My 2025 Trend Predictions...
I might be 7 months ahead of schedule but don't say I didn't tell you so...
I have a complicated relationship with predicting trends. Nothing is truly a spontaneous trend anymore. What you may see as trending and cool has had at least a year’s worth of work, marketing, and planning to plant the seed in people’s minds that something is trending.
My credentials: Shoes..? Someway somehow, although I don’t consider myself a shoe aficionado, I have consistently been ahead of the shoe trends. Not be cocky.. but in high school I bought Air Force 1’s before they blew up, I had bought Samba’s 6 months before they began offering them in any colors (and many women’s sizes), predicted ballet flats would make a resurgence (and was told they were ugly by someone who now owns 3 pairs of Chanel flats 😅) and finally, I bought a pair of Isabel Marant gladiator sandals last Spring (notice how Isabel Marant is trending now?)
Perhaps because shoes are easier to commit to, they aren’t as difficult and hard to style as a top or pants, and your size is always consistent; but I also think they are an easier trend to spot than most others.
That being said, here is what I am “predicting” will be trendy in the coming months:
Polka Dots
I made a gigantic master list of all my favorite clothing across the internet back in September/October but never posted it to Substack. In that master list there were many a polka-dotted item. I feel that if I’m seeing certain things pushed out over one season, by the next year when that season rolls around again, the trend will be in full force.
this set from Revolve, went viral last september 
Boho chic
Not just the resurgence of Isabel Marant, which is very much in full effect, but also a real push from Loveshackfancy and Chloé. While all being higher end brands, they all fall into similar categories when it comes to a style definition. I put more belief in Loveshackfancy though, simply because they hold more market share in people’s minds, can be found for a lower price point more accessibly, and have managed to be relevant through social media and with a younger audience while Chloé and Isabel are catching up.
Additionally, Chemena Kamali’s debut show at Chloé last year alone influenced a slew of designs from H&M and Zara last fall.
Gladiator Sandals
Maybe I’m just saying this because I bought a pair last year and want to wear them without feeling out of place, but I feel that this trend goes hand in hand with the return of boho chic and the re-rise of Isabel Marant. The gladiator sandal was the staple summer shoe of the 2010’s, and died out when minimalism took over. The resurgence of this romanesque shoe will be brought about in a minimal, and detailed way, with more embellishment, and less wrap all the way up your leg energy.
American Classic
This one maybe a little more obvious, with the surge in popularity at Ralph Lauren and J.Crew, but American classic as a whole has taken the reigns from quiet luxury. There is definitely some link between economics, the way a majority of Americans voted in the last election, and over the last year there has been a large shift in popularity for conservative styles (in terms of mindset and culture) as a whole would return to popularity so it’s no coincidence that it would show up in fashion trends as well.
ralph lauren ss25 that kacey musgraves wore to the grammy’s Stripes
I don’t have a solid explanation for this one other than it goes very hand in hand with the polka dots as well as American classics. If you think of the classic Polos, or even just a super preppy long sleeve, there is often some sort of striping going on, either very finely, or very large. During NYFW Christopher John Rogers also showed a series of pieces all with different color blocked stripes
christopher john rogers fw25. Peep Toe Shoes & Round Toe Silhouettes
I’m a little scared for this one to come back in trend, although I couldn’t tell you what trauma I have associated with peep toe shoes. The last few years have seen a love for the extremely pointed and elongated shoe silhouettes (like the Khaite Nevada boot), but if following trend cycles, and analyzing fashion shows teaches us anything, that is that all trends are circular and will come back eventually.
Tory Burch’s latest NYFW show proved exactly that when she showed a twisted version of some round toe pumps that featured a tiny slit at the front letting the model’s big toe to peek through.
tory burch fw25 shoes East - West Bags
Subtle, but becoming trendy is the East- West bag. In 2020 it was the shoulder bag epidemic, which I still love it my classic black styles. Then it became about bags that could fit everything, or nothing at all (the Hermes Birkin and mini Kelly, respectively). With East-West bags, we are seeing a combination of both.
Bags with long handles and a small compartment, or the opposite.
Good examples of this would be the Freja Mini Chrystie or Caroline bags, and Alaia’s Le Teckel; but one more subtle example that I have been loving is the Hermes Taurillon, which Kendall Jenner was seen wearing recently. Tory Burch just showed their rendition of an East-West bag during NYFW.
Black and Navy
Already half the influencers I follow are talking about how much they enjoy black and navy together and how chic they feel. This is part of the reason why I hesitate to call these predictions because it really is just keeping an eye out for signs around you. Anyways, black and navy are on a parallel line to brown and black, another combo that people thought was illegal to wear together but shifted these last few months. The best places to look for upcoming trends is always the runway or red carpet, and Brittany Broski was just seen wearing the dress, pictured below, on a red carpet, with very similar styling.
Exaggerated Shoulders
Perhaps these are just me loving a dramatic, but I have a git feeling on this one. Fashion designer and brand namesake Aleen Sabbagh has made these dramatic puffed shoulders her signature. There’s also a certain top (pictured below) that has been repeatedly showing up on my Pinterest on different people.
In recent years clothing has been very tight and form fitting: Skims tops, Aritzia bodysuits, so it’s only natural that we see a shift from that. I believe we’re experiencing a real resurgence of some signature 80’s styles, and of course the huge shoulder pads had to make a comeback somehow. I believe this will be mixed into more fine tailored (or fine tailored-esque) pieces but nevertheless will be showing up and around.
aforementioned top
