It’s March 2025, and fashion is shifting faster than ever. With microtrends barely lasting a season and social media dictating what’s “in” at lightning speed, predicting fashion has become a game of spotting patterns before they explode into the mainstream.
Ballet flats, corsets, bows? Already mainstream. What we’re looking at today are the next big shifts in style—trends that are bubbling under the surface and about to take over for the rest of the year. Some of these have been brewing for a while, while others feel like a direct reaction to cultural shifts.
And yes, I did spend $20 on a smoothie from Wild Living Foods the other day, so perhaps that’s why 2025 fashion feels like a reaction to the absurdity of modern life.
The New Romantic Revival: 1980s Meets 2025
The 1980s are creeping back into fashion, but not in the neon-spandex-leggings way you might expect. Instead, the New Romantics movement—a flamboyant, theatrical, and dramatic subculture from late ‘70s/early ‘80s London club culture—is making a return.
Think:
- Puffy blouses & corset tops
- Dramatic, oversized blazers
- Celestial motifs & pirate-inspired silhouettes
- Lace, velvet, brocade fabrics, and ruffled details
- Eccentric, layered costume jewelry
Originally pioneered by Duran Duran, Adam Ant, and Spandau Ballet, this over-the-top “fashion as performance” mentality fits right into today’s social media-driven style moments. With artists like Conan Gray and Chappell Roan leading the charge, this isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a curated return to high-drama fashion.
Avant-Garde Makeup: The Return of Theatrical Beauty
If the New Romantic aesthetic is making a comeback, then bold, artistic makeup is following suit. Expect to see:
✨ Graphic eyeliner—sharp, exaggerated, & colorful
✨ Glitter, metallic eyeshadow, and experimental shapes
✨ Unexpected lip colors (deep green, icy blue, or neon shades)
✨ 1960s mod influences—pixie cuts, beehives, and thick lower lashes
Not everyone will be walking around with lightning bolts on their face, but expect elements of this to trickle into the mainstream—think hot pink blush, deep purple lipstick, or rhinestone accents that make everyday beauty feel a little more editorial.
Cupcake Dresses & Tulle Skirts: Bigger & More Dramatic
Fashion is going full fairy tale for the rest of 2025.
🎀 Cupcake Dresses: A return to 1950s-inspired formalwear, but with more fluff and drama. Picture fitted bodices, ultra-voluminous skirts, and a bit of ‘80s prom energy.
🎀 Tulle Skirts: From ballerina-esque tutus to sheer, column-style silhouettes, expect tulle to be everywhere. This is the romantic, maximalist side of 2025.
Acid Wash Denim: An Edgier Take on Nostalgia
Acid wash denim is back, but this time, it’s less punk rebellion and more intentional high-fashion statement.
👖 Not just blue & black—expect more color variation.
👖 Structured denim pieces (blazers, skirts, and matching sets).
👖 Less everyday staple, more statement piece.
Acid wash started in ‘80s punk culture, became a mass-market trend by the late ‘80s, disappeared in the ‘90s, then came back in the late 2000s. Now, it’s ready for another cycle—but in a way that feels fresh and styled.
Welcome to the Dollhouse: Playful, Nostalgic Fashion
Fashion is escapism, and when a casual dinner costs as much as a concert ticket, people are turning to clothes that make life feel fun again.
Expect to see:
🎀 Oversized buttons & exaggerated silhouettes that look straight out of a toy box
🎀 Pastel color palettes and glossy, toy-like textures (think patent leather)
🎀 Animal motifs (sheep, bunnies, dinosaurs—your favorite kindergarten-core creatures, but make it fashion)
🎀 Harlequin prints—bold, contrasting diamond patterns that feel straight out of 16th-century theater
This trend is all about joy, and in a world where basic necessities are overpriced, people are embracing the whimsical and nostalgic.
Modern Medieval: Bringing Fantasy into Fashion
If Regencycore and Rococo trends dominated the last few years, Medieval fashion is next.
🛡️ Shining Armor Aesthetic: Think chest plates, chainmail-inspired jewelry, jointed rings, and stacked belts.
👑 Elaborate Hairstyles: Braided updos, jeweled hairpieces, medieval-inspired hair nets.
🦋 Cloaks & Capes: Fashion is going dramatic and regal.
👗 Grecian Goddess Draping: Flowing, pleated tunics that subtly flex wealth through excessive fabric.
This fantasy-meets-fashion moment is a direct reaction to how uninspiring real life feels right now.
Retro Sportswear: Getting Dressed for the Occasion Again
Athleisure has ruled the 21st century, but with pickleball, roller skating, and run clubs on the rise, sports fashion is getting more intentional.
🏆 Ringer Tees & Polo Shirts
🏆 Track Jackets & Retro Jerseys
🏆 Tennis skirts & sporty dresses styled off the court
Instead of just wearing leggings to run errands, people are leaning into sportswear that feels more styled and put-together.
Textures to Watch: Quilting, Vinyl, & Mohair
🌟 Quilted fabrics—an ode to baby blankets, grandma’s couch, and all things cozy.
🌟 Vinyl—especially in outerwear (clear raincoats, glossy accessories, toy-like textures).
🌟 Mohair—high-quality blends with silk or cashmere are in, but the itchy acrylic versions? Avoid.
The Wirkin Effect: Fashion’s Shift in Status Symbols
For years, luxury fashion was all about recognizable branding—but with Walmart selling Birkin lookalikes, or Wirkins, the lines between status and accessibility are blurring.
As knockoff culture makes it harder to distinguish the ultra-rich from everyone else, the next flex won’t be about logos—it’ll be about:
- Fabric quality & craftsmanship
- Draping, pleating, and intricate tailoring that fast fashion can’t replicate
- Historical silhouettes (like Grecian tunics) that feel effortlessly elite
The quiet luxury crowd isn’t just ditching logos—they’re finding new ways to signal status that can’t be easily copied.
The Fashion Landscape for the Rest of 2025
The rest of 2025 is a mix of nostalgia, theatricality, and playfulness. Whether it’s dramatic silhouettes, medieval armor, or toy-inspired details, fashion is shifting toward escapism and self-expression.
And honestly? If the alternative is dropping $50 on a glorified juice box at a dimly lit bar, I’d rather be twirling in a cupcake dress and storming the castle in a medieval cloak. At least then I’d be getting my money’s worth in fabric.
What trends are you most excited for? Let’s chat in the comments!
Love seeing how fashion is embracing drama, nostalgia, and playfulness this year! Can’t wait to see how these trends come to life!
Us too! Thank you so much for reading and for your feedback!