Thrift shops are often full of vintage furs – real or faux
New Yorkers beware! The Farmers’ Almanac foretells a nasty winter set to arrive as early as October. Now is the time to pad your wardrobe with cute yet cozy pieces. As Fashion Week 2025 looks strut off the runway and into stores, here are the trends that will keep you warm and stylish during the worst of the cold snaps.
As is always the case, when the pendulum swings far in one direction, it is bound to swing back. After years of the “quiet luxury” trend dominating fashion, this year’s Fashion Week favors a more overt ode to extravagance. While the fashion world has never truly shied away from glitz, Fall and Winter 2025 openly celebrate luxe aesthetics. Frustrating news for those paying attention to economic headlines–but the good news is that there’s always a savvy way to incorporate runway trends into your closet.
Perhaps the clearest signifier of the move away from “quiet luxury” is the ubiquity of models in fur. Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga were among several houses to send fur down the runway. Whether real or faux, fur remains historically controversial. And yet, it is also one of our oldest fabrics–come snow or wind, a fur coat keeps the wearer toasty. Thrift shops are often full of vintage furs. Scoring one guarantees you can stay snug and stylish, all while keeping your conscience clean.
Those thrilled by fur’s return may be even more excited to hear that animal print is back. A sporadically popular trend across the latter half of the 20th century, it is once again prowling the runway. Designers at Valentino, Saint Laurent, and Fendi are paying particular homage to feline prints this season.
Another perennial trend seeing revival is preppy fashion. Just when one thinks they can retire their polo shirt and sweater vest, along comes Miu Miu and Polo Ralph Lauren with runway collections steeped in prep. Blended with the internet phenomenon of dark academia and a rise in graduate school applications, 2025’s preppy fashion favors a distinctly academic flavor. Arguably the easiest trend on this list to recreate, almost everyone has clothing that falls under the prep umbrella. Alone, a simple dress shirt might read as boring office wear, and an argyle cardigan may fail to inspire envy. But together–layered with intention–you’re suddenly channeling Miu Miu.
Fashion is a bright spot. Pretty outfits on the runway inspire us to stitch together our own exciting looks. Unfortunately, the more glamorous the clothing, the harder it can be to replicate. Thankfully, designers this season are drawing deep admiration from the trends of yesteryear. That means a trip to your local thrift store–or even just your own closet–might yield exactly what you need to turn your daily commute into your own personal runway.
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