15 Millennial Fashion Trends Making a Comeback in 2027

After many years of Gen Z calling us lame and "cheugy", the trend cycle has come around to validate our cringe-y choices of our youth in 2027.

Because SO many millennial fashion trends are coming back this year.

Capri pants are everywhere. Peplum tops, statement necklaces, and even the side part is getting cooler again!

The funny part is that most of these trends aren't returning exactly the way we wore them the first time.

There are little differences that make everything feel current instead of like we're recreating an outfit from 2012.

So if you feel like you've stepped into an episode of Lizzie McGuire mixed with a Forever 21 circa 2008 every time you go into a clothing store, you're not imagining it!

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Here are 15 millennial fashion trends making a comeback in 2027:

1. Capri Pants

Capris might be one of the biggest examples of a formerly "outdated" millennial trend suddenly becoming cool again.

Shoulda seen this one coming because they've been out of style for SO LONG. Like I was in middle school the last time they were cool. I am almost 40 now.

The newer capris are usually slim and hit somewhere around the knee to mid-calf. I've been seeing them styled with kitten heels, ballet flats, and flip-flops.

And I actually think they're cute?!

A fitted black pair with a simple tee and cute flats feels very 2027. Digging out the exact pair you wore in 2002 might be another story.

2. Skinny Jeans

It was only a matter of time.

After years of wide-leg, baggy, and barrel jeans taking over, skinny jeans are starting to look cool again.

I don't think we're going straight back to the painted-on jeggings we wore in the 2010s though. A lot of the newer versions I'm seeing are still slim, but they're not necessarily vacuum sealed to your calves.

And PLEASE don't take this as a sign that you need to get rid of your wide-leg jeans.

If anything, denim is all over the place right now. Wide, straight, barrel, bootcut, skinny. Somehow we're doing all of it.

3. Peplum Tops

I genuinely did not expect peplum to come back this soon, but here we are.

And before you picture the exact peplum top you wore to the office with skinny ankle pants in 2013, the newer ones are definitely different.

Some are longer, some have dropped waists, some are super structured, and some are much looser than the fitted peplum tops we used to wear.

I've even been seeing peplum jackets.

This time around after stretching my mid section out from having kids, I'm not mad about it!

4. Statement Necklaces

After years of wearing tiny little gold necklaces, jewelry is getting BIG again.

Chunky pendants, giant beads, colorful stones, big metal pieces. Necklaces are actually becoming part of the outfit again.

Very millennial of us.

Now, am I saying the giant J.Crew bubble necklace you wore over a chambray shirt is about to make a triumphant return?

No.

But big, slightly ridiculous jewelry? Absolutely.

5. Ballet Flats

Ballet flats have obviously been back for a while now, but they had to make this list.

Because millennials remember when these were THE shoe.

Then they became horribly uncool for a while.

And now they're everywhere again.

We've had mesh flats, Mary Janes, square-toe flats, glove flats, studded flats, and basically every possible version of a ballet flat over the last few years.

At this point I'm convinced the plain little ballet flats we wore the first time around are going to end up being the coolest ones again.

6. Wedges

Wedges are back.

Actual wedges.

Not a shoe with a tiny hidden wedge that technically qualifies. Big wedge sandals and heels that very obviously look like wedges.

I feel like millennials were personally victimized by the anti-wedge discourse for a solid decade, so this is our time.

And honestly? They're cute.

I especially like some of the more sculptural versions we're seeing now because they don't feel like you're pulling out the exact pair you wore to a college bar in 2009.

7. Statement Belts

Ohhhh the statement belt.

Millennials really did love putting a belt on EVERYTHING.

Over a dress. Over a cardigan. Over a tunic. Sometimes directly under our boobs for reasons I can no longer explain.

And while I don't think we need to go quite that hard this time, belts are definitely becoming a much bigger part of outfits again.

I'm seeing big buckles, wide leather belts, studded belts, chain belts, and belts that are clearly there to be noticed.

This is one of those trends that feels really easy to wear now without looking like you got dressed in 2010.

8. Low-Rise Jeans

Low-rise jeans have been threatening millennials for years now, so at this point we might as well accept that they're staying.

But honestly, high waist isn't necessarily "out of style". It just might not work with a lot of the trending tops we are seeing.

Less crop tops, more longer and asymmetrical hems which work better with a low rise.

And we're getting low-rise versions of basically every jean now too. Baggy, bootcut, straight, flare, skinny.

So no, you do not have to go dig out the jeans that required a two-inch zipper. (Unless you want to!)

9. Stretch Comb Headbands

YOU KNOW THE ONES.

Those stretchy claw-looking headbands that comb all your hair straight back.

I cannot believe these are back.

I had approximately 700 of them growing up and I'm pretty sure every single one eventually snapped and launched itself across the room.

But they're back, and I have to admit they look kind of cute.

The way they're being worn now is super simple too. Hair down, headband pushed back, done.

10. Claw Clips

Claw clips have been back long enough that they barely even feel like a comeback anymore.

But these were such a millennial staple that they obviously belong here.

And now there are SO many more options than the basic tortoiseshell clip we used to throw our hair into.

Tiny ones, giant ones, metal ones, colorful ones, weird shapes. You could probably find a claw clip for every outfit at this point.

I'm fine with this one never leaving again.

11. Jelly Flats

JELLY SHOES.

Another thing I truly never expected to see become cool again.

Except now we're getting jelly ballet flats, which somehow makes them feel completely different.

I've seen clear ones, colorful ones, woven ones, glittery ones, and they're weirdly cute.

Are they plastic shoes? Yes.

Do I still want a pair? Also yes.

12. Baguette Bags

The little shoulder bag that sits right under your arm is officially a staple again.

And this is another comeback that's been building for a while.

Baguette bags are getting a little more interesting now too. I'm seeing worn-in leather, studs, buckles, charms, animal prints, and slouchier shapes instead of everything being super simple and minimal.

If you kept any of your old little shoulder bags, this might be the time to investigate what's hiding in the back of your closet.

13. Platform Flip-Flops

Platform flip-flops!

Another trend that immediately transports me back to being approximately 13 years old.

And we're not just talking about slightly chunky flip-flops. Some of these are PLATFORMS.

The newer ones range from simple black styles to full-on Y2K versions with thick soles and colorful straps.

I especially love them with long loose pants or a maxi skirt.

Or wear them with capris and really commit. At this point, why not?

14. Layering Camis

I've been noticing this one more and more lately.

Those little lace layers peeking out from underneath tops are back.

But the camis themselves are different this time.

Instead of the super tight camis we used to layer on top of each other, I'm seeing longer, looser versions underneath oversized sweaters and tees. And a lot of asymmetrical lace hems.

Sometimes it's just a little lace showing underneath. Sometimes several inches of the cami hang out below the top. Sometimes just the cami by itself is cute too.

It's very 2000s without literally recreating a 2000s outfit, and I actually really like it.

15. Side Parts

MILLENNIALS, WE WON.

The side part is cool again.

After years of being told that our side parts were aging us approximately 400 years, everyone is moving their hair away from the middle again.

Some of the newer side parts are super deep and dramatic. Others are softer and messier with that swoopy piece in the front that millennials know VERY well.

Either way, you can officially move your part back over without Gen Z staging an intervention.

What a time to be alive.

Millennial Fashion Is Coming Back

I think my favorite part about all of this is that we're not just copying and pasting our old outfits.

A lot of these trends look genuinely different now.

The camis are looser. The peplum tops have changed. Even skinny jeans don't necessarily look like the ones we were peeling off our legs in 2012.

But the references are SO obvious.

And after years of hearing that skinny jeans, side parts, ballet flats, wedges, and basically everything else we liked were horribly outdated, I am enjoying this.

Want more trends? Stay on top of all the latest trends for 2027 with my trend reports that will help you be in the know about what’s in and what’s out this season.