Life&Style Writer Shania Leurs delivers on the good and the bad of 2025’s Autumn fashion trends.
Fashion in 2025 is having something of an identity moment. After years of chaotic micro trends during COVID and TikTok telling everyone to reinvent themselves every three weeks, there is finally a sense of direction again. Not a strict aesthetic, more a collective understanding of what actually looks good and what, frankly, needs to be left behind. The clean girl look still lingers in the background, not quite dominating but certainly influencing the vibe. The matcha, Pilates, Rhode-tinted minimalism has definitely evolved this year and happens to be the foundation of many of the strongest trends this year.
Best Trends
The best trends have one thing in common, they make sense, they make getting dressed easier and they look good on real people doing real things. Long jackets, for example, have become a genuine staple again. They pull everything together without trying too hard, you could say the same thing about below the knee boots, just pair them with some leg warmers and they create a look that could certainly get you accused of being a fashion icon. It’s polished but still has some personality which is why it works so well.
They make sense, they make getting dressed easier and they look good on real people doing real things.
Earth tones are part of this success story too because browns, olives and creams have basically become the colours of autumn, certainly in 2025. They match everything, they suit everyone and they give even the most last-minute outfit a sense of purpose. Add a chunky knit scarf and the whole thing reads as intentionally chic rather than accidentally warm, you don’t even need a long jacket to pull it off either. It is all very ‘quiet luxury’ without using the obnoxious term which is probably why it is working.
Footwear has followed the same logic, people have collectively remembered that stiletto heels are uncomfortable, which is why ballet flats and kitten heels have returned with such confidence. They look elegant and, more importantly, you can actually walk in them. No one wants to limp home from dinner any more, the revival feels less like nostalgia and more like common sense finally catching up.
The revival feels less like nostalgia and more like common sense
Statement midi skirts also deserve their place in 2025’s hall of fame. They move well, they look smart and they give outfits personality without hijacking them. Whether pleated, structured or printed, they make sense with the longer coats and calmer palettes the year has embraced. Even cheetah print has managed to re-enter the conversation in a chic way. Instead of being loud, it now works almost like a neutral, adding interest without overpowering everything else.
Then there is the interesting cultural and now fashion phenomenon, wired headphones. Their comeback has nothing to do with sound quality and everything to do with the aesthetic of looking unbothered and somehow, slightly mysterious, because apparently something about having Airpods makes you less intriguing.
The aesthetic of looking unbothered and somehow, slightly mysterious
Worst Trends
Naturally, alongside the genuinely chic trends of the year, there were also the ones that made all of us stop mid-scroll in confusion. Labubus was the biggest offender. Why were people now hanging tiny furry creatures on their bags? Why could no one agree on the spelling? Where did it even come from? Just as the world began demanding answers, the trend vanished and somehow everyone came to their senses, still you may see one or two around campus.
Why were people now hanging tiny furry creatures on their bags?
Onto other things like jackets, while being undeniably practical there are some types that have to fall into what could be considered some of the worst trends such as shiny puffer jackets. The glossier they are, the worse, they simply do not fit the smoother, more refined textures defining the year. Skinny jeans have also tried to return but feel out of place just like leather trousers, which are even worse when paired with knee high boots, it is a 2014-2016 renaissance that’s only iconic online, but out of date in person.
Alongside that, shorts with dark opaque tights continue to fight for relevance, but it will always look out of place in a world of nude toned tights that can be just as warm. That is not all, even tote bags have started to lose their grip on the fashion crowd, the unthinkable has happened. Their floppy, unstructured shape clashes with the clean lines and considered styling that define this year. People have turned back to structured bags because they do what a trend should do which is elevate an outfit without asking for too much in return.
It is a 2014-2016 renaissance that’s only iconic online, but out of date in person.
This could go on forever, we could discuss how there is something chic and timeless about the return of burgundy nails or how the controversy of combat boots could get them landed in either section of best or worst autumn fashion trends but we would be here all day. We can only hope that next year labels such as ‘clean girl aesthetic’ will ease off and the trend will be to wear clothes that look good because we like them, not because the internet gave them a TikTok category.
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