, we hate to tell you, but these are o-u-t. Choose wider-cut pants and jeans instead.
“Current styling trends are leaning toward more relaxed, full-length looks,” says Bergemann. “Oversized and more natural silhouettes are the go-to for Gen Z, and for the most part, they’ve moved away from deliberate, more uniform techniques [like the front tuck]. The cool-girl aesthetic, which embodies effortlessness, has definitely influenced this.”
Do you really have to ditch the front tuck?
Gen Z aside, do what makes you feel comfortable. As millennial TikTokker Nicole Mainwaring posted, you might still have a primal urge to tuck your shirt, and her video resonated with over 7 million viewers.
Bergmann agrees, with a caveat. “The front tuck can still be flattering, but it needs to be more intentional now,” says Bergemann. She recommends tucking a shirt or sweater into straight or wide-leg jeans or pants that are high-waisted or mid-rise. The front tuck is also a great way to show off an interesting statement belt, which can elevate the look and add a focal point.
But there is one thing to remember if you opt to keep the front tuck in your rotation. “Steer clear of skinny jeans with a front tuck—this is definitely a no-go,” she says. “The key is to create an effortless look that prioritizes personal style over uniform techniques.”
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Source:
- Charlotte Bergemann, style director at Princess Polly; interviewed, December 2024
