Gen Z Top Trends

January’s Top Trends 📈📉

The new year is off to a dynamic start, with TikTok’s ban-and-return saga capturing headlines and sparking debates about the platform’s future. No matter what happens next, one thing is clear: TikTok’s grip on trends, culture and commerce isn’t loosening anytime soon.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what shaped January’s cultural conversations – and what we expect to be on the rise for the rest of 2025…

14 hours without TikTok

This month, we were forced to say goodbye to TikTok…but then it came back!

⏪⏪ Here’s what happened while we were all getting ready to drag ourselves over to Instagram Reels:

• Our favorite Influencers started telling too many secrets
  • The workout girlies actually didn’t do the workouts (*GASP)
  • Charli D’Amelio admitted she never actually got the hype (but tbh neither did we?)
• We reminisced on old songs, dances and audios
  • SUPALONELY by Benee, Wait a Minute by WILLOW, etc.
  • And of course, The Renegade (this is one for the history books)
• We laughed and we cried
  • How are we supposed to feel the full range of human emotion in 60 seconds without our beloved algorithms??
• And then, we said goodbye <3 (for 14 hours)
  • International TikTok users said things got pretty quiet
  • At least we know we were missed!
• Despite the drama around TikTok, one thing is for sure: it’s influence on culture remains strong

What’s In? 😎 What’s Out? 🙄

The internet’s highly anticipated 2025 “In vs. Out” lists officially dropped this month ✍️

And while they’re all just predictions (for now), here are a few of our favorites – and what they might reveal about Gen Z’s habits this year…

In for 2025: ✅

• Not a Dry January…but a “Misty Q1”
  • Backing up those rumors that the “homebody” generation is drinking less
• Dinner parties & Supper Clubs
  • The “stay-at-home” generation strikes again!
• Bringing back the ‘Finsta’
  • AKA “Fake Instagram” AKA what happens when your parents request to follow you on IG
• Weeklies at the same bar or restaurant
  • It’s a part of the “bring back third spaces” agenda
  • Like the show Cheers! Where everybody knows your name, ya know?
• Saying no
  • We love #boundaries
• The Side Quest
  • Let’s make life feel fun again
• Side parts and skinny jeans…allegedly
  • Gen Z loves a little bit of nostalgia
• Micro-retirements
  • The TikTok rebrand of a sabbatical

Out for 2025: ❌

• Dating Apps!!
  • We’re sensing the movement toward IRL everything in 2025
• Run clubs
  • Safe to say we overdid this one in 2024
• Doom Scrolling
  • Let’s have more phone free spaces, yeah?
• Celebrity Gossip
  • After all, Gen Alpha is more into influencer drama these days
• Situationships
  • It’s time to grow up.

🎄🎁Circling back – What did Gen Z actually get for Christmas? 🎄🎁

The weeks following the holidays mean one thing: TikTok Christmas Hauls

• Queue the classic: “Before I start this haul I just wanna say I’m SO grateful for everything I got this year!!” 🙏

Among the top Gen Z gifts this year were:

• Digital cameras
• Uggs (again)
• Rhode Lip treatment
• Sol De Janeiro fragrances
• Roller Rabbit PJs
• Shark hair tools

Are these brands poised to be big in 2025? Only time will tell.