Generation Y, or Generation Imitation?

Generation Y, the Net Generation, the Millennial Generation, or whatever one chooses to call it, has witnessed several innovative ideas, such as reality television, contemporary artwork and the World Wide Web. However, the same is not true when it comes to clothing and fashion. Younger members of Generation Y are not yet the ones who design the clothing, but they are the ones who choose to wear it. Despite what some may think about “new” fads, the majority of Generation Y’s clothing choices reflect those of past decades. If one took a quick glance around campus, he/she might see the latest trends for the spring 2007 season. Fashions among the 21st century “trend setters” are leggings, thick belts, shirt dresses, crop tops, and wedge shoes and ballet flats, thought not necessarily worn all at once. These styles came from the 1980s, a time when some members of Generation Y were just being born. Fashion icons like Madonna were known to wear these trends and inspire others to do the same. Other trends among younger people of Generation Y that mimics past decades are flared jeans and bellbottoms, gauchos, halter tops and the ever-so-popular bug-eyed glasses. These items were introduced and were popular in the 1970s, before the bulk of the generation was born. So why do people of Generation Y continue to copy past fads? Why bring back the old fads? Perhaps they’re left with no other options-it’s all been done before in some shape or form. The fashion industry is much like the music industry, scraping up old ideas, putting a twist on it, and calling it “new.” Take Jessica Simpson as an example. Many of the songs on her newer albums are remakes of past successful songs, such as “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” “Let Him Fly” and “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).” The fashion choices of Generation Y, or Generation Imitation as one could say, repeatedly reflect those of past decades. One can only hope for new ideas in the future.