There is plenty of noise about the demise of fashion “trends” – and industry debate about whether the term is still relevant. The old-fashioned view that a few trends hold sway for an entire season has long gone. Instead, a multitude of fads come and go quickly.
Micro trends, driven by social media as much as fashion runways, will be a feature of 2025. That means flexibility, which can add a new edge to any wardrobe and keep dressing up fun. There is no need to get stuck in a sartorial rut, either. From animal prints to athleisure, burgundy to boho, there will be no shortage of micro trends to follow over the next 12 months.
In a bid to keep fast fashion at bay, many of my tips for 2025 are based on what is coming up and built around things you probably already own. The key to these ideas lies in the styling – the way you put your own twist on a concept. The result? Absolute freedom to pick and choose the things that appeal most.
So whether the vibe you want to channel is timeless classics or ultra-feminine layers, here are some ideas to explore for wardrobe inspiration in 2025.
Animal prints
Proving yet again that fashion is cyclical, leopard, zebra and even tiger prints are set to be a staple of 2025. Seen across Bottega Veneta, Valentino and Roberto Cavalli, leopard in particular has almost become a new neutral and can be mixed up for an easy update. Think midi-length skirts, a cosy cardigan or a sharp, printed trench coat. Cavalli even did an entire coat in zebra. However, if the idea of wearing animal prints feels too much, try adding a zebra print bag or a tiger stripe shoe for a new flourish.
Beautiful burgundy
First championed by Sabato De Sarno at his Gucci debut in September 2023, this deep wine red shade is still very much a mood for 2025. Seen at Max Mara, Ferragamo and, of course, Gucci, the sensual shade adds a stylish direction to any outfit and looks equally great worn head to toe, mixed with lighter neutrals for a touch of city chic, or with black for wintry cosiness.
Everyday embellishment
Why should sequins, shimmery fabrics and surface embellishments be saved only for special occasions? For 2025, this thinking can be thrown out the window by making what was previously only eveningwear a valid option even for the daytime.
The key to making this work is to wear said sparkles in a more low-key way, such as pairing a sequinned skirt with loafers and a T-shirt, or throwing a sparkly jacket over a pair of jeans. Likewise, that beaded evening bag that only sees the light once a year, can now enjoy new life worn during the day for a sense of je ne sais quoi.
Sporty separates
Athleisure has been around for a while, but while previously that pivoted around relaxed, almost decadent ease, for 2025 this new sporty edge is about mix and matching. Chances are some of these key pieces are already lurking in the back of a cupboard somewhere, so wear a tracksuit top with a classic skirt, or follow Off-White's lead and tie the same zipped jacket around the hips on a dress, or throw a hoodie under a dress a la Stella McCartney.
While Ferragamo's choice of going down the route of ballet leotards as daywear might be a bit much for some, Miu Miu's pairing of shrunken bomber jackets with elongated tennis skirts is perfectly doable.
Designer denim
Once upon a time, denim on the high-fashion runway would have been unheard of – but now it is the mark of a welcome continuing trend. Seen across the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Chanel and Balenciaga, jeans have clinched a well-deserved place in the fashion lexicon.
Seen in myriad washes – from black to pale blue or high-waisted to hanging off hips – this long-term fashion staple is enjoying a new lease of life and could be the perfect piece to mix with some of the other micro trends here.
Hero jackets
Perhaps it's the knock-on effect of the Gallagher brothers going back on tour, but for 2025 it seems everyone is racing to make zip-up jackets, parkas and cagoules the hero of every look. This may seem a no-brainer for menswear but, in one of fashion's fascinating moments, this is menswear influencing womenswear.
Seen at Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Hermes, oversized men's blazers, funnel-neck technical jackets and long, zip-fronted jackets have popped up, worn over metallic long skirts or belted over a straight-cut skirt and bandeau top.
Boho revival
One carry-over from autumn/winter 2024 is the boho revival that has been headed by Chemena Kamali at Chloe. Relaxed yet refined, Kamali’s take on boho is an effortless mix of ease with luxuriousness, a mood that has also been taken up by the likes of Isabel Marant and Alexander McQueen.
Taking its cues from 1970s Parisian chic, this trend translates as plenty of lace trimmings and peasant blouses, with high-waisted flared jeans and skinny-fit jackets. Or look to Valentino, where Alessandro Michele added a tranche of richly surfaced bohemia with heavily beaded dresses and skirts inspired by the Roaring Twenties.
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The five pillars of Islam
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3. Hajj
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Results
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Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
