The Summer 2025 Fashion Trends You Really Need to Know About

After spending months analysing thousands of runway looks to pinpoint the summer 2025 fashion trends that truly mean something, it’s easy to lose sight of the real significance behind them. However, seeing them now with a fresh set of eyes, I understand that on the surface, they all appear to be very different. But don’t let the optics of aesthetics fool you; I’m no biologist, nor am I a psychologist, but my years spent deep diving into fashion, trends and their impact have taught me that as varied as the looks themselves might appear, there’s a discernible connection—a storied DNA—running through them.

This season’s runway offerings are a patchwork of nostalgia and innocence; the kind that might even make you feel a touch sentimental. From delicate colours and details that nod to our youth to silhouettes borrowed from grand bygone eras, a longing for the past has swept through the industry and the summer 2025 collections. But why now? What is it about this precise moment in time that makes us yearn for the simplicity of days gone by?

At a glance, one could dismiss these undertones as fashion indulging in its perpetual love affair with the past—designers, after all, have long mined history for inspiration. But this season feels different. It’s not just about good outfits; it’s about emotional resonance. There’s a tenderness—or in some instances, a not-so-subtle brazenness—in many of the designs for summer 2025 that suggests we’re not simply reflecting—we’re actively searching for something.

Perhaps it’s a balm for our overstimulated, hyperconnected minds. As the world becomes increasingly digitalised, life can sometimes feel like a relentless scroll. Algorithms try to dictate our tastes, timelines compress our days and it's all too easy to compare yourself to people you don't even know. It’s no wonder we’re grasping for the tangible, the tactile and the familiar. The clothes we’re drawn to now—whether they evoke memories of childhood, teenage rebellion or even an era of opulence we haven't ourselves lived through—whisper of times when life felt less complicated, less commodified, less curated. Nostalgia, it seems, offers a momentary escape from the endless noise of the now, and fashion might just be the biggest escapism of all. I can certainly see this appeal in the summer 2025 trends we're about to look at more closely.

But let’s not pin this purely on our collective Instagram fatigue, because the yearning goes deeper still. With global crises mounting—be it environmental, economic or existential—many of us feel a disconnection, not just from others, but from ourselves. Identity, once a cornerstone of self-expression, has become more fluid, and at times, less stable. Social media, whilst offering us the tools to build and refine our personas, has blurred the lines between what we like and what we think we should like.

Enter the trends, which always mirror society’s psyche. By resurrecting wistful motifs and throwback garments, for S/S 25, designers are reminding us of a time when the stakes felt lower—when we weren’t editing our lives to fit into grids or stories. These clothes don’t demand attention, even if they end up getting it; their real purpose is to invite us to feel.

And therein lies the shift. For S/S 25, there’s an undeniable joy woven into the fabric of the season—a celebration of individuality and self-expression that feels refreshingly unburdened by outside expectations. Fashion, at its best, should be fun. It should allow us to play, to experiment, to discover. And that’s precisely what this round of trends encourages. The past 12 months have been dominated by an overarching reign of elegance, which, let's face it, leaves little room for fun. And whilst I appreciate that many (myself included) will subscribe to this aesthetic and find delight in wearing such looks, I understand it isn't for everyone. Thankfully, the notion that we must dress to project an image or adhere to such movements seems to be waning.

From runway to real life, this switch is evident in the details. Accessories—always a window into a season’s soul—speak volumes this time. Think bags with quirky, unexpected personalities and hats that might make you laugh at first glance but somehow seem utterly perfect upon the second. Jewellery and scarves are thrown together in clashing clusters—it’s as if designers are reminding us that it’s okay for things to be imperfect sometimes. These are the kind of pieces that transform even the most basic ensemble into something uniquely yours. S/S 25 is about creating outfits that tell a story—your story.

And let’s not forget the deeper power of these trends. In an era where identity often feels dictated to us—by societal pressures, corporate branding or even our own self-imposed rules—there’s something radical about reclaiming your sense of self. Dressing for joy rather than judgement is a quiet act of rebellion. Whether you lean into the soft refinement of a vintage-inspired dress or opt for something entirely bonkers and standout, it's all about authenticity, whatever that means for you.

So here we are, standing on the cusp of a season that feels as light and hopeful as any I've analysed before. Some of S/S 25's fashion trends may take cues from the past, but they’re firmly rooted in the present and will live long into the future. Now, let’s dive into the details. Keep scrolling to see the 17 summer 2025 fashion trends destined to define the season, as confirmed by esteemed industry experts, fashion psychologists and Who What Wear UK editors.

The 17 Summer 2025 Fashion Trends That Matter Most

1. Powder Pink

Since attending the shows back in September, I have looked at somewhere in the region of 10,000 runway images to discern the looks I'd include here, in our S/S 25 fashion trend report. And whilst some trends require a little digging to unearth, others leap off the screen. Pink falls into the latter category. Soft, sugary tones are easily the biggest colour trend of the season, offering a palate cleanser to the deep hues that have dominated the months prior.

"Autumn/winter was all about burgundy, which emerged as the predominant and pre-eminent colour story for the season," explains Kay Barron, fashion director at Net-a-Porter. "As we transition into summer 25, this has been mellowed with the reintroduction of pink as the playful colour choice for our Net-a-Porter customers. It’s a softer shade than we have seen recently, but don’t mistake soft with sweet, because as seen at Alaïa, it more than holds its own alongside navy and black and stands out confidently."

"Powder pink has emerged as S/S 25's most compelling colour story, shedding its traditionally sweet associations for something more nuanced and powerful," confirms Lyst content editor Morgane Speed. "This isn't just another pastel revival—it's a sophisticated meditation on softness as strength. Whether deployed in sharp suiting or flowing eveningwear, this shade demonstrates remarkable versatility whilst maintaining its gentle impact."

Beyond being pretty, pink's re-emergence marks a psychological shift too. "Soft pink traditionally conjures up a sense of femininity, innocence and joy, providing a break from the seriousness of recent times," explains Dr Carolyn Mair CPsychol, fashion business consultant and author of The Psychology of Fashion. "Powder pink is often associated with softness, optimism, nostalgia and playfulness. The trend reflects a psychological desire to reconnect with simplicity, childhood and unfiltered joy, offering a gentle, comforting escape from adult responsibilities and societal pressures."

"No matter how many other colour trends come and go, pink has become something of a mainstay in our wardrobes over the past half a decade," affirms Hannah Almassi, Who What Wear UK's editor-in-chief. "I fell in love from the front row all over again, watching powdery pink pieces float down the runway looking whimsical, magical and oh-so tempting. Often rendered in the lightest and gauziest fabrics, this is less power Barbie and more ethereal nymph."

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2. Wrapped in Tulle

As already evidenced, there's a pretty undertone that can be seen rippling through many of the trends this season, and the next one on my list certainly cements this sentiment. Whilst previous seasons have seen tulle used to create garments that are barely there at all—and, as you can see, this exploration of "naked fashion" does continue—there's something very romantic about the way models were, quite literally, wrapped in tulle. Drapery was a key trend during the autumn/winter season, and what we're seeing playing out here is a lighter touch for S/S 25.

"A sheer moment for summer is always fun (and often welcome, depending on the temperature!). Not only do the tulle looks on this season's runways feel undeniably sexy, the pastel shades at Chanel and interesting draping at Issey Miyake make many of the pieces chic and sophisticated too," notes Who What Wear UK's social media editor, Megan Storey.

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3. '90s Plaid

Does anyone else have the sudden urge to listen to Nirvana? Whilst checks usually make a comeback in the colder months, their presence was impossible to ignore in the S/S 25 collections, especially those that were coupled with a throwback '90s palette and styling. And it's this rebellion that seems to have been most appealing to designers.

"Plaid is associated with tradition and past fashion eras—it evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort which we crave in times of uncertainty," says Dr Mair. "Although plaid has rich socio-cultural significance, especially in Scottish heritage, it is also associated with punk rock, which offers both a classic or rebellious look, making it extremely versatile whether used in casual or formalwear, in garments or accessories."

"There’s something so nostalgic about plaid. From flannel shirts synonymous with ‘90s grunge to preppy plaid miniskirts à la Cher Horowitz, I’m excited to see it on the S/S 25 runways. The plaid-on-plaid combo at Acne might be my favourite—I hope we see more mixed colours, check sizes and designs," furthers Storey. Something tells me she'll get her wish, as Lyst has reported that searches for "plaid" are up 7% this quarter compared to last, whilst "tartan" is spiking at 29%.

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4. The Little White Tank

Nothing says summer quite like the forgoing of layers in favour of truly tiny tops, and for 2025, you needn't search too far for the style that kept cropping up on the runway.

"Over the past few years, there’s been a shift in fashion. The hard-working basics that create the foundations of our wardrobes are finally being celebrated, and the little white vest is a true example that this is set to continue," says Who What Wear UK shopping editor, Florrie Alexander. "It may not be the most head-turning piece, but it's one that we turn to throughout the seasons and even more so when the temperatures begin to rise."

"Simplicity returns for S/S 25, with designers focusing on quality and cut over bells and whistles. Gucci adds a bold trim whilst Cavalli has turned to construction to show off intricate knitwork, but all agree that for the new season, large logos and eye-catching cutouts are on the back burner as we focus on pure, refined basics."

Alexander's takeaways are more than just a hunch—as well as the sheer volume of little white tanks that populated the collections of Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Victoria Beckham, Lyst also reports an uptick in searches for simple tank tops, with demand for "Skims tank tops" rising by 151% week on week.

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5. Working Overtime

It's the '80s, you work on Wall Street and you're chatting to your VP via your Motorola DynaTAC 8000x as you head to a three-hour-long martini lunch with clients at The Four Seasons. Look down—what are you wearing? Chances are, something akin to what Saint Laurent presented for summer 2025.

"The demand for hard-working workwear continues to rise, and this year it reached a new peak, with Wardrobe Staples being our top-visited edit on-site," explains Barron. "Undertones of toughness were seen throughout the S/S 25 season as brands balanced hard with soft using fabrications like leather contrasting against sheer materials.

"This was best evidenced by Anthony Vaccarello’s outstanding show for Saint Laurent (naturally), as the first 15 looks presented were all iterations of sharp tailoring paired with leather jackets as designers took us back to the power-dressing era of the '80s. The suit may have fallen out of favour for the modern-day 9-to-5, but you will want to wear these new iterations 24/7, complete with tie."

"Although I love classic '80s fashion, many of the trends that emerged from the era are just too flashy to fit into my minimalist wardrobe. Power dressing, however, is a throwback aesthetic that I can definitely get behind," says Brittany Davy, editorial assistant at Who What Wear UK. "Timeless and sleek, tailoring is an easy way to look put-together no matter the occasion. I especially love Saint Laurent’s burgundy suit; from the expensive-looking colour to the roomy fit of the trousers and the blazer's exaggerated shoulder pads, this is a look I can see sticking around way beyond S/S 25."

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6. Bags of Personality

Fashion likes to work in extremes; typically, you have the very refined pieces that are distilled beyond purity, and the impossibly exuberant, leaving everything in between to become something of a footnote. For the past few seasons, we've seen the former dominate, especially when it comes to bags, with designers set on serving up chic silhouettes in largely muted colours. And whilst there is a long-game appeal to carry-alls of this ilk, bags with a point of difference can help inject some personality and fun into even the most strict-looking outfits. This is a notion that has firmly taken hold for 2025.

"The season is about embracing personality and individual style with big, bold accessories standing front and centre," affirms Barron. "Bags will be colourful, textured and outsized. At Net-a-Porter, we will be bold with our investment in key seasonal items, buying deep and wide across colour options to ensure that our customers can rely on us for the most important zeitgeist pieces of the season. If it's an It accessory of the season, we'll have it."

"If minimalism defined last season's accessories, S/S 25 ushers in an era of bags with personality to spare," says Speed. "Designers are treating handbags as wearable art pieces, abandoning conventional forms in favour of sculptural silhouettes, unexpected materials and playful proportions. These personality-packed bags reflect fashion's current appetite for pieces that don't just complement an outfit but command attention in their own right. As such, demand for Miu Miu handbags is up 38% this quarter compared to last, and 598% year-on-year, with the Arcadie and the Ivy being the most-searched from the brand."

Again, Dr Mair has interpreted the meaning behind this. "As society moves away from uniform, minimalist styles, there’s a growing desire for self-expression that showcases unique identities through fashion, often turning to statement bags that reflect personality and potentially elicit conversation," she tells me. "This reflects a deeper psychological need for distinction and individuality which becomes more elusive as we navigate increasingly digital and impersonal environments."

"After long worshipping at the altar of sacred minimalism, I've been desperately in need of a trend that does more with, well, more," says Remy Farrell, Who What Wear UK's fashion editor. "The likes of the Margaux, the Bayswater, the T-Lock and the Puzzle will all go down in history as legendary bags that became the new classics overnight, but should you find that pared-back bags just aren't cutting it alongside equally restrained outfits, the easiest way to update your look this season is with a bag that does all the talking.

"Following in the footsteps of Miu Miu's charm-adorned totes comes a whole host of exciting bags all worth their weight in gold. Bottega tassels! Chloé crochet! Louis Vuitton gems! S/S 25 is full of great and gilded treasures, so even if you're content with the same white tee and jeans you wore last year, any one of these eccentric and eye-catching bags will make your look feel entirely new."

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7. Parachute Parade

Volume comes into the summer equation in a few ways, but unlike last season, which looked at the trend through an '80s lens—think peplums and puffballs galore—this season's is harder to pinpoint. Whilst talking with my colleagues about 2025's take on shape and form, it was a throwaway comment about how the outfits reminiscent of deployed parachutes that seemed to surmise what we were seeing. And I mean this in the chicest way possible. From a palette inspired by light clouds set against a blue sky to the swaths of dramatic drapery, these designs look as if they've fallen from the heavens.

"Each season, there is a trend (or two!) that sparks joy for the inner maximalist in all of us, and for S/S 2025, it's set to be parachute and power-pouffe details," says Who What Wear UK's managing editor, Poppy Nash. "A larger-than-life evolution of the bubble hem trend we saw dominate earlier this year, in 2025 you can expect to see muted, ice-cream toned skirts with enveloping trains, blouses featuring puffed up shoulders, and plenty of exaggerated draping on maxi and mini dresses. Look to It brands such as Chloé, Khaite and Stella McCartney for perfect parachute inspo, and remember, with this trend, the bigger, the better."

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8. Chintz Florals

Nostalgia is a hard thing to try and summarise, mainly because it can be prompted by very specific things for different people. However, there is one relic from a former time that I think will unite many of us. For me, it takes the form of my Granny's armchair—for others it'll be pencil pleat curtains or, perhaps, a favourite skirt worn by a family elder—but chances are that tapestry florals evoke the memory of something or, indeed, someone, for many. So much so, this is a trend that made me feel quite emotional when it dawned on me at how threaded it was throughout the collections. Dr Mair explains why this might be.

"These nostalgic prints evoke warmth and familiarity by offering comfort and security through styles reminiscent of home and tradition. This can be especially appealing in times of rapid change or uncertainty, where we gravitate toward designs that feel safe and comfortable. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, this aesthetic would be the basic need," says Dr Mair.

Sentimentality aside, this trend is another evidenced retort to the pared-back way of dressing that's taken hold lately.

"Taking a direct turn away from minimalism and quiet luxury and stepping into a world where the codes of historical femininity are really amped up, chintz florals offer something kitsch and romantic," affirms Almassi. "When you add in volume (see Loewe's hoop skirts) there's something very ironic and dramatic about it all (which I love) however, there are ways that designers have tamed these prints to seem serious through tailoring or being combined with sombre staples."

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9. In the Navy

We often see designers nod to a nautical theme for the summer season but, for 2025, the characterisation of it feels as subtle as Jean Paul Gaultier's first adverts for its iconic Le Male perfume in 1995. Again, in the best possible way. Some designers interpreted this mood with looks that would allude to you as being dressed as a sexy castaway for Halloween while others, although no more discreetly, took a more graphic look at nautical fashion.

"The maritime mood sweeping through the S/S 2025 collections feels less like a trend and more like a refined reset," says Speed. "Classic navy and crisp white combinations feel newly relevant, while Breton stripes shed their casual associations for elevated territory. This seafaring renaissance extends beyond mere aesthetics—it's a complete lifestyle proposition that marries timeless sophistication with contemporary ease. I can backed this up with numbers. At Lyst, demand for 'Breton stripe' is up 388% this quarter."

"Stripes never go out of style, but in 2025 you can expect the preppy pattern to get a new lease of life as Sailor-core comes to the fore," says Nash. "Perhaps more playful than ever before, the runway showed us how to make stripes feel fresh for the new year, playing with proportions and directions, as well as colour schemes, with some designers forgoing the traditional navy and white for more contemporary combos, such as brown and white at Max Mara. There were more overt nods to the trend too, such as perfectly positioned sailor hats and bandanas at Moschino, as well as classic interpretations over at Erdem and Ralph Lauren, but whatever way you wear it, it's clear that the Mariner trend is going nowhere."

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10. Who Needs Buttons?

Sometimes the biggest trends on the runway don’t involve new pieces at all but, instead, champion a new way to wear wardrobe reliables, and the unbutton shirts I saw, well, just about everywhere, are a testament to this. Whether worn with trousers, hot pants or pencil skirts, designers took great pride in styling their bottoms with shirts that were slit—or, rather, left unbuttoned, oftentimes down to the navel. While some used the styling trick to unlock hidden layers (more often than not, bikini tops) underneath, others sought it as a totally fresh way to reveal some skin.

"Designers seem to be coming undone for the coming season, and I have to say I’m into it," says Rebecca Rhys-Evans, senior fashion and beauty editor, branded content, at Who What Wear UK. "Taking your shirting to new depths simply by unbuttoning it that little bit lower than what you’d usually deem comfortable is a simple way to elevate something très chic into something très chic and sexy."

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11. Peep Show

Whilst I would never go as far as to say that flats are redundant this season, the summer collections were a celebration of heels once again. In fact, the difference in height was discernible to the naked eye—the dip in numbers of flat shoes was noteworthy, and fashion analytics platform Tagwalk has all but confirmed this, stating there was 15% less flat shoes on the summer 2025 runways than the previous season. So, what did designers offer up in their place? I've outlined the biggest shoe trends of 2025 in greater detail but, if I had to focus on one. peep-toes heels would be it. Cropping up at Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Chloé and so many others, this shoe might have been born in the 1940s, but it's very much a thing again for 2025.

"It’s been a long, long time since we’ve seen peep-toe shoes make waves on the runways, but this summer they’re back like they never left," says Who What Wear UK news writer, Natalie Munro. "2025’s pairs are sleeker and more sculptural than we’ve seen before—playing with proportions, some brands have cropped their designs at the base of the foot for a more revealing take, while others have subverted traditional peep-toe designs, revealing a sliver of the toe at an angle that you can only catch if you’re standing in just the right place. With Maison Margiela's Tabi shoes, which place emphasis on toes, only growing in popularity, it was really only ever a matter of time before the divisive peep toe reemerged onto the scene—and I’m so happy its time has come.",

Lyst also reports a growing interest in this shoe style, with searches for Saint Laurent's peep-toe pumps up 144% this quarter. Best get that pedicure booked in.

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12. Sports Day

Was I the most studiest person at my school? No, but was I athletically gifted? Also no. However, 2025 is the year I can finally feel like part of the team, as sportswear appeared to influence so many designers in one fashion or another. While we usually see a shared affinity for a certain sport, there seems to be a celebration for all pursuits this season, from F1 racing to tennis. And, if you aren't playing sports, you can support your home team with nods to them—a rugby shirt here (searches for Ralph Lauren polo shirts are up by 197% this quarter at Lyst) or a badged-up bomber jacket there.

"From the polo shirt resurgence to ‘Blokecore’ becoming one of this year’s leading aesthetics, the last twelve months has been quite the year for sporty style, egged on no doubt by the Olympics and Paralympics—and if the recent runways are anything to go by, this is just the beginning." says Annie Wheatland-Clinch, assistant social media editor at Who What Wear UK. "Moto jackets at Dior, rugby jerseys at Kent Curwen and Yuhan Wang’s epic padded lace-and-leather affair which felt like it wouldn’t look out of place in neither a renaissance painting or the current UFC line-up make it clear—sporty references are going to lead the way for S/S 2025. My prediction is that instead of collared details and racing stripes we’ll see a move from subtle sporty touches to full-throttle, uniform-adjacent looks and I personally can’t wait to see it."

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13. An Unnecessary Layer

Continuing our journey through time, it's time to take a pitstop and refuel in the late '90s and early '00s. The turn of the Millennium was a confusing time in many respects—younger readers may not even know that there was a genuine fear that every computer would fall victim to a cyber issue called The Millennium bug, which would wreak havoc when the year 1999 turned to 2000. If only we knew then what we know now, am I right?

And still, this is a time that's since been glorified by Gen Z, who have borrowed much of the style found here, during this very unique period—a time where the minimalism of the late '90s jostled with the growing appetite for more casual yet statement pieces (think Von Dutch caps and Juicy Couture velour track pants). This makes defining what Y2K fashion is very difficult, as it's so many things. However, as someone who lived it, there was one look that I personally feel encapsulates this moment like no other. And that was styling a dress or skirt over trousers. Now, Boss, Fendi, Hermès and Tove are trying to make it a thing again and, honestly, I'm not mad about it.

"The rise of the skirts-over-trousers trend is rather overdue in my mind. It’s been threatening to make a comeback with the Y2K mania that we all can’t seem to escape, but only now are we seeing sophisticated iterations that feel fresh and new for 2025," says Rhys-Evans. "Luxe fabrics and silhouettes (think short, midi, sheer, embellished denim and so on) have transformed my fear into something, well, fabulous."

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14. Flapper Girls

There's always a lot of talk about fashion being cyclical, and I suspect to those outwith the industry it can could off as being quite hollow—especially at the rate we say it. And yet here we are, talking about how trends that came to be over 100 years ago are still making waves and sending hearts aflutter a century later. For 2025, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Erdem and Emporio Armani are encouraging us to embrace our inner flapper girl.

"Potentially the resurgence of flapper-inspired fashion could reflect a collective yearning for fun and freedom," considers Dr Mair. "Rooted in the 1920s, a time of social change and liberation, the flapper aesthetic represents breaking boundaries, seeking new forms of self-expression and liberation from traditional norms. This is also nostalgic, taking consumers back to a romanticised perception of the past."

"It feels particularly fitting for the flapper style to return for summer 2025," agrees Alexander. "A century on, the dress has been revived by designers for the same reason that it was first created, the idea of freedom. Back in the mid 1920s, the dress became a symbol of the growing freedoms women were experiencing and so came a change in the way they dressed. The silhouettes were looser than the corseted styles that were heralded before, nodding to a shift towards embracing tailored silhouettes, and embellishments were added to move and glisten when dancing. In current times, finding moments of joy is as important as ever, and doing so in a dress that represents liberation feels particularly apt."

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15. Outer Shells

While the shows I analysed took place in Copenhagen, Stockholm, New York, Milan, Paris, as well as London, it feels as if designers have taken particular pity on us Brits this season by outfitting their models in an item that we get more than adequate use out of, even in the height of summer.

"If British 'summers' make you think of wet weekends in a coastal town with only a battered pac-a-mac for protection, we may have had the same '90s childhood," quips Farrell. "Bleak reminiscing aside, like all things cyclical, fashion always manages to repurpose dated trends into something nostalgic (and if you don't believe me, just ask the pedal pusher–ahem, sorry, capri pant)."

"Rustling shell suits, windbreakers and toggled sports jackets were the calling card of the Brit Pop era, and thanks to a stylish upgrade at the hands of The Attico, Chloé, and Coperni, we can confidently (and comfortably) wear them again with a ladylike heel and statement skirt. My most complimented look last fashion week? A nylon track jacket tucked into a pencil skirt that I nabbed from my husband. This summer is all about the perfect balance of practical-meets-polish."

Lyst too has noted a rise in searches for "windbreaker jackets" since fashion month, reporting that the term is up 36% from the previous quarter, but there may be another reason for this. With the buzz surrounding the upcoming Oasis reunion tour (and the subsequent ticket pricing scandal), it's reasonable to think the band—and their well-documented affinity for technical jackets and parkas—could also have influenced this uptick. Regardless, it looks like we'll all be better prepared for summer showers in 2025.

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16. Join the Anti Club

Now, as I near the end of my summer 2025 deep dive, it's clear that one of the biggest trends of the season isn't about being "on trend" at all. An uprising is forming against the very refined trends we've seen dominate—now, people looking for more personality pieces, creating outfits that go against the grain and challenging the entire idea of what a trend is. And what is this faction known as? Around here, they're the Anti Club.

"Like Bags of Personality, this 'trend' signals a shift away from refined, minimalist fashion," notes Dr Mair. "By embracing styles that stand out, people are expressing a need for individualism and self-expression. This look responds to a psychological craving for breaking free from societal expectations, allowing people to redefine their own aesthetics and values."

Together, co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simmons sited "the algorithm" as the inspiration for Prada's summer 2025 collection. “We exist in an era of extreme information, immersed in a constant stream of content” were the words that rang out as the show began before a slew of models in deliberately eclectic outfits took to the runway. As Mair observes, this collection served, in its own right, as Prada's definition, during which it flexed its ability to manipulate the algorithm from the inside out.

It's not just a theory, but something that's being acted on tangibly by buyer ahead of the new season. "Statement hats, gloves, and fashion jewellery all played a key role in creating the runway looks—It has been too long since we’ve celebrated the world of kooky hats and gloves, so it is about time," says Barron. "This aligns with how Net-a-Porter is broadening its non-apparel offering with a focus on fashion and individuality."

"This autumn we saw an insurgence of mixed textures, clashing colours and bold graphic prints on the runways," says Wheatland-Clinch. "Slogan tees came back (again) and there was a shift towards eclectic style. It felt like for the first time in a while designers were turning up the contrast with Marni’s fun graphic prints, Valentino’s texture feast and Versace really leaning into its audacious roots. Over the next year, we’re going to see this trickle down into street style, with some fashion people turning away from moods like ‘quiet luxury’ and ‘clean-girl’ and throwing out the rulebook to disrupt things a little—how fun!"

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17. Fantastic Fringe

When the chill of winter melts away and the need to bundle up in wool, suede and faux fur begins to thaw, designers are set with the challenge of looking for new ways to add texture to their collections—pieces with movement that bring the runway to life. And this season, fringe proved to be the favourite way to do so. Of course, we saw this emulated in the flapper looks from other collections, but ask Bottega Veneta, Roksanda and Fendi, and they'll tell you this wasn't far enough. Welcome to the intersection where fringe and volume collide.

"No longer the reserve of retro suede jackets and ‘00s era bags, full-on-fringe was the more-is-more wild card that we saw so many designers play for 2025," observes Munro. "Indulging lovers of drama and excess, these voluminous designs evoke bohemian energy and a ‘70s magnetism that makes them hard to resist. Coupled with the punchy colour palette and a swishy step, the new season's fringing feels playful and effervescent—as summer style really ought to."

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