Millennials have long been criticized by both older and younger generations—Gen Xers and boomers label them as entitled and self-absorbed, while Gen Z finds them outdated and “cheugy.” Often described as the middle child of all living generations, millennials have endured their fair share of cultural backlash.
However, the tides are turning. Thanks to the rapid evolution of trend cycles and the nostalgic power of hindsight, millennials are experiencing an unexpected resurgence. Gen Z, once their harshest critics, are now embracing the millennial aesthetic, lifestyle, and internet culture as their own.
The Return of Skinny Jeans and Millennial Fashion Trends
A major sign of this shift is the comeback of skinny jeans, a signature millennial fashion staple. Long thought to be a relic of the past, these once-beloved jeans have made a dramatic return. Autumn/Winter 2024 fashion runways showcased slimmer silhouettes, and menswear followed suit in early 2025, with designers like Prada, Raf Simons, Tod’s, and Paul Smith bringing back the fitted look.
Gen Z’s Renewed Love for HBO’s Girls
Another clear indicator of this millennial revival is the newfound obsession with HBO’s Girls. First airing in 2012, the show was a defining representation of millennial life, tackling friendships, careers, and relationships in an often cringeworthy but relatable way. Now, over a decade later, Gen Z has rediscovered the series, driving a boom in streaming numbers and inspiring new rewatch podcasts such as The Girls Rewatch Podcast and The Girls Girls.
Indie Sleaze and the 2010s Music Renaissance
The indie sleaze music movement—a defining sound of early 2010s millennials—is also enjoying a resurgence. Rising star The Dare has become the face of this revival, skyrocketing to fame with his 2025 Grammy performance alongside Charli XCX and Billie Eilish on the hit track Guess. New York DJ trio Fcuckers is another major player, appearing at major international music festivals and solidifying the indie sleaze aesthetic in today’s music scene.
Social Media Nostalgia: Millennials’ Internet Glory Days
A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) recently highlighted this growing admiration for millennial culture. A Gen Z user reflected: “I would have been a great millennial. I would work at i-D, my friends would work at Vice and BuzzFeed News, and we’d write listicles. Twitter was at its prime. Unfortunately, I was too busy being in sixth grade to participate.”
This sentiment underscores the allure of millennial-era internet culture, a time when platforms like Tumblr, early Instagram, and Twitter shaped careers and online fame. Discussing this cultural shift on The Polyester Podcast, host Ione Gamble noted: “The millennial era of the internet was when it felt like you could get famous and successful for nothing.”
The Millennial Influence on Gen Z’s Aspirations
Millennial icons like Tavi Gevinson, who transitioned from Rookie Magazine blogger to established writer and actress, embody an era when internet stardom was more accessible. For many Gen Zers, this period represents a time of greater creative freedom and opportunity, something that seems harder to achieve today.
Conclusion: The Unexpected Rise of Millennial Cool
Is Gen Z’s newfound admiration for millennials simply a case of generational nostalgia, or is it a reflection of the increasingly difficult economic and social landscape they face? Either way, millennials—once ridiculed—are now enjoying their time in the spotlight. And for a generation that has long been the punchline of cultural jokes, this shift in perception feels like a long-overdue victory.
