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If you have scrolled TikTok or follow trends, why does everything look so familiar? From fashion to retro tech, everything old is new again for Gen Z.
In fact, Gen Z is making retro tech from Polaroid cameras to vinyl records the biggest trend in 2025, reported CNBC News. This trend is leading young people to embrace technologies that were replaced by smartphones.
But is it fueled by a need for nostalgia or part of the desire to unplug and disconnect? “When you look at the stats of Gen Z and how much time they’ve spent in front of screens, it’s basically a lifetime,” Beth McGroarty, the research director at the Global Wellness Institute, told CNBC.
Why Does Gen Z Love Retro Technology
Since Gen Zers did not grow up with AOL dial up, floppy disks, or the aesthetics of the 90s and 2000s, there must be something driving this trend. According to the CustomerThink website, there are three main reasons: curiosity (retro tech offers a glimpse into a simpler world), aesthetic appeal, and an escape from a hyper reality.
There is actually a psychology behind the appeal of this trend. Young people are craving authenticity and something real, coupled with digital fatigue.
For many Gen Zers and younger millennials, they can barely remember or have not experienced a time without smartphones and screams, according to CNBC.
For London Glorfield, a 27-year-old former recording artist, he was only nine when the first iPhone was released. But he felt inundated by tech when he was growing up.
“I was spending an exorbitant amount of time glued to my screen, glued to my phone, communicating with fans, friends, etcetera,” Glorfield says. “It just made me very, very unhappy,” he told CNBC.
The desire to unplug and disconnect inspired him to start Kickback, a retro tech brand aimed at Gen Zers. The NY based company sells record players, cameras, cassette players, and other retro technology.
“There’s something really nice about taking a walk with a camera and just having that camera to take photos and not having the temptation to dive into your phone or take work emails,” Glorfield said.
Retro Fashion
Another big part of the Reto trend is reflected in rejecting fast fashion, reported Cheapism, and embracing vintage fashion. Thrift store shopping reflects this generation’s commitment to the environment as well as the need to spend less in these economically troubled times. Buying and wearing pre-owned clothing has gone mainstream.
Gen Zers are also influencing fashion choices. Wide-leg jeans and cargo pants are back after being last worn in the 90s. Another fashion that was out and in again are Ugg boots, but they are not the plain fuzzy boots that your parents wore. Today there are many styles including shorter heights and platforms. Wear your Uggs under your wide-leg jeans.
Nostalgia can be a great motivator, especially if it is coupled with a less stressful period of time. So, take a break from being on 24/7 and embrace the retro trend.
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