2025 Fashion Trends: Finding Hope Through Their Cultural Significance

Fashion Reflects Culture, Culture Creates Fashion: 

Fashion is an expression of the cultural zeitgeist of the times. We see this in times like the Roaring 20s with the drastic rise of hemlines which correlated to a strong period of feminist achievements like women’s suffrage and women gaining social currency in male spaces like the bar. Or during the 60s during the Space Race, we see the introduction of mini skirts and modular fashion, designs that reflect the future-forward attitude of the time.

Fashion is irrevocably intertwined with politics and culture. Whether we mean it to or not, fashion is an expression of our personality, and without even meaning we are all products of the society and culture we are surrounded by. 

Let’s look at what the common 2025 trend predictions have to say about where we are headed culturally in 2025

Boho Chic: F*ck the Patriarchy

Boho chic is your best friend’s cool feminist older sister who probably dates a guy in a band that writes songs about anti-establishment. We should all be proud feminists, but given recent events and elections in the U.S., feminism will be coming full force into 2025. Boho Chic is here to remind us that women have edge, they have grit, and can be who they want.

We have seen the popularity over the past few years of the “Clean Girl”. The girl with all the perfect basics, flawlessly blown out hair or slicked back buns. The girl with matching jewelry stacks, and effortless natural makeup. While it is entirely possible to love this style and express your most authentic self, there is an element of this perfection that feels very “internalize male gaze”. In 2025 we are rejecting the perfection that often feels required of us as women and we are sticking up for ourselves, we are taking up space. Women are not dressing perfectly and modestly so that they don’t draw attention to themselves or keep themselves small and sidelined as a character in someone else’s story. Boho Chic is the main character, it is the rockstar girl friend except let’s be honest we all care more about the girlfriend than the rockstar. Boho chic is a twist of femininity with edge and funk. It is everything a woman is, soft and romantic, but hard and tough and gritty in the same breath. It is not one cohesive aesthetic because women are not one idealized version that men desire them to be. They are complex human beings who can be many things. 

Boho chic is the perfect representation of this concept that drives feminism. That feminism is asking to be seen as the same complex human beings with a range of experiences, feelings, and emotions just like men. Not simplified into one idea like a pious wife, a selfless mother, a dumb blonde with a big chest. This is what leads to equal opportunity and equality.

So how does Boho Chic actually represent this? Boho Chic is born from the Bohemian vibe, which embodies artistic, non-traditional, free thinkers. The vibe is flowy linen and fabrics, soft airy silhouettes, these details literally oppose the constraints of traditional thinking represented by structured, tailored clothing. Ruffles and eyelet moments are delicate feminine details in this fashion, but these dainty details are contrasted by edgy styles like tassels, jackets and boots, Studs on bags, shorts, and coats. One aspect of this style is that it is so delicate and soft like we imagine femininity. The other aspect is tough and loud, all of the things we tell women not to be, but us women are because we matter and deserve to be loud. Boho Chic is a rejection of all the traditional rules we’re told to follow as women. It says “I am here and I am an individual” not what you think I must be. So expect 2025 to be a year that women are rightfully loud in their demand for equality, that women don’t stand in the back, that women get their education, get their dream jobs, and continue to gain power to create a world of compassion and equality for all. 

 Individualism: Personal Style is BACK

For the greater part of the 20th and 21st decade we have seen globalization slowly conform culture and cities to similar versions of one another. This is entirely paralleled in the conformity effect that social media has had on fashion and beauty. In order to replicate all of the styles and trends we like that we see online, many of us seem to have become copies of one another with the same Abercrombie Jeans and Free People sweaters on. Oftentimes, I feel that has been done out of fear to be seen as “cool” through social media. If we don’t dress a certain way we won’t be seen as “chic”, if we don’t post perfect photo dumps on insta we’re not “cool” and of course, if we don’t all have the same button nose, filler-ed lips, and dysoned hair, we’re not pretty. That’s why with the rejection of the clean girl, and maximalism coming into full swing,  2025 is the return to individualism and personal style. Our culture has become saturated with mass connectivity that we have lost so much individualism as we all try to conform to the aesthetic that is getting the most views at the moment. 

Maximalism in fashion means all the accessories: loud patterns and colors, jewelry stacks, and wild textures or details. In order to achieve this we must have an arsenal of pieces in our wardrobe that we chose because they felt fun or exciting. We must get creative in order to style these loud items that are typically more difficult to style. This requires the type of creative thinking which connects us to our sense of self. Maximalism can be directly conducive to the expression of our individualism. As someone who has a rather 90s minimalist personal style, I have pushed myself to be more expressive in my outfits more by getting creative and having fun with fashion. While the “old money” style that has been popular in 2024 is certainly closer to my authentic self than Boho Chic, I aim to incorporate Boho elements that speak to me in order to make them my own within my more classic style. 

So ponder the items in your closet, take a break from your pinterest boards and just be with your clothes. Play with them, think of ways you can pair things together that maybe don’t “match”. Wear a mini skirt and a crop top together, break the rules of fashion. Try new things and see what styles make you feel most confident in your outfit and in yourself. Being with yourself and your clothes is the best way to find your personal style without the outside noise of what aesthetic you need to be wearing. 

Skinny Jeans: The Liberated Woman

In a similar way that the messiness of boho chic is accompanying the wave of feminism and women being heard. Skinny jeans are second in command. Just like the “Clean Girl” aesthetic held an eerie unattainable perfection to it, as does the movement of “modest fashion”. Don’t get me wrong, wear what you want to wear, but never feel the need to dress modestly or provocatively because that’s what you think the men around you want. Or better yet, because that’s what some deity requires of you to reach the afterlife (sorry not sorry I said it). You matter as a woman, your body matters and it does not need to be hidden to make those around you more comfortable. Women, If you are hiding your body for the comfort of others, please ask yourself, what else about yourself are you hiding or suppressing in order to make yourself more palatable for others. 

While baggy jeans might not have been a result of modesty, skinny jeans can be all about celebrating your body and feeling proud of it. As women, we are taking back form-fitting silhouettes and not letting them be a result of catering towards the male gaze. We are reclaiming our ownership of tight dresses and tight jeans, we are wearing them because we love how we feel in them. We love how they go with the outfits we are wearing, like the tall riding boots and cute blazer. Being able to tune out the opinions of the world around you and wear clothes simply because you like how they look on your body is a huge achievement. The liberated woman is wearing what she wants and understands it doesn’t need to be any reflection on her personal values or morals. If anything, the interpretation of your clothing by others says a lot more about them than it does you. 

Fisherman Core: A Nostalgia for Simpler Times

We have seen the coastal grandmother trend for the past year or so, now this seems to have morphed into a “fisherman grandpa” aesthetic. Including large chunky cable knits, fair isles, Hunter rain boots, and all sorts of practical fashion pieces. Let us not forget that this aesthetic was born from the utilitarian use of these types of clothing against the cold and rain of coastal fishing towns. Now these styles have turned into nostalgic aesthetics. I think that this speaks to Gen Z’s nostalgia for the simpler times that they never grew up in. For most of our lives, all we have known is the digital world. A world where fast fashion is rampant with cheaply made clothes, a world of ever changing trends and aesthetics, and a world where style is mass produced and less culturally specific. 

The Fisherman aesthetic speaks to a time our parents knew when people would spend much of their free time outside, therefore had to dress accordingly and activity-appropriate. As someone from a small fishing town in Maine, I know that to dress for the outside in Maine is conducive to this fisherman style. It was if people’s styles came directly from the life they lived and not the influencer they wanted to look like. I think this is a concept of originality that Gen Z is incredibly nostalgic for. Which is why we recreate these looks. We also see this nostalgia throughout pop culture today in folk-inspired music like Noah Kahan or Zac Bryan. It is as if our generation is yearning for time we never knew. 

As we move into 2025, I think Gen Z will bring this nostalgia for simpler times into all aspects of life whether it be hobbies or work. I think we are becoming digitally fatigued as a generation and looking for ways outside of ourselves and our phones to connect. Such as travelling, reading, fishing, camping, going out, and cooking. Anything that takes us outside our technology and makes us feel in touch with our humanity.

New England’s Influence on Fashion: Americana Prep

The Romance of Preppy America

When you think of fashion in America I’m sure your mind immediately pictures busy New York streets during fashion week. Or maybe you think of L.A.with its Beverly Hills mansions and Rodeo Drive designer shops. I’m sure places like Boston, Massachusetts or Portland, Maine don’t cross your mind. As a fashion lover from Maine who is endlessly infatuated with my home region of New England, this always made me feel a bit defeated. I wanted to be where the magic was, where the fashion was vibrant and the clothes exquisitely sourced vintage pieces. Yet, I’ve always wanted to stay in the Northeast by the rocky ocean coasts, small colonial houses, and stubbornly kind people. It is through my studies in school and my own journey of developing personal style that I’ve learned just how important of an influence New England and its culture have been on American fashion. In fact, it's the source for some of your favorite current day “aesthetics” like “coastal grandmother”, “old money”, and “Fisherman core”. So let’s dive into how this rustic and simple region of the U.S. has left a lasting impact on the fashion identity of the nation.

The Old Money Look, alternatively the “Ivy League Look”

As we know, New England was the first major region of settlement in America. Development spread through the Northeast towards New York and eventually South. However, this primary concentration in the Northeast led to many of the country’s wealthiest families originating from this region. Some of the names synonymous with American “old money” such as Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Carnegie. Similarly, the concentration of population during America’s infancy led to some of the country’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions being born here. In fact, four of America’s eight Ivy league schools are in New England (Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) while the other four are also in the greater Northeast region (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania). There are also numerous long-standing prestigious preparatory schools for young boys and girls that have followed in style to the Ivy League schools they feed into. These college campuses were places where students from the region’s wealthy families would come to study to be lawyers, doctors, and professors. It only makes sense that their proximity on campus, their geographic region, and their shared socio-economic statuses lead to the creation of a culture and  aesthetic style to represent them. Thus was born the “Ivy League Look” or what TikTok likes to call “Old Money”. In the 1930s the Penny Loafer was introduced by G.H. Bass, it became an instant hit. Varsity sweaters adorned with school logos were worn during sporting competitions and soon became common to represent school pride. The lingering influence of British tailoring showed through khakis and chino pants often paired with the loafers. As well in well-tailored wool blazers. Integral to this look is well-made clothing, due in some part to clothing being a more artisan work at the time. Quintessential to this look are high-quality fabrics like wool for sweaters or blazers, or crisp cotton for dress shirts. As well as rich, neutral colors for understated elegance. This style being born from wealthy American families has made it a foundation for a classically American look, as it was worn by people who were prominent American figures. Those wearing this look often represented the idea of American sophistication. 

The Greatest American Designer 

One of the greatest patrons of this Ivy League look that became an icon of Americana style was none other than Ralph Lauren. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Ralph began simply by designing men’s ties. This soon turned into a full men’s collection, which drew inspiration from the rustic style of New England’s coastal towns. As well as the romantic lifestyles of America’s Gilded Age families who spent summers playing tennis, golfing, boating, horseback riding, and lounging in resort towns. Styles included the khaki chino pants, polo neck t-shirts, graphic sweaters of coastal motifs, and tennis sweaters. During the mid 20th century Ralph Lauren took off as a clothing and lifestyle brand that represented nostalgic New England lifestyle. Not only did it become heralded by the people who embodied that lifestyle, but it also became an aspirational look for people worldwide of American simple sophistication. Ralph Lauren helped to internationalize and establish this aesthetic as a classically Americana. 

Fashion Born from Function: Coastal Grandmother and Fisherman Chic

One of my favorite characteristics about the Northeast is the simplicity of life which in turn creates a simplicity in style. Here, clothing isn’t about show, it's about practicality and function. People need warm jackets for the winter, boots that can withstand the snowy weather, layers that keep you warm out on a boat, or layers that keep you cool during hot winter days. Not to mention the same wealthy families that gave way to the “Ivy League Look” typically all came from New England and had coastal residences in resort towns like Newport, RI, Bar Harbor, ME, or on Cape Cod, MA. Therefore, this element of functionality was naturally integrated into their style as well.  

The style labelled as “coastal grandmother” today is really just the summer wardrobe of the people who live in these resort towns. The white linen pants and button ups made light material to wear on hot summer days. Cashmere and knit sweaters were easy layering pieces for chillier nights or afternoons on the boat out on the windy ocean. Light blue stripes on pants and shirts have long since been a symbol of nautical life with their connection to French fishermen. It is this fashion born out of practicality that really makes this style so iconic and timeless. True style, in my opinion, is rooted deeply in authenticity. Sadly, I feel we often lose today in a globalized world with rapid trend cycles. 

Similar to the coastal grandmother, is the “fisherman chic” look that is predicted to be popular in 2025. It takes inspiration from the wardrobe of those living in fishing towns along the coast. Their wardrobes needed styles fit for the dynamic climate by the ocean with its wind, rain, and snow. Rain boots and yellow rain jackets were necessities for being out on the rainy and misty ocean. Wool cable-knit sweaters wear a fashion brought from fishing communities in England, Ireland, Scotland, and throughout Europe. They made for warm layers during harsh winters or out on the frigid ocean. Then we often see garments with fish, lobster, and boat motifs. While now these images serve as nostalgic symbols of this lifestyle, they were once decorative symbols of culturally significant items. 

L.L. Bean and the Outdoors

One of the brands that embodied this utilitarian fashion was L.L.Bean. It was founded in Maine to create sporting apparel and gear for avid outdoorsmen. Their creations were for hunting, fishing, camping, and all other activities done in the Maine woods. Their famous styles include items like the Bean Boot: A two-tones winter boot made for snowy days and rugged terrain. Or their Boat and Tote bag. A canvas tote made to carry all items needed for a day out on the boat. Their rugged jeans, warm fleece pullovers, and even moccasin slippers have remained quite popular over the decades. Other brands that capture the lifestyle of New England include J. Crew, Land’s End, and even Patagonia or the North Face. 

True Style comes from Authenticity
Perhaps my greatest learning from writing this, and my desired takeaway for you readers is that true style comes from a place of authenticity to your reality. What I believe makes this classic Americana prep style so timeless is that it was derived from everyday lifestyle. It carries nostalgia for literally a whole way of being, it’s not just for the sake of fashion. It wasn’t meant to be a display of wealth or make a statement to anyone. The concept of trying to recreate specific outfits or to buy senseless items just for the sake of dressing on trend kills the very essence of what makes it stylish. To have true style you must truly embody what you wear, not simply dress in order to represent an aesthetic. This is why we love style icons like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy who do more than just wear their clothes, they live in them. Their clothes are conducive to their lived experience. So, if you are looking to find and develop your personal sense of style, think of  where you come from,  your hobbies and interests. Try dressing in a way that is not only aesthetic, but feels authentic to your everyday life and how you see yourself. 

2025 Sustainable Consumption Guide

A Healthier 2025 for the Planet

Is your New Year’s Resolution to be more sustainable? Good, it should be. Being a sustainable and thoughtful consumer is crucial to changing the culture of fast-fashion and consumerism we’ve built in the United States. We are meant to treasure our goods, make them last, consider the environmental and ethical impact of each purchase we make, and make the best purchase possible given our individual circumstances. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, hot and cool girls care about their environmental impact on the world and shop responsibility. In 2025, fast fashion is out and caring is back in.

Don’t Buy Until It’s Empty

The first and most important principle: reduce. Although the aisles of Sephora are seductive, you don’t need 6 different blushes and 8 bronzers. One principle to live by is to only replenish your belongings once they’re empty. If it’s a tried and true favorite, buy another. If you didn’t love it, you can try buying a new recommendation. This discipline in spending habits will help shift you into the mindset of a more sustainable consumer. Someone who values and uses their goods to the fullest extent. It will also lighten your mental burden in many ways. Reducing the quantity of products we buy minimizes clutter which frees the mental burden of disorganization. A more de-cluttered, organized space also leads to more efficient morning routines. Reducing our consumption in turn means reducing our waste, a key factor in our personal sustainability journeys. Not to mention, your bank account will thank you too for cutting unnecessary spending. A happy bank account means a happy mind.  

Reduce Waste by Finding Reusable and compostable Swaps

Now that we’ve talked about reducing our consumption, let’s look at what we do have and reuse. Consider areas in your life where you create single use waste (items used once then throw away). Think about how you could swap them for a reusable alternative. My favorite swap I have made recently is from disposable cotton pads that I used to take off my makeup, to cloth rounds that were made from wash clothes. I no longer need to throw out a cotton pad every day and continuously buy new packs that are wrapped in plastic. Other swaps might include: reusable and washable snack bags instead of plastic ziploc bags, wax paper to wrap leftovers instead of cling wrap, canvas bags for groceries instead of plastic or paper bags, razors with refillable razorheads, s glass or metal tumbler for hot/iced coffee, metal water bottle for school/work, washable cloth pads or period underwear instead of pads and tampons. Investing in long-lasting products to avoid daily waste is an investment in the future. Some items may need to be single use, typically hygienic items, consider biodegradable options instead of plastic. One of my favorite swaps has been from plastic tooth floss picks to compostable ones made of corn-starch. 

Consider Each Purchase

Just as you meticulously plan each stunning outfit for every event, we must be meticulous with each purchase we make. When you are out shopping and think you see a “cute” shirt, wait at least a week until purchasing it. If it has been a week or even two, and you can’t stop thinking about this one shirt, perhaps it’s a sign this piece will truly be a valuable addition to your wardrobe. Odds are, if it's just a shirt you thought was “cute” in passing, you’ll forget about it quickly. Besides, something being “cute” doesn’t always mean it needs to be in your wardrobe. This is especially important given how fast trends come in and out of style nowadays. Something you bought on an impulse because it was trendy might become hideous a month later and become a waste of money, space, and resources. 

Buy Second Hand

My favorite way to save money on the items I have been yearning for is looking for those same items on my favorite second-hand websites. These include: Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, Ebay, and TheRealReal. Similarly, one of my favorite off-day activities is browsing local second-hand and vintage shops to see if I can find anything to-die-for or any second hand alternatives to items I’ve been wanting. Buying second hand reduces the demand for production of new goods and contributes to a circular economy. Instead of old clothes going to waste in a landfill, they can continue circling through the community to be loved and appreciated. 

Find non-shopping hobbies

Like many of you, I consider retail therapy one of my favorite hobbies and a downright skill at this point. It is important to decentralize consumption from our everyday lives. Recreational shopping, online or in-person, should not be an everyday occurrence. Pursue other passions and interests that fill your time and fill your personal cup of joy. More time doing means more memories and less unnecessary spending. I have always noticed that in the summer I shop far less than I do in the winter, as my time in the summer is typically filled with sun-kissed days, walks outside, refreshing lake swims, new activities, and time with my friends. The cold days of hibernation in the winter tend to give way to endless online browsing for things I don’t really need. Spend time learning a new skill like sewing, baking, pottery, or photography. Discover a new blissful relaxation strategy like reading, writing, or painting. Learn healthy ways to keep your body and mind well by going for walks, trying new workouts, learning new sports like skiing or pickleball or horseback riding. Think of the things you have always wanted to do and actually schedule the time in your week to do them. Besides, the dopamine from pressing the “place my order” button is only temporary and depletes fast. The endorphins from moving your body, or the serotonin from time spent in the sun is long-lasting and renewable. 

Read the Labels

The most powerful tool we have in most facets of our lives, particularly as a consumer is information. Information is power. As consumers we vote with our dollar. We vote for which companies should continue on with their business models. We vote for what food processes we think are acceptable, or what business practices we don’t mind overlooking. Do your closet a favor by reading the labels of the clothes you purchase. What are they made of? If it's 100% polyester I can assure you the company shouldn’t be charging you $50 for it. Is it a wool and cotton blend? Maybe this piece will cost you a bit more but it will live in your closet for a long time to come as it won’t fall apart as fast. It will keep you exponentially warmer, and it will not live on our planet for thousands of years after us. Take the time to inform yourself on what you believe is worth spending your hard-earned money on. If you have the time, research the brands you are buying from. Learn about their missions, their goals, their sourcing, and their labor practices. Decide if you can support their systems, or if there is a brand who deserves your dollar more.  

Support Local

One of the most important aspects of sustainability is economic sustainability. We must support companies that contribute to a healthy economy with healthy practices. Supporting local businesses is what keeps small communities and local economies thriving. It is what pays the bills for your childhood neighbors who own a local cafe, or your best friend’s dad who works at a local accounting firm. Studies have shown that for every $1 spent at a local small business $0.67 of that is spent in the community. While if the same dollar is spent at a national chain brand, only $0.43 remains local. Make 2025 your year of keeping your local business thriving.