How Timeless Style Moves Through Generations

True style isn’t something that fades with time. It’s built slowly, shaped by memories, milestones, and pieces that age better with time.

Generational style is about more than what you wear; it’s about what you keep and pass down to the next generation. And G.H.BASS has always lived at the heart of this idea.

Different Generations Of Fashion

Over the years, fashion has evolved significantly, adapting to the lifestyle demands of that period. While each generation might argue that their fashion era was the best, examining the diversity, creativity, and even the recycling of trends is incredibly fascinating! Let’s delve a little deeper into the evolution of fleeting and timeless trends.

The Baby Boomers

This generation experienced significant cultural shifts in the post-World War II era. Traditional norms in society were challenged, with this generation often questioning authority and gravitating towards idealism as freedom, as seen in the popular psychedelic and rock ‘n’ roll music of this time.

Naturally, these events influenced the fashion landscape. Where previously, fashion followed the more traditionalist, tailored look, early Boomer fashion favoured edgy fashion, including leather jackets, bold graphics, and platform shoes. Later, Boomer fashion evolved, incorporating Bohemian elements such as fringe jackets, tie-dye shirts, and the iconic bell-bottom jeans that are still beloved today!

If we were to dress this era today, a polished black leather loafer, such as our Weejuns Ornament, would fit right in, pairing with the early Boomer rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic.

Gen X

Often forgotten, this generation merged traditional work ethics with modern digitality. With a focus on creating an optimal work-life balance, this generation popularised the elevated casual wear look, nostalgic grunge, and functional fashion.

Some notable fashion stylings that we all know and love from this era include the classic blazer with jeans combo (which can be seen as a bit of a bridge towards Millennial fashion), embracing outdoor-inspired pieces, and finally, updating classic grunge to the more elevated nostalgic grunge.

The G.H.BASS loafer that we would pick to represent this era is definitely the Jetty II Boater LTHR, as this style neatly encapsulates the blend between outdoor-inspired pieces for a functional everyday look.

Millennials

Millennials are best known as The Experience Generation, as this era prompted digital acceleration, focusing on identity, and enjoying experiences over material possessions.

As such, many argue that this generation rocketed fast-fashion, as affordable fashion and speed of trend cycles were favoured during this time.

Iconic pieces included skinny jeans, oversized blazers, aviator sunglasses, logo tees, and everyday athleisure wear.

While this generation was often criticised for normalising fast fashion, later on, it was Millennials who led the ethical and slow-fashion movement, something that became an important feature of the next generation's fashion choices.

For Millennials, our pick for this era would have to be the Weejuns Larson MIX. This era was all about pops of colour and mixing business casual with everyday events, and this signature G.H.BASS loafers captures that vibe effortlessly.

Gen Z

Known as the fluid generation, Gen Z fashion reflects the ideals of this generation's outlook on life. With a focus on authenticity, mental wellness, and fluid identities, the Gen Z fashion influence includes unique, personalised looks, nostalgic revivals, baggy silhouettes, and androgynous styles.

As mentioned, sustainability began as a topic of discourse towards the end of the Millennials fashion era. Gen Z swiftly adopted this outlook on life, often focusing on sustainable shopping, thrifting, and upcycling vintage items.

Naturally, with such a rich fashion history to draw from and a strong focus on thrifting, many iconic pieces in the Gen Z landscape echo prior eras; from baggy jeans and baby tees to revived retro styles.

Gen Z continues to reinterpret iconic designs through detail and personality, so what better loafer to represent them, other than our Weejun Step Larson Moc Penny? This style beautifully combines that classic loafer feel with a bit of Gen Z bold personality, thanks to that platform sole.

Which Loafer Era Speaks To You?

Now that you’ve enjoyed the epic journey of fashion through the generations, we’d like to know which timeless pair of loafers speaks to your personal style.

Would you consider yourself a Boomer? Or do you enjoy the more boundary-pushing style of Gen Z? Perhaps your style lands somewhere in between?

Show us how you rock your favourite pair and tag us on socials, so we can see how you put your own spin on these classics!