Olivia! Addison! Sabrina! Gen Z's New Infatuation With Barely-There Bottoms
Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear's own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.
Summer is coming in hot—literally and figuratively. Whether it's the looming presence of global warming or a collective embrace of chaotic, maximalist style, one thing's for sure: Gen Zers have officially turned their backs on barrel jeans, parachute pants, and even the once-beloved flared leggings. In their place? A much shorter, bolder, and undeniably more controversial alternative many millennials might scoff at.
Enter micro bottoms, the shorts trend that's inching its way into the fashion zeitgeist one cheeky hemline at a time. These teeny-weeny bottoms have been popping up on pop girlies, stealing the spotlight at music festivals, and prancing confidently down high-fashion runways from Paris to Milan (and Bushwick!).
There's no shortage of options for the daring dresser. Retro-inspired hot pants, coquettish bloomers that channel a post-Victorian vibe, and slinky satin underwear that double as shorts are all on the roster. In true Gen Z fashion, the look isn't just about aesthetics; it's about irony, play, and challenging the norm. This is a generation that thrives on remixing references, whether it's pairing bloomers with moto jackets or wearing micro shorts with knee-high socks, luxury watches, and baby tees.
Don't count on Gen Zers to keep their fashion choices safe in 2025. After all, this is the same demographic that brought us freaky plushie bag charms (like Labubu), wore ultra-cropped capris in 40-degree weather, and made purposefully "ugly" sandals viral on TikTok. Even in that landscape of eccentricity, the micro-bottoms trend manages to raise eyebrows. Is it bold? Definitely. Risky? Arguably. But questionable? That just might be the point. For Gen Z, pushing boundaries is a fashion statement in and of itself, and nothing says "Don't tell me what to wear" like stepping out in what is essentially cute underwear.
Below, scroll through some of the best ways Gen Z is wearing barely-there bottoms, including bloomers and satin underwear, this spring and beyond.
Shop the Trend
Sparkly Hot Pants + Bangles
If hot pants are Olivia Rodrigo approved, we're here for it. The Gen Z pop star often wears the style onstage, pairing her favorite glittery pair with chunky bangles and layered diamond necklaces to tie back to the sparkle and shine in her outfit.
