According to social media, there are several visual markers when it comes to telling millennials and Gen-Z apart; an elder millennial, for example, will likely be buried in their black skinny jeans. Side parts, too, are said to be an indicator of an individual born between 1981 and 1996.
Yet another visual cue has recently emerged online, with some claiming a surefire way to delineate between generations is by looking at their socks. Yes, socks.
While Gen-Z - those born between 1997 and 2012 - will typically favour a crew style (socks that sit above the ankle, sometimes as high as mid-calf), the millennial cohort will tend to don the ankle-skimming variety.
This theory was suggested in a now-viral video on TikTok that examined different people at the gym and the socks they were wearing. Many others have since jumped on the trend, documenting the socks on show at their gym and how the length of the fabric can indicate that person's age bracket.
One millennial even took to TikTok to ask, "Am I uncool?" as she showed off her ankle-baring socks.
Another last week went viral for begrudgingly admitting they were "retiring" their ankle socks in a bid to "keep up with Gen-Z".
But some ankle enthusiasts have taken a stand for their beloved socks, with one millennial declaring on X: "Gen-Z will never scare me out of wearing a side part or ankle socks!"
"Gen-Z is coming for our ankle socks. Be strong, millennials!" said another, while a third added: "If anyone is doubting my age, black leggings and ankle socks are staples of my wardrobe and I've had a side part since middle school."
Others have been more receptive to change, with one admitting: "I think one thing I am willing to take from Gen Z is to ditch ankle socks and wear crew socks instead."
Some are taking steps to acclimatise before refreshing their sock drawer - dipping their toes in, so to speak.
The response to the ankle sock rebellion has been pretty hilarious - here's some of our favourite reactions.
Needless to say, if you're comfortable continuing to bare your ankles to the world, you do you - but if you catch someone staring at your socks in the gym, at least you know why.
