Since CEC’s inception, we have taken care to understand trends rather than simply regurgitating them. We love a microtrend moment, but what we love even more is knowing precisely why our fave microtrends have occurred. It’s our firm view that trends are powerful ways to test the cultural temperature—serving as frameworks for understanding the deeper tensions shaping how we dress, shop, and express ourselves. This year is no different, with this current trend cycle underpinned by three distinct dimensions worth looking at; namely, aesthetic dualities, consumer behaviors, and cultural undercurrents, as a means to understand the why and how of this moment in time. 

It’s a big year. 2025 marks the halfway point of a decade, one that began with a thrusting jolt to each of our realities. We are firmly in the 21st century (no matter how much nostalgia continues to reign supreme in our collective consciousness) and amid a post-pandemic landscape and the intensifying role of technology in our lives, the trend cycle reflects the many complexities that this decade has brought. This year’s fashion landscape feels akin to a mirror, reflecting both the chaos and clarity of our times. The tension between excess and restraint is palpable, as we oscillate between stripping back to essentials and leaning into audacious self-expression. Neither maximalism nor minimalism will define this year; instead, the swirling tension of both showcases the many ways in which we, as consumers, are responding to the cultural climate around us, and how we are choosing to signal our participation within it. Consumer behavour’s seem to underscores this dichotomy right now, and an example of this is the rise of capsule wardrobes and sustainable practices existing alongside the relentless churn of microtrends. Meanwhile, cultural undercurrents—ranging from climate anxiety to a yearning for joy and escapism— are fueling the many aesthetic contradictions that we’re seeing. At the heart of it all, 2025 stands as a moment to rethink how we define identity and intention through fashion. As TikTok’s favourite fashion analyst, Mandy Lee, so aptly noted in her 2025 trend prediction analysis, “if you’re not considering the impacts of politics, the economy, society and culture impacts fashion, you’re missing a key variable that dictates the way fashion moves forward.”

The Face of A Solar Punk future, @not_another_hanna self-portrait, via Instagram

Aesthetic dualities in 2025 define the push and pull between nostalgia and innovation, opulence and simplicity, all set against a backdrop of hyper-personalisation. Pinterest, everybody’s favorite curation tool, have released their annual and highly anticipated ‘Pinterest Predicts 2025’ as a forecasting analysis, with their findings modelled into ‘sub-categories’. This information is gathered from the immense metrics that users generate through pinned images, searches, and interactions. For 2025, the site’s forecasting prowess is showcased across a variety of ‘archetypes’ and ‘cores’. Here are a few to take note of;

Cherry Coded ‘Tasting notes: Dark, sweet and such a vibe. Gen Z and Millennials will infuse cherries into their makeup, menus and mood boards this year. One thing’s for sure—tart will have your heart in 2025.’ 

Aura Beauty ‘2025 will be the year of the makeup mood ring. Gen Z and Boomers are driving this high hue look that’s all about honing in on a color aesthetic and flaunting it from chin to cheek. Find your aura, wear it with confidence and consider yourself dipped in vibes all day long.’ 

Rococo Revival ‘All frills, no chill. This year, weddings, parties and aesthetics will draw inspiration from the Rococo era—a Late Baroque period that was both opulent and ultra-feminine. Gen Z and Boomers are driving this trend toward classic corset gowns, luxe accessories and ornate tablescapes.’

Sea Witchery ‘You’re in your sea witch era. And it’s so much more than seashells and starfish. In 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will dive head first into sultry siren makeup, wet wavy hair and moody mermaid manicures from sun up ’til moonlight.’ 

Castlecore ‘Medieval is having a major moment. In 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will take home decor inspiration from ancient castles, while fashion and accessories will be gothic inspired. It’s a comeback of the highest order.’

Moto Boho ‘So long, hippie aesthetic. Moto Boho has entered the chat. In 2025, Gen Z and Boomers will take to the streets with chunky leather handbags, flowy skirts, moto boots and just enough fringe. It’s not just a look—it’s a lifestyle.’ 

Player One ‘Your avatar aesthetic. This year, Gen Z and Gen X will customize their digital personas, designing their avatar’s hair, outfits and even accessories. Head to your keyboards—it’s time to level up.’ 

Terra Futura ‘Meet the rebels with a cause. In 2025, Boomers and Gen X will revolutionize sustainable living with recyclable fashion, self-sufficient gardens and community spaces. The best part? This eco-living aesthetic will bring some seriously cool sci-fi vibes.’

Consumer Behaviour in 2025 is set to be particularly interesting, as we continue to navigate the tension between indulgence and restraint, with ever-more limitless (Temu-encouraged) choices and a growing environmental urgency as we head towards the ‘2030’ mark. It’s the “Use What I Have Era” 

Ann Demeulemeester Fall 2024 is Moto Boho! Photographed by Filippo Fior, via Gorunway.com

The phrase, as coined by Olivia Sara, reflects a burgeoning mindset shift towards underconsumption, with people reimagining their existing wardrobes rather than succumbing to the allure of fast fashion. This dovetails with the rise of deinfluencing, which made waves across social media in 2024 as a form of resistance against influencer culture and the relentless placements of ads. In 2025, despite the aesthetic emphasis on maximalism, it appears minimalist values will become more prevalent in counteracting hyper-consumption culture, as each of us finds ourself encouraged to be more thoughtful and need-based in our purchasing habits over fleeting trends. Basically, we’re buying wilder and more bold pieces but with a more careful eye and mindset. 

The craving for individuality is fueling one of the year’s most predicted trends for consumer behaviour, with ‘Chaotic Customisation’ as discussed and defined by Vogue, demonstrating that consumers will seek one-of-a-kind pieces and DIY aesthetics to stand out in both physical and digital spaces. Additionally, the popularity of rental services, resale platforms, and upcycling workshops suggests that even indulgent behaviours are being reshaped by sustainability. This juxtaposition of consumption styles signals a deeper cultural reckoning: as consumers, we are finding ourselves caught between the desire for self-expression and the responsibility of mindful living. Personally, I’m excited to see what is made from aesthetics guided by the centering of ethics. 

Last but certainly not least, the cultural undercurrents shaping 2025’s fashion trends is the foundation of how we can understand the birthing of trends. There are many (especially in the political context) and last year, we discussed how fashion’s playful revival could be traced to the experience of a global recession — and how the experience of hardship often leads to a desire for celebration and connection that fuels maximalist aesthetics, as people embrace opulence and fantasy after years of uncertainty. Simultaneously, our pressing climate anxiety underpins the underconsumption movements that are emerging, as we realise that the more we have access to, might not necessarily equate to a better experience of life. Material excess might not fill that proverbial hole within; especially contrasted against the intense political and ecological issues facing our planet. Then, nostalgia remains a powerful force, as it offers us comfort and familiarity through aesthetics that reimagine past eras, providing both escapism and grounding in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Amid these shifts, individuality is suggested to reign supreme. There is a growing desire for self-expression, with DIY aesthetics thriving as more people reject mass consumerism. These cultural forces highlight the complexities of 2025: this is a year caught between collective challenges and personal agency. If I could sum up what 2025 is defined as; it would be the pursuit of personal responsibility and self-expression, across the three dimensions of aesthetics, behaviours and cultural undercurrents. In fashion, these tensions will manifest in stores, across runways and online. It’s going to be a wild ride. What are you hoping to see? 

Written by: Holly Beaton

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