Gen Z trends examples reveal how this generation shapes culture, commerce, and communication in 2025. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z now represents the largest consumer group worldwide. They influence everything from social media algorithms to corporate hiring practices.
This generation grew up with smartphones in hand. They witnessed economic recessions, a global pandemic, and rapid technological change. These experiences created distinct preferences and behaviors that set Gen Z apart from Millennials and older generations.
Understanding Gen Z trends examples helps businesses, educators, and marketers connect with this influential group. From their digital habits to their career expectations, Gen Z continues to reshape how society operates. Here’s what defines them in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Gen Z trends examples in 2025 span digital habits, fashion choices, workplace expectations, and strong social values that reshape industries.
- Short-form video on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts dominates Gen Z attention, with content under 60 seconds performing best.
- Thrifting and sustainable fashion define Gen Z style, with over 60% purchasing secondhand items for economic and environmental reasons.
- Gen Z workers prioritize flexibility and work-life balance over high salaries, expecting remote or hybrid arrangements as standard.
- Authenticity matters most to Gen Z—they reject polished content, research brand claims, and call out greenwashing or performative activism.
- Gen Z trends examples show this generation openly prioritizes mental health, destigmatizing therapy and demanding better wellness resources.
Digital and Social Media Trends
Gen Z trends examples start with their digital behavior. This generation spends an average of four hours daily on social media platforms. TikTok remains their primary source for news, entertainment, and product discovery.
Short-Form Video Dominance
Short-form video content rules Gen Z’s attention. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts serve as their main entertainment channels. Videos under 60 seconds perform best with this audience. They prefer quick, authentic content over polished productions.
Gen Z trends examples in video include:
- “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) content
- Day-in-the-life vlogs
- Educational micro-content
- Behind-the-scenes brand footage
Platform Preferences
Gen Z uses different platforms for different purposes. They browse TikTok for entertainment. They use Instagram for staying connected with friends. Discord serves as their community hub. BeReal and similar apps appeal to their desire for authenticity.
Search behavior has shifted too. Many Gen Z users search TikTok and Instagram before Google. They trust creator recommendations over traditional advertising. This shift represents one of the most significant Gen Z trends examples for marketers to understand.
AI and Technology Adoption
Gen Z embraces AI tools faster than any other generation. They use ChatGPT for assignments, creative projects, and daily tasks. AI-powered filters and editing tools are standard in their content creation process. This comfort with technology shapes how brands must communicate with them.
Fashion and Lifestyle Choices
Fashion-related Gen Z trends examples reflect their values and economic realities. This generation prioritizes individual expression over following strict trends.
Thrifting and Sustainable Fashion
Secondhand shopping defines Gen Z style. Apps like Depop, Poshmark, and ThredUp see massive Gen Z engagement. Over 60% of Gen Z shoppers bought secondhand items in 2024. They view thrifting as both economically smart and environmentally responsible.
Gen Z trends examples in fashion include:
- Vintage band tees and Y2K aesthetics
- Gender-fluid clothing choices
- Upcycled and DIY fashion pieces
- Mix of high-end and budget items
Health and Wellness
Gen Z approaches wellness differently than previous generations. They prioritize mental health openly. Therapy and counseling carry less stigma for this group. They discuss anxiety, depression, and burnout freely on social media.
Fitness trends among Gen Z favor accessible options. Walking, yoga, and home workouts beat expensive gym memberships. They track health data through smartwatches and apps. “Hot girl walks” and low-impact exercise videos gained popularity through Gen Z creators.
Food and Dining Habits
Gen Z trends examples extend to food choices. Plant-based eating continues to grow within this demographic. They try foods they discover on TikTok, think birria tacos, Dubai chocolate bars, and baked feta pasta. Food becomes content, and content drives food choices.
Workplace and Career Preferences
Gen Z trends examples in the workplace challenge traditional corporate culture. This generation entered the workforce during or after the pandemic. Remote work isn’t a perk to them, it’s expected.
Flexibility Over Salary
Surveys show Gen Z workers prioritize work-life balance over high salaries. They reject hustle culture. The “quiet quitting” movement started with Gen Z pushing back against unpaid overtime and excessive workloads.
Gen Z trends examples in career preferences include:
- Remote or hybrid work arrangements
- Four-day workweek advocacy
- Clear boundaries between work and personal time
- Rejection of “always available” expectations
Side Hustles and Entrepreneurship
Gen Z doesn’t rely on single income sources. Many maintain side hustles alongside traditional jobs. They sell on Etsy, create content, offer freelance services, or run small online businesses. This diversification reflects economic uncertainty they witnessed growing up.
Purpose-Driven Employment
Gen Z wants their work to matter. They research company values before accepting job offers. Brands with poor environmental records or questionable ethics struggle to attract Gen Z talent. They expect employers to take real stands on social issues, not just post statements.
Communication Preferences
Email feels outdated to many Gen Z workers. They prefer Slack, Teams, or even text messages for quick communication. Video calls work, but they appreciate cameras-off policies. Gen Z trends examples show they value efficiency and directness in professional settings.
Values and Social Causes
Gen Z trends examples often connect to their strong social values. This generation grew up with climate change warnings, school shooting drills, and social justice movements. These experiences shaped their worldview.
Climate Action
Environmental concern ranks high among Gen Z priorities. They support brands with genuine sustainability efforts. Greenwashing backfires quickly, Gen Z researches claims and calls out false advertising. They reduce meat consumption, avoid fast fashion, and consider carbon footprints in purchasing decisions.
Social Justice and Equality
Gen Z expects diversity and inclusion as defaults, not initiatives. They support LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender equity vocally. Gen Z trends examples include using social media for activism, boycotting problematic brands, and voting at higher rates than previous generations at the same age.
Mental Health Advocacy
This generation destigmatized mental health discussions. They share struggles openly online. They demand better mental health resources at schools and workplaces. Gen Z trends examples show they view emotional wellbeing as equally important as physical health.
Authenticity Over Perfection
Gen Z rejects the polished Instagram aesthetic that defined Millennial culture. They prefer raw, unfiltered content. “Photo dumps” replaced curated feeds. Imperfection feels more trustworthy to them. Brands that show real people and honest messaging connect better with this audience.
