The 2025 Fashion Trends That Will Define the Next 12 Months

Grasping the 2025 fashion trends starts with reflecting on 2024’s. While last year didn’t entirely snuff out quiet luxury, it put us on a pendulum swing in the opposite direction—and in a fever-pitch pursuit of personal style.

We craved individuality in our closets and wanted items that championed it. Barn jackets—both Carhartt’s $90 canvas classics and Prada’s $4,000 purposely worn workwear coats—became a way to escape regular life and role-play as a hay-baler in the English countryside. Bubble skirts brought frothy, coquettish cuteness, and Charli XCX’s brat green was a provocative sucker punch.

Even the items that still whispered “stealth wealth” had something more interesting to say than “if you know, you know”. For instance, the suede bag trend that was everywhere last fall (see Coach’s viral Brooklyn) was a harbinger of a bigger boho-chic comeback.

While it’s impossible to know exactly what we’ll wear over the coming 12 months, we can make some good educated guesses. Here, Marie Claire draws inspiration from the Spring 2025 trends unveiled on last September’s runways and consults fashion experts and analysts to uncover what’s next for fashion in 2025.

Sea La Vie

(Image credit: Future)

In 2025, expect to dive into aquatic-inspired fashion, predicts Noémie Voyer, fashion lead at trend analytics platform Heuritech. “During Spring 2025 Fashion Week, we saw silhouettes channeling the popular ‘mermaid-core’ aesthetic—think glamour, sequins, and fishtail skirts—paired with sporty elements like Alaïa’s fishnet jogger pants, sexy scuba-inspired looks from Miu Miu, and one-piece swimsuits worn as bodysuits at Tory Burch and Miu Miu,” she explains.

Nautical influences will also make waves. “Picture coastal prep with a kitschy twist—marinière stripes, loose-fitting pieces, and a focus on comfort and fluidity,” says Sydney Stanback, who leads Pinterest’s global trends and insights. “Expect a resurgence of cable-knit sweaters, Breton-striped tops, and even fish-shaped bags, which are already up 50 percent in searches compared to last year.” She also highlights thick cuff-hem denim, pea coats, and boat-neck sweaters as must-have items to shop now.

Slice of Life Style

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The reality is that most people are back to their 9-to-5 office routines, and our wardrobes are poised to reflect this shift toward practicality even more. “Reality dressing is here for 2025,” says Liana Satenstein, the fashion newscaster behind the Instagram Live series and Substack Never Worn.

“We’re done with the rabid cores and voracious consumption of clothes to show off on the internet [for clout],” says Satenstein. The Vogue alum points to Miu Miu’s Spring 2025 show, where models sported intentionally chipped, flaky nails, as well as Gucci and Bottega’s paparazzi-style campaigns and Balenciaga’s iPhone-shot ads—complete with a finger smudge on the lens.

What does the “realification of fashion” mean for the clothes we’ll actually wear? “Think softer fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and a redefinition of sexiness. It’s no longer about trussing ourselves into clothes that make us feel alien or uncomfortable,” says Rachel Solomon, author of the style Substack Hey, Mrs. Solomon. Instead, it’s a mindset shift toward “investing in pieces we genuinely wear, rather than splurging on items for an imagined lifestyle,” she explains.

Boho 2.0

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Like a rolling stone, bohemian fashion keeps on keeping on.

“For 2025, boho chic makes a polished comeback, moving beyond last season’s rugged vintage vibe,” says Voyer. “This season emphasizes romantic, feminine silhouettes that feel effortless yet intentional.” She highlights Chemena Kamal’s fresh, modern approach at Chloé and Gen Z’s knack for vintage shopping as key factors breathing new life into the aesthetic. Stanback agrees: “Gen Z embraces nostalgia, reviving and reinterpreting historical trends they never experienced firsthand.”

When it comes to shopping, Stanback points to Balenciaga’s re-released cult-favorite Le City Bag, along with lace, tulle, ruffles, and shimmer. Meanwhile, Voyer highlights suede jackets, wide-leg jeans, and flowing maxi skirts and dresses as key pieces.

Meaningful Minimalism

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In response to “quiet luxury, the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, and monotonous design, there’s a growing desire for more thoughtful curation and a return to meaningful minimalism,” says Hallie Spradlin, director of visionary at the trend forecasting company Fashion Snoops. She notes this shift is reflected in “extra-special details that redefine luxury through unique touches and added flair,” like incorporating statement pieces into everyday wear or investing in standout items like the season’s best cargo pants. “Ultimately, the power lies in thoughtful, functional, or playful details that elevate the overall experience of a piece.”

Joanne Thomas, Fashion Snoops’ director of color, highlights the rise of “superimposed pastels” in 2025. She describes “blues that exude quiet charm and bouncy mints with a fizzy freshness that invigorates the senses.” These hues provide a playful yet calming escape from the everyday. In contrast, she notes, “a unique blend of grey and beige will ground the year in simplicity and stability.”

Power Rewired

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This year will also demonstrate Gen Z’s prowess as taste-makers. Voyer predicts Zoomers will “redefine power dressing and officewear with a rebellious flair. Think rock and grunge influences fused with vintage luxury pieces, sportswear, and streetwear, much like the Spring 205 collections of Coach, Prada, Rabanne, and Willy Chavarria. This bold fusion of eras and styles sets the stage for a year of self-expression and redefined fashion codes in what Voyer calls a ‘power rewired’ aesthetic. Key pieces include baggy jeans, front-crease tailored trousers, hourglass blazers, and hot pants.

Good Bad Taste

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Noora Raj Brown, executive vice president at Goop and author of the shopping Substack Objects of Desire, predicts “a shift away from years of minimalism and muted tones toward unbridled expressions of personal taste. Some of that expression will be objectively “bad” [going against unconventional good taste].” By that, I mean it won’t be as polished or put-together—but it will be more interesting, with room for creativity.”

Brown sees this “so-bad-it’s-good” trend reflected in extremes: “oversized proportions, elegant voluminous coats, and flowing trousers on one end, and short skirts, sheer fabrics, and lingerie-inspired pieces on the other.”

Voyer agrees, pointing to controversial shoes like Maison Margiela’s split-toe Tabi shoes and eclectic, mismatched layering outfits as “conversation-starting details.” On the color front, Fashion Snoops’ Thomas foresees “bold, fiery reds and near-neon oranges injecting dynamic energy and celebrating fearless self-expression.”

Let’s Move!

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As community-oriented sports groups and activities like run clubs, yoga, and pilates become more central in people’s lives, so will workout wear, explains Voyer. “As a result, athleticwear designed for versatility becomes relevant, driving demand for pieces that seamlessly transition from workouts to daily life,” she says.

Voyer references asymmetrical cropped tops that look closer to regular shirts than sports bras, an example of the subtle shift that equally values fashion and function. Looking ahead, the trend expert anticipates a more delicate color palette, like soft yellows and baby pinks, track pants, Capri-length leggings, and mini bike shorts defining the category.

Childlike Comfort

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Nostalgia will continue to dominate the trend landscape in 2025, just as it did in 2024. Jessie Randall, designer, founder, and creative director of Loeffler Randall and author of Substack Jessie Loves, is “seeing the appetite for childhood-inspired styles continually grow—like the ballet flats and Mary Janes that remind you of your first dance lessons, and loafers and boat shoes that recall old-school prep.”

Randall also predicts a comeback for last summer’s jelly sandal trend: “Our jelly sandals sold out faster than any silhouette we’ve ever designed, and I believe they’ll be just as big in Spring ’25.”

Voyer adds that personalized accessories—such as bag charms and stuffed animal keychains—will continue to grow in popularity. “As consumers focus on building versatile, durable wardrobes, they’ll use accessories to add a touch of individuality to classic outfits,” she notes.