The fashion landscape in 2025 reflects the evolving interplay between social media trends and timeless style, revealing how platforms like TikTok have drastically reshaped consumer behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in how we dress and shop, creating a unique fashion environment characterized by rapid trend cycles and a mix of nostalgic influences.
Half a decade since the pandemic began, the impact of quarantine remains pronounced. Notably, fashion has not only adapted in terms of style but also in its relationship with technology. Juan Mundel, an associate professor of advertising and public relations, notes that during the summer of 2020, TikTok emerged as a central hub for fashion trends. Mundel elaborates, “Because we weren’t being exposed to our friends’ purchases and decisions, TikTok became the source of information on what was trendy and acceptable.”
This newly accelerated access to fashion has profoundly affected consumer habits. According to Mundel, the numbers game plays a significant role; social media users are influenced by likes and follows, meticulously mirroring successful styles in hopes of replicating that approval. “Social media exposes us to patterns of things that we see and that are accepted,” Mundel adds. With every new trend showing up on feeds, a sort of race has emerged, with users striving to be the first to adopt the latest look, leading to rapid shifts in what is deemed fashionable.
Among the fashion trends identified in Spring 2025, soft power and a return to nostalgia stand out as significant thematic elements. Designers are harnessing the desire for self-expression, with motifs ranging from artisanal prints and nautical stripes to sheer layers and embellished garments. Brands like Heirloome are exemplifying this trend, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs. Their silk satin dresses feature artwork from Mexican artisans, celebrating cultural heritage through fashion.
Simultaneously, the fashion world has seen a revival of styles from the ‘90s, including glossy brown lips and thin eyebrows, which are making a comeback alongside the reintroduction of statement jewelry and retro footwear. Grunge-inspired liners are also surfacing again, tapping into a nostalgic aesthetic while echoing the raw style of that iconic decade. As evidenced by the latest collections, pleats are returning to prominence as a staple in both everyday attire and high fashion, embracing a historical significance.
Emma Davis, a freshman studying elementary education, chimes in about the concerns surrounding fast fashion. “I would encourage people to take a step back and ask themselves if they really need something or if it’s just something that everyone else has,” she suggests, highlighting how various styles often proliferate before fading quickly.
Lily Stroub, a junior in apparel textile and design, expresses similar frustrations with fast fashion websites like Shein, which respond to the quickening trend cycles. She argues that such retailers often sacrifice quality for speed, resulting in clothes that are cheap and not built to last. “Nowadays, clothes are made out of much cheaper materials, and they’re not made to last anymore,” Stroub notes. This fast-paced production means consumers frequently need to replace the trendy items they purchase.
Beyond the immediate implications of fashion trends, the ethical considerations of purchasing choices are increasingly coming into play. Davis states, “I think it can be good for people who are looking for something on a budget, but ethically, it’s not really great to shop from fast fashion websites.” This sentiment echoes concerns surrounding labor practices and sustainability in the fashion industry, with many fast fashion brands facing scrutiny for their production methods.
As we look toward the future, experts like Mundel advise a reevaluation of our relationship with social media. “The same way that we learn math and language, we need to learn the effects of social media,” he asserts. Mundel emphasizes the importance of media literacy in today’s digital landscape to empower consumers against undue influences while shopping.
Spring 2025 will mark a watershed year for fashion, featuring trends that resonate with broader shifts in societal attitudes toward sustainability and individuality. With the interplay between fleeting trends fostered by social media and enduring styles gaining traction, the fashion realm continues to reflect complex narratives of identity and collective experience.
