Summer 2025 has arrived and along with it a fresh set of trends, including contrasting colours, stripes and polka dots and a host of small details like mismatched buttons, embroidery and tailored feminine silhouettes.But the key question that pops up every time new trends come round is how are we supposed to wear them, because for most of us, catwalk styling isn’t functional for our everyday lives.
If we start with the trend of contrasting colours, there are multiple, easy ways to implement this trend. Colour combinations we are seeing include candy pink and mint green, baby blue and butter yellow, lavender purple and chartreuse, and baby pink and yellow. The first way to wear this trend is to pair contrasting items together, for example a light wash denim skirt with a butter yellow blouse or vest and a blue bag to match. You can also contrast simply with your accessories, like wearing a pink dress and pairing it with a mint green belt, shoes, earrings and/or handbag. Another way to wear this trend is to find garments that have prints with those contrasting colours. The great thing about this one is that you don’t even have to buy anything new, you can use what you already have, and that’s the best kind of trend!
Another easy trend to work with what you already own is the mismatched buttons. You can grab any blouse or shirt you already have that has buttons on it and change them out. The key to nailing this trend is choosing buttons that are different but all have something in common, like all different gold buttons, all fruit themed buttons, all the same shape button in different colours. You can pick up buttons cheap at somewhere like The Nest Haberdashery, or op shops. You can also purchase them new at sewing shops if you prefer. Or maybe ask your Grandma or Mum if she has a button jar you can raid. The great thing about this is that you can always change it back, or change it up again if you change your mind. It’s not a permanent alteration.
Let’s talk about spots and stripes. If you have a classic button up blouse, pencil skirt or pants with any kind of stripe or polkadot then you’re in the game. A really fun way to play with this trend is pairing different widths of stripes together, or different colours of stripes, even different size polkadots on a top and skirt can be fun. If you really wanted to, you could even go all in and wear your polkadots WITH your stripes. I’m loving both monochromatic looks with these patterns, and also bright bold colour combos. You can’t lose with this trend!
One of the major silhouettes we are seeing is the return of tailored pieces with feminine twists. Like vests in pastel colours, blazers and coats layered over bralettes, structured pieces with softness in details like puffed sleeves and flares skirts. It’s really the juxtaposition of the masculinity of structure and the softness of femininity that we are playing with. You can use your existing wardrobe to recreate so many of these looks. Loose flowing maxi skirts with tailored vests, tailored pants with a floaty boho chic blouse with frills and ruffles, wear a blazer over your favourite floral dress.
If you’re a bit crafty then this one is for you. I am seeing so many personalisation projects going on at the moment, with so many of them being embroidered pieces. From tee shirts with single, small, cute, beaded motifs, to jumpers that have loads of tiny embroideries to record everything from your favourite books, to places you’ve travelled, or best memories of the summer. I’m seeing fish on blouse collars, quotes on jeans hems, pretty florals and simple patterns on wide dress and cami straps, and large works of art on the back of jackets. I am loving this trend, because it’s rare that we get a trend that allows us to express ourselves more fully rather than trying to blend with the crowd, and I’m all about encouraging people to find their own sense of style rather than following trends blindly.
The last trend I’m going to touch on is bag charms, we’ve seen them for a little while now. From tiny AirTag pouches shaped like fruit, to strings of beads inspired by our favourite tv shows, and little clay charms that just scream summer, there is a set of bag charms out there that would fit your personality. If you’re not big on wearing loud clothes, then this might be the trend for you (and if you do love loud clothes then you should absolutely add some cute charms to your bags too). A subtle and chic way to add a bit of colour or fun to an outfit that doesn’t change your distinct style, something only your besties would notice and that you can appreciate and enjoy.
The best thing about trends is that they are a great way to explore your creative self expression and find new outfits within your existing wardrobe. And if you don’t love these trends, you also don’t have to wear them. But I encourage you to take a little time to play dress ups, both at home and in the shops. Explore what colours you love most, pair different silhouettes and shapes together, try on something you usually would avoid. Think about how you can make these pieces unique and your own because fashion truly is a way express your personality and show the world who you are, but most of all, it’s meant to be fun!