The moment we’ve all been dreading, the clocks have gone back, and Manchester is slowly starting to freeze. The question is: what’s everyone wearing this season? Trends are rapidly changing whether we choose to stick to them or not, but sometimes it’s impossible to keep up. I’ve compiled a list of current must-haves and future trends, pulling patterns seen on the runway that are likely to trickle down into the mainstream.
Accessories and patterns
Statement Scarves
An obvious seasonal must-have, but unique and eye-catching scarves continue to grow in popularity. As seen on the runway such as Etro and Emporio Armarni Autumn/Winter 2025 collections, scarves are becoming experimental in texture and colour, even acting as collars, – a great way to instantly ramp up a simple outfit.
Deer print
Weve been through various animal prints over the last couple of years. Leopard, Tiger, Snake. Interesting they are mostly predators, so there may be a turn to the prints of docile animals. With soft colours and a neutral autumnal palette, deer print is perfect for the upcoming seasons.
Colourful tights
No words needed, really. They are both whimsical and sophisticated at the same time – a high impact, quirky accessory.
Mixed metals
The endless argument: gold or silver? We should be asking, why not have both? Opposing tones make for a distinct and dynamic look. The answer to this question has been under our nose the whole time.
Camouflage
Snowballing in popularity as a streetwear essential, camo print should maintain its prominence for a while. Though it may seem a clashing pattern, its neutral tones allow for buildable outfits that can handle other bright colours and statement pieces. Its military roots also encourage dramatic, large, and oversized silhouettes, so I hope to see camouflage prints continue to dominate trends.
Stacking belts
Possibly a fleeting microtrend, but runway patterns have not only suggested the need for statement belts, but that you might even stack them. As seen in Schiaparelli’s Autumn/Winter 2025 show, layers of multiple chunky belts with large buckles put a modern take on a traditional classic. Perhaps they’ll add a bag to them soon enough.
Tartan
This may be personal bias, hopefully the end of 2025 will see a flourish of interest in tartan. Westwood’s signature print is a British classic that deserves its moment in the spotlight. Although tricky to style, a successful tartan look is incredibly impressive. For Christmas we may have blankets and mugs with this pattern, but let’s embrace the festivities and wear more tartan.
Burberry’s revival
Speaking of tartan, with recent CEO Joshua Schulman leading its revival and the return to the FTSE 100, Burberry is possibly making a huge comeback. Despite facing difficulties in past years, rises in sales and piqued interest suggests they’re majorly on the road to return. With my hope of a tartan obsession, the two could go hand in hand.
Styles and silhouettes
Caps… only for summer?
There are a million different styles of hats that are trending constantly: beanies, berets, trapper hats, sailor hats, the list goes on. All incredibly cool, but most trends die quickly making lots of your pieces easily disposable. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Everyone has a cap, and you need a hat in the winter so why aren’t we putting two and two together. There are countless designs, and they go with everything. Wear it all year round.
Skirts over pants
Here we go again with the recycling of early 2000s trends. As we near the cold of winter, it seems wrong to have to abandon our beloved skirts. So, maybe Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale had it bang on. Skirts and pants have been slowly popping up in the mainstream, but fashion is a cycle – I bet this one will come back in full swing before we know it.
Neon
Is this a prediction or more of a hope? With 2026 fast approaching and ‘millennial grey’ and ‘clean girl aesthetic’ still in the limelight, it seems time for a big switch. Brat green has put its foot in the door for dressing in stark colours, but will people like Addison Rae’s rebrand of personal style push us all the way back to colour?
Turtlenecks
A timeless classic and a winter necessity that will never go out of style. The perfect blend of convenient warmth and taste, and especially useful for layering.
Culottes
We’ve seen the return of capris, so perhaps the same is true for culottes. These flowy wide leg trousers that cut between the knee and the shin could be an incredibly versatile pant – a blend of comfort and class that could be dressed up or down. Paired with some knee-high heeled boots, these will likely remain popular through the winter, particularly for office wear and the corporate world.
Big Hair don’t care
With elements of previous fashion era’s constantly in revival, a new trend for hair is definitely round the corner. Bouncy blowouts are a current staple, but maybe the desire for voluminous hair will go even further. Get a Y2K pouf or go full Brigitte Bardot with face-framing bangs; large tousled hair is incredibly chic and a glamourous extra dimension for any look.
On a more boring note, despite this list, in the face of environmental damage and the dwindling lack of individual style, I’d suggest you completely ignore these predictions and make some of your own. Microtrends don’t allow us to have a long-lasting wardrobe with quality pieces, as we rush to Shein and ASOS for cheap clothes that will keep up with the trends.
What fashion should do is inspire you to discover your own sense of style as it gives you fresh ideas, rather than forcing you to follow every little trend. It’s interesting to watch how trends in fashion change over the seasons, but wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable and you’ll be the best dressed in any room.
