The 2025 Gen Z Best Dressed List: Discover the Stars Shaping a New Era of Fashion

      Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column that tracks the latest trends in fashion and beauty, as seen through the eyes of Who What Wear's Gen Z editors. Readers can expect insights on the upcoming wave of tastemakers, new designers, and shopping and style preferences from the generation shaping the trends. There are years in fashion where the landscape not only evolves but shifts dramatically. This year has been one of those instances. Amid a time characterized by constant changes in creative directors, an excess of fast fashion, and rapidly evolving micro-aesthetics, the industry has felt both unsettled and ready for something new. Therefore, when it came to curating the 2025 Gen Z Best Dressed List, I reached out to those who best understand this changing environment: Who What Wear’s Gen Z editors. After all, who could better interpret the year's most defining looks than a group that can identify an archival John Galliano slip on a TikTok thumbnail in just 0.2 seconds?

      The discussions from our Slack messages and emails painted a picture of a new generation of style icons who are redefining the red carpet in real time. These individuals, from actors to pop stars to fashion favorites, are boldly combining vintage pieces with emerging designers or stepping into the ateliers of prestigious houses like Chanel and Miu Miu. They are collaborating with young, innovative stylists who treat each appearance like a dialogue—sometimes a love letter, sometimes an act of rebellion, but always a statement meant to attract attention.

      Hollywood is currently buzzing with energy, suggesting that the narrative of fashion is transforming scene by scene, outfit by outfit. It's refreshing, unpredictable, and honestly, this has been the most enjoyable time I've had covering red carpet fashion in years. If 2025 marks the year Gen Z takes charge, 2026 is shaping up to be the year they completely rewrite the rulebook—beautifully, unapologetically, and in stunning footwear.

      **Bella Hadid**

      Bella Hadid is a fashion muse for Gen Z, partly due to her relaxed, understated outfits that have gone viral in recent years. Although Hadid focused on her health for most of 2025, her appearances were memorable—particularly an early 2025 sighting in SoHo where she wore an all-black ensemble complete with Saint Laurent sunglasses and a leather funnel-neck jacket. I personally prefer Hadid's more casual looks as they feel truer to her style, placing this outfit among my top five of the year.

      **Kylie Jenner**

      I adore Kylie and Timothée as a couple; sue me! Since they rarely make public appearances together, I eagerly watch their style when they do—especially during the latter half of the year when they were seen together at several New York Knicks games following the team's advancement to the NBA semi-finals. This time, I’m focusing on Jenner's outfit. Typically, she goes all out, so her choice of a simple sporty windbreaker, wide-leg jeans, and a square watch was surprisingly off-brand—in the best way. I appreciate how her style has become more casual in the past year, influenced by Chalamet. Perhaps we'll see a full-on King Kylie style moment in 2026?

      **Addison Rae**

      While it's true that this look technically debuted in late 2024, it carried significant influence into 2025, and I find myself thinking about it weekly. Addison Rae brought drama to the VMA red carpet, often dominated by understated black gowns, by donning a tutu-and-bra ensemble that completely stole the spotlight. If you’re rebranding from TikTok dancer to the Britney Spears of our generation, this is the way to do it. Inspired by Madonna and immediately recognized by a significant portion of Gen Z, this look genuinely transformed the lingerie aesthetic. After years of cozy basics prevailing, we are finally witnessing the return of full-blown fantasy fashion. With the resurgence of events like the VS Fashion Show, lingerie is officially back in style.

      **Yara Shahidi**

      Yara Shahidi is always going to be a standout among Gen Z style icons. Her styling is consistently playful, eclectic, and vibrant. Her appearance at Loewe's spring/summer 2026 show last month lingers in my mind. It captures so many 2025 trends without feeling overdone. From the mesh flats to the bowling bag to the anorak, her look seamlessly blends various styles while remaining true to her character. It’s a perfect combination of sporty and elegant, which Shahidi masters effortlessly. If you see me trying to recreate this outfit soon, know that Yara Shahidi inspired me.

      **Adéla**

      Adéla recognizes her status as a burgeoning pop star princess. Her punk-but-feminine style resonates deeply with those who appreciate a throwback to characters like Jenny Humphrey. She also embraces the no-pants trend, which makes her look at the ACNE Studios show unforgettable. She exudes an effortless coolness