As the spring/summer 2025 shows wrapped up, we predicted the direction fashion would take this year. Some new shifts were clear right away. Corporate dressing took on new, directional forms at Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta. Individuality was a focal point as designers, including Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, made the case for anti-algorithm fashion and a return to personal style. A new wave of soft, romantic style, too, was a palpable shift in fashion that felt decidedly fresh and cool as pastel shades, slip skirts, and delicate florals made a big return to the runway.
Now that spring drops are landing at stores and fashion insiders are interpreting the latest trends in their wardrobes, we’re seeing a clearer direction for how spring fashion will impact our shopping habits this season. Elegant style is taking more cues from the 1960s, technical sportswear is exiting the gym, and the color of the season is steering the style set away from neutrals. Ahead, read our spring/summer 2025 shopping guide highlighting the most important trends and shop our edit of the key pieces to own this season.
There has been a wave of 1960s nostalgia hitting the cool style set recently. Instead of the latest in denim and sneakers, insiders’ looks more often resemble those of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis—style icons who are the pinnacle of sophisticated fashion from the decade and helped popularize pieces such as pillbox hats, animal-print outerwear, and gloves. In past seasons, we saw a rise in elegant dressing, and the return to nostalgic 1960s dressing is the next specific iteration. Already, Celine’s Antoinette frame bag is poised to be one of the most in demand handbags for spring. We’re also seeing the rise of car coats, classic pumps, tailored skirt suits, and hosiery—just a few of the spring essentials you need to tap into a new wave of 1960s style.
Technical sportswear has never been more polished. Items once confined to functional performancewear—windbreakers, sporty sneakers, and capri leggings—are now integral to directional styling. The juxtaposition of athletic gear with elevated tailoring has turned technical pieces into unexpected luxury staples, such as a sleek nylon track jacket layered beneath a sculpted blazer and Saloman sneakers grounding a refined dress. Brands such as Brandon Maxwell and Coperni have championed the fusion of utility and elegance, and Miu Miu’s futuristic layering of sports-inspired silhouettes has become a core component of modern glam. The looks feel simultaneously effortless and sharp, balancing the practicality of sportswear with a newfound sense of sophistication.
Light, romantic, and frothy pieces are at the forefront of fashion again. At Chloé, models walked the runway in diaphanous chiffon gowns and florals. Pastel permeated the Grand Palais for Chanel with looks in soft shades of pale pink, chiffon yellow, tangerine, and robin-egg blue. Lingerie dressing returned at Miu Miu with slip dresses and exposed bralettes. Bow-embellished jackets and swaths of ruffles and lace appeared at Valentino. Even The Row, which is most often tied to pared-back minimalism, showcased several lace-trimmed slip skirts. Powder pink was the most dominant color of the season, and a sense of lightness permeated the collections overall. What was perhaps most noteworthy, however, is how romantic pieces suddenly feel relevant again after a long hiatus. The cool-girl designs are entering the wardrobes of directional dressers like Zoë Kravitz, who are incorporating the pieces in smaller ways with just a glimpse of a slip skirt peeking out from a jacket, and others are embracing romance with head-to-toe looks.
Personal style just keeps reaching new heights. Prada has been at the helm of this movement with a focus on individuality in its recent runway collections that has set the tone for a personal style comeback in 2025. Statement pieces—whether a nostalgic hat, opera-length gloves, or a strategic pop of bold color—are becoming the defining elements of a look rather than an afterthought. People are taking a step away from micro-trends and buzzy aesthetics and narrowing in on the standout details that inject personality into an outfit. The runways for this season displayed Altuzarra’s playful pillbox hats, Schiaparelli’s personified details, and Loewe’s surrealist accessories. All of these pieces have underscored the rise of conversation-starting elements. Early adopters are embracing the shift, proving that, sometimes, the best style statement is the one that feels uniquely yours.
On the spring/summer 2025 runways, powerful suiting was reimagined in relaxed silhouettes that at once felt strong yet sophisticated and elevated—a womenswear-meets-menswear take on work style. The term “soft power” was mentioned in the show notes as Louis Vuitton by Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière, who focused on a diffused take on C-suite attire. Stella McCartney had a romantic take on suiting that incorporated draped skirts with blazers and trench coats with rounded shoulders. Saint Laurent focused on oversize suiting worn with ties, thick-rimmed glasses, and big leather aviator jackets thrown on top. The look has since been spotted off the runway on celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and fashion insiders on the street style scene at fashion month, who are championing pieces like optical eyeglasses, dress ties, carryall work bags, and upsized suiting.
Powder pink is the color of the season, softening the sharp edges of tailoring and adding a dose of freshness to both casual and formal looks. This pastel shade has been elevated to something more refined, taking on a more sophisticated yet playful tone than the hot pink of previous seasons. On the spring/summer 2025 runways, designers like Khaite and Alaïa leaned into this delicate hue, offering powder pink in everything from statement dresses to tweed jackets. Whether it’s soft-pink layers under a trench coat or a billowing blouse that adds a delicate touch to the more structured pieces in your wardrobe, this trend is all about balance. The rise of the shade also falls into the larger return of pastels, which are a notable shift away from the minimal, neutral colors that have dominated for many seasons.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style was never about trends, yet its influence is as present as ever. Defined by clean lines, precise tailoring, and a muted color palette, her wardrobe—deeply tied to her time at Calvin Klein—was a master class in restrained elegance. Today, we’re seeing a renewed appreciation for her signature aesthetic: bias-cut skirts paired with minimal tanks, floor-length coats draped over crisp shirting, the occasional tortoiseshell headband, a subtle pop of animal print, and sleek kitten heels punctuating pared-back looks. Designers known for minimalism like The Row and Khaite have long carried her legacy. Now, even traditionally maximalist dressers are leaning into the CBK effect, proving that timeless simplicity always holds power.
Source: WhoWhatWear
