A Gen Z take on how Bangkok’s neighbourhoods shape teen fashion today, from thrifting hubs to indie cafés, street style, and youth-driven aesthetics across the city.

Written from a Gen Z perspective, this piece reflects the viewpoint of Aedan Vanderbeek, a 16-year-old high school student at St Andrews International School Bangkok and fashion-focused intern at Koktail Thailand. With interests spanning fashion, football, photography, travelling, rock climbing, snowboarding, and skating, his observations capture how Bangkok’s neighbourhoods influence the way teens dress, express themselves, and build personal style. When people think of Bangkok, they usually picture traffic jams, temples, street food, and neon lights. But for him, one of the best parts of the city is something you only really notice when you’re out on the streets paying attention. Fashion. As a teen growing up in Bangkok, he sees style everywhere. It changes depending on the neighbourhood, the time of day, and even the mood of the city.

Here is Bangkok street style, seen through a Gen Z lens.

1/5 Bang Sue: The Main Spot for Teen Thrifting

If there’s one place I always end up going back to, it’s Bang Sue Junction Shopping Centre. Inside, it feels likea maze of second-hand shops, with racks of vintage pieces, old sports jerseys, Y2K skirts, cargo trousers, random graphic tees, and accessories you didn’t even know you needed. For teens like me, the Red Building is where fashion actually becomes fun and affordable. You’re not buying clothes just because they’re trending; you’re choosing pieces that genuinely fit your style. Every floor feels different, and every rack has something that could completely change your outfit’s vibe. Because everything is pre-loved, people build their own look instead of copying the same brands everyone else is
wearing.

2/5 Siam Square: The Teen Fashion Capital

If you want to understand how Thai teens actually dress, you go to Siam. It’s like the unofficial headquarters of youth style. The outfits are always a mix of casual and creative. You’ll see oversized tees, cargo trousers, loose denim, and, of course, sneakers that look like they belong in a glass display rather than on the street.

3/5 Ekkamai: Chill, Clean, and Aesthetic

Ekkamai has a completely different vibe. It’s more “minimal but expensive-looking”, with lots of neutrals, linen shirts, and clean sneakers. You see older teens and university students sitting in cafés on their laptops, all dressed like their life is a Pinterest board. If Siam is loud and expressive, Ekkamai is calm and put-together. Even the outfits feel calm yet confident.

4/5 Ari: Soft, Creative, and Indie

Ari is where Bangkok fashion gets softer and artsy. It’s full of thrift cafés, bookstores, and creative studios, and people dress to match the atmosphere. You see lots of loose trousers, knitted tops, crochet bags, handmade jewellery, and soft colours. The vibe is “soft but indie”, with many outfits inspired by small Thai creators rather than big brands. It’s the kind of place where someone’s bag or necklace might actually be something they made themselves.

5/5 Chinatown: Culture Mixed with Trendy Looks

Chinatown has its own fashion story. Even though it’s best known for its food, it’s also full of people taking photos and mixing modern style with traditional touches. You’ll see red accents, gold jewellery, qipao- inspired tops, silk skirts, or accessories that reference Chinese culture, all styled in a completely current, Gen Z way. It’s one of the best places to see how culture and youth fashion blend naturally, without feeling forced. Many local creators shoot their street-style photos here, because the contrast between old signage and modern outfits simply works.

Think of Bangkok as a city with multiple wardrobes. Each neighbourhood dresses differently, with its own rhythm, references, and unwritten rules. Move just a few BTS stops and the silhouettes change, the colour palettes shift, and so does the attitude. For teens growing up here like him, fashion is about reading the area, matching the mood, and knowing when to stand out – or blend in.