Fashion is always changing, but 2025 marks a year of embracing contrasts and nostalgia while also embracing unexpected styles. Here’s a breakdown of the trends making waves this year, from rich earthy tones to updated takes on classic silhouettes.

Brown is the new black

Brown is experiencing a rise in popularity in 2025, with Pantone making their color of the year ‘Mocha Mousse’ which is a soft, mousy brown, and brown offers more depth and warmth than black does with its varying shades. Brands like Alo, Lululemon, and Set Active all have brown activewear, and Abercrombie, Garage, and Edikted make brown casual clothes for 2025.

Why brown? Brown offers a calming, earthy appeal that creates a sense of depth. As global concerns about sustainability continue to impact fashion, brown tones also signify a return to more natural aesthetics. The earthy vibe of the color contrasts with the brighter, more synthetic colors we saw in the past years.

Light Pink

While millennial pink ruled for several years, 2025 introduces a softer, more delicate version of the color: Light Pink. This lighter tone blends youthful femininity with sophistication, offering a fresh approach to the color without feeling overdone. Expect to see light pink dresses, blouses, and accessories taking center stage, often paired with minimalist designs to keep the focus on the color itself. It’s perfect for both casual and formal looks, effortlessly adding a touch of warmth and softness to the wardrobe. Brands like Brandy Melville make dainty basics.  Lululemon’s strawberry milkshake shade and Alo Yoga’s sweet pink shade show light pink in activewear.

Why light pink? The pastel trend has continued to thrive, but light pink’s resurgence reflects a collective desire for softness in an era of chaos. It remains grounded in the present moment. Paired with the rise of brown, the combination creates a playful palette.

Spotted: Transition from Animal Print to Polka Dots 

The fall Cheetah and leopard print were nearly impossible to escape; you could find it on tops, jeans, and dresses. As 2025 brings more calmed-down classic trends, polka dots are making a return. Polka dots are having a major revival in 2025 but with a twist. Designers are pushing the envelope by experimenting with combining multiple sizes and colors and deconstructing classic patterns. This fusion of classic charm and new colorways gives these patterns a fresh look for 2025.

Why Polka Dots?

Patterns that have stood the test of time continue to shape the future of fashion. Their ability to be versatile, timeless, and playful makes them a perfect choice for both casual and formal wear. The clash of old-school patterns with modern cuts and fabrics ensures they remain relevant in 2025.

Branded Brands

In 2025, the “branded” trend will reach a whole new level, with companies creating powerful collaborations across the fashion landscape. “Branded brands” refers to the continued popularity of logos, bold typography, and designer partnerships. The world of collaborative fashion has grown even more mainstream, and these partnerships are now seen as a way to make a statement.

Key Collaborations:

• Daily Drills: Known for its athleisure-meets-luxury vibe, Daily Drills creates many capsule collections that show athleisure with unique colors and silhouettes for casual wear.
• Parke: Known for minimalist elegance, Parke’s collaborations with sportswear giants bring structured, yet relaxed clothing with oversized logos on sweatshirts.

Why Branded Brands? Consumers continue to gravitate toward identity-driven fashion, looking to showcase their tastes and align with specific movements or lifestyles. Buying one expensive branded piece is also less expensive than buying several basics or buying one designer piece; the mid-range prices of these brands and small collections make the items exclusive and popular.

Mini Skirts, Drop Waist, Skinny Jeans & Low-Rise: Nostalgia is Back

The 2025 fashion scene is drawing heavily from past decades, especially the late ’90s and early 2000s. Mini skirts, drop-waist dresses, and low-rise pants are all experiencing a resurgence. This return to Y2K styles is seen as a rebellion against the previous era’s high-waisted, oversized silhouettes.

Key Trends:

• Mini Skirts: Expect to see mini skirts everywhere—from denim to leather, and with updated details like pleats 
• Drop Waist: Dresses and skirts with drop-waist designs are reinterpreted through contemporary cuts and fabrics, adding a vintage touch to modern wardrobes.
• Low-Rise: The low-rise trend is back, and it’s not just for jeans. Low-rise skirts and pants are making an appearance on runways and in street style, challenging the high-waist domination of recent years.
• Skinny Jeans: With the newest Frame collection from Alix Earle of skinny jeans, it is nearly guaranteed that skinny jeans will be making a comeback this year. People are bored of high-waist and wide-leg jeans, so skinny jeans are reintroducing a new aspect to styles.

Why These Silhouettes? The return of these silhouettes speaks to a cultural desire for reinvention and embracing the past in a new light. These trends represent confidence and a playful approach to fashion while calling back on past generations.