Admittedly, I usually dedicate this weekly column to the microtrends making waves in the fashion world (aquamarine blue, Pucci prints, dazzling thongs, to name a few), but this week I decided to switch things up a bit. As a fashion editor, I’m as interested in where trends start as I am in their longevity, and this summer, the answer (for the most part) came back to the same source. Week after week, many of this season’s biggest style moments can be traced back to one group: Gen Z’s favorite pop stars.
As the cultural landscape shifts from the quiet and extravagant to something much bolder and braver, there are some formidable frontwomen who thrive on and off the stage and treat every appearance like their personal runway. Known for their signature style in an age of individuality-based maximalism, their commitment to creating their own aesthetic is exactly what we need in 2026. And what about Gen Z? Well, they’re eating it.
Whether it’s how Lenny Rapp single-handedly brought back the Napoleon jacket and its ’60s-inspired specs; Fight for This Love-era Cheryl Cole would approve, and Zara Larsson would approve of bringing glitter heels, sequined T-shirts, and diamanté jeans back into the spotlight (all of which are on trend, according to the magazine). LYST index)it’s impossible not to give credit where credit is due.
This list could go on for days. So pop girls are certainly having a fun moment right now. Scrutinizing their unique yet slightly chaotic social media feeds reveals exactly the exact influence musical artists have on a wide range of fashion trends, but the public especially adores Seven the most. Think Addison Rae and her obsession with lingerie, or Billie Eilish’s decidedly “anti-fashion” approach. Each of these women deserves an award for their contributions to fashion in 2026.
7 Greatest Female Gen Z Pop Stars of 2026
1. Zara Larsson
A fifth album that rebrands her aesthetic to match the music (her words, not mine). midnight sun It feels like exactly what Gen Z has been waiting for. Think bejeweled denim capris, airbrushed baby T-shirts, low-rise jeans, and her signature tropical island Barbie doll. Her look has a natural Y2K playfulness without feeling overly costumed or forced. I’m completely on board.
true religion
Joey low-rise crystal flap cut-off shorts
Born from the Zara Larsson x True Religion collaboration.
outcast
renly mini dress
One way to stay on trend while still looking stylish.
2. Addison Rae
Style notes: If you had told me that Addison Rae would be on the list of the best Gen Z pop stars in 2020, I would have never believed you. But now, she has long left her Hype House days and teamed up with the Swedish producer. Elvira Anderfjord bless us addison She has officially established herself as a bona fide pop star. After being nominated for the Best Newcomer Award in 2026 This Grammy-winning record combines the bubblegum sparkle of Britney Spears. …Baby One More Time Lana Del Rey’s dreamy days of melancholy born to dieAnd the evolution of her fashion reflects that change in music.
Addison channeled what she describes as a “messy pop star energy” and traded her typical “valley girl” aesthetic for something much more fashion-forward. On stage, she wears a matching set from Versace fresh from Dario Vitale’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway, but off-duty she’s become the poster girl for Gen Z Y2K attire, with micro miniskirts (like Zara), graphic baby T-shirts, sheer slip dresses that resemble vintage nightgowns, and intentionally hodgepodge Pilates ensembles. It’s playful, nostalgic, and just makes you feel chaotic. completely Authentic.
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3. Lenny Rapp
Style notes: Lenny Rapp’s unapologetically playful approach to life has become as defining as her powerful vocals. And what about her style? Well, before becoming one of Gen Z’s most glamorous pop stars, Renee was best known as an actor, achieving cult status with her movies. Sex life of female college students Before playing Regina George again Mean Girls: The Musical And it will be made into a movie in 2024.
Her wardrobe follows the same subversive rulebook, or lacks one. One day it was Military jackets and vintage sportswear, then lace slip dresses and chunky boots. She’s a rock star, a theater girl, and an off-duty It girl. But what I love most about Renee’s style is that it proves that the coolest people are the ones who never look like they’re trying too hard.
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4. Olivia Dean
(Image credit: @oliviadean)
Style notes: If you’re British, you’ll understand. that’s right Why with the nation’s lover? Who What Wear UK cover star Olivia Dean had to make this list. From beating Addison Rae to the title of Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards to being named one of the faces of Burberry, her stance on hypersexualized pop aesthetics has made her a generational favorite.
Her signature waves, vintage-inspired silhouettes, and soulful stage presence, inspired by Hollywood’s Golden Age, have become as famous as her music. Her style has a timeless, soft romance and an undeniably glamorous essence.
Buy Olivia Deans Aesthetics:
A.Y.M.
Lana dress with reversible cowl neck
Olivia was spotted wearing this very dress at Wimbledon this summer.
5. Olivia Rodrigo
Style notes: When she’s not setting the internet ablaze for her love, Whether it’s wearing a babydoll dress or making a surprise appearance at Coachella with Addison Rae, every Gen Z is curious about what Disney star-turned-pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo will wear next.
Starting from a purple haze sour and guts, her third studio album, Seems very sad for a girl so in love, It seems like he has brought out a new side. Her sweet yet rebellious aesthetic remains the same, Her personal brand of edgy “femininity” feels more 90s grunge than 2000s. From the dress to the corset and of course the plaid skirt, this is the most raw and realistic Olivia has ever seen.
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6. Gracie Abrams
Style notes: When she’s not posting adorable snaps with her boyfriend, internet favorite Paul Mescal, or acting as the face of campaigns, Chanel, Gracie Abrams has quietly become the blueprint for seasonless style for Gen Z. Much like her indie folk-pop sound, her wardrobe has an understated, almost cinematic quality. Soft and deeply romantic, the song reflects the vulnerability that runs through her lyrics without feeling over-styled or trying.
With a heavy dose of 90s minimalism in her looks, Gracie has long perfected the art of off-duty dressing. Think vintage separates, relaxed tailoring, and intentionally slouchy silhouettes. It’s the best classic outfit.
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7. Billie Eilish
(Image credit: @billieeelish)
Style notes: I will always be a Billie Eilish Stan until the day I die. The 24-year-old not only won nine Grammys, but also won two. Oscar Award (Best Original Song for “No Time to Die” and “What Was I Made for?”), 2 Golden Globe Awards, 3 BRIT Awards, 9 AMAs and She’s won eight MTV Video Music Awards (making her one of the most awarded female musicians of all time!), but her personal style is just as influential as her music. Accentuated with layered T-shirts, Bermuda shorts, and oversized pieces, Billie’s brand is defined by her anti-fashion approach to style, and her over-all comfort energy endears her to unconventional fans (myself included).
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Source: Latest from Who What Wear – www.whowhatwear.com
