The Threads Of A Year
2025 was an...interesting year for fashion to say the least. Increasingly niche micro-trends bumped up against the quiet luxury movement, leading to what some people have called "the death of personal style". Let's look back at this year in trends before looking forward to the future.
1. Corpcore
Also known as "office siren" or "neo-yuppie", corporate chic made big waves in the fashion world. Popularized by celebrities such as Angel Reese and Doechii, corpcore prizes smooth lines and crisp tailoring. This look is as suitable for the office as it is for the runway.
2. Quiet Luxury
While the quiet luxury movement has been bubbling throughout the 2020s, 2025 was likely the last year we'll see it in such a major way. Like corpcore, quiet luxury emphasizes the craftsmanship behind clothing, subtle flexing monetary status through chic tailoring and neutral palates. It's minimalism but not quite.
3. Colorblocking
The color palate of this year took big inspiration from the '80s. No, not the retina-scalding neons you see in Halloween stores, but fun and funky colorblocking. Whether it was the same shade for a bold, monochromatic look, or more tonal dressing, colorblocking was inescapable.
4. Silk Scarves
2025 was the year that silk scarves were brought out of the back of grandma's closet and into the mainstream. Silk scarves were worn at the neck for horsegirl chic, over the hair for a glam retro look, or even as a low-slung belt for a Y2K vibe. Silk scarves are one trend that's expected to carry over into 2026.
5. Statement Furs
While 2025 was arguably the last year of quiet luxury, it was also the beginning of an era of maximalism. Few things scream maximalism as much as a fur coat. Oversized, brightly colored, and garishly-accessorized furs—both real and fake—made statements on streets, runways, and celebrity Instagram posts.
6. Mocha Mousse
Every year since 2000, Pantone has selected a Color of the Year to encapsulate the zeitgeist in a single shade. While 2026's shade, Cloud Dancer, is already set to be controversial, there was nothing controversial about 2025's hue, Mocha Mousse. This warm, sophisticated brown was absolutely everywhere.
7. Everyday Pants
It's a running joke as to whether you can predict the economy whether or not pants are tight or baggy. In 2025, pants were firmly on the baggy side of the spectrum. Everyday pants in relaxed or barrel fits are a far cry from the massive JNCO jeans of the early 2000s; they're also much ore wearable for every occasion.
8. Lingerie
Transparency was key in 2025. Romantic, frilly pieces inspired by lingerie helped women romanticize their daily lives. Chanel, Fendi, and Alexander McQueen all showcased sheer and lingerie-inspired looks on runways.
9. Sweater Vests
Sweater vests are part of the preppy movement that's partway between the dark academia of 2020 and the Ivy League style of the 1950s. What was once the single most geeky item you could have in your closet became a high fashion darling. Expect to see more sweater vests in the coming year.
10. Labubus
The most infamous trend of 2025 was by far the Labubu. This devilish Chinese toy became mega-popular both as an accessory and a low-stakes lottery in the form of blind box items. Within a few months, "Labubu" became a synonym for something mindlessly trendy and consumerist.
Now that we've reminisced over 2025's fashion trends, let's look forward to 2026.
1. Bold Colors
In contrast to (or perhaps in direct rebellion) to Pantone's sedate Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, 2026 is projected to be more colorful than previous years. In contrast to the typical pastels of spring collections, fashion houses went big and bold with bright colors. The more brash, the better.
2. Low-Rise Pants
Bad news for everyone who relies on their 2015 high-waisted pants to keep their belly under control, but low-rise denim is definitely back. Specifically, low-rise baggy denim is the style of the year. Somewhat worryingly, this style coincides with the rise of the Ozempic era, using low rise pants as an opportunity for body-checking.
Lion Hirth (Prissantenbär) on Wikimedia
3. Polka Dots
Polka dots were a burgeoning trend in 2026, but 2026 is the year that they step out of daycare lookbooks. Big or small; colorful or monochrome, you can expect to see polka dots popping up like chickenpox in the 1990s. Given that checks are also in, don't be surprised by potential pattern mixing.
4. T-Strap Heels
Heels are slated to take vintage inspiration in the coming year, from demure kitten heels, duo-tone almond toes. However, another trend goes back to its heyday in the 1920s: T-straps. These shoes offer ankle support without compromising aesthetics for a shoe that will be comfortable all night and look even better.
5. Lace & Leather
As we will continue to see with this list, texture and contrast are two of the biggest players in the upcoming trend cycle. Leather and lace are one combo primed for a home run in 2026. The contrast is a little bit provocative, a little bit edgy.
Anastasiya Lobanovskaya on Pexels
6. Sloane Ranger
Also called Town and Country chic, British country house chic is finally coming across the pond! Be on the lookout for riding boots, Burberry logos, and blazers with cinched waists. Sloane Ranger style is sophisticated, yet earthy with lots of patterns like checks, plaids, and tartans.
7. Animal Print
For all the Y2K revival we've seen in past years, there's been a hesitancy to embrace what was once seen as the decade's tackiest trend: animal print. Now, with statement furs and maximalism writing the rule book in glitter gel pen, animal print is back on the table. Leopard, tiger, and snake, oh my!
8. Loud Luxury
The minimalism of previous years is out and maximalism is in, if early runways are anything to go by. We're talking outfits that Liberace would have in his closet; vibrant, statement-making, and a little clashing. Quiet luxury is firmly dead and buried, and loud luxury is throwing a party graveside.
9. Textures & Tassels
Part of loud luxury and maximalism and incorporating texture and movement into otherwise boring looks. Swingy tassels and fringe are one of the easiest ways to do this. Between the T-straps and the tassels, it seems like 2026 may finally be the Roaring Twenties revival people have been waiting for.
Meshack Emmanuel Kazanshyi on Pexels
10. Y3K
2026 is set to be the most fashion-forward year yet—literally! While Y2K style has had a good run, it's all about Y3K nowadays, imagining what the fashion of the future may look like. Think surreal silhouettes, metallic sheens, and dystopian patterns.
