Shehnaaz Gill may have begun her journey in Punjabi films, but she has seen an upward trajectory in Bollywood. Thanks to her ‘Bigg Boss’ stint, Gill is now a household name and a force to be reckoned with.
The actor is currently making headlines for her upcoming film ‘Ikk Kudi’. The latest song from the film is called ‘When And Where’ and stars rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh alongside the actor. While the song is an obvious hit, what kept us hooked was her Gen Z-coded style.
If you are a millennial looking to take styling tips from Gen Zs, Shehnaaz Gill has some useful cues up her sleeve. The first thing that catches one’s eye in the song are those dramatic kiss curls framing her face.
Kiss curls first became popular in the 1920s, but they’re now making a comeback in 2025. Celebrities like Alia Bhatt and Dua Lipa have already been spotted embracing the look, and now Shehnaaz has added her spin to it.
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Another Gen Z-coded fashion statement was her perfectly stacked jewellery. Think rings, bangles, chains, and charms layered just right to create a statement that feels effortless yet impactful.
Even Shah Rukh Khan has been seen experimenting with this layered accessory game at the Met Gala 2025, making it clear that stacking jewellery is here to stay.
Another aspect of her styling we absolutely loved was her red, beaded top. Of course, no Gen Z-inspired look is complete without a Y2K throwback, and Shehnaaz nails it. Remember those party tops from the early 2000s that were sparkly, shimmery, unapologetically fun? Well, Gill looks like she could give every Gen Z member a run for their money.
But the most striking element of Shehnaaz’s styling is her cornrows. The cornrows hairstyle holds deep cultural meaning. A traditional African hairstyle, cornrows have origins dating back thousands of years. The hairstyle is often used to signify age, kinship, social status, or community ties.
More importantly, cornrows serve as a protective hairstyle for curly and coiled hair, a practical yet deeply symbolic choice. However, while she seems to have adapted the style for this number, not acknowledging its roots seems like appropriation.
Regardless of whether you like Shehnaaz Gill’s sartorial game in ‘When and Where’ or not, one thing is for sure, she doesn’t settle for safe choices. She fuses vintage glam (kiss curls), modern styling hacks (jewellery stacking) and throwbacks (Y2K beads) into one power-packed performance.
