The bohemian look makes a beautiful return this year. Photo: Chloe
Fashion loves a good comeback story. As trends cycle, what has once fallen out of popularity can make a big return.
At this month’s New York Fashion Week, for example, Calvin Klein – both designer and brand – reappeared on the scene.
The runway show ended with rapturous applause from guests.
Calvin Klein has not been participating in fashion weeks for close to seven years. Klein himself has not attended a show for his brand in nearly two decades (after the 2002 sale to PVH).
The collection was designed by the brand’s first woman creative director, Veronica Leoni.
Not only that, supermodels Christy Turlington and Kate Moss were seen accompanying the iconic designer.
Famous faces of the 1990s modelling industry era have enjoyed a resurgence of sorts in recent years, both appearing on runways and starring in campaigns.
Read more: 'Very emotional': Calvin Klein (both designer and brand) returns to the runway
Are skinny jeans back in fashion, or maybe they never went away? Photo: BalenciagaTyra Banks strutted her stuff in last year’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show. She hasn’t walked for the lingerie brand since 2005.
In 2023, Claudia Schiffer closed the Versace runway (she has been all but retired as a model since the early aughts).
Christy Turlington surprised everyone when she walked the Marc Jacobs runway in 2019 (her last was back in 1993).
All these signal how pop culture from past decades are catching attention again.
Despite the perceived clash in opinions between Gen Z-ers and Millennials when it comes to fashion, old trends are returning too.
Back to bohemia
While it is difficult to pinpoint when bohemian chic peaked, the style of dressing helped defined celebrity looks in the early 2000s.
Back then, you could spot red carpet outfits comprising billowing floral dresses, kaftans and peasant shirts.
In the 1990s, tie dye witnessed a revival. It was an integral element of the festival style (referring to what everyone would wear to music events like Lollapalooza).
Fast forward to 2025 and you are expected to mix and match your bohemian picks. It is now about achieving a whimsical, yet sleek look.
Isabel Marant doubled down on the aesthetic for Autumn/Winter 2024, featuring a collection with plenty of fringe and tassels.
The Spring/Summer 2025 Chloe show sent out models in tiered frocks and baby doll dresses. Etro celebrated psychedelia that same season – think beach party meets flamenco.
On TikTok, fashion lovers are even pairing bohemian pieces with leather jackets and boots. This is dubbed “boho moto”.
The skinny of it
Skinny jeans are currently frowned upon, but brands continue to slip them into fashion shows.
Last year, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu and lots more paraded skin-tight denim pants on the runway.
This was after a “no skinny jeans” tag went viral on TikTok in 2021. It apparently resulted in the uptick of sales for wide-legged styles instead.
Celebrities have not dropped skinny jeans (or at least, slim-cut ones). It-girls like Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner continue to rock them.
Perhaps skinny jeans never went away, they just evolved. There is such a style called “skinny jean-adjacent”, which is basically a slim straight-leg cut that flares out the tiniest bit at the hem.
Love them or hate them. the issue bears down on whether you like your jeans loose or tight.
It is very much a personal preference.
Ho Jia Jiong, an avid denim collector of six years told StarLifestyle last November that he believes “the baggy look is still going strong”.
Flare or flair?
Go back even further – all the way to the 1960s and 1970s – and you will arrive at another retro pant design: the bell-bottoms.
At the recent Super Bowl halftime show, rapper Kendrick Lamar sang and danced in a pair. The fashion world promptly started speculating whether this style will make a comeback.
Off and on, bell-bottoms were seen on the runway. Celebrities still wear them too.
In 2019, singer Harry Styles was already sweeping the floors with oversized hems. As a fashion icon, he probably spurred the revival.
Hollywood actress Margot Robbie even wore bell-bottoms to the Chanel Cruise 2023 show. She paired it with a chic bralette and cropped vest.
For context, bell-bottoms flare out from the knee down. The style differs from those overall wide-legged cuts that Gen Z-ers now favour.
Winning style
Remember those retro tracksuits of the 1980s? They’re back, worn by the rich and famous.
Celine Dion was photographed in one last year, ahead of a scheduled performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The design chosen by Dion screamed for attention, and was peppered with logos. She paired it with white sneakers and squared cat-eye sunglasses.
Tracksuits were once deemed as kitschy. Today, the style is far from being looked down upon.
Dior, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Prada and Versace, all of these luxury brands are selling their own versions of it.
In 2024’s Kaos, Jeff Goldblum (playing Zeus) wore multiple tracksuits.
The opening shot of the Netflix series sees him sporting a Celine tracksuit top.
“Wearing a tracksuit is so elevated, because all the high designers do it,” the show’s costume designer, Rebecca Hale, told GQ last year.
Jeff Goldblum’s character in the 'Kaos' series wears designer label tracksuits. Photo: Netflix
Read more: Kendrick Lamar wore bell-bottoms at the Super Bowl – will it now become a trend?
Crazy for logos
The “quiet luxury” trend has not gone anywhere, yet logomania is making a respectable comeback.
This old trend is said to be rooted in the excesses of the 1980s – an era when fashion truly became extravagant.
It then peaked in the decade that followed, where you can’t miss seeing branded items being pushed in your face via apparel and accessories carrying large and very visible logos.
At the Sundance Film Festival last year, actress Kirsten Stewart showed off a red carpet ensemble covered with Chanel logos.
Such flashy designs were once seen as a way for someone to flaunt prosperity and status.
Then came the “stealth wealth” philosophy changing perceptions of luxury.
In 2023 to 2024, wearing ostentatious designs with brand names was regarded as crass.
This year, it seems that showing off your designer apparels will once again become something acceptable.
