Each generation is born into a historical, technological and cultural context that shapes its values, behaviors and way of seeing the world. Since the Baby Boomers up to the Beta generation (2025), Gemme Fashion deciphers for you the panorama of the main generations who coexist today and influence our society.
Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964)
The generation of Baby Boomers grew up in a post-war context marked by deep optimism and strong economic growth. This was the era of Thirty glorious, industrial growth, rapid urbanization and the birth of the consumer society. Driven by a world in reconstruction, the Boomers value the job, stability,social advancement and a certain loyalty to institutionsThey saw the emergence of television in homes, experienced the beginnings of rock, and were witnesses or actors in the first major counterculture movements, from May 68 to flower power. As adults, they often held key positions in the economy, politics and large companies.
Hippie fashion
As for Fashion, this generation experienced major stylistic transformations. In the 50s, classic elegance dominated, with well-tailored suits, long skirts and fitted dresses. Then, as protest movements emerged, outfits became more open: make way for elephant leg pants, miniskirts, psychedelic shirts, faded jeans et oversized glasses. Fashion becomes a true means of identity expression, influenced by artists, hippie movements and pop culture idols.
On the cultural level, The winner (1967), an iconic film starring Dustin Hoffman, perfectly embodies the intergenerational tensions of the time and the identity unease of a youth seeking freedom from traditional models. Note: the film's theme song " Sound of Silence "To Simon & Garfunkel, which has become a cult! On the youth side, The Adventures of Tintin, taken from comics and then adapted for television, nourish the imagination of exploration and curiosity of children immersed in an expanding world.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980)
La generation X arrives in a period of deep transitionsAfter the euphoria of the Trente Glorieuses, she inherited a more unstable world: economic crises, rising unemployment, divorce explosion and first signs of a profound social change. It is also the time of thearrival of personal computers, which foreshadows the coming digital revolution. Often described as a "sacrificed" generation, Generation X is caught between the material certainties of the Baby Boomers and the dizzying innovations of the following generations. It develops an identity based on theindependence, pragmatism, skepticism, and above all a strong adaptability.
As for Fashion, the 70s and 80s saw the birth of a style that broke with the norms. faded jeans, leather jackets, bandanas or the oversized jackets are essential. The end of the decade marks the arrival of the grunge, with plaid shirts, casual and even neglected looks, in reaction to consumerism. Conversely, the 80s were also the scene of the explosion of flashy looks, shoulder pads, sportswear influenced by pop culture and music videos played on repeat on MTV.
An iconic device of Generation X, the Walkman, launched by Sony in 1979, revolutionized the way we listen to music. For the first time, it became possible totake your songs everywhere, thanks to a simple cassette player and headphones. The Walkman embodies a new freedom, intimate and mobile, in perfect resonance with the values of this generation: independence, individualism, and autonomy. It accompanies bus journeys, solitary moments, adolescent daydreams. More than a gadget, it becomes a generational ritual, a symbol of entry into a more personal and introspective culture of music. For many Xers, the “clicking sound” of closing the Walkman’s lid is as vivid a memory as the soundtrack it played.
On the cultural level, Back to the Future (1985) perfectly embodies the imagination of this generation: between fascination with technology, nostalgia for the past, and offbeat humor. The film instantly became a cult classic and reflects the ambivalent relationship of this generation with progress. On the small screen, the cartoon goldorak, broadcast from 1978 in France, marks a turning point: it is the first major success of thejapanese animation, with its giant robots, futuristic battles and dramatic plots. It paved the way for a whole “manga” culture that would deeply appeal to this generation.
Walkman
Millennials (or Generation Y, born between 1981 and 1996)
La Generation Y, better known as Millennials, includes people born between 1981 and 1996She grew up in a world in full transformation, driven by the globalization, numerical revolution, then upset by the 2008 economic crisis. She is witnessing the emergence of Social Media, to the democratization of the Internet, then smartphones, which are profoundly transforming lifestyles. Millennials value the flexibility, quest for meaning,balance between professional and personal life, and an great openness to changeBreaking away from traditional models, they are reinventing the relationship to work, consumption, family, and are seeking moreauthenticity and commitment.
On the plan clothing, their adolescence was marked by the 90s and 2000s : baggy jeans, high-top sneakers, bandanas, then later the return of the minimalist style, second-hand clothes, And some personalized fashionMillennials are the first to navigate between physical and digital trends: they are inspired as much by music videos on MTV as by the first influencers on Instagram, and cultivate a hybrid style, between casual chic et streetwear revisited.
On the cultural side, few films have had as much of an impact on this generation as Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone (2001). A true global phenomenon, the saga grew with them, mixing magic, adolescence, friendship, quest for self, and becoming an intergenerational cultural landmark. On the small screen, it's hard to miss the Pokémon Tidal WaveArriving in the late 90s, the animated series, accompanied by video games, trading cards and derivative products, became a global passion and a strong generational marker, still alive in current popular culture.
Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2010)
La Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2010, evolved in the heart of an unstable and constantly changing world. She was marked from childhood by successive crises : economic, climatic, health (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and by a total immersion in the technology. This is the first generation 100% digital, born with the Internet, social networks and smartphones in her hands. She evolves in a culture ofinstantaneity and hyperconnection, where information circulates continuously via platforms like TikTok, Instagram ou YouTube. The Zs value the diversity made up of people from different backgrounds,inclusion, Sustainability and develop a form of very early onself-teaching, learning by themselves, often online, in a logic of modern resourcefulness.
In terms of Fashion, Generation Z rejects rigid codes. It willingly mixes styles, genres, eras: vintage look, streetwear, revisited 2000s (Y2K), oversize, genderless…Everything is permitted, as long as it reflects personal identity. Second-hand, upcycling, thrift stores or protest clothing (slogans, social causes) occupy an important place. For Z, dressing is an act of expression, sometimes militant.
On the cultural side, Vice versa (Inside Out, 2015) stands out as a landmark film for the youth of Generation Z. This animated masterpiece from Pixar accurately and sensitively addresses the how emotions work, Mental Health and transition to adolescence, themes to which this generation is particularly attentive. By showing that emotions are complex and that sadness can also have its place, the film speaks directly to a lucid and introspective youth.
On television, the French series The Big Big Holidays (2015) stands out as a significant work for many young people of Generation Z. Broadcast on France Télévisions, this animated series addresses with accuracy and sensitivity the Second World War, seen through the eyes of two children. With an accessible but never patronizing tone, it deals with solidarity, fear, courage and tolerance in a complex historical context. By mixing memory, emotion and pedagogy, the series offers a story anchored in reality, far from fantasy worlds, which resonates strongly with a generation keen to understand past injustices in order to better build a more just and inclusive future.
Generation Z – Smartphones
After Generations X, Y (Millennials), and Z, alphabetical classification reached its limit with the letter Z. Rather than continuing with combinations like AA or AB, experts chose to open a new cycle by adopting the Greek alphabet.
Thus was born the Alpha generation, referring to children born from 2010 onwards, a generation fully immersed in a digital, technological and rapidly changing world. The term "Alpha" marks a new beginning, symbolizing a clear break with previous generations. In this continuity, children born from 2025 are now identified as the Beta generation, although this name is still young. This change in nomenclature reflects the desire to better represent new societal and technological realities, which profoundly redefine the cultural, educational and social benchmarks of the youngest.
Generation Alpha (born from 2010)
La Alpha generation, born from 2010, is the first to have grown up entirely in the 21st century. She evolves in a world profoundly shaped by the digital technologies,artificial intelligence, connected objects, And a post-pandemic environmentTheir daily lives are marked by tools that no other generation has experienced so early: educational tablets, voice assistants, streaming platforms, but also digital school and blended learning. Their parents, often from Generations Y (Millennials) or Z, educate them with a new sensitivity to the issues of well-being, diversity and technology. Even if their values are still being formed, we already observe among them a great familiarity with digital tools, a early exposure to AI, and a strong influence of the algorithmic personalization on their tastes and behaviors.
As for Fashion, Alpha children are dressed in a style often comfortable, colorful, unisex, influenced by their parents' trends and the worlds they watch on screen. Inclusive brands, playful, ethical or connected clothing appear in their wardrobe. The idea of functionality, Sustainability, even of ecological responsibility, sets in from a very young age.
At the cinema, The Bad Guys (The Bad Guys, 2022) stands out as an iconic film for children of Generation Alpha. This animated feature film, full of humor and action, revisits the myth of the “villain” by addressing essential themes: transformation, trust, and the right to make mistakes. All of this is driven by a lively and rhythmic aesthetic, perfectly suited to the visual attention of today's children. Its mischievous tone and gallery of endearing characters appeal to children and their parents alike.
On the television, Paw Patrol is a must-see. Broadcast since 2013, the series features a team of rescue puppies with varied skills, who solve missions as a team. Its success is based on a format short, repetitive, reassuring, designed for younger people, with clear messages around themutual aid, Responsibility Law and collective workIt perfectly reflects the viewing habits of Generation Alpha: on-demand, colorful, dynamic and fun educational content.
Generation Beta (2025 onwards): Growing up in an ultra-connected world
As Generation Alpha continues to tame screens, a new generation is already on the horizon: the Beta generation, composed of children born from 2025. Although still in the making, it already fascinates sociologists, educators and thinkers of the future, so profound are the changes in the world that will welcome it. These children will be born into a universe where theartificial intelligence, augmented reality,self-regulating automation techniques and biotechnology will be an integral part of everyday life. Their environment, at home, at school or in the city, will be smart and connected, integrating AI assistants and objects capable of adapting to their needs in real time, from birth.
On the learning side, education should become ultra-personalized, thanks to immersive interfaces (mixed reality, neurotechnologies), gradually replacing traditional screens. These children will learn in interactive virtual universes, guided by AI tools capable of following their cognitive rhythm. They will also be made aware very early on of ecological issues, because they will grow up in a world affected by the climate deregulation, shortages and global challenges.
On the plan technological and cultural, Generation Beta will probably be the first to live fully integrated with artificial intelligenceTheir music can be custom-generated, remixed in real time according to their tastes or mood. virtual concerts, interactive avatars and man-machine creations will be part of their daily culture.
As for values, this generation could be distinguished by its resilience, to great adaptability and ultra-diverse identity, at the crossroads of cultures, genres and globalized references. The Sustainability will become a reflex for them, more than a commitment. They could also request a right to disconnect or the family control of their personal data, as their digital life will be precocious and intense.
Finally, in terms of Fashion, Generation Beta could wear clothes smart, connected, biodegradableOr self-regulated temperatureTheir style will be largely influenced by their virtual avatars, combining digital aesthetics and advanced customization. Thanks to AI, the print-on-demand fashion et algorithmic tailor-made could become the norm.
Beta Generation
What distinguishes Generation Beta from previous generations is that they will grow up with no memory of the “pre-digital” world. They will be raised in a highly automated environment, but one that faces major challenges: extreme climate change, geopolitical tensions, ecological crises, new diseases, and managing digital life and mental health. Perhaps their greatest challenge will be finding a balance between technological hyperconnection and rediscovered humanity.
Yet to be born, Generation Beta already symbolizes the hopes and concerns of a changing world. It will undoubtedly carry the codes of a new contract between humans, machines, and the planet. It will be a generation that is at once augmented, conscious... and resolutely new. Some experts predict that we could one day speak of Generation Gamma, Delta, etc., but the definitive names will also depend on the future global context (technological, economic, climatic, etc.). But, from vinyl to streaming, from flare jeans to fluorescent jogging pants, from the smells of books to touchscreens, each generation leaves its mark on society. Knowing their benchmarks means learning to deal with the changes in the contemporary world, and perhaps to better communicate with each other.
Angélys Saint-Clair
