Gen X Fashion: What We Got Right (And What We'd Rather Forget)

Gen X doesn't get enough credit. Sandwiched between the Boomers and Millennials, this generation quietly shaped some of the most enduring fashion trends of the modern era. They also made some choices that, in retrospect, were absolutely unhinged.

Let's break it down.

What Gen X Got Right

Grunge flannel
This wasn't just fashion—it was a philosophy. "I found this shirt, it's comfortable, and I don't care what you think." That energy is timeless.

Minimalist black everything
While some went loud, others went full monochrome. Black turtlenecks, black boots, black sunglasses. Simple, effective, still works today.

Sport sunglasses as fashion
Gen X figured out that performance eyewear could be a style statement. They were ahead of their time, and the current revival proves it.

Doc Martens
Indestructible, versatile, and they only get better with age. No notes.

What We'd Rather Forget

JNCO jeans
Look, we understand the appeal of roomy pants. But when your jeans have enough fabric to make a tent, you've gone too far.

Frosted tips
Guy Fieri kept the flame alive, but for most of us, this particular trend should stay in the 90s where it belongs.

Excessive layering
A t-shirt over a long-sleeve over another long-sleeve? We were either always cold or deeply confused about how clothes work.

Butterfly clips
Okay, these are actually making a comeback and honestly, fair enough. Gen X won this round.

The Verdict

Gen X fashion was a mixed bag, but what generation's isn't? The difference is that the good stuff—the attitude, the functionality, the "I'm cool but I'm not trying too hard" vibe—has aged remarkably well.

And the sunglasses? Those are definitely in the "got it right" column.