As the year draws to a close, it's fascinating to reflect on the fashion choices that have captivated us. Much like an annual style audit, this retrospective delves into the trends that dominated our digital carts and influenced our wardrobes throughout 2025. It's a journey through the brands that gained immense popularity, the defining styles of the season, and the statement pieces that truly captured the cultural imagination.
A Deep Dive into 2025's Defining Purchases
1. The Iconic Nour Hammour Leather Jacket: A Decade of Enduring Style
Since its inception in 2013, the Parisian label Nour Hammour, founded by Nour Hammour and Erin Webb, has been synonymous with exquisite luxury outerwear. The brand's unwavering commitment to minimal inventory has resonated deeply with fashion enthusiasts. Their leather jackets, including popular styles like the Drey, Beck, and Clint, have graced numerous fashion edits. The newly introduced Ariste, with its distinctive funnel neck, significantly influenced fall's jacket trends. Its appeal was further amplified by a growing list of celebrity admirers, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Vittoria Ceretti, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kendall Jenner, solidifying its place as a 'brand to watch' on Lyst's Q3 2025 index.
2. The Accessible Sneaker: Everyday Versatility Under $300
This year, sneakers transcended their casual origins, becoming a wardrobe essential embraced by celebrities and consumers alike. Stars such as Dua Lipa in the coveted Jacquemus x Nike Moons, Katie Holmes sporting Nike Cortez and Autry models, and Emily Ratajkowski in her striking red Puma Speedcats, demonstrated the sneaker's power as the go-to off-duty shoe for any season. Shoppers eagerly sought out these versatile designs, proving that comfort and style can coexist without a hefty price tag.
3. The Sophisticated Chocolate Brown Bag: A New Neutral Emerges
The chocolate brown bag emerged as a formidable contender in the accessory landscape, moving beyond traditional black and camel. Whether crafted from luxurious suede or supple leather, in a structured top-handle silhouette or a relaxed carryall design, this rich, mocha-hued accessory became a favored choice. Its widespread presence on runways and in street style showcases affirmed its status as a chic and versatile staple.
4. The Dynamic Pop of Red: Infusing Wardrobes with Energy
Red, in its myriad vibrant forms, became the ultimate shortcut to a dopamine dressing experience. Strategic flashes of this lively hue injected a confident and spirited energy into outfits, perfectly aligning with the year's "come as you are" fashion ethos. From subtle accents to bold statements, red proved to be a powerful tool for self-expression.
5. The Classic Saint Laurent Brown Suede Loafer: A Timeless Workhorse
Among the year's diverse trends, the Saint Laurent brown suede loafer stood out as a true wardrobe hero. Its classic design and versatility made it a recurring feature on Gab Waller's influential Hot List. Fashion insiders, inspired by icons like Tonne Goodman, embraced its effortless sophistication, often pairing it with crisp white jeans for an impeccably polished yet relaxed look.
6. The Enduring Appeal of Ralph Lauren: A Preppy Resurgence
In a year that celebrated preppy aesthetics, Ralph Lauren's signature cable-knit sweaters and logo-emblazoned caps experienced a significant surge in popularity. These iconic pieces, recognized for their timeless charm, cemented their status as essential items for those embracing the polished, collegiate-inspired style.
7. The Sporty-Chic Rugby Shirt: Borrowed from the Boys
The striped rugby shirt made an unexpected comeback, striking a perfect balance between athletic and academic influences. Its ubiquitous presence during Paris Fashion Week and in the offices of Vogue underscored its versatility. Fashion-forward individuals styled it with pleated midi skirts, zip-up jackets, and brogues, adopting a Milanese-inspired, playfully sophisticated approach.
8. Dries Van Noten Sneakers: A Fusion of Retro and Modern
Dries Van Noten's retro-inspired sneakers became an instant hit in early 2025, quickly selling out across all sizes and colorways. Julian Klausner's men's spring collection prominently featured vibrant red suede iterations, with sleeker 2.0 versions appearing in his subsequent women's collection, solidifying their status as a must-have footwear item.
9. The Versatile Silk Scarf: An All-Encompassing Accessory
The silk scarf emerged as a not-so-secret weapon in 2025's styling arsenal. Propelled into the fashion canon after Julian Klausner's Dries Van Noten men's spring/summer 2026 show, it demonstrated its incredible adaptability. Fashion editors at Copenhagen, New York, and Paris Fashion Weeks skillfully cinched it at the waist with tailored trousers, while online, it adorned ponytails and low buns in countless creative ways. Amidst a year defined by personalized dressing, the luxurious silk scarf became the essential finishing touch for any truly great ensemble.
10. The Ubiquitous Flip-Flop: A Divisive Summer Staple
The flip-flop, a seemingly simple summer sandal, sparked considerable debate within the fashion community, particularly in New York, where exposing one's feet on public transport was considered a bold move. Nevertheless, its controversial charm captivated brave trendsetters, proving that the riskiest fashion choices often yield the most memorable looks.
11. The Tory Burch Flower Tank: A Nod to Summer Escapism
Tory Burch's floral tank top perfectly encapsulated the carefree spirit of a summer Friday. Fashion editors effortlessly paired it with flip-flops and Tory Burch's mirror skirt, creating a relaxed yet stylish ensemble that celebrated the joy of warm-weather dressing.
12. The Juju Vera Petra Necklace: A Statement of Elegance
2025 was undeniably the summer of the statement pendant, with Juju Vera's Petra necklace leading the charge. This exquisite piece quickly found its way onto virtually every fashion girl's mood board, gaining particular prominence after being spotted on the consistently chic Alyssa Kapito in her 2024 Vogue feature.
13. The Prada Sneakerina: Redefining Casual Elegance
Prada's elegant, ballet-inspired sneakers swiftly captured the attention of the street style set following their debut on the men's spring/summer 2025 runway. Their widespread appeal was further solidified by figures like Harry Styles, who famously wore them with micro Adidas shorts. With the recent re-release of the 2005 Montecarlo, it's clear that Mrs. Prada's vision continues to shape contemporary footwear trends.
14. The Timeless Leopard-Print Coat: A Roaring Comeback
The leopard-print coat proved its enduring power in 2025, transitioning seamlessly from runway statements to everyday street style. Both bold and timeless, this iconic piece served as a powerful reminder of fashion's cyclical nature and the undeniable allure of animal prints.
15. The Allure of Lace Trim: A Delicate Touch for Everyday Wear
For the past six months, lace has been an omnipresent force on Instagram, adding a romantic and delicate touch to everyday essentials. Dôen's silky, lace-trimmed separates, in particular, became highly sought-after, selling out repeatedly. This trend highlighted a desire for femininity and intricate detailing within casual and comfortable styling.
16. The Aflalo Lolana Pant: Blending Comfort and High-Impact Style
The genie pant, having made a spirited return on the Alaïa and Chloé spring/summer 2025 runways, found its most captivating interpretation in Aflalo's Lolana pants. Crafted from lightweight silk crepe de chine and available in a spectrum of appealing colors, these pants were often styled with a statement belt, ballet flats, and a simple tank, achieving a perfect balance of comfort and sophisticated flair.
17. Head-Turning Toppers: The Rise of Statement Hats
The past two seasons saw the emergence of jaunty headwear as a significant fashion statement. These bold toppers became instant conversation starters, frequently gracing the front rows of fashion shows and adding a distinctive touch to myriad ensembles.
18. Phoebe Philo's Bombe Shades: A Fusion of Function and Fashion
Phoebe Philo's Bombe shades achieved the rare feat of combining practical functionality with an undeniable fashion craze. These dramatically oversized, ski-goggle-esque sunglasses became a signature street style accessory in 2025, offering both essential UV protection and an ultra-sleek, confident attitude. Fashion insider Ramya Giangola famously adopted them as her personal hallmark during PFW, effortlessly integrating them into her boldly expressive outfits.
19. The Alex Mill Tote: A Symbol of Urban Camaraderie
The Alex Mill tote became an unexpected symbol of connection among New York's fashion set. Spotting this distinctive bag in the city's bustling 1 World Trade Center fostered a sense of camaraderie and sparked spontaneous conversations among writers and editors, achieving a level of social cohesion that years of shared office space hadn't.
20. The Chloé Paddington: A Nostalgic Revival
The iconic Chloé Paddington bag, a slouchy East-West shoulder bag with a prominent padlock and dangling key, made a triumphant return, directly from the brand's archives. Originally launched on the spring 2005 runway, its nostalgic appeal was immediate, especially with the endorsement of long-standing muse Alexa Chung and new Chloé darling, Daisy Edgar-Jones. Vintage enthusiasts are encouraged to explore platforms like eBay for authentic early-aughts editions.
21. The Prada Pump: Essentializing Eccentricity
Only Mrs. Prada possesses the unique ability to transform whimsical concepts into highly coveted, essential fashion items. This year, her antique leather pumps, with their distinctively 'stapled' appearance, epitomized this talent, quickly becoming a must-have item that married eccentricity with elegance.
22. Below-the-Ankle Charm: Adornments for the Feet
The resurgence of toe rings and charm-laden anklets came as a delightful surprise to many, proving to be an irresistible trend. Meg Strachan led the charge with Dorsey's surfer-chic paracord anklets, while Tessa Tran popularized Chan Luu pedicure parties across both coasts. The trend reached its peak with Leandra Medine, whose dazzling custom creations with Aflalo remain a personal signature.
23. The Row Market Tote: Functional Chic for the Everyday
The Row's multicolored Barn totes quickly became a celebrity favorite, spotted on style icons like Kendall Jenner and Zoë Kravitz. However, the trend's broader appeal was also evident in the popularity of more accessible mesh shoppers from local farmers' markets and international travels, highlighting a desire for functional yet chic everyday bags.
24. The Miniature Watch: A Stackable Statement
This year's most impactful watch trend was undeniably the miniature timepiece. Best worn in multiples and stacked like delicate jewelry, these tiny watches offered a subtle yet sophisticated way to accessorize, blending timeless elegance with contemporary styling.
25. The Unsung Hero: Pony Hair
Despite its undeniable charm and luxurious texture, pony hair, unfortunately, did not achieve the widespread popularity predicted for it. While beloved by a dedicated few, it remained an exclusive texture, not quite capturing the broader market's imagination.