In the ever-evolving world of fashion and design, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of intriguing contrasts and thoughtful reinventions. From the cyclical rhythms of women's fashion to the eco-conscious trends transforming interior textiles, and the rise of playful, ironic aesthetics like Sardine Girl Summer, the landscape is rich with innovation and nostalgia alike.
Alexander Bogdanov, the founder and art director of the women's clothing brand ALEXANDER BOGDANOV, offers a fascinating perspective on navigating the fast-moving currents of fashion trends. He emphasizes that fashion is fundamentally cyclical, but not all elements return simultaneously or in the same form. Today's trends encompass specific silhouettes, proportions, color palettes, and stylistic combinations, many of which may re-emerge years later, albeit transformed.
For instance, the elongated silhouettes dominating the current season—dresses and skirts that nearly reach the ankles—reflect a long-term trend in constructions and proportions that often endure for decades. Meanwhile, lengths just below the knee have temporarily receded, but runways are already teasing proportions inspired by the 1960s, when shorter dresses and skirts were in vogue. This doesn't signal an immediate mass shift to mini skirts next summer; rather, it introduces a fresh alternative to the established maxi trend. As Bogdanov explains, "Short and long silhouettes often coexist. Trends don't disappear instantly, especially if they were widespread; they fade gradually." This nuanced interplay allows designers to test different lengths and brands to offer diverse options, enriching the overall style landscape.
But what happens when a trend becomes oversaturated? Bogdanov notes that both designers and consumers, particularly the trendsetters who are always one step ahead, grow weary of the familiar and seek novelty to stand out. This cycle sparks the birth of new trends. Some, like bicycle shorts, which were all the rage just a couple of years ago, have nearly vanished due to their niche appeal and limited adoption. Conversely, long leggings, popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are making a comeback, worn by those eager to highlight their legs while keeping them covered.
Understanding the difference between short-term and long-term trends is crucial. Bogdanov advises leaning on stable, time-tested trends that promise longevity and reliability. "Novelty can be introduced through details like unusual colors, prints, and interesting accents," he says. These elements keep outfits fresh without losing relevance after a single season. Modern trends often reinterpret past styles more modestly and thoughtfully, sometimes embedding deeper meanings behind the garments. Choosing unique pieces that don't simply replicate what everyone else wears is another way to stay fashionable and authentic.
Fashion is not just about style; it's about mood, energy, and feeling "here and now." Bogdanov stresses the importance of balance—clothes should highlight one's strengths and adjust perceived flaws, with the right color, length, and cut dramatically transforming appearance. Ignoring trends altogether risks seeming outdated, while incorporating current elements can impart a youthful, vibrant aura. Staying informed through fashion magazines, blogs, and observing stylish peers helps develop taste and intuition, essential tools for anyone wanting to harmonize fashion with personal identity.
Meanwhile, the textile industry is undergoing its own transformation, driven by a growing demand for sustainability, comfort, and aesthetic harmony in interiors. Leading the charge in 2025 are natural fibers like hemp, which is gaining ground over linen due to its eco-friendliness and cost-effective processing. Alongside hemp, innovative materials such as orange peel, algae, and milkweed seeds are rising stars, reflecting a broader shift towards eco-consciousness.
Fashion brands are embracing recycled materials, crafting new fabrics from scraps and secondary resources. Traditional handicraft and weaving techniques are making a comeback, blending seamlessly with modern dyeing technologies and fiber regeneration methods. This marriage of old and new enriches textile design, offering both authenticity and innovation.
Print trends for 2025 lean towards fantasy compositions inspired by natural textures and elements—think fabrics adorned with images of wood, stone, and other organic motifs. Deep greens like dark emerald and moss evoke a sense of connection to nature and the eco-home ideal. Combining intense colors with soothing neutrals fosters cozy, relaxing atmospheres, perfect for modern living spaces.
Technological advances also play a role: thermoregulating fabrics are now common in mattresses and blankets, ensuring comfortable sleep by adapting to body temperature. Acoustic textiles that absorb noise and antistatic coatings that reduce static electricity add layers of functionality. Designers are mixing diverse materials and fibers to create fabrics that are both stylish and practical, with melange effects—subtle transitions of shades—gaining popularity for decorative elements like pillows and throws.
The Heimtextil Russia 2025 exhibition highlights these trends, underscoring the industry's commitment to conscious consumption and eco-friendly innovation. Classic interiors continue to favor smooth blends of soft colors and textured fabrics, while experimental projects push the boundaries with recycled materials, opening new creative avenues for textile designers. Ultimately, textiles in 2025 embody our collective desire for sustainability, durability, and comfort, crafting interiors that are not just beautiful but mindful of our planet.
On a different note, the fashion world’s rapid aesthetic shifts have birthed a captivating new trend for Summer 2025: Sardine Girl Summer. Far from a fleeting TikTok fad, this trend encapsulates a rich visual culture steeped in nostalgia and ironic reflections on everyday life. Originating from Portugal, where sardines are more than just a food item—they are a national pride and cultural symbol—the trend draws on the vibrant imagery of colorful sardine packaging, festive illustrations, and the quaint charm of fishing shops.
This surge in sardine-inspired fashion is an offshoot of the broader Fisherman Aesthetic, which Pinterest identified in late 2024. The Fisherman Aesthetic featured chunky knit sweaters, sandals, striped shirts, rubber boots, and string bags—all maritime staples. Sardinecore, as it’s called, narrows the focus to sardines themselves, not as a delicacy but as a graphic motif, art object, and emblem of nostalgic consumption. The sardine can evokes memories of carefree holidays and a romanticized frugality, resonating especially during times of economic uncertainty.
Interestingly, TikTok and major international media have linked the spike in interest around canned fish to economic downturns, with search queries for "tinned fish" peaking at the end of 2024 and climbing since. Yet, the trend is less about actual consumption and more about visual allure—vintage labels, hand-drawn packaging, vivid colors, and a surreal, playful take on the mundane.
Styling Sardine Girl Summer calls for irony balanced with restraint. Fashion items include T-shirts and tank tops with small sardine prints, light sundresses, mini dresses, flowy skirts, short-sleeved shirts, pajama pants, and beach shorts. Accessories add flair: scarves with maritime motifs, bright vintage brooches, beaded bags featuring sardines, earrings, and pendants. The Sardine Bag by Bottega Veneta, introduced by Matthieu Blazy in 2023, has achieved cult status, featuring a sardine as a stylish handle. Similarly, Staud’s "Staudine" bag—beaded and inspired by 1970s retro drawings—offers a playful nod to this quirky trend.
So why not embrace sardines as new style icons? In a fashion world that often feels overwhelming, Sardine Girl Summer offers a witty, nostalgic, and refreshing way to engage with culture and personal expression.
From the enduring elegance of long silhouettes and the eco-conscious revival of natural textiles to the sardine-inspired playful aesthetics capturing imaginations worldwide, 2025’s fashion and design scene is a vibrant tapestry of history, innovation, and personality. Whether you’re carefully curating your wardrobe or reimagining your living space, this year invites a thoughtful blend of the past and present, sustainability and style, irony and authenticity.
