‘The Simple Art Of Not Giving A Tuck’: Sonia Kruger on Gen Z fashion trends

Opinion: From wide-legged pants to long socks, Sonia Kruger has some thoughts on Gen Z fashion trends – and why, you ‘don’t need to be on board, you just need to look like you are’.

Once upon a time in the late 1800s, it was considered taboo to see a woman’s ankles. Fashion was shaped around protecting our modesty, lest someone fogged up a monocle at the scandalous sight of the bony section between the foot and leg.

Now – in one fell swoop – Gen Z have brought back the purist trend by banning ankle socks. I don’t know if you’ve noticed recently, but the “no sock” sock has been replaced by the full crew sock, a sock that not only covers your ankle but unflatteringly creeps halfway up your leg to the thickest part of your calf.

Said socks are also to be worn on the outside of your leggings if sporting “athleisure” (a word never to be uttered by Gen Z) and, as a side note, you’d better ditch those long V-neck tank tops you wear to the gym because they’re giving off “2015” vibes – and that’s a lifetime ago, apparently.

Emily Ratajkowski shows off on-trend wide-legged trousers by Loewe in Paris. Picture: Getty Images for Loewe

Sneakers are a point of contention as well. Get rid of your black ones; they’re no longer cool.

And while we’re on sneakers, they’re absolutely not to be worn with dresses or in an otherwise casual manner because it’s now all about the loafer (with a crew sock, obvs) … and no, it’s not up for discussion.

These are the first of many Gen Z fashion dictates that we must follow or otherwise run the risk of looking too Millennial, Gen X or Boomer. Or, in other words, “totally UH-fen-sav”.

Moving on … Skinny jeans will not be tolerated under any circumstances; they’re to be straight or wide-legged.

And don’t even think about a crossbody bag. It’s a shoulder tote, slouchy bag or nothing at all because we gave up carrying wallets years ago when miniature bags were in.

And since we now pay for everything with our phones and watches, what the hell do we need a bag for, anyway – apart from keys, make-up, perfume, earbuds, a brush, hairspray and mints?

‘It can be tricky to navigate!’ Gold Logie nominee Sonia Kruger has some strong thoughts on Gen Z-fuelled fashion trends. Picture: Getty Images

Infinity scarves (whatever they are) are out and blanket scarves are in, which is fine with me as they sound lovely and toasty and warm, although definitely not as practical as a hooded blanket, the fashion icon otherwise known as the Oodie.

Lastly, I’ve only just mastered what was known as the “French tuck” (the shirt front is tucked while the back is loose) only to find out it’s no longer a thing.

First it was the half-tuck (one front side of the shirt is in, the other is out), then the front tuck (aka the French tuck). Now dubbed the “Millennial tuck”, this is considered deeply uncool and instead you need to get your head around the “semi rear-end half tuck”. Degree of difficulty: 9.5.

Read Sonia’s full column in the latest issue of Stellar. Picture: Steven Chee for Stellar

Follow my lead here, ladies, if you want to go forward with your head held high and avoid the minefield of style violations. It’s all about evolution and disruption and other marketing buzzwords.

You don’t need to be on board, you just need to look like you are. Remember, it’s fashion. So by definition, while it’s conformist, it’s also temporary. See? Every sartorial cloud has a silver loophole.

But since it can be tricky to navigate, I’ve decided it’s time to step up and fulfil my lifelong ambition by writing a book – a self-help tome, if you will. I already have a title: The Simple Art Of Not Giving A Tuck.

Sonia Kruger hosts Dancing With The Stars and The Voice on the Seven Network. For more from Stellar, click here.

Originally published as ‘The Simple Art Of Not Giving A Tuck’: Sonia Kruger on Gen Z fashion trends