On social media, many viewers were stunned after a TikToker revealed that simply looking at the feet could distinguish whether someone is a millennial or Gen Z.
Distinguishing between a millennial and a Gen Z woman can be tricky, but one podcast host believes she has found a reliable way to do it. Phoebe Parsons, host of the FIT(ish) podcast, claims that all she needs to do is look at a woman’s socks.
The key difference: Socks as a generation identifier
On TikTok, a user who goes by @phoebeparsons_ shared a video revealing that feet can distinguish between millennials and Gen Z.
Parsons, a millennial, explains in a TikTok video that Gen Z women exclusively wear their socks up, while millennials prefer ankle socks.
“Gen Z exclusively wears their socks up and millennials still wear ankle socks,” Parsons explained in a video on Tiktok.
This “controversial” fashion trend, according to Parsons, is a clear generational marker.
Why Gen Z prefers socks up
Ankle socks and no-show socks were once the norm, but ankle socks started making a comeback in 2020.
Early in the pandemic, when many people were staying home, ankle socks became more popular as people weren’t dressing up or wearing shoes.
@phoebeparsons__ This is exactly how to tell the difference between a millennial and gen z just by looking at their feet #millennial #genz
For Gen Z, the trend of wearing socks up is now a fashion staple. Millennials, however, are still loyal to no-show socks, with many commenting on TikTok to defend their preference.
Millennial reactions to the sock trend
In the comments section, many millennials express their dislike of the socks-up trend. One millennial said, “Socks up remind me of when my mom would dress me as a child.” Others pointed out that wearing no-show socks makes their legs appear longer.
One person said: I do both depends what socks I can find that my family have not stolen!
A second wrote: Sounds legit to me…as I look at my feet
While a third commented: I’m a millennial and wear my socks up depending on what type of shoes I’m wearing
Someone else said: I must be a lot younger than my age suggests in that case, lol.
Another added: I hate no show socks so I’m into it lol. No slipping down my foot
Gen Z’s affinity for reviving old fashion trends
Gen Z is known for reviving outdated trends, particularly from the ’90s and early 2000s. This includes fashion choices like unbuttoned pants, exposed bras, jorts, dresses over jeans, and underwear as outerwear. These revived trends often leave millennials cringing.
In the end, fashion choices like socks can reveal more than just personal style. They can also serve as a subtle indicator of whether someone belongs to Generation Z or the Millennial generation.