Music taste is split between international fandom and fierce local pride.
Indonesian culture has always been collectivist and polite, but today’s youth have coined a new term: Baper (an acronym for Bawa Perasaan, meaning "carrying your feelings"). Music taste is split between international fandom and
Gen Z Indonesians are highly empathetic and emotionally intelligent. They reject the stoic, "suck it up" mentality of previous generations. They reject the stoic, "suck it up" mentality
Walk through the Pasar Senen or Bandung's infamous Cihampelas Walk, and you will notice a shift. The flashy, branded mall wear of the 2010s is out. Worn-out college sweatshirts, faded Japanese yukata as outerwear, and 1990s American bowling shirts are in. " explains Rizki
The trend is called "barang thrifting" (thrifting goods), but it is less about poverty and more about curation. Young Indonesians have turned second-hand clothing into a status symbol. A teenager with a rare Nirvana bootleg tee from a lapak (stall) in Yogyakarta commands more respect than one in a new Balenciaga hoodie.
"It's about the hunt," explains Rizki, 19, a fashion design student who runs a thrift resell account on Shopee. "Malls are boring. Everything is the same. But when you find a vintage 'Save the Whales' shirt from the 80s? No one else has that. It’s your identity."
This movement has also birthed a fierce anti-fast-fashion sentiment, aligning with global climate concerns. Local designers are scrambling to adapt, moving away from mass production toward "drops" of limited-edition, upcycled pieces.