2025 was a year defined by contrast, where minimalism met maximal emotion, sensuality found confidence and craft collided beautifully with technology while self-expression became fashion’s most powerful currency.
The resurgence of transparency and lace spoke to a new kind of sensuality – one that celebrates body confidence and inclusivity rather than adhering to traditional ideals of allure. The revival of the preppy aesthetic evolved into something sharper and sportier, blending Ivy League polish with a contemporary edge inspired by the global rise of social sports and a renewed appetite for tailored comfort.
Animal prints and voluminous silhouettes underscored fashion’s continued love affair with maximalism, offering unapologetic statements of confidence and glamour, while colour played an expressive role with butter yellow, candy pink and burgundy emerging as emotional anchors that challenged conventional seasonality. The rise of furry textures, bag charms and technical outerwear reinforced the industry’s shift towards tactility, playfulness and practicality, heightened by the Labubu phenomenon – a viral crossover of pop culture and fashion where a mischievous, plush bunny evolved from collectible toy to cultural currency.
As the year comes to a close, we see digital expression also evolve, with virtual fashion, AI assisted design and phygital retail experiences dictating how consumers discover and engage with style. Each of these movements, distinct yet interconnected, signal a broader transformation – one where fashion is not merely about what we wear, but how we live, consume and create.
Below, we highlight the key trends that dominated 2025 and are set to influence the seasons to come.
PREPPY AND EDGY STYLES
Preppy dressing saw a massive uptick in 2025 in both menswear and womenswear segments with consumers tilting towards looks that are polished-yet-playful and driven by the revival of early 2010s trends. This was fuelled also, in part by the meteoric rise of social sports such as padel, pickleball and tennis across the world. Data pointed towards polo shirts, which were once considered as a staple of Ivy League dressing, witnessed a 28% Y-o-Y demand surge, signalling a cultural shift towards sport-infused sophistication.
This evolution draws inspiration from both contemporary cultural shifts such as the #ralphcore aesthetic and the global anticipation that surrounded the Paris Olympics. Brands such as Aimé Leon Dore, Kith and Ralph Lauren served looks that effortlessly blended heritage aesthetics with contemporary tailoring. In particular, pieces featuring graphics and colour palettes that resonate with today’s fashion-forward consumer, performed well across the board. The womenswear segment saw the trend expand into varsity-inspired pieces, including rugby shirts and collegiate long-sleeved polos offering an ideal solution for transitional styling
ANIMAL PRINT FOR THE WIN
2025 saw an interesting unfurling of the animal print spanning through the year, owing to its maxaestheticsimalist and bold aesthetic. Fuelled by the viral ‘mob wife’ and ‘indie sleaze’ undercurrents from previous seasons, animal prints embraced raw glamour and unapologetic individuality, giving rise to a bold and rebellious way of dressing.
Based on industry data, sales of animal print pieces accelerated by 33% year-over-year, with consumer appetite spanning across categories that range from statement outerwear to footwear and accessories. Amongst the animal print tribe, we saw classic leopard prints, zebra prints and tiger prints leading the narrative, with an unusual and unexpected print coming into the limelight – aka the cow print.
Whether rendered in natural palettes or reimagined in bold neon tones and standout metallics, these prints reflect consumers’ desire for expressive, disruptive fashion that breaks away from the minimalism of the previous seasons. Brands can tap onto this trend for the future by utilising these prints on oversized outerwear, accessories with textural animal motifs and unexpected print placements on elevated basics.
BUTTER YELLOW, CANDY PINK AND BURGUNDY
These three colours emerged in a way that actually challenged conventional seasonal rules.
According to data shared by Retviews, consumer interest around candy pink grew by 32% year-over-year, while yellow gained an overall 18% increase. Neutral tones continued their momentous reign, presenting themselves as anchor colours within a colour-forward season.
Creamy butter yellow was impossible to ignore, be it on runways, celebrity wardrobes or mass-market retail.
These tones reflect a broader shift that points towards consumers opting for gentler and more uplifting shades which evoke joy and ease in the current chaotic climate of the world.
Standing out entirely was burgundy, a colour that has been traditionally and typically reserved for fall; witnessing an unexpected 140% rise in summer collections.
For brands, the takeaway is clear: embrace contrast and rethink seasonality
LABUBU MANIA: CUTE, CHAOTIC AND CULTURALLY UNSTOPPABLE
What began as a niche designer toy quickly spiralled into a global obsession, infiltrating social feeds, street style and even celebrity wardrobes. From Rihanna and Marc Jacobs to Lady Gaga and David Beckham, Labubu— the mischievously grinning bunny-elf hybrid — wasn’t just an accessory, it was an attitude, a knowing nod to internet irony wrapped in plush fur and pop surrealism.
At its peak, searches for Labubu spiked an astonishing 625% between May and June 2025, cementing its place as the year’s most viral fashion totem. It embodied the collision of nostalgia, absurdity and self-aware luxury – a perfect recipe for a generation fluent in memes and meaning.
As the frenzy begins to fade, one question lingers in its wake: in a landscape where virality dictates value, what becomes fashion’s next fixation? For now, Labubu remains the defining mascot of 2025 – equal parts cute, chaotic and culturally unstoppable.
ROMANTIC LACE
As the lines between occasion and everyday dressing continue to blur, lace embodies a unique duality: it is inherently romantic yet modern, offering a sense of individuality and confidence. Additionally, the rise of personal expression through texture and transparency aligns seamlessly with lace’s aesthetic, making it an ideal choice for consumers seeking subtle sensuality.
When it comes to colours, lace is being reimagined not just in classic neutral tones but also in vibrant, unexpected colourways that present a modern take on femininity. Muted tones such as blush, ivory and soft pastels dominate, while bold hues like crimson and electric blue inject a contemporary edge.
Strategic layering techniques such as pairing sheer lace tops with opaque bralettes or incorporating lace panels into tailored suiting, allow brands to cater to wide levels of comfort and style, while lightweight, breathable fabrics make lace detailing ideal for warm weatherwear. Intricate patterns and artisanal craftsmanship elevate its appeal for eveningwear and occasion dressing with the trend offering a fresh yet timeless opportunity to innovate across categories.
FURRY FINDS
From exaggerated outerwear to subtle trims, fur is being used to dramatise silhouettes and add dimensional richness to winter wardrobes.
Marni led the charge with playful, candycoloured furs, while Fendi’s couture-level craftsmanship emphasised fur’s luxury potential, underscored by its upcoming dedicated atelier. Prada’s shrunken coats and Chloé’s accents (lapels, stoles, charms) showcased fur’s adaptability across styling functions, while Balenciaga and Alaïa amped up the visual drama with voluminous, full-length iterations in bold tones.
Brands should take note: plush textures such as mohair, shearling, faux fur are ripe for creative manipulation. Expect strong performance in statement coats, trims, accessories and multitextured layering pieces.
TECHNICAL OUTERWEAR
Technical outerwear emerged as an essential pillar of 2025 menswear collections with designers continuing to refine performance-driven pieces, balancing function with futuristic aesthetics.
This year, the memo was simple – the more utilitarian, the better. Oversized pockets, adjustable toggles, protective hoods and advanced fabrications that reinforce durability and weather resistance define this trend.
On the runways, Sacai embraced a storytelling approach, drawing inspiration from Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, resulting in tactile puffer jackets trimmed with faux fur, earthy tones and UGG-collaborated bear-like boots. Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto and IM Men (Issey Miyake) leaned into alternate, almost dystopian aesthetics, presenting outerwear suited for a post-apocalyptic lifestyle. Emporio Armani and Y-3 doubled down on texture and high performance materials, catering to urban explorers seeking both practicality and style.
BAG CHARMS
Fuelled largely in part by the virality of Labubus, the trend has been building momentum and is poised to dominate the coming seasons as well. Pinterest data reveals a 274% year-on-year surge in searches for bag charms and a 27% rise in antique brooch interest, indicating a growing consumer inclination towards personalised embellishments. The runways echoed this sentiment, with cutesy and eclectic charms making appearances on handbags and totes. Versace and Coperni embraced jangly accents for a dynamic effect, Chloé leaned into its bohemian roots with chintzy trinkets and Fendi combined plush floral sprigs with luxuriously soft designs, bringing a whimsical elegance to its bags.
For brands and designers, this trend offers endless potential for innovation. Collections can include customisable charm options, collaborations with artisans for bespoke designs or even upcycled elements for a sustainable edge.
PUFFED UP
A larger-than-life evolution of the bubble hem trend that dominated earlier this year translated into parachute and power-pouffe details over muted, ice-cream-toned skirts with enveloping trains, puffed up shoulders and exaggerated draping on maxi and mini dresses. Inspired by the 19th-century bloomer silhouette, puffy hems made a strong impact via both long and short versions, offering versatility across various markets.
Spotted at Chloé, Khaite and Stella McCartney, in muted, pastel tones embracing dramatic puffed shoulders, voluminous hems and cascading layers, the trend sends a clear, resounding memo: go big or go home.
In order to embrace this trend, designers and brands can experiment with fabrics that align well with structure and movement such as organza, tulle or lightweight cotton blends. Innovative draping techniques, oversized ruffles and exaggerated gathers will serve well to create statement pieces. The focus should be on precise tailoring to maintain volume without adding bulk, making this trend adaptable to both high fashion and more accessible ready-to-wear segments.
TRANSPARENCY AND POWER
By Spring/Summer 2025, this trend was poised for widespread adoption, filtering beyond niche markets and into the mass market. Searches for lace lingerie have increased by 140%, while demand for sheer, body-conscious garments has surged, highlighting a move towards self-assured sensuality rather than traditional notions of allure.
Beyond traditional applications in gowns and dresses, the versatility of sheer enables it to extend into tops, outerwear and tailored pieces, offering new opportunities for creative prowess. Strategic layering of transparent materials with opaque elements or intricate detailing such as embroidery and lace appliqués can add dimension while maintaining the ethereal effect.
The trend is being interpreted in a variety of concepts ranging from layering, which incorporates sheer fabrics in layered constructions, creating depth while maintaining an element of modesty. Lace, a key element of this trend, is no longer only designated to eveningwear or lingerie, but is now being utilised in head-to-toe ensembles, including skirts, suits and even outerwear. These designs often mix lace with unexpected materials, such as leather or structured cotton, for a modern twist on an otherwise traditional fabric.
