A viral photo of a group of young women, all wearing the same piece of clothing, has sparked an intense fashion debate.
Shared on X, the image features what appears to be a group of Gen Z women dressed in a similar outfit — baggy light blue jeans paired with various plain-coloured tops.
While baggy jeans and a tee have long been regarded as a typical “off-duty” look for models, many fashion enthusiasts were puzzled that the group chose this attire for a night out, viewing it as more appropriate for daytime casual wear.
“Does anyone have any theories as to how light-wash jeans became considered evening wear?” the poster asked.
“After 6pm, especially in the colder months, you would rarely see lighter colours than indigo,” they continued.
Responses came flooding in, with some agreeing that lighter denim was strictly for daytime occasions, while others were confused that different types of jeans could correspond with specific times of the day.
“Gen Z doesn’t know how to dress for different times of day or evening yet,” one commenter wrote.
Meanwhile, another user remarked, “There’s no way some people actually believe different colours of jeans are only appropriate for different times of day.”
“I didn’t know people thought about jeans this way,” echoed someone else.
Others commented on the fact that people in younger generations seem to all dress the same.
“I can’t believe I sound like an old-timer, but it’s wild how everyone dresses the same now! We may have dressed badly, but at least we had some PERSONALITY!” claimed one user.
Hailey Bieber recently wore jeans and a lace top in one of her Instagram stories. Picture: Instagram/Hailey Bieber
Aussie fashion designer Nadia Bartel has also been spotted wearing a similar outfit. Picture: Instagram/Nadia Bartel
According to Tina Grasso, founder of the Australian fashion label Chouchou Intimates, the choice to wear light jeans represents a blurring of lines between day and night fashion.
“I believe this trend of light jeans and a top is a nod to the 90s, with Cindy Crawford being one who wore this often,” Ms Grasso, whose team is entirely Gen Z, explained.
“In just the last 24 hours, I’ve noticed Hailey Bieber wearing light jeans and a lace top, blending day and night clothing choices,” she added.
Ms Grasso noted that the resurgence of 90s fashion on social media has greatly influenced Gen Z’s outfit choices for nights out.
Martha Kalifatidas also loves the Gen Z staple. Picture: Instagram/Martha Kalifatidas
Emma Macdonald styled her low-rise jeans with a strapless black top and gold jewellery. Picture: TikTok/@0emmamac
She explained that wearing baggy jeans to bars and clubs serves as a subtle rebellion against societal expectations of “dressing up” in the same way previous generations did, such as the millennial trend of opting for business casual for nights out.
Gen Z also values “functional” fashion, favouring looks that are comfortable and feel effortless rather than overly polished or forced.
“We’ve also seen the trend of ‘jeans and a nice top’ emerge, especially on TikTok, where many creators have made light, baggy jeans a staple of their ‘effortless’ looks,” the entrepreneur said.
“Fashion influencers like Nadia Bartel, Jessica Abdilla, Martha Kalifatidas, Elena Tea, and Emma Macdonald consistently showcase the jeans-and-a-nice-top combination from day to night.”
Tina Grasso, founder of Chouchou Intimates, has an entirely Gen Z team. Picture: Supplied
While Ms Grasso personally believes that darker denim is the “ideal casual bottom for an evening out,” she insists that when it comes to fashion, “there are no rules!”
The key to making light jeans suitable for an evening look, according to her, lies in how you style them.
“You could elevate them with a kitten heel, bold accessories, or even a cami and blazer,” she suggested.
When asked why she thinks Gen Z tends to dress similarly, she replied, “All generations do this, as we are all influenced by trends, pop culture, and shared experiences.
“As a fashion industry founder, I believe designers are the ones setting that precedent. We create pieces for our audiences that establish trends, which is why we see so many wearing similar items.
“If you look specifically at Gen Z, the ‘cool’ factor often depends on how you style an outfit rather than the ‘brand’ or ‘prestige’ of an item itself, they truly celebrate personal creativity and individuality, which I admire.”