Gen Z thinks they invented these trends, but Boomers have seen them all before.
They think they’re breaking new ground, but Boomers have seen it all before. Gen Z loves to act like they’re revolutionizing fashion, music, and culture, but so many of their so-called “trends” are just recycled fads from decades past.
They might scoff at older generations, but if they looked a little closer, they’d realize they’re just walking in their parents’ (and grandparents’) footsteps.
Boomers can’t help but laugh when they see young people proudly sporting things they once wore, listening to music that sounds suspiciously familiar, and embracing lifestyles that feel like déjà vu. Of course, every generation puts its own spin on the past, but let’s be real—Gen Z’s trends aren’t as new as they think. Here are 13 “fresh” ideas that Boomers already did first, and often, better.
1. Thrifting is just 1970s and 80s hand-me-down culture rebranded.
Gen Z acts like they invented secondhand shopping, calling it “sustainable fashion” and treating thrift store finds like rare treasures, say writers at Goodwill’s website. But Boomers? They’ve been doing this for decades—only back then, it was called necessity. In the 70s and 80s, people weren’t scouring vintage shops for Instagram-worthy outfits; they were rummaging through Goodwill racks and garage sales to stretch their dollars.
Growing up, Boomers often wore hand-me-downs from older siblings or cousins. Kids swapped clothes with friends, parents bought secondhand to save money, and nobody thought twice about it. Now, Gen Z proudly shows off their “curated thrifted aesthetic,” as if it’s groundbreaking. Boomers just shake their heads—because for them, shopping secondhand was never a trend, just common sense.
2. “New” wide-leg jeans are just 70s bell bottoms making a comeback.
Guess who is ditching skinny jeans for loose, wide-leg denim, acting like they’ve unlocked the secret to superior style? Boomers, meanwhile, are laughing—because they rocked this exact look in the 70s. And even Boomers stole the idea from previous generations, say writers at Lacson Ravello. Bell bottoms, flares, and even ultra-wide “elephant” jeans were all the rage, with high waists and dramatic shapes that made every outfit feel a little groovier.
Even in the 90s, baggy jeans made a comeback, proving that this cycle is nothing new. Gen Z may claim their wide-leg pants are a bold move away from millennial fashion, but they’re just recycling what their parents wore to high school. Boomers don’t need TikTok tutorials on how to style them—they lived through it already, and they know one thing for sure: Eventually, everyone’s going to be back in skinny jeans again.
3. Vinyl records aren’t retro for Boomers—they never left.
Today’s young adults are obsessed with vinyl, acting like collecting records is a cool new trend, according to writers at Record of the Day. But for Boomers, vinyl wasn’t some nostalgic throwback—it was the way to listen to music. Before digital downloads, streaming services, or even CDs, people carefully dropped the needle on their favorite albums and played them start to finish.
Unlike today’s collectors who display their records more than they play them, Boomers actually used their vinyl. They spent hours flipping through bins at record stores, memorizing liner notes, and debating which artist had the best live album. So while Gen Z brags about their growing collections, Boomers just shake their heads. The younger generation may have “rediscovered” vinyl, but they’ll never truly understand the thrill of hearing a brand-new album for the first time on a turntable.
4. Crochet and homemade crafts were a 70s staple, not a TikTok trend.
Crochet tops, handmade tote bags, and DIY crafts? Gen Z is acting like they’ve stumbled upon a revolutionary new way to express themselves, explains Isabella Rodriguez for Woke Waves. But Boomers remember when everyone’s mom, grandma, and even classmates were knitting and crocheting their own accessories long before social media tutorials.
In the 60s and 70s, macramé, embroidery, and hand-stitched details were everywhere. Girls made their own ponchos, hats, and scarves, while craft fairs were filled with handwoven goodies. Even the 90s saw a wave of homemade friendship bracelets and beaded accessories. Gen Z might love showing off their crochet skills on TikTok, but Boomers know they’re just following in the footsteps of past generations—ones who didn’t need a viral trend to pick up a crochet hook.
5. Film photography isn’t “aesthetic”—it’s just how Boomers took pictures.
Gen Z loves snapping pictures on old-school film cameras, romanticizing the grainy quality and unpredictable results. They call it nostalgic and artsy, but Boomers just call it normal. Before smartphones and digital cameras, people had no choice but to shoot on film—and it wasn’t always fun.
Boomers remember saving up for film, carefully choosing each shot, and then waiting weeks to see if their photos even turned out. There were no filters, instant previews, or easy edits. Bad shots stayed bad, and you had to live with red eyes and weird angles. Now, Gen Z is paying a premium for disposable cameras and Polaroid film, all while pretending they’ve discovered something new. Boomers, on the other hand, still have old photo albums filled with “aesthetic” pictures they didn’t even have to try for.
6. Low-rise pants? Boomers wore them first in the 60s and 70s.
Gen Z is nervously embracing low-rise jeans, acting like they’re testing dangerous fashion waters. But Boomers? They wore them long before the early 2000s made them infamous. The 60s and 70s were filled with hip-hugging bell bottoms, low-rise flares, and ultra-chic pants that sat way below the belly button.
Even rock stars and celebrities in the 70s made this look iconic, pairing low-riders with cropped tops and tucked-in blouses. So while Gen Z hesitantly adopts the trend and debates whether it’s “flattering,” Boomers just laugh—because they already figured that out decades ago. And unlike the Y2K era’s overly revealing styles, Boomers actually knew how to make low-rise pants look effortlessly cool.
7. Big headphones were the only option before AirPods existed.
Surprisingly, Gen Z has fallen in love with chunky, over-ear headphones, ditching tiny earbuds in favor of “retro” wired styles. They call it vintage, but Boomers remember when everyone wore giant headphones—not for fashion, but because that was literally the only option.
Before sleek Bluetooth models, music lovers carried around clunky Walkmans or plugged into massive stereo systems with padded headphones that covered half their heads. There was no “aesthetic” about it—it was just how you listened to your favorite album without bothering your parents. Gen Z may be bringing big headphones back, but to Boomers, this isn’t some cool new wave of nostalgia. It’s just another reminder that everything old eventually becomes new again.
8. Roller skating was the ultimate weekend activity for Boomers.
Now Gen Z believes they’ve rediscovered roller skating, filling social media with artsy clips of smooth moves and retro outfits. But for Boomers, skating wasn’t just an occasional hobby—it was the place to be. In the 70s and 80s, roller rinks were packed every weekend, blasting disco and rock while kids raced in circles under neon lights.
Friday nights meant lacing up skates, hanging out with friends, and hoping for a slow-skate song with a crush. Many even learned choreographed routines, perfecting their spins and crossovers without the help of viral tutorials. While Gen Z carefully curates their skating aesthetic, Boomers were living it in real time. They don’t need TikTok to tell them roller skating is fun—it was their social scene long before it became an Instagrammable trend.
9. Mullet hairstyles have come and gone multiple times.
Gen Z proudly flaunts their mullets, calling them bold and edgy. Little do they realize, Boomers have already seen this hairstyle rise and fall more than once. The mullet wasn’t just a look—it was a full-on cultural movement in the 70s and 80s. Rock stars, athletes, and even everyday folks embraced the “business in the front, party in the back” style without irony.
Then came the 90s, and suddenly, mullets became the punchline of every joke. By the early 2000s, they were practically extinct. Now, Gen Z is reviving them as an ironic, rebellious statement, acting like they’re onto something groundbreaking. Boomers, meanwhile, can only chuckle. They know that in a few years, today’s mullet-wearers will be looking at old photos and wondering, What was I thinking?
10. Cottagecore is just the 70s back-to-nature movement with a new name.
Suddenly, “cottagecore” have become a Gen Z aesthetic that romanticizes slow living, home baking, and vintage prairie dresses. But Boomers remember when this wasn’t a trend—it was a way of life. The 70s were filled with homesteading dreams, self-sufficiency movements, and back-to-the-land ideals. People embraced gardening, bread-making, and handmade clothes, not for Instagram, but because they genuinely wanted to escape modern life.
Boomers recall when communes, off-grid living, and folk music ruled the counterculture. Books like The Whole Earth Catalog guided young idealists in their quest for simpler, earth-friendly lifestyles. Gen Z may have rebranded the movement with softer pastels and whimsical captions, but the essence remains the same. Boomers see right through it—they lived through the original, and they didn’t need perfectly staged TikToks to prove it.
11. Tiny sunglasses are just 90s fashion making a return.
Gen Z struts around in tiny sunglasses, acting like they’ve reinvented eyewear. But Boomers remember when these narrow frames had their first big moment—in the 90s. Back then, celebrities, models, and pop stars rocked ultra-slim shades, making them the ultimate cool-girl accessory. They weren’t about function; they were about attitude.
Before that, the 60s saw a similar trend with sleek, mod-style glasses, proving that small frames never really disappear for long. Now, Gen Z has jumped on the bandwagon, acting as if they’ve uncovered something new. Boomers have to laugh—these sunglasses have cycled in and out of style so many times that it’s only a matter of years before oversized frames take over again. And when they do, Gen Z will probably claim those as their own, too.
12. Matcha and herbal drinks? Boomers were sipping that in the 70s.
Matcha, turmeric lattes, and herbal infusions have become Gen Zs go-to comfort drinks, and they rave about the health benefits as if they’ve stumbled onto a secret. But Boomers were sipping these so-called “trendy” drinks long before they became mainstream. The 70s were all about natural living, and herbal teas were a staple in health-conscious households.
Back then, people brewed chamomile for relaxation, ginseng for energy, and dandelion tea for detoxing. Health food stores stocked loose-leaf blends, and holistic remedies were widely embraced. Now, Gen Z orders oat milk matcha lattes and posts about their “wellness journeys,” oblivious to the fact that their grandparents were doing the exact same thing decades ago. The only real difference? Boomers weren’t paying $6 for a cup of tea—they just made it at home.
13. DIY home renovations? Boomers had “fixer-uppers” before HGTV made it cool.
Gen Z loves showing off their DIY home projects, from painting cabinets to flipping thrifted furniture. But Boomers were tackling fixer-uppers long before Pinterest made it look easy. In the 70s and 80s, many young homeowners had no choice but to roll up their sleeves and renovate. There weren’t YouTube tutorials—just hard work, trial and error, and a whole lot of elbow grease.
Boomers remember stripping wallpaper, refinishing wood floors, and retiling bathrooms without the help of sleek home improvement influencers. They had to figure it out as they went, relying on advice from neighbors or outdated instruction manuals. Now, Gen Z films their DIY efforts and calls it a lifestyle, while Boomers just chuckle. To them, fixing up a house wasn’t a trendy hobby—it was simply part of being a homeowner.