Words: Sangwani Harawa
With retro style, wide-leg trousers and textured outerwear, this year’s design trends appeared to be influenced by a return to the past. Here’s five that dominated 2025.
#1 Relaxed Fits
Wide Leg pants make a return to replace slim fit bottoms, allowing fashion to be associated with comfort. 2025 has been very successful in bringing back the wide legged pants, which originated from the 19th century naval uniforms and became a mainstream fashion statement in the 1920’s. These were also popularised by fashion brand Coco Chanel under the name “Palazzo Pants”. These have become popular again in 2025, with women favouring more comfortable and relaxed pants from the slim fit, skinny jeans or trousers.
#2 Maxi Length Skirts
Maxi length skirts were a hit this year, combining elegance with everyday comfort. Maxi length skirts which are originated from the Antient Greek “Chiton” dress, became popular the 1970’s, this was popularized by the bohemian or boho movement. The boho movements originates from 19th centaury Paris and is a movement that is focused on cultural lifestyle and artistic subcultures which focused on freedom to creativity, individuality as well as rejection of a conventional materialistic society. The Boho movement focused on embracing nonconformity, travel and the ability to artistic pursuit like literature, music and art. In 2025 women decided to make fashion more comfortable, maxi skirts can often be paired with trainers or sandals, making it more comfortable and casual or with heels and boots for a dressy aesthetic. The fact that maxi length skirts are very versatile has been a big hit and reason why maxi skirts have made a return this year.
#3 Updated Athleisure
Athleisure wear has always been trendy, but this year it has further made a return with updated styles and designs. The 70’s saw the start in athleisure wear being blended with casual wear. This gained a lot of traction with the popularization of spandex through the Hip-Hop culture further blowing up in the 2000’s with various brands making different pieces all occasion friendly, one of such being “yoga pants”. A key importance of this trend also relates to the aspect that these are also comfortable pants. 2025 has focused on ensuring that athleisure wear can also be sophisticated, through materials being used and designs.
#4 Statement Outerwear
2025 has been a year of creativity and innovation especially with outerwear. Jackets and coats that have bold expressions are trendy and big in the market this year. Statement outerwear has evolved over time with garments having their own identity and style. Many statements outerwear have significance with the military jackets origins, which were mainly designed with the intent of being long lasting and providing warmth for those wearing it. Overtime, this has adapted and evolved, with statement outerwear focusing on aesthetically pleasing concepts and designs.
#5 Fringe & Texture
Making a fashion statement with fringes and textures, 2025 has found a way to go the extra mile with outfits by the return of fringes and textures to outfits. the origin on fringe and texture stems all the way back 3000 B.C ancient Mesopotamia (formally known as Iraq now) which was worn by all social classes as an embellishment on skirts or shawls. Native Americans are also known to wear clothing that consisted of fringes and textures. Over the year the trend of fringes and textures continues to adapt and evolve, with more common associations being the western fashion world such as cowboys. The fringe and texture trend is one that will always be adapted and changed as we have seen happen this year.
LDN 