The 5 Fashion Trends Taking Over Autumn/Winter 2025

From plush faux fur to sleek pencil skirts, these are the looks shaping the season.

After a month of shows across New York, London, Milan and Paris, one thing is certain: autumn/winter 2025 is a study in contrasts. Designers embraced both sides of the spectrum – the polished restraint of quiet luxury and the bold drama of maximalism. Clean tailoring, neutral palettes and timeless shapes shared space with extravagant textures, daring lace, body-baring silhouettes and unapologetic statements.

The season’s mood is one of balance: faux furs that cocoon, lace that turns sensual, browns that ground a wardrobe, pencil skirts that sharpen the silhouette, and skin-baring pieces that test boundaries. Drama and elegance exist side by side, and every style personality can find its place.

Here are the five defining trends of AW25:

1. Faux Fur Everywhere

This season’s standout fabric was undeniably faux fur, transformed into the ultimate expression of warmth and luxury. It appeared not just on outerwear but across stoles, accessories and cropped jackets.

Prada accented jewel-toned coats with fur trims, Balenciaga exaggerated the silhouette with oversized creations, and Stella McCartney and Gabriela Hearst doubled down on sustainable versions. The message was clear: fur isn’t an add-on anymore, it’s the whole look.

2. Lace Reinvented

Romantic lace took a bolder turn on the AW25 runways. At Saint Laurent, Bella Hadid wore a striking cobalt lace two-piece with sharp shoulders, while Gucci experimented with neon lace leotards styled under skirts. Fendi’s sheer blouses offered a sensual edge, and Chloé’s bohemian gowns made lace floaty and free.

From Carolina Herrera’s colourful co-ords to Rabanne’s sequined lace hybrids, the fabric shed its delicate reputation to become a true statement-maker.

3. Brown, The Neutral of the Season

The dominance of brown continued this season, solidifying its position as fashion’s most versatile neutral. From deep chocolate tones to creamy caramels, brown saturated the runways in tailoring, outerwear and eveningwear.

Bottega Veneta showed immaculate brown leather coats, Miu Miu played with layered caramel knits, while Valentino and Dior confirmed that even evening gowns look striking in this earthy shade. Brown has officially dethroned black as the go-to classic.

4. The Pencil Skirt Revival

Sleek and feminine, the pencil skirt made a decisive comeback. Designers reimagined it with modern twists, pairing it with unexpected tops and textures.

Calvin Klein leaned into minimalism with pinstripe skirt suits, while Givenchy’s Sarah Burton introduced sculpted, hourglass jackets to match. Gucci and Fendi presented softer pastel variations, and elsewhere, pencil skirts were styled with chunky knits, corsetry and strapless blouses. No longer just for the office, the pencil skirt proved itself as a day-to-night staple.

5. Skin on Show

“Naked dressing” resurfaced this season, but with a refined, wearable approach. Sheer fabrics and daring cuts were used to hint at, rather than overtly expose, the body.

Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera and MM6 championed sheer blouses paired with tailored pieces, while Chloé and Valentino leaned into ethereal transparency. Diesel and DSquared2 revived low-slung bumsters, and Phoebe Philo made waves with a daring backless skirt. This season, it’s about revealing with confidence and sophistication.