If you saw a TikTok comment in the past year calling someone a “Microtrend Final Boss,” chances are that the person on your screen is wearing ballet flats, cheetah print, or barrel jeans. It is no secret that the most extreme of microtrends necessitates an understanding of what “mob wife aesthetic,” “glazed doughnut makeup,” and other of 2024’s confusing labels could possibly mean.
2024 has turned into 2025. New trends are bound to emerge, and while there is no way of knowing what that implies, we can only predict. With no credentials besides a crippling addiction to thrifting and Vogue, here are my 2025 fashion predictions.
Lots of Polka Dots
While 2024 was filled with leopard print – too much if you ask me – a new pattern is ready to dominate: polka dots. This classic print has been creeping into fast-fashion pieces, and while most sightings have been in simple black-and-white colorways, I’m predicting the real shift would be toward smaller, daintier polka dots in more playful colorways. Instead of bold, oversized circles, expect to see delicate, micro-sized dots that add a subtle touch to outfits. These tiny polka dots evoke a vintage charm reminiscent of 1940s and 1950s fashion and will likely appear on everything from flowy blouses to midi dresses and even sheer tights. If animal prints were the go-to for maximalists in 2024, small polka dots are their 2025 counterpart, offering a softer, more refined take on the trend.
Don’t (or do) Suede the Small Stuff
Leather has had its moment, whether it be pants, jackets, or other garments. And while leather is essentially a timeless textile, 2025 might be the year suede makes a strong comeback – we’ve already seen suede jackets, but I predict a continued focus on handbags. Suede has been popular with jackets and boots, especially with the famous Birkenstocks Boston Clogs, and jackets, but expect more soft, slouchy bags that channel a vintage, effortlessly composed energy. While suede typically manifests in brown-grayish shades, navy blue suede is stunning and deserves its moment. The Row’s Margaux Bag has been questioned about being a new Birkin, and while replacing the’ Birkin Bag seems virtually impossible, maybe suede will become the new leather.
Personalization is in the Bag
Speaking of the iconic Birkin Bag, Hermes, the bag’s designer, is comparatively recognized for its silk scarves. Recently, we have seen people wrapping silk scarves, whether by Hermes or others, around their bags, giving them a more personalized and customizable style. Jane Birkin, who the timeless bag is named after, is often credited with decorating or accessorizing her bag, helping to popularize the trend of bag charms, which have further been commercialized through other brands’ products, such as Free People and Anthropologie. As this is both a relatively cost-effective and economically friendly way of switching up your wardrobe without having to invest in a new handbag, I predict that this form of personalization will spread to shoes, jeans, and whatever other pieces one desires. We’re all a little tired of the endless fast fashion and the constant demand to buy the “new best thing,” and I think personalization of clothes and items that we already own is an excellent way to upgrade our wardrobes without replacing them, whether it be through scarves, embroidery, or any other creative means.
Flip-Flop Frenzy
As much as you didn’t want to see flip-flops on the list, trust me, I didn’t want to write about it. Nevertheless, flip-flops will have their moment in the summer of 2025. Most may be reminded of these sandals as a sacrifice of fashion for practicality – although flip-flops arguably do a terrible job of keeping sand out and yield an unforgiving tan line – I think a new era of flip-flops will arise. A few years ago, Kim Kardashian was seen wearing $450 flip-flops out in public, which I would say mirrored those of a nail salon. This outfit caused quite a stir, and while I cannot say that I endorse this trend, I can, unfortunately, see platform flip-flops making a resurgence, all the more with rhinestones and gems. All I ask is that if you are willing to partake in this flip-flop frenzy, save yourself by not pairing them with any type of denim jeans.
Whether it’s wrapping a silk scarf around your favorite item, indulging in a soft suede bag, or decorating your wardrobe with polka dots, fashion is gearing up to keep us on our toes – especially if flip-flops really do make a comeback (I’ll be holding my breath). As we march into 2025, let’s leave the microtrends and fast fashion behind and embrace the power of personalization. Only time will tell if my predictions will make glamorous revivals or make us delete old photos of ourselves in a few years.
