It’s finally 2025, and despite being hardly a month of the new year, it feels like so much has already happened. In the buzzing era of social media, every week a new trend is dominating, from makeup to food to video game speedruns, and the fashion world is certainly no exception. But even though fashion is cycling and shifting faster than ever before, it doesn’t mean you have to fall behind. In this article, we’re going to unpack the biggest trends you can expect to see in 2025, and keep you on top of your style game. 

Ever since fashion has become concentrated on social media, fashion trends have started experiencing major shifts once a year, swinging between minimalism and maximalism, with the styles of one year reflecting what they lacked the year before. And last year, perfectionistic minimalism was all the rage, with soft, muted styles like a clean girl and old money that embodied social success and subtle defectlessness. So it’s no surprise that in 2025, maximalism is coming. Be honest, however large your closet is, you probably only wear the same few items every week– especially if you go to a private school.

MAXIMALISM

The specific styles, motifs, and trends that come with a maximalist return are never the same, but a few things can be expected: brighter color, distinct patterns, statement pieces, and ultimately, excess. Following a year full of perfection, success, and casual overconsumption, a “New Romantic” sort of maximalism has taken the reins this year, defined by chaos, personality, rebellion, and counter-consumerism movements that highlight comfort and quality above all else. Here are some of the more prominent looks and styles to keep an eye out for.

“Childlike” Fashion

In a world that’s consumed by corporate cleanliness and a nonstop grind for success, a desire to return to simpler, cheerier times birthed a look that has taken the runway by storm: childlike fashion. It’s all about fun, exaggerated looks that resemble something between a dollhouse and your childhood bedroom at your grandparents’ house.

On the runway, this look features exaggerated cuts, thick lines, and translucent, rubbery clothes that scream dress-up doll, but at home, it’s more simple. Bright, warm colors, bold accessories, animal themes, and fun patterns like polka dots and rainbows embody the look, while textures like quilt and Afghan wool pair with sweater vests and frilly midi skirts to create a look that gives cozy and fun. This style is perfect for those who want to indulge in the warmth of childhood and the good old days while still looking put together.

Boho Chic 

It was the high fashion world that’s bringing boho chic into swing in 2025. A favorite daughter of maximalism, boho looks often cycle in with maximalism every 10 or so years and blend perfectly in with 2025 fashion’s love of freedom, individuality, and nature.

Aiming to balance a look of well-styled professionalism with a love of the wild, boho chic is full of earthy tones, natural textures like linen and leather, and statement pieces true to the bohemian look. This time around, boho chic is looking to create a more modern look, with boxier silhouettes and tighter fabrics– but obviously, flowy pieces flaunting a bit of lace and tassel get to stay. Scarves, boots, and hats remain in the boho scene, while blazers and sheer reappear yet again to keep the look chic. The return of boho chic is good news for long-time lovers of boho and new fashionistas alike since there’s something for everyone.

Eclectic & Indie Sleaze 

With a rise in sociopolitical tensions comes a rise in rebellious and contemporary fashion, and this time, we can say hello again to the outspoken indie sleaze look of the 2000s and 2010s. Coming to the fashion world with a messy, carefree vibe, a desire for authenticity, and a DIY style book, this look got its chance to resurge through high fashion and everyday consumer trends alike, returning to us with a more polished twist. 

Since this look aims to encapsulate the individual, it’s a bit more flexible, though sunglasses, jackets, and the weirdest bottoms you can pull out of your dresser are staples of the look. Mix-and-match prints and urban colors showcase the more contemporary side of the style, while metallic, sheer, and acid-wash fabrics embrace its rebelliousness. Messiness is key here; oversized, torn-up clothing, eclectic layering decisions, and statement DIY jewelry can all be seen in this look. A fun scene that’s relatively easy to adopt, indie sleaze is open to everybody.

Nautical Fashion

A more quiet counterpart to some of the other 2025 styles, nautical fashion– first introduced by the high fashion world, but immediately adopted by the internet– aims to mix the spirit of freedom and adventure with subtle, quiet luxury. It matches the whimsy of the other styles with the desire for a more refined, vintage look that’s relatively accessible, explaining its popularity.

The mission is to look like a sailor. Blues (specifically navy), off-whites, and the occasional cool pastels can be seen dominating the aesthetic. While it mostly prefers solid colors, like any good sailor, it has stripes everywhere. Wool sweaters, fun collars, loafers, and the occasional hat make the look cozy and simple while keeping it elegant, and sea motifs like shells, anchors, boats, and even the occasional fishing net give nautical fashion a fun and distinct style. Whether you’re vacationing on the beach or looking to embrace your inner ocean explorer, this look is appropriate anywhere and equally inviting.

Consumer Trends

As a result of recent consumer consciousness about the response to the fast, cheap, disposable fashion that has dominated the past few decades, 2025 has seen a recent trend of counter-consumerism that advocates for secondhand shopping, less buying, and personalized, slowly collected wardrobes. Thus, almost all the styles dominating the 2025 fashion scene embrace personal style, sustainability, and counter-consumer culture to a tee, despite being maximalist. Hopefully, this particular focus on quality style and counter-consumerism will slow the trend cycle down, but in the meantime, here are some things you can do to slow your consumer role and appreciate vintage, quality looks. Indulging in this anti-indulgence movement looks like going secondhand shopping or wearing old clothes (embrace the hand-me-down), supporting small businesses and artists, and most importantly, buying less and wearing what you already own. To be honest, however large your closet is, you probably only wear the same few items every week– especially if you go to a uniform-requiring school. This year, you get to showcase yourself in what you wear, be it your weekend fits or the jewelry you wear to school, and most importantly, you get to do good (for the environment and for the fashion industry) while doing it.

2025 is the year of the self. Whether that be embracing your inner fashion doll or exploring the Pacific Ocean, this era’s styles are here to support you as you express yourself and explore your interests. This is the time to have fun with fashion, from messing around with your closet to thrifting with your friends, so don’t be afraid to experiment and, more importantly, never forget to be true to yourself– because if not in your clothing, then where?