Mid-year fashion review: Why ‘Newstalgia’ is the most personal trend of 2025

Softened power dressing

The assertive tailoring once synonymous with ‘power’ and corporate core has shifted towards something more fluid, without losing its edge. The sharpness remains, but it’s softened—evident in Bottega Veneta’s sculpted but unpadded jackets and The Row’s languid blazers that slip over the body like silk robes. At Saint Laurent, the shoulder retains its presence, but is offset by diaphanous sheer blouses or fluid trousers.

Oversized blazers still rule, but they’ve softened, often cinched at the waist or rendered in fluid tailoring that moves with the body.

Sheer confidence

Transparency is everywhere, but this time, it feels deliberate, imbued with nuance rather than provocation. Sheer has evolved from spectacle to subtlety. At Loewe, whisper-fine feathered knits reveal more than warm. Alaïa’s gauzy overlays add dimension, not exposure. In climates like Singapore, this airy approach to layering is both stylistic and strategic—less trend, more practicality wrapped in elegance.

The new volume

Voluminous silhouettes have held steady, but their purpose has shifted. No longer just maximalist statements, they’ve become more about ease, airiness, and emotion. JW Anderson and Simone Rocha experiment with volume as play—dresses that swing, balloon, or crumple, inviting a tactile connection. Even Saint Laurent’s fuller midi skirts feel grounded in functionality, echoing the mid-century with just enough tension to feel current.

There’s also a richness to the materials: suede in sun-washed hues, fluid silks, featherlight faux furs. Celebrities have already embraced the return of high-glamour opulence (we predicted this back in January), stepping out in gilded accessories and floaty silhouettes that photograph like a dream.

The allure of the archive

Parallel to the rise of Newstalgia is a growing obsession with the archive. No longer just the domain of collectors or fashion historians, archival fashion has found new cachet with consumers seeking pieces that tell a story.

Helping to fuel this movement are the celebrities who wield nostalgia with ease. Zendaya in archival Versace, Jenna Ortega reviving John Galliano’s Dior newspaper dress worn by Carrie Bradshaw in 2010.

When a red-carpet look references a specific fashion era, it invites viewers to recontextualise their own wardrobes. Suddenly, that old Fendi baguette or a pair of kitten heels from the early noughts feel fresh, rather than a fashion homage.

Vintage shopping, once niche, has become integral to luxury consumption, not only for its sustainability but for its uniqueness. In a market saturated with sameness, a rare piece from a past collection feels meaningly and undeniably exclusive.

Making it modern

Ultimately, what’s most compelling about Newstalgia is how personal it feels. Nostalgic fashion trends hinge on how they’re styled—it isn’t about dressing like your mother (or grandmother); it’s about taking the best bits of their wardrobes and making them yours.

Looking ahead, this softened approach to nostalgia is unlikely to disappear. If anything, expect designers to lean further into reinterpretation in the upcoming spring-summer 2026 presentations—exploring ways to honour heritage while responding to the urgency of now. Pre-fall previews suggest a continued fascination with volume, along with a refined palette of neutrals and unexpected pastels that feel grounded rather than whimsical.

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