2025 Fashion Trend Predictions, featuring an interview with Annika Lautens
As the New Year begins, it’s time to refresh your wardrobe with the trends set to define 2025. From cozy-chic layers perfect for winter's chill to bold, vibrant colours inspired by optimism and renewal, the year ahead promises an exciting mix of styles. Drawing on insights from Annika Lautens, Fashion News and Features Director at Fashion Magazine, we do a deep dive into industry analysis from colours and fabrics to celebrities and personal style. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, there’s something for everyone in 2025’s fashion forecast.
Colours of 2025
Prepare to see a dynamic palette of shades that are both fresh and sophisticated. According to Lautens, butter yellow, icy blue, “petal” pink, and avocado green are set to dominate wardrobes and runways this spring. These hues reflect a sense of renewal and optimism while offering versatility for all seasons.
Celebrities are already leading the charge. Consider Daisy Edgar-Jones’ pastel tones during her latest press tour, or Zendaya’s infamous red carpet looks, curated by stylist Law Roach, consistently setting the bar for personal and designer fashion. As Lautens highlighted during our conversation, the resurgence of vibrant colours aligns with the broader shift towards celebrating individuality and exploring a more laid-back and authentic approach to personal style. Whether you’re layering a colourful coat over neutral tones or pairing pastel toned accessories with your favourite jeans, 2025 is all about having fun with colour.
Boho’s Big Comeback
Speaking of self-expression, the boho aesthetic is making a triumphant return with a modern twist. As Lautens explains, “Boho is about freedom and expression, and it carries an “anti establishment vibe”. This resurgence is perfectly timed with today’s cultural mood, echoing the 60s and 70s with crochet tops, fringe details, and flowing silhouettes. Much like the counterculture movements of that era, today’s boho revival reflects a desire to push back against mainstream conventions and embrace a freer, more expressive way of living.
Brands like Chloe and Isabel Marant are leading the charge, bringing early-2000s Sienna Miller festival vibes back into the spotlight. For the daring, skinny jeans are also creeping their way back into the trend cycle. Lautens notes, “We’re seeing runways rife with trends, including boho, with brands like Chloe taking the lead with celebrities moving towards it.” This revival equally reflects a shift towards creativity and freedom in our fashion, reflecting a renewed appreciation for the bohemian aesthetic and its ability to inspire expressive and unique fashion choices.
Minimalism vs. Maximalism
One of the most fascinating divides in 2025’s fashion scene is the battle between minimalism and maximalism. On one hand, capsule wardrobes are gaining traction as consumers shift towards more intentional purchases. “People are exhausted by micro-trends,” Lautens observes. “Moving forward we are going to see a real emphasis on collecting vs styling and the real effect of purchasing things that are bringing us joy and emphasize our personality.”
On the other hand, maximalism is very much making it’s way to popularity on the runway and in daily styling, with layers, bold accessories, and statement-making outfits dominating fashion shows. As Lautens puts it, “Fashion has always been about serving the fantasy, and the red carpet is no exception.” From Marie Antoinette-inspired couture to “fisherman chic” (yes, really), 2025 invites everyone to pick a side, or embrace both.
Sustainability: The Contradiction of Gen Z
Sustainability remains a hot topic, but as Lautens highlights, it’s a complicated one. “Gen Z loves to preach sustainability, but their rising buying power is also fueling the rise of fast fashion giants like Shein,” she notes. It comes down to the gap between what people want to do and what they can afford to do, a divide that keeps growing as financial pressures rise.
That said, there are positive signs. Lautens emphasizes the continued rise of thrifting and the efforts of brands like Chloe, which prioritize ethical practices. “We have more clothes on this earth than anyone could ever need,” she says. The challenge, then, is motivating consumers to shop consciously, and the stakes couldn’t be higher; “We are seeing the effects of climate change in real time and people are going to be forced to confront the consequences of not shopping sustainably”.
Celebrity Style and Playful Fashion
Finally, no trend analysis would be complete without a nod to celebrity influences. Lautens’ go-to style icons include Zendaya (“forever and always”) and Margot Robbie, whose Barbie press tour outfits brought a sense of fun to womenswear and menswear alike.
Lautens also highlighted a shift in menswear, with trends like short shorts and crop tops becoming more mainstream, along with a general switch to gender fluidity in fashion. This sentiment captures the spirit of 2025: fashion that’s expressive, joyful, and unapologetically individual. “Life’s too short to be so serious with your fashion,” Lautens says. “People should have more fun, experiment more, and give themselves more grace, so if that means fisherman– yes please.”
