Fall '25 Runway Trend Report

By Eden Bennett '29 FMM 

As we approach October and Fall 2025 Runway Fashion Trends, designers have made their statements with glamorous, traditional debut collections. Both womenswear and menswear designers have taken eccentric twists on classic fall fashion that we all know and love. Many fellow fashion lovers seem to live under the false belief that runway apparel is unattainable to the average consumer. Yet, trends actually originate within designer styles and are soon followed by retailers. As I introduce a few of my favorite runway trends this season, I encourage you to shop with an artistic eye and branch out into diverse styles. Even though we all love an Ugg boot and an oversized hoodie, before you throw on leggings and a beanie this fall, consider looking for runway-styles with innovative silhouettes, bold draping, and powerful accessories within your favorite mainstream retailers.

"Fashion isn’t just about following trends; it’s about finding inspiration in them and expressing individuality through personal twists."

With this being said, trends you probably already have in your closet continue to flourish into new and improved aesthetics. The rise of the "coquette aesthetic" in late 2023 and early 2024 have caused bows to have their moment of trendiness across "Ready-to-Wear" collections and hundreds of recognized retailers. Continuing into Fall 2025, designers have modernized a trendy “coquette” bow into a sophisticated accessory, featuring a tied belt, backless bow lacing, and abstract cinching. . A specific Givenchy look of a pale yellow blazer dress cinched with a huge black tie in an unstructured bow — caught my eye and inspired me to consider belting my next dress with a tie.

Source by Nicole Fritton, Harper's Bazaar

Instead of reaching for a leather belt every day, try tying your own bow with a vintage scarf (or even a men's tie) as your next waist-snatching accessory. Tying belts and scarves into bows isn’t restricted to feminine looks; a belt made out of a structured fabric tie would accentuate the male figure and add a fashionable twist on a classic denim. Aside from accessories, secondhand shopping is one of my favorite ways to discover mainstream apparel trends in unique forms. I have personally found tops with keyhole-tied openings, backless blouses tied with lace bows, and even DIY-ed cutouts with bow ties!   

It is no secret that patterns have been a huge fashion trend for the past couple of years; from various animal prints to polka dots and stripes to florals, 2025 is the year we’re taking a spin on a singular print and reaching new levels of experimentation. Mixing prints is a striking style designers have been incorporating into their collections for decades (Vivienne Westwood's eccentric plaids & Betsey Johnson’s wild florals), and I am all for Fall 25 Runway bringing it back. Throwing on a polka dot skirt with a sheer striped tight screams Blair Waldorf in a preppy, sophisticated way without being too exaggerated. An adventurous style I personally want to experiment with this season includes pairing a plaid mini skirt with a cozy grandma-patterned sweater and a thigh-high leather boot.

I believe that mixing patterns can take on textured forms, such as sequins, embellishments, leather, and fur. For example, I was captivated by one of Balenciaga’s looks - a polka dot floor-length dress draped with huge ruffles and layers - and wondered how I could incorporate this into my personal wardrobe.

Source by Nicole Fritton, Harper's Bazaar

Pairing a patterned maxi skirt with a flowing, ruffled top not only creates depth and an illusion of drapes, but also experiments with an atypical silhouette. Most women tend to stick toward a “baggy-on-tight” outfit (myself included), but this season I advise you to experiment with mixing patterns and draped fabrics for a dramatic entrance. As for menswear, styling a funky graphic tee underneath a vintage flannel or patterned zip-up hoodie (I love cheetah or stripes for a bold style) would turn a casual outfit into something eye-catching. It is clear that this season there is no such thing as patterns and textures clashing when plaids, stripes, and florals live happily ever after together.

Wrapping up this Fall '25 Trend Report on an iconic note. If you’ve kept up with leading designers this year you’ve most likely seen the rise of Isabel Marant’s bohemian chic Spring/Summer 25 collection. As textures like suede, leather, and fringe scream fall, this aesthetic is here to stay and is continuing to evolve into new and improved fashions. Rather than emphasizing western browns and pinks this season, Marant took an edgy spin on boho with black and white lace detailing, structured blazers and trenches, deep reds, and chain-work accessories. Pairing a fringe boot or bag with alternative apparel is right up my alley and incorporates classic western Marant with their “New Wave edge.” This dark twist on bohemian fashion creates a contrast between masculine and feminine styles, emphasizing gender neutrality. A menswear vintage cowboy boot paired with a black trouser or leather jacket may seem like a contradictory choice, but, in my opinion, can be styled in a sophisticated, abstract manner. Since mixing textures and patterns is already a trend in full effect, why not take it a step further and mix entire style genres?

Source by Isabel Marant, Fall-Winter 2025 Collection

To sum up my favorite Fall 2025 Runway Trends and personal fashion advice, it’s clear this season is all about reinvention—whether through bows reimagined as belts, bold experiments with mixed prints, or bohemian chic evolving into something edgier and more gender-fluid. What excites me most is how these runway innovations trickle down into pieces we can all wear, style, and make our own. Fashion isn’t just about following trends; it’s about finding inspiration in them and expressing individuality through personal twists. As you step into this fall, think beyond the basics, play with silhouettes, textures, and genres, and let your wardrobe become a canvas for creativity. After all, the best trend you can wear is confidence in your own unique style.