You’re in your teens, and you cannot be seen wearing terrible clothes or being basic. So what do you do? Check out these popular teenage fashion trends, of course.
With these trends to guide you, you can stay well dressed yet quirky, funky yet smart, elegant yet edgy, with a unique style of your own. And stay ready for any event, whether you’re going back to school or on a date. Or maybe even a special event like a music festival, concert or school dance.
Running out of ideas or just generally browsing to keep yourself updated about the top teenage trends for hairstyles, skincare and outfits? You have landed on the right page.
Go through below for the most popular teenage fashion trends researched from across the world, at your fingertips:
10 Popular Teenage Fashion Trends of 2021
| Popular Teenage Fashion Trends | Best For | Check on Amazon |
| Plaid Shirt | Fall/Autumn Wear | View Product |
| Distressed Jeans | Everyday Wear | View Product |
| Baggy Clothing | Back to School Outifts | View Product |
| Camo Pants | Outdoor Fashion | View Product |
| White Sneakers | Everyday Wear | View Product |
| Funky Embroidered Socks | Tween Fashion | View Product |
| Denim Jackets & Shirts | Back to School Outfits | View Product |
| Tropical Leaf Summer Dress | Summer Outfits | View Product |
| Minimalist Backpack | Back to School Outfits | View Product |
| Vintage Transparent Glasses | Music Festival/Date | View Product |
| Cute Baseball Cap | Sporting Events | View Product |
| High Waist Flared Jeans with Cropped Tee | Everyday Wear | View Product |
Plaid shirts
Plaid has always had an appeal like none other.
That “workman” type of masculine vibe that a good plaid shirt gives off goes contrastingly well on the feminine girl or woman wearing it.
It’s one of the classic and popular teenage fashion trends you simply cannot go wrong with. Plaid also marks the comeback of grunge fashion and other 90s trends. All the Instagram influencers are sporting plaid in the autumn too.
Except, if you don’t wear it right. Always tuck in a plaid shirt into a pair of well fitted jeans, be it faded or navy or black. No embellishments on the jeans so that the focus is on the plaid.
Leave a few buttons open, roll up your sleeves and pair with a good pair of boots for that super stylish, yet, vintage look. It’s a style that both teenage boys and girls can wear.
How you style your hair will further define the occasion: Keep it combed back and long for a formal college seminar or symposium, or wear it in a messy bun for a casual and fun movie evening out with friends. As we said, plaid is a fail-safe option, any day.
Distressed Jeans
These are new hot additions to every teenager’s wardrobe. We love them faded, we love them bleached. Distressed jeans come in a lot of variations, from mild to extreme. We say, go for something mid-level, as these are easier to pull off. And what says teen fashion better than jeans.
Do try and avoid going over the top with too many other additions to the jeans like embroidery or embellishments as these take away the beauty of the distressed look.
The best part about these jeans is that they can be paired with any shirt or tee shirt. They also look good with crop tops and hoodies.
Of course, this is always a casual look, never a formal look, no matter what you pair these jeans with.
Wear them well-fitted, never baggy. And if your parents refuse to buy you distressed jeans, remind them of their teenage years! Jeans have been among the popular teenage fashion trends for decades now.
Baggy clothing
So, from the well-fitted jeans, we move to the other side of the spectrum: oversized clothing. Take a page from the Japanese fashionistas and go big. Loose pants with hoodies and chunky boots, for example.
When you don’t feel like squeezing into those tight pair of pants, say on a hot summer day, choose a pair of pants made from freely flowing cotton fabric or summer crepe and pair it with a funky tee shirt to keep you cool.
These are so comfortable that you can walk, run, squat and do whatever else you want with ease.
If you want to amp it up a notch, wear these with some real chunky shoes or boots, like work boots and carry the whole look with a cool attitude.
You will be the envy of your college when you show up in style dressed in these popular teenage fashion trends!
Camo pants
Another popular teenage fashion trends, straight from the streets of Tokyo are Camo pants. These add a sexy masculine vibe to the girls wearing them.
There are lots of Camo pants selling in stores but not all are in fashion right now.
Remember, this is a style from Japan, so keep it huge and comfortable.
Choose a pair of pants that sits well on your hips but flows down your legs.
You can tuck the ends into a pair of boots, chunky, of course.
Pair these with a simple tank top for those humid summer days or a plain tee shirt for a cooler day.
If you’re bolder, you could even experiment with a bold, plain coloured hoodie or one with a graphic print on it.
This is a tough look that can give off a “tomboy” vibe if you dare to own it.
Sneakers
Teenage is all about looking fashionable without compromising on comfort. Yes, those 6-inch heels look so sexy but really, is that what we want to wear when we are hanging out with our friends for a bite?
The trick to this pairing is to ensure that your sneakers don’t look like you are about to jump into a workout.
Wear ones that are meant for walking, flat healed and slim. Those are not just comfortable but among the popular teenage fashion trends now.
Remember, you want to keep this rocking! One colour that can go with just about any colour bottom is white, a must-have in your closet. Pair the bottom with a nice crop top or a sleeveless tank to complete the look.
Funky Embroidered socks
Socks are no longer the item of clothing you wear to keep covered inside your shoes. Get yourself a few pairs of quirky socks in various colours, patterns and maybe even with some of your favourite cartoon characters.
You need a bit of adventure to pull off this look. Wear them long (ankle socks are out) and show off those socks paired with a skirt or a pair of shorts.
You could be even more daring and wear these with a pair of contrasting and funky shoes. If you’re still too young, these socks are a great way to experiment without being too obvious. So they are among the best fashion ideas for tweens.
Keep the rest of your clothing subtle, with a plain tee or one with a simple graphic design and a plain bottom.
If you want to keep it elegant, go for a pair of sheer socks with some pretty embroidered designs and wear these with a summer frock or a light skirt.
There are loads of sellers online with their creative designs, do check them out and pick out ones that really call out to you.
Denim jackets and shirts
One piece of clothing that screams “fun” is a denim jacket. This is a versatile piece in your wardrobe that can never go out of style. Wear your denim jacket over a mini or midi dress and you’re all set for that day of fun.
If you are bored with your denim jacket, try upcycling it by adding some embellishments or get your mother to embroider a couple of flowers around the buttonholes or over the pockets.
These add a splash of colour and make your jacket special, and new. You can keep this as girlish as you want with a pair of dainty ballerina shoes or chunk it up with some workboots or boxy shoes, that is up to you.
However which way you choose to express yourself, denim is trending right now.
Tropical leaf summer dress
If you’re looking for a cute summer outfit for a teenage girl, this one tropical leaf summer dress is your best choice. It can also be a cute back to college outfit if you’re going to a party.
These dresses are comfy and give a feminine vibe. Whether it’s a beach party after a day of frolic or a cozy bonfire night, this dress is great for them all. The dresses can have different sleeve styles and sizes and some also come with ruffles for a more breezy look.
Just pair this cocktail dress with a wide-brimmed hat and some wedges and you’re good to go. Or you can go for sandals for a comfy, chilled-out vibe. It’s one of the popular teenage fashion trends for girls.
Minimalist backpack
One of the best fashion styles for a teenage girl is to combine style with practicality. And this minimalist backpack is the perfect choice for that. Kanken backpacks are the latest fashion in every high school. But you don’t necessarily have to empty your pocket money for these. Check out these similar backpacks instead.
They come in cutesy pastel colors that go with most of your outfits for school. If pink is not your personal style, these bags come in black and grey variants too. They’re also super comfy and spacious – great for fitting all your books.
Vintage transparent glasses
Glasses are trendy right now, and not just with the hipsters. These stylish spectacles can enhance the features of your face. If you have oval, square, or heart-shaped faces, the round, Harry Potter-style glasses would look great on your face type.
And there are just so many frames to choose from. From sleek and sexy black frames to funky animal print ones – get a pair or two to add those finishing touches to your outfit. Trendy sunglasses can take your outfits to new, killer heights.
Cute Baseball Cap
Come summer and you’ll see a bevy of teen girls out soaking up the sun. But don’t forget to protect your skin and hair! And the baseball cap is the perfect accessory for this. It’s not just utilitarian, you can use this cap to make fashion statements too.
And if it’s baseball season, then you have the perfect accessory to go with your cute outfit.
High Waist Flared Jeans With Loose Pattern Crop Tee
Skinny pants who? It’s the time of the flared jeans. One of the popular late 1990s fashions, this is one of the tween fashion trends that is making a comeback.
You can choose the pants in bold patterns or solid colors and match it to a loose pattern cropped tee. This casual style is also one of the comfiest current trends. So you can wear this type of style to school everyday without a hitch.
Try distressed denim to add a bit more character to your look. We suggest wearing old sneakers or ballet flats with this classic style. Oh and don’t forget your lip gloss to complete the look!
Tie-Dye
Tie-dye shirts have received wide popularity and are about the craze in today’s fashion trend for teenagers and adults. You might think that tie-dye shirts are advanced and stylish clothes. You are wrong there. Tie-dye shirts were quite popular in the 60s among the hippies and they are simple tees dyed with 2 or more colors with a certain pattern. The most common pattern in tie-dye tees is the rainbow swirl pattern.
You might wonder why the 60s fashion trend is currently popular. This is because people have become less conservative and more tolerant. In addition, tie-dye shirts are lightweight and comfortable to wear. Tie-dye shirts come in different print patterns and can be worn by girls and boys.
You can wear them with baggy pants or slim-fit jeans and a bucket hat. However, girls have more variations like V-neck, sleeveless, and crop tees. Moreover, you can also try DIY methods to make a tie-dye. All you need is a white tee, dyes of your choice, and certain tools.
Ruched Dress
A ruched dress is an item of feminine clothing designed with gathered strips and pleats which gives you a slimming effect when worn. This is your go-to dress if you want to look like a fashion star. You will slay a party or be a celebrity on an occasion if you wear the ruched dress.
They are absolutely stunning and beautiful and come in numerous designs and styles. Some of the popular styles are sleeveless, off-shoulder, turtle neck, and long sleeves. This dress flaunts your pleasing curves and would be ideal for a romantic date night. If you have a curvy figure the ruched dress will make you look super slim. This dress is all about making you look like a treat.
The footwear that complements well with the ruched dress is high heels. Make sure to leave your hair open and well-combed or you can opt for a high pony hairstyle.
Bike Shorts
Bike shorts are not only worn when you want to work out or do yoga. Surprisingly, bike shorts are currently in trend and you will find most people wearing them outdoors as a casual dress. Be it a walk in the park, or if you want to hit the store bike shorts can be worn anywhere and anytime. Bike shorts are body fitting and are available for both girls and boys.
They are very comfortable, stretchable and they keep your body cool. Since they are body fitting, they amplify your curves and make you look fit and healthy. Boys can top the bike shorts with a normal tee or hoodie and sports shoes along with a cap.
Girls can choose to wear oversized tees or hoodies with chunky shoes. They also complement well with crop tops and sports bras. They make you look exceptionally cute. You can wear sunglasses to look more attractive.
Mesh Socks
Mesh socks are completely distinctive from the regular socks we wear. Mesh is a silky lace material that is stretchable and transparent. The reason for mesh socks to be trending is because it is soft, comfortable and lightweight and does not make your feet sweaty.
It is available in countless designs, colors, and styles and hence you can choose a suitable pair of socks for any outfit. The most popular design is the mesh lace ankle-length socks. You can find knee-high mesh socks as well.
Top 10 fashion tips for teenagers
- Mix and match your colours
Move away from the boring mix of black, white and blue with brighter shades. We are now seeing a lot of subtle shades trending with a pop of bright colours. Subtle shades like olive green, brick red, light peach are paired with a pop of bright pink, gold or an electric blue. The brighter colour is in the form of one article, like maybe your shoes.
2) Glitter is in!
If you are the kind who likes glitter, (well, who doesn’t?), wear it on your feet. Let your shoes sparkle in a glittery turquoise while you pair a teal shirt with a pair of white jeans. Glitter is among the top popular teenage fashion trends these days.
3) Wear complimentary colors
Colours that go really well and complement each other are those from the same family, like, yellow with orange or red, pink with purple. One item that goes well with most subtle colours is a pair of blue jeans. You can never go wrong there.
4) Accessorise well
All trendy clothes need the right accessories to add some oomph. Pick some items like a bracelet or necklace that you know you can repeat and maybe let them become your signature or trademarked pieces.
5) Add a cap
A funky baseball cap is a great addition to your collection. Wear it with your casual dresses as well as your jeans and shorts, keeping you protected while you look stylish.
6) Wear stylish glasses
Another interesting piece is a pair of round-rimmed or rectangular glasses. They give off the nerdy vibe and can be a great addition especially when you are going to college.
7) Neckwear to the rescue!
Long neckpieces can liven up a plain dress or outfit while not being “too much”. Buy them in basic colours so that they can match any outfit you choose.
8) Hoops for the ears
An all-time favourite, hoops can go from casual to formal to sexy depending on the colour and size. They go with just about any outfit and are a great versatile addition to your collection.
9) Invest in a good bag
A minimalist bag like the one shown above in our list can go with almost every outfit. It’s a budget pick for teenagers and can give you an uber stylish look effortlessly.
10) Upcycle your outfits
The latest fashion trends need not come from the mall. Try adding sequins, tie-dye or embroidery to your brother’s plain shirt or you mum’s vintage blouse.
What clothes should every teenage girl have?
There are several items that are must-have in the wardrobe of the stylish teenage girl. These include a good pair of jeans, sneakers, a sturdy jacket, a plain-coloured jumper, and a plain black t-shirt. Graphic tees are also making a comeback in the tween scene.
What are popular teenage brands?
Some of the popular teenage outfit brands include:
- Lychee fashion
- Topshop
- H & M
- Brandy Melville
- Forever 21
- Zara
- Abercrombie Fitch
- Lululemon
- American Eagle
- Hollister
- Adidas
If you want to get the popular teenage fashion trends at a budget, there are several stores on Amazon that can help you get the most stylish outfits at amazing prices.
How to make a sporty outfit look cute?
Sports outfit can often be plain and practical. But that doesn’t mean they cannot be made stylish. In fact, one of the popular teenage fashion trends is to wear sports or gym wear casually.
Try adding a pop of colour to your tennis skirts or basketball shorts to make them stand out. And if you’re wearing plain white sneakers a little paint and handmade doodles can transform them instantly. It often takes very little to make a sporty outfit look cute.
What’s trendy for teenage fashion?
The teenage fashion trends that are popular currently are bike shorts, white sneakers, tie-dye tees, mesh socks, ruched dresses, and baggy clothing. Minimalist backpacks and sunglasses are also some trending accessories for teens.
What’s the fashion color for 2021?
There are 2 fashion colors in 2021 that received fame. They are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. Ultimate gray is an ashy silvery gray color and Illuminating is a bright shade of lemon yellow.
What clothes should teenage girls wear?
Every teenage girl should make sure to fill their wardrobe with the following items: tees, jeans, oversized hoodies, a cute satchel, and a hat.
What jeans are in fashion for teenagers in 2021
Bootcut jeans, high-rise straight-leg jeans, and high-rise flare jeans are in fashion for teens.
Fashion is art. It is what we use to express ourselves and this expression is very important during the teen years as this is when we begin to explore ourselves and showcase it to the world.
While this expression sounds quite easy, we know that in reality, it is not.
Fashion doesn’t have to be expensive. It is about understanding how to mix and match and make it aesthetically pleasing.
We hope our collection above of the most popular teenage fashion trends across the world helped inspire you in creating your own signature style!
