For the Fall/Winter 2025 season, designers at New York Fashion Week emraced nostalgic themes in exciting and unexpected ways, with the '70s and '90s retro trends making a powerful return to the runway. This season, the past has collided with the present, merging classic silhouettes and styles with contemporary twists like minimalist aesthetics and oversized structures that offer a fresh perspective on old-school glamour.
At the heart of this season’s collections is a unifying theme: retro. From the ultra-feminine to the boldly oversized, designers have drawn inspiration from previous decades to create statement-making collections that feel timeless yet modern.
The resurgence of these retro-inspired trends highlights an exciting era of creative freedom and self-expression. Whether you’re drawn to the chic sophistication of animal prints, the powerful statement of oversized suits, or the opulent glamour of embellished dresses, New York Fashion Week 2025 proves that nostalgia, when reimagined, can be the perfect formula for future-forward style.
Ahead, we turn the spotlight on the trends that dominated the presentations at New York Fashion Week.
The Trends That Defined New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025
1. Cylindrical A-Line Skirts
A womenswear staple from the '60s and '70s, the cylindrical A-line skirt makes a powerful return on the 2025 runway, with designers like Altuzarra, Tory Burch, and Brandon Maxwell giving the nostalgic silhouette a modern twist by incorporating features such as the usage of leather, asymmetrical cuts, and layering techniques.
These skirts—featuring a flattering, structured shape—are updated with contemporary materials such as supple leathers and airy mesh, creating sleek lines, and edgy cuts. The result is a perfect balance of nostalgia and innovation, effortlessly bridging the gap between retro and contemporary styles. Whether in luxe fabrics or dynamic textures, the cylindrical A-line skirt is a nod to vintage femininity, updated for today’s fashion-forward sensibilities.
2. Animal Prints
Eschewed of their outdated associations, animal prints are now a key part of the bold and confident designs taking over the runway. Far from being relegated to the past, these daring patterns have returned with attitude, appearing in bold, high-fashion interpretations that bring a sense of power back into the spotlight.
Designers like Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, and Aknvas exhibit how animal prints can be both bold and sophisticated. This season, we've seen everything from leopard spots to zebra stripes, interpreted with luxurious textures and fearless patterns as they are incorporated into refined, tailored pieces, going beyond earlier decades where prints were mostly used only for accessories or statement elements.
Despite the bold print, the motif is still made sleek as they are integrated into solid-colored pieces, classic knee-high boots, and bottoms in the same print to achieve a cohesive look.
3. Oversized Suits
Channeling the power-dressing era of the '80s, oversized suits remain central to the collections at New York Fashion Week.
Bevza, Brandon Maxwell, and Tory Burch have reimagined this bold silhouette with sharp tailoring and a relaxed yet elevated fit. The look is both androgynous and effortlessly chic, capturing the spirit of the '80s while speaking to today’s diverse fashion sensibilities. With wide shoulders, boxy cuts, and dramatic silhouettes, oversized suits evoke a sense of strength and sophistication. This trend reflects the continued demand for versatile, empowering looks that transcend gender and style boundaries.
4. Lace and Party Dresses Over Pants
One of the most playful and avant-garde trends of the season, lace and party dresses layered over pants offer a more playful take on evening wear.
Inspired by the opulence of the '90s and early 2000s, designers like Collina Strada, Diotima, and Coach have embraced this unexpected combination by turning the idea of glamorous dresses into street-smart ensembles. The juxtaposition of delicate lace with the practicality of pants creates a striking contrast, resulting in an aesthetic that feels more approachable, nostalgic, and contemporary.
5. Embellishments
This season, embellishments are the focal point of many collections. Designers like Thom Browne, Altuzarra, and Reem Acra have integrated intricate beading, sparkling sequins, and ornate decorations into their statement ensembles.
These luxurious details infuse energy and glamour into the collections, giving each garment a sense of decadence and drama. The use of embellishments is a clear nod to the lavish styles of the past, yet their bold reimagining proves they are still very much relevant in today’s fashion landscape. Whether on evening gowns, tailored suits, or casual wear, embellishments this season are the key to making a statement.
6. Fur
Luxury and extravagance are making a grand return with fur—reinterpreted through sustainable materials, of course. Fur, once seen as controversial, is now reinvented as a symbol of both luxury and ethical design, making it a standout trend at NYFW this Fall/Winter 2025 season, with designers embracing eco-friendly alternatives that replicate traditional fur without ethical concerns. Tory Burch, for instance, incorporated vegan fur and recycled polyester into her collection, a tasteful harmony between luxe dressing and environmental responsibility.
In addition, designers like Luar and Altuzarra have also embraced the timeless allure of fur, but with an eye on the future in a color palette ranging from deep browns and blacks to soft creams and pastels offering both drama and refinement as these modern iterations not only evoke the decadence of vintage fashion, but also emphasize responsibility for materials and craftsmanship.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
