The COVID-19 pandemic was a crucible for this generation. Locked down for extended periods, they turned to Zoom university and lost two years of social development. The result is a generation with high anxiety but also high digital literacy.
Driven by sustainability (and a tight budget), thrifting has become a core pillar. Berkah (blessings) is the slang for finding a rare vintage Yankees jersey or a 90s Japanese denim jacket for three dollars. It has gamified fashion, moving away from fast fashion giants like H&M toward the curated chaos of Pasar Seni and online thrift bots on Instagram. The COVID-19 pandemic was a crucible for this generation
adjusts his thrifted vintage vest—a staple of the (cultured kids) subculture—as he walks into a minimalist indie café in South Jakarta. The air is thick with the scent of roasted local beans and the rhythmic tapping of mechanical keyboards. On his table sits a "muka flat" (blank face) iced latte, a symbol of the effortless, cool aesthetic popular among his peers. Digital Life and "Bahasa Gaul" Driven by sustainability (and a tight budget), thrifting
