8 Trends That Were Outdated But Are Now Cool (and 8 That Were Cool But Are Now Outdated)

Trends, as we know, are cyclical. As much as we may have loved and cherished a certain bag or style of denim a year ago, history shows that it can’t stay on top forever. They start to feel dated once they’ve hit mass appeal, leading to a slow (or sometimes very fast) descent into so-last-season status, causing us to store them away for future use and find new trends to replace them with at the front of our closets. It’s a natural phenomenon within the world of fashion, and it’s happening right before our eyes. Summer 2024’s trends are becoming outdated while 2025’s replacements are on the rise, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on the entire exchange.

Ahead, discover which of this summer’s trends are now deemed too outdated to join us in 2025, from hot pants to snakeskin. I wouldn’t suggest getting rid of them forever unless you have multiple iterations and need the room. Storing them away in an out-of-sight bin or closet is worth doing to make room in your accessible wardrobe for fresher alternatives like Bermuda shorts and Elsa Peretti–esque cord necklaces. Trust me on this: Your summer outfit rotation will thank you.

OUT: Hot Pants

IN: Bermuda Shorts

From 2023 to 2024, hot pants were arguably my favorite summer trend. I had no shame about wearing the barely-there bottoms around New York City, and neither did anyone else, from celebs to content creators. Alas, for summer 2025, it seems that people are ready to cover up, favoring the much more sophisticated Bermuda shorts, and tailored and culotte-leaning styles are among the most popular.

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OUT: Minimalist Sneakers

IN: Statement Sneakers

From Harry Styles to Jennifer Lawrence, everyone seems to be passing on minimalist sneakers at the moment and instead are stocking up on colorful, statement-making alternatives by the likes of Prada, Adidas, and Puma. The louder the hues the better, and gold, kelly green, pink, blue, and more are becoming fast favorites among celebrities this summer.

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OUT: Track Pants

IN: Stretchy Kick Flares

Last summer, it seemed like everyone was pairing track pants with ballet flats and pumps, but ever since 2025 kicked off, another bottoms style has taken control of the zeitgeist, and it’s far tighter and stretchier with a more formal, less sporty aesthetic. I’m, of course, talking about kick-flare pants, starting with High Sport’s beloved and very viral pair and leading to more affordable alts by J.Crew, Donni, and more.

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OUT: Snakeskin

IN: Plaid

Sorry to any snakeskin stans out there, but the controversial animal print has officially fallen by the wayside. On the contrary, a new pattern is making waves this summer thanks to brands such as Bottega Veneta and The Row. Plaid is the talk of the fashion crowd at the moment and is quickly becoming *the* print to wear during the warmer months. How to style plaid? Don’t fret—just toss on some tailored trousers, a lace-trim skirt, or some fun athletic shorts. There really is no wrong way to do it.

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OUT: Cutout Dresses

IN: Nightgown Dresses

Cutouts have never really been my thing. They can be done very right, but they can also be executed poorly, and too often, in my opinion, it’s the latter. Apparently, I’m not the only one. Tons of dress trends have thrown their hats in the ring to take over the space that cutout dresses once occupied, but the one with the most staying power is nightgown dresses à la Dôen and Prada. It’s lazy luxury at its finest.

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OUT: ’80s Floral-Print Swimsuits

IN: Two-Tone Swimsuits

There was a time when everyone on my Instagram feed was wearing itty-bitty bikinis straight out of the ’80s—high cuts, vibrant floral prints, and all. These days, it seems a minimalist style of swimwear has taken over beaches, pools, and parks alike. Specifically, I’m talking about two-tone bikinis and maillots, from classic black-and-white options to more daring color combinations.

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OUT: Fishnet Flats

IN: Crochet Flats

Alaïa’s fishnet flats will probably never go out of style, especially given how comfortable they are, but the craze surrounding similar pairs has died down since last summer. Right now, a knit alternative is rising to the top of fashion’s footwear food chain, and crochet ballet flats like the ones by Ukrainian shoe brand Hvóya are growing in popularity by the day.

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OUT: Oversize Earrings

IN: Long Pendant Necklaces

There was no escaping the oversize-earring craze of the last two to three years. Eighties-inspired clip-ons and studs were everywhere, and they got bigger and bigger by the year. These days, big, retro baubles aren’t quite as ubiquitous. This is mostly because long cord necklaces with intricate pendants—think large shells, tassels, and oblong stones—have taken their place in our jewelry boxes.

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