Fashion and interior design have always danced to the beat of cultural shifts, and if 2025 proved anything, it’s that both worlds are in the midst of a bold, sometimes bewildering, revolution. The past year was nothing short of a roller-coaster for style enthusiasts—on the runway and in the living room alike. As designers swapped houses at a dizzying pace, and trends old and new collided, the very notion of what’s “in” or “out” seemed to shift with every season. So, what did 2025 look like for those obsessed with aesthetics, and what lessons are the experts taking into 2026?
Let’s start with the fashion front, which, according to ELLE, saw a whopping 15 major debuts for the spring/summer 2026 season. Among the most headline-grabbing moves: Jonathan Anderson’s historic takeover of Dior and Matthieu Blazy’s mid-century modern reboot at Chanel. Not to be outdone, Duran Lantink made waves at Jean Paul Gaultier, while Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez injected a fresh dose of American sportswear and eclecticism into Loewe’s DNA. The result? Runways bursting with bold statements, playful accessories, and a clear message: personal style is king (or queen, or however you choose to define it).
One trend that simply couldn’t be ignored this year was the meteoric rise of Labubus—the fuzzy bag charms that became the must-have accessory of 2025. Pop Mart’s quirky creatures have been around for a while, but their popularity soared thanks to celebrity endorsements from Lisa of Blackpink, Dua Lipa, and Rihanna. As ELLE noted, the “cute overload” era was officially underway, with furry, nostalgic touches popping up everywhere from Simone Rocha’s faux-fur animals to Fendi’s luxury dolls. Nostalgia, it seems, was on every designer’s mind, and the public lapped it up.
Accessories in general got a massive upgrade. Gone are the days of demure, barely-there jewelry—2025 was all about bigger, bolder, and frankly, more fun. Saint Laurent brought back the chunky glamour of the 1980s, while Vaquera’s oversized pearls and Michael Kors’ wallet necklaces turned accessories into conversation pieces. “2025 reminded us that there’s no better conversation starter than a stunning accessory with an even more interesting backstory,” wrote ELLE. Even silk scarves, typically a symbol of understated elegance, enjoyed a renaissance—wrapped around waists instead of necks, as seen on Alexa Chung and Lola Tung, and even nodding to Gabrielle Chanel’s iconic looks in Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut.
And let’s not forget the feet. Shoes in 2025 were, well, impossible to ignore. From Nike Rifts and Vibram FiveFingers to Tory Burch’s pierced shoes and Balenciaga’s velvet-platform flip-flops, the year’s footwear was all about expressing individuality. Dries Van Noten’s sleek sneakers and Michael Rider’s buttery leather versions at Celine bid farewell to the chunky “dad” silhouette, while the “sneakerina” look took off at labels like Puma and Louis Vuitton. If there was a rule, it was simple: make your feet a statement.
Meanwhile, the Yuppie look—think preppy, coastal, and unashamedly nostalgic—made a roaring comeback. Michael Rider’s debut at Celine channeled American-in-Paris chic, while Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms for the Milano Cortina Games leaned into classic athletic Americana. Updated barn jackets from brands like Damson Madder and Ganni x Barbour reminded everyone that some silhouettes never really go out of style.
Color was another story altogether. Quiet luxury? Declared dead. In its place, vibrant colorblocking in Yves Klein blue, candy-apple green, and even iPhone-inspired orange. Saint Laurent’s fall/winter 2025 collection was a riot of bold-shouldered, solid-color looks, while Loewe and Celine played with playful, primary palettes. “Everyone dipped into the ’80s and enjoyed a bit of unabashed fun,” observed ELLE.
And if you wanted your clothes to speak for you—literally—2025 was the year for slogan T-shirts. Conner Ives’ “Protect the Dolls” shirt went viral, spotted on everyone from Pedro Pascal to Tilda Swinton. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of the Museum at FIT, told ELLE, “It becomes a billboard that you’re wearing.” Some designers used slogans for protest, others for playful provocation, but the message was clear: fashion is about self-expression, now more than ever.
Of course, the world of interiors was undergoing its own shake-up. As House Beautiful reported, interior design trends are just as susceptible to cultural and lifestyle shifts as fashion. But while some trends quietly fade, others linger far too long—eventually turning into what one might call “full-blown cringe.”
Designers interviewed by House Beautiful were quick to call out the trends they’re eager to leave behind. Head-to-toe midcentury modern, once beloved for its nostalgia, has become oversaturated. Mark Schubert of Phillip Harrison Interiors admitted, “About a decade ago, the resurgence of MCM design was everywhere... but the aesthetic turned up in new collections by high-end and fast-furniture companies alike.” Designer Allison Handler agreed, noting that while she still appreciates midcentury pieces, going all-in now feels a bit much. The solution? Mix in warmer fabrics and transitional pieces to soften the look.
Other trends designers are saying goodbye to include chevron-patterned upholstery—“such a bold pattern and usually includes high-contrast colors that make this type of fabric tire very quickly over time,” said Amy Elbaum of AE Design—and Ikat fabric, which Mikel Welch confessed no longer resonates with his minimalist sensibilities. Buddha-inspired furniture, cheap chrome knock-offs, over-the-top glam, jewel-toned velvet sofas, and button-tufted Chesterfield seats also made the “please retire” list. As Ali Budd put it, “It’s not about trends—it’s about integrity.”
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for interiors. The pros also shared their picks for timeless design elements that will never go out of style. Natural materials like linen slipcovered sofas and weathered wood furniture topped the list, with Mikel Welch praising their “comfort and effortless elegance.” Neutral hues, according to Amy Elbaum, allow for easy updates: “Having these kinds of pieces means you can evolve your aesthetic over time by changing out accessories, rugs, pillows, and art.” Kristy Turner extolled the virtues of quality antiques, while Alicia Held-Morris called Hans Wegner’s midcentury dining chairs “engineering marvels”—practical, stylish, and comfortable.
So, what’s the takeaway from a year of such dramatic change? Whether in fashion or interiors, the real winners are those who embrace bold self-expression while staying true to what feels authentic. Trends will come and go, but style—when rooted in creativity and integrity—has a way of enduring. As 2026 approaches, both the runway and the living room are wide open for reinvention.
