The two trends ruling Schoolies: LUCY MANLY goes inside Surfers Paradise and reveals how Gen-Z has hijacked a ‘daggy’ fashion item of the past – and what teenagers can’t get enough of: ‘I drank it at nan’s’

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School leavers do swarmed the Gold Coast for a week of partying – and there are two things that stood out as a toolie watching from the sidelines.

First of all, their drink of choice isn’t beer or liquor: it’s Hard Solo.

If you’re not familiar, Hard Solo is the new alcoholic counterpart to soft drink Solo, which was recently forced to change its name due to an outcry from blue-green independents who thought it was an advertisement for drinks aimed at children.

Second, they all carry Crocs – which first hit the market before these Schoolies were born in the early 2000s, but are now experiencing a resurgence.

As he left a bottle shop with a black and yellow slab of Hard Solo, 18-year-old Lucas told Ny Breaking Australia: “I just like the taste of it.”

‘I drank it [non-alcoholic Solo] as a kid at grandma’s house, so it reminds me of my childhood,” he added.

Lucas wasn’t the only Gen-Z partygoer who broke with teen tradition by swapping beer for the lemony alcho-pop drink.

“I usually drink beer when I’m at home, but it’s so sweet and easier to drink,” Sabian, also 18, said Wednesday evening.

‘You don’t taste the alcohol. After a while you get sent sideways,” says Rhyce, 18.

The new alcoholic version of the iconic lemon-flavored soft drink has been at the center of a bizarre reaction.

Just days before 15,000 partygoers flooded the Surfers Paradise strip, it was announced that Hard Solo would be rebranded as ‘Hard Rated’ after just 10 complaints were made to the marketing regulator.

One complaint stated that the alcoholic drink was similar to Solo, which is “consumed by minors,” and could therefore cause confusion.

“It’s hard to imagine why they would think this is OK in 2023,” the complaint said.

In Surfers Paradise’s central entertainment district, a BWS worker said the store was trying to keep up with demand for Hard Solo as thirsty teenagers came in every day asking for it.

“It’s been extremely popular; the records are flying out the door,” he said, adding. “We’re trying to keep up with demand.”

Another trend that is taking over Surfers Paradise Crocs.

This year’s Schoolies were babies back then Crocs have exploded in popularity, and the divisive shoes – once vilified for being “ugly” – are enjoying a resurgence among Gen-Z.

While walking along the party strip I lost count of the number of pairs I saw, and it was clear that these were the most popular shoes on the Gold Coast.

“They’re crazy comfortable, yeah,” teenager Alex told Ny Breaking Australia.

‘Wearing Crocs are safer than wearing my sneakers – they would break,” said 18-year-old Courtney.

Another partygoer, Skye, said accessories for her Crocs was important, noting, “It’s all about the Jibbitz [shoe charms].’

Adored by Gen-Z and celebrities, Crocs have seen a sudden rise in popularity since 2018 after twenty years on the market.

A City Beach Australia store worker said teenagers were pouring in daily pair of Crocs.

“There is a huge demand for Crocs, especially from the boys, especially the pink ones,” she noted.

“As you can see, there isn’t much stock!”