These are the 10 most viral styles or aesthetics among Generation Z: the influence of Dress to Impress

In the midst of the digital age, Generation Z has taken the reins of a new form of visual expression that transcends passing fads: we are talking about the “aesthetic” phenomenon, a trend that not only accounts for 15.7 million monthly searchesbut has become an authentic visual language on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. This movement, far from being a mere aesthetic current, represents a mosaic of youthful identities and values, reflected in various visual styles known as “-core” aesthetics. These subgenres, such as Y2K, Cottagecore or E-girl/E-boy, offer young people a means to project themselves into the digital world.

The leading SaaS platform in online visibility and content marketing Semrush has studied this phenomenon, revealing the ten most popular styles or “aesthetics” of 2024. The data points to a diversity of searches, ranging from “aesthetic wallpapers” with 1.4 million searches to “aesthetic wallpapers” with 762 thousand. This diversity highlights a visual identity fragmented into unique subgenres, which allow today’s youth to express their tastes and interests in a personalized and dynamic way. It is not a single trend, but a multitude of microcultures that redefine fashion, design and digital aesthetics.

«The aesthetic trend has found its main ecosystem of dissemination and evolution in social networks. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest have been fundamental for millions of users to explore and define their own visual style, sharing content and following trends that have turned this concept into a global phenomenon,” he points out. Fernando Angulo, senior marketer research at Semrush. “This moment invites brands to understand and adapt to the different visual universes that connect with the identities and values ​​of a generation that expresses itself through specific aesthetics on social networks.”

The ten core styles that dominate visual expression in 2024

• Y2K (1,090,125 monthly searches): Inspired by the fashion and culture of the late 90s and early 2000s, this style is characterized by vibrant colors, retro technology and digital nostalgia.
• E-girl/E-boy (435.950): It mixes punk, gothic and anime elements, with heavy makeup and dark clothing.
• Cottagecore (331.417): It evokes an idealized rural life focused on nature and activities such as gardening.
• Dark Academia (237.375): It exalts classical literature and Gothic architecture, with dark tones and formal attire.
• Divine Light Academia (187.417): Variant of Dark Academia that incorporates luminous and spiritual elements.
• Techwear (183.500): Functional fashion that combines technology with futuristic materials.
• Dreamcore (180.875): Recreate the atmosphere of dreams with surreal images.
• Gorpcore (151.104): Inspired by outdoor fashion, with waterproof jackets and hiking boots.
• Normcore (60.542): Advocates simplicity and comfort in fashion.
• Goblincore (41.975): Celebration of the wild, inspired by mushrooms, frogs or wooded landscapes.

Other popular styles include the Barbiecore, Kidcore y Fairycorewhich evoke worlds of fantasy and childhood nostalgia.

The impact of Dress to Impress on the aesthetics of Generation Z

A determining factor in the popularity of these styles has been the video game Dress to Impresswhich has become a key platform for the exploration of these aesthetics. Available on the famous Roblox platform, it allows users to create and show off their outfits in virtual competitions, serving as a space to experiment with styles such as Y2K and Cottagecore.. At its peak of popularity, the game helped Y2K reach 2,240,000 monthly searches in August 2024, demonstrating the power of these platforms to influence the fashion and lifestyle trends of Generation Z.

“The viralization of Dress to Impress reflects how virtual platforms have become cultural laboratories where young people experiment and appropriate styles that subsequently transcend the physical world,” he explains. Angulo. “However, after explosive growth, the data shows that these trends are stabilizing, indicating that aesthetic is not just a passing fad, but a consolidated expression within digital culture.”

The “aesthetic” phenomenon not only defines the tastes and styles of today’s youth; It also reinforces its identity in the digital space. Each core style represents a unique window to the world, a reflection of the values, aspirations and emotions that characterize this generation. In an ever-changing world, aesthetics remain the means by which Generation Z redefines their reality, one scroll at a time.