I’m certain most of you have heard of the iconic ‘Fashion Week’ that captures the attention of almost everybody – even if you’re not that into fashion. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s a fashion industry event that lasts a week. It is recognized as an opportunity for fashion houses, brands, and high-end designers to reveal their latest collections to create upcoming trends.
The most prominent shows, or ‘The Big Four,’ are held in London, New York City, Paris, and Milan. The pieces shown in these collections are often expensive and inaccessible to the majority of people. Not to worry! — there are endless ways to make high fashion trends work for you. Fashion Designers use shows to spread inspiration and creativity to their audiences – although they haven’t always been this extravagant. Have you ever wondered how these iconic runways became what they are today?
Understanding High-Fashion Runway Trends
As stated by Harpers Bazaar, in 1901, English designer Lady Duff Gordon was the first to present her designs on a model with a slightly different approach — using music, lighting, scenery, and poses. Previously, designs were presented to clients by dressmakers in a far more simplistic manner or through a ‘defile.’ Little did she know, this would mark the beginning of presenting fashion as a performance – attracting those with class, taste, and elegance. Some of you may be thinking that many pieces from runway shows are unwearable in the real world. However, high fashion is seen as art, offering inspiration for individuals to build upon. Runway shows are opportunities for high-end designers to express their creativity through clothing. Think of the designer as the artist, the models as the canvas, and the garments as the art.
Designer runway shows are usually closed to the public and attended only by skilled journalists, photographers, and other important figures. Press coverage in magazines and, increasingly, on social media generates excitement about designers’ collections – raising brand awareness, visibility, and sales. Social media has heightened awareness around fashion shows, especially during Fashion Weeks, providing real-time feedback in the form of praise or critiques. So, inviting content creators to events has extended coverage to broader audiences and allowed for live streaming.
A fashion trend is a certain style or item of clothing that becomes popular for a set period of time – influencing a large population. Trends can be short-lived or long-lived and are usually defined on a seasonal basis. For example, different designer collections are created for autumn, winter, spring, and summer. Therefore, one way to spot trends is by taking note of the looks showcased on runways.
What Are The Current And Upcoming Fashion Trends?
There is always excitement surrounding Resort Runway shows and the pieces that are displayed. The Resort 2025 collections showcased luxury designers’ inspiration for the upcoming fashion trends for 2025. Let’s take a look at a select few fashion trends that were presented by high-end designers.
Hello Denim, Again!
After reviewing numerous designer collections this season, Vogue Runway noted a predominant feature: denim in white, black, and various shades of blue. This trend is hardly surprising to me, as denim—especially jeans—has long been a fashion staple. Looking back to 1976, Calvin Klein was the first designer to showcase blue jeans on the runway – paving the way for competitors like Dolce & Gabbana and Dior to establish themselves in the denim market shortly after, in the 1990s. Over the years, we’ve seen a wide range of jean styles: flared, baggy, skinny, ripped, cropped — the list goes on! With the decline of skinny jeans, current trends favor low-waisted, baggy jeans. Many runway looks, as seen with designers like Roberto Cavalli and Balenciaga, feature a wider, fuller leg.
However, could we be on the verge of a shift towards slimmer legs and higher waists? Top designers such as Chloé, Ganni, and Tanya Taylor have introduced more tailored denim, showcasing high-waisted, slim-fit, and flared jeans.
Animal Print
Animal print, especially leopard print, has cycled in and out of style for many years but always seems to make a return. High-fashion celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Sofia Richie have embraced the iconic leopard print this year — who I must say looked amazing. Leopard print first appeared in Vogue as fur rugs and coats worn by the wealthy and royals. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that this print was on evening dresses, bags, and purses, becoming accessible to the middle class. Christian Dior first introduced leopard print to the runway in 1947, maintaining its association with wealth. Leopard print has had a complicated history of connotations, both positive and negative. Many designers, such as Dolce and Gobanna, have re-established their love for this print throughout their past two seasons.
Comfort is Key
Many looks from The Resort Collection 2025 featured athleisure wear, drawing inspiration from sports like tennis, as demonstrated by The Elder Statesman. Designers such as Rag & Bone, Burberry, Nanushka, and Stella McCartney introduced matching wide-leg tracksuits in an icy baby blue shade, illustrating a comfortable yet stylish vibe. The main theme of these collections is all about coordination: match, match, match! For those who love the comfort of activewear — it’s no longer restricted to the gym. There’s something undeniably appealing about feeling both cozy and put-together in these athleisure outfits.
Never Enough Volume
Skirts, trousers, jackets, mini dresses — you name it. 2025 is all about bubble skirts and poofy trousers; the more volume, the better! High-end fashion designers have embraced bold and dramatic sleeves and hems, with Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga taking the lead. Yet, some looks take a more subtle approach to this trend, like Coperni’s timeless black mini dress. This is one of my favorite trends, and it’s such a fun one to recreate. This trend has been emerging since last year and is coming to a peak, particularly for this summer.
Translating Trends to Everyday Wear: How to Look Good on a Budget
Many of these high-fashion pieces are stunning and tailored to perfection – but they also come with a hefty price tag that is way out of budget for most people. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to look expensive and polished without breaking the bank!
1. Upcycle and Reuse Your Clothes!
Upcycling clothes means transforming unwanted clothes and garments into something unique or new. This can include sewing, cutting, and adding new fabrics. It can also be as simple as adding embellishments or repurposing the item for a different use. This is a great way to minimize waste by utilizing the items that are already in your wardrobe.
Many fashion influencers frequently share their tips and tricks for recreating fashion trends without encouraging unnecessary spending.
2. Thrift Staple Pieces
Thrift stores are an amazing way to source high-quality clothing without overspending. You’ll be able to find unique and affordable pieces while remaining sustainable. Many Gen Z members are making a conscious effort to make fashion statements while practicing sustainability.
3. Buy Timeless Items
Let’s take denim as an example — a trend that remains consistent year after year! One key tip for looking your best in denim, regardless of style or shape, is to focus on the fit. Make sure your wardrobe includes at least one reliable pair of denim jeans that suit your shape and are incredibly flattering. Finding the perfect pair can be a challenge — trust me, I’ve been through quite a few. However, I can share some tips and tricks to help you find your ideal pair:
• Waistband Hack for Sizing: Take the waistband of a pair of jeans and wrap it around your neck. If the ends don’t touch, the jeans will be too small. If the fabric overlaps, they’re too big. If the two ends barely touch, the jeans are likely to fit you perfectly!
• Know Your Body Type: For instance, individuals with a shorter torso may want to avoid high-waisted jeans and opt for a lower rise instead.
• Seek Out Real Denim: Real denim is always 100% cotton with no stretch. (Remember to try thrifting first!)
• Start Simple: Before experimenting with trendy jeans like rips, cargo styles, two-toned designs, or heavily detailed options, invest in classic, timeless denim that will stay in your wardrobe year after year.
4. Invest in Wardrobe Basics and Focus on Fabrics
Wardrobe basics can include well-fitted T-shirts in neutral shades like white, black, and grey – along with flattering yet comfortable trousers such as leggings or fitted flares. Good quality dresses, ideally in black, are also essential. Over the past year, there has been a rise in the ‘sporty chic’ trend, which combines sporty pieces like workout sets with more sophisticated items such as accessories or an elevated jacket. This style is typically clean, classy, and monochromatic. To make your purchases worthwhile, look for high-quality basics with strong stitching and neat hems – and avoid see-through fabrics. By investing in key wardrobe essentials, you can mix and match items to create new looks. Wardrobe basics are timeless and will never go out of style, making them a more sustainable and cost-effective choice.
These four tips are excellent ways to translate high-end fashion trends to best suit you—on a budget, of course! Looking expensive or ‘on-trend’ does not always require you to make expensive purchases. Now, more than ever, there are options to thrift high-end, fashionable clothing or upcycle and reuse it by going through your wardrobe.
