I already wrote about jeans and footwear tends for 2025 (and an extra denim trend), so catch up on those posts if you missed them. Here are the rest of the wearable trends for Autumn and Winter as I see them. Some are fringe and others mainstream. Many are familiar and a continuation and evolution of what we’ve seen in previous seasons.
Some trends take several years to trickle down to retail, while others show up right away. Some start out fringe, gain momentum, and become mainstream. Some hit the ground running and are mainstream right away. Others stay fringe.
The ’90s has been the biggest influence on fashion over the last few years. Interestingly, it was a decade that showcased very varied fashion, starting with a meaningful nod to the ’80s and then moving into a revival of ‘70s fashion in the second half of the decade. As a result, its fashion influence feels like three decades instead of one.
The diversity and juxtaposition of items, silhouettes, colours, combinations and vibes is what stands out most to me in current fashion. It’s not as much about the item, but rather how it’s worn to reflect modern times. Feast, snack, or fast at the buffet of trends. Anything goes these days when you wear it with intention and ease. The important thing is to wear what makes you happy, and feel good in your outfit.
1. Chocolate Brown
Chocolate is the new black in warmer and cooler shades and tones. It’s once again mainstream after tip toeing on the outskirts of fashion for a while. It’s the most significant trend for the year because it’s a BIG shift away from other neutrals. We haven’t seen dark brown trend this way for decades.
There are dark brown clothes, shoes, and accessories everywhere. Wear dark brown in a solid, textured false plain, or pattern. Wear it with neutrals or non-neutrals. Wear it as a statement or accent. Wear it WITH black, grey, white and navy. Brown is a versatile neutral for good reason.
Earth tones, which include EVERY version of brown, continue to trend strongly too.
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2. All Fits and Lengths
Fluid and oversized clothing fits have been on trend for a while. Shoulder pads or “sharp shoulders” are fringe trending in oversized toppers. That said, body con tops, dresses and skirts, and all things tailored are coming through too. Several fits are remixed in one outfit to create outfit interest.
You have the power to choose your fit. Size up if you don’t like things too tight, and size down of you don’t like them too big. Wear items with the same fit in one outfit, or mix it up for variation.
All lengths of bottoms are on-trend. There are cropped lengths that expose the ankle bone, or graze the ankle bone. Two inches above the ankle is a sweet spot for cropped lengths. There are full lengths that skim the vamp of the shoe without a break line. The point is to showcase footwear at that length. Some full lengths are longer thereby covering more of the shoe and creating a break line. Last, there are fashion forward floor-sweeping “puddle lengths”. Tapered silhouettes at extra long lengths scrunch at the ankle creating a textured effect.
3. Oxfords, Brogues, Loafers, and Statement Socks
Oxfords, and shoes with brogue detailing are back in the spotlight. Loafers continue their timeless longevity. Either shoe is great in chunky or low profile styles across any colour, pattern, or heel height. Wear them barefoot, with knee-highs, or hoisery for a clean, classic, dressier, and crisp statement. Or wear them with statement socks for a bold, playful, casual and more maximal vibe. Adding visible socks to an outfit can add a preppy finish, fashion forward flair, or a quirky touch. Visible socks is a growing trend embraced by Gen Z.
4. Big Pants and Skirts
Casual and dressy pants are big and very big. Roomy in the hips and thighs and fitted in the waist with barrel, carrot, balloon, relaxed straight leg and wide leg silhouettes. Widths vary. Some silhouettes are less slouchy than others. Fronts are straight or pleated. Flared pants like bootcuts are on trend too. Lengths vary from cropped to full length, and rise lengths vary from low, mid and high. Low rises are a fringe trend.
Skirts with movement across a range of lengths is where it’s at for skirts. Think mini, knee-length, midi, midaxi, and maxi lengths. Amplify the swoosh. Think bubble, pleated, A-line, yoked, flared, paneled, tiered, gathered, asymmetrical, and godet silhouettes.
That said, column skirts, pencil skirts, and slim straight pants are coming through as a fringe trend.
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5. The New Low Rise
These low rise looks are not short in measurement. In fact many rises measure on the higher side and between 10 to 13 inches in the front. But they are low rise because they are low slung on the body. That’s when the waistband of roomier bottoms is worn lower on the waist and hips, thereby dropping the crotch point and creating a slouchy effect. This type of low rise is not fitted on the seat and thighs like more traditional low rise bottoms are.
You wear this style low and slouchy like you see on the models here. Or size down for a more tailored fit that pushes the position of the waistband higher on the waist, and raises the crotch point too.
6. Relaxed Glamour and Elevated Everyday
It’s very current to relax a glam look, and to elevate an everyday casual look. This brings us back to the important theme of juxtaposition.
You might relax dressy pieces by combining them with denim, motos, aviators, slouchy bags, crossbody bags, or casual footwear. Wear a tee under a blazer. A cropped sweatshirt with a fancy skirt and heels. Throw a tuxedo jacket over utillity pants or leggings. Wear elegant jewellery and a dressy bag with athleisure. Wear dressy clothes with flats. Add sparkle to jeans. Wear a cashmere wrap or ruana with joggers. Add a silk scarf and pretty sandals to parachute pants and a shirt. Add chunky glam necklaces to slouchy sweaters, sweatshirts, and knitted tops. Wear a short puffer with a fancy skirt. Add a crossbody bag to dressier attire. Add a fancy clutch to jeans. Style your hair, wear statement eyewear, throw on a belt, and add jewellery to a simple shorts and tee outfit.
There are countless ways to relax some looks and elevate others. Choose the ways that best work for you and your style.
7. Suiting and Sets
Think all sorts of dressy AND casual suiting and sets in solids, patterns and any colour. Pant suits, waistcoat or vest suits (with skirts or pants), double denim, sweater sets (twinsets), scarf and top set, two-piece dresses, co-ords, and any double layered item that looks like an exact match. Like a sweater that is an exact match to a jacket or coat. Or when separates create a column of colour that are an exact match.
8. Moto and Aviator Jackets
These versatile iconic classic toppers know no bounds in neutrals and non-neutrals. Fits range from tailored to fluid or oversized across a range of lengths. The idea is to wear them with anything and everything – dressy or casual. The trend aligns with a broader fashion movement that embraces higher quality vintage and heritage-inspired wardrobe pieces with longevity. There is a fashionable unisex integrity to them too.
9. Dark Romance and Lace
This trend blends gothic drama with feminine elegance, creating a moody yet romantic aesthetic. The beauty of dark romance lies in balancing drama with softness. Hard edge with pretty. The palette combines deep tones like black, eggplant, ink blue, plum, and burgundy with dusty blush pinks, light blues, shades of white, or metallics for contrast.
Think head-to-toe textured black, or other very dark solid colours, or patterns with black backgrounds with a mid to late ‘90s theme. Think black lace, tulle, sequins, patent leather, faux fur, textured leather, velvet, moody dark florals, textured knits, tweedy wovens, corsets, rosettes, satin, chiffon, silk, jacquards, brocades, corsetry, chokers, lace gloves, cameo pendants, dark nail polish, dark eyewear, smoky eye makeup, and dark lipstick. Interpret the looks minimally or maximally.
10. Tantalizing Textures
Think tweed, corduroy, leather, pleather, feathers, fringe, faux fur, satin, liquid silk, quilting, mesh, herringbone, fair isle, argyle, velvet, cabled knits, bows, beading, ribbing, embroidery, jacquard, pointelle, bouclé, waffle knits, melange, fleece, sherpa, shearling, suede, mesh, and crochet. Think of wearing multiple textures in one outfit. If colours aren’t your thing, amplify the textural components of your outfit.
11. Greens and Reds
Every shade of green is having a fashion moment. Gentle sages, greyed mid-tones, crisp mid-tones, neon, emerald, lime, moss, peridot, Kelly green, jade, chartreuse, earthy olives, teals, and dark forest greens are coming through in seasonally appropriate fabrics and silhouettes.
Every shade of red is having a fashion moment too. Tomato, fire engine and Christmas red, cherry, wine, crimson, garnet, rose, berry, scarlet, ruby, burgundy and maroon. Wear different reds together in one outfit. Make YOUR red function as a neutral in your style.
12. Puffers
Puffers continue to make a fashion statement across a range of lengths, thicknesses and colours. Short, thigh-length, knee-length or maxi, they can stylishly top most outfits these days as long as you like the combination and the proportions that are created. You can layer thin and streamlined puffers under other outerwear too. Fluid and roomy puffers are the trendier choice. Tailored puffers are the classic choice.
13. Boho-Chic
Boho-Chic was THE trend for Spring and Summer, and continues to trend throughout the year. It was inspired by Bohemianism and the fashions of the hippie movement. It has a late ‘60s and early ‘70s flavour that is predominantly casual, although dressy versions of the vibe do exist. Try a Boho-Lite look if Boho-Chic is a tad much.
Think bell sleeves, embroidered and smocked detailing, kimono sleeves, A-line tops and skirts, fringe, all shades of brown, high-waisted flared jeans and trousers, kaftans, tunics, velvet, peasant tops, weathered leather, drawstring necklines, lots of gathers, casual maxi dresses, textured cottons, cork heels, textured knitwear, pendant necklaces, some ponchos, floppy felt hats, wooden jewellery, empire cuts, and LOTS of suede.
14. Polo and Johnny Collars
This trend is just as big as it was last year, and is gaining momentum. Polo and Johnny collars grace knitted and woven tops across a range of silhouettes, fabrics, and fits. You see them on dresses too. Fits are body con, tailored, fluid and oversized. There are dressy and casual versions. If you bat for Team Collar, stock up.
15. Long Shorts and Tall Boots
Jorts were a successful fringe trend for Spring and Summer. Jorts continue into Autumn and Winter alongside their non-denim siblings with pleats or flat fronts. They are not unlike culottes from the ‘70s, or what we called “gauchos” almost two decades ago. Wear them in seasonally appropriate fabrics for colder weather with knitwear, vests, toppers, flannel shirts, hosiery, socks, scarves and tall boots. Western boots are great paired with long shorts.
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16. Classic Patterns
Polka dots, all sorts of stripes, checks and plaids, paisley, and animal skin prints are classic patterns, and they are ALL having a fashion moment. Wear the pattern in any scale, colour combination, and in neutrals or non-neutrals. Pattern mix them in outfits. Hopefully amongst these classics is a favourite or two that makes you smile.
17. Novelty Patterns
Quirky and eccentric patterns with just about anything on them are featuring on clothing. Patterns filled with pretzels, bagels, tin cans, poodles, tennis rackets, cows, lamps, fish and fruit, are alongside patterns with cats, dogs, horses, piglets, landscapes, buildings, bottles, candy wrappers, boats, trees, sushi, shopping bags, monuments, clouds, umbrellas, insects, reptiles, mushrooms, and strawberries – you name it. Playful items that are quite the conversational piece.
18. Sport Luxe and Athleisure
Both themes are big, and there are differences between them. Athleisure is full throttle casual and sporty from head-to-toe. There are no dressy components in an Athleisure outfit. Sporty Luxe remixes sporty touches with dressier pieces, making juxtaposition key. Sporty Luxe looks are dressy, apart from the sporty accents that relax the look.
Think fashion sweatshirts, hoodies, sneakers, joggers, track pants, track tops, sporty tuxedo striping, bombers, baseball caps, fleece jackets, leggings, anoraks, large weave mesh tops, rugby tops, colour-blocking, tank tops, body bags, quarter-zip tops, and bowling bags. Matching sweats sets are big too.
19. Short Tops
By cropped tops, I mean any kind of knitted and woven tee, tank, shirt, blouse, vest, sweatshirt, knitted top, and sweater that is shorter than regular length. Regular length is an inch or two about crotch point, so anything shorter than that is short. As the rises of pants, jeans, shorts, and skirts increased in length, tops shortened to complement and offset the additional length below. Now we’re seeing cropped tops through all seasons, in many silhouettes and seasonally appropriate fabrics. They can be worn as layering tops, or on their own.
The precise length of cropped tops varies greatly. Longer cropped tops finish just below the waistband of bottoms, and are not midriff-baring at all. The shortest versions finish under the bust, and then there’s every length in between. Fits range from super body-con and tailored, to fluid, very fluid, and oversized cuts. Some silhouettes feel and look skimpy, while others are a lot more covered.
20. Modern Academia
This trend is a fresh take on Preppy and collegiate looks that blend intellectual charm with relaxed glam, and a touch of nostalgia. It emphasizes the layering of items like roomier plaid, corduroy, and tailored trousers, or pleated skirts, with turtlenecks, collared shirts, chunky cabled knitwear, argyle patterns, and sweater vests. Think loafers, oxfords, booties with brogue detailing for shoes, and satchels or messenger bags for accessories. This is the vibe that Ralph Lauren calls “new classics”, which they have been offering flawlessly for decades.
21. Do Your Own Thing
There is no one way to be stylish. Fashion is a melting pot of sartorial choices, and increasing diversity in fashion with each passing year means that there is something for everyone. Trends are no longer seasonal and fads no longer exist. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why creating a signature style and evolving it over time is one of the most important and relevant trends of them all. Wear the trends, don’t wear them, remix them, repeat them, reinvent them — it’s all good. Do your own thing!
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There are also nods to all sorts of EQUESTRIAN aesthetics, DANDY PIRATE looks, all forms of casual and dressy VESTS and STATEMENT BELTS. Take your pick.
Here in the US, many trends have come through already. Stores and online sites have begun their “dark brown phase”, along with all sorts of greens and reds. Classic patterns are there, alongside novelty patterns with their quirky touch. Lots of big pants and jeans, atheisure, sporty luxe, shorter tops, Johnny collars, and boho-chic.
I like all the trends, and some more than others. I’m wearing all the fits, but fluid and tailored most of the time. I wear a few body con tops, and some oversized tops and bottoms. I’m wearing chocolate brown in colour blocked items, false plains, and patterned pieces. I LOVE wearing wide jeans and trousers, and full skirts that swoosh as I stride. Classic patterns like stripes, dots and plaids are my favourite, and I’m all over anything with a horse or Yorkie on it. I’m eager to bust out my new brown and cream aviator jacket. Ralph Lauren’s “new classics” that are a slam dunk take on Modern Academia or Fresh Preppy are close to my heart. I also adore relaxed glam looks, pants suits, shorter tops, polo collars, and short puffer jackets. For me personally, there is lots to love in current fashion.
Over to you. Which trends tickle your fancy?
