FW25 fashion trends you can’t miss: ruffles, crinkles & drop waist revival
It’s never too early to discover the 3 top FW25 fashion trends of this winter: the comeback of ruffles, crinkle textures, and the revival of the drop waist dress
Fall/Winter 2025: The Season Is (Almost) Here
In case you haven’t heard, it’s that time of year again: fall is here. Or at least, almost. Yes, it’s still summer, but isn’t lounging under a beach umbrella the perfect opportunity to scroll through the top FW25 fashion trends?
So lean back; you’re officially in The Front Row. From this prime spot, you’ll see exactly what’s trending right now and what should quietly disappear from your wardrobe soon. Get ready: from Miu Miu to Chanel, we’re unveiling the three runway trends that will shape the new season in 2025.
What Are the Top FW25 Fashion Trends to Watch?
- Ruffles Make a Comeback: Romantic Yet Bold
One of the standout moments in the FW25 fashion trends is the dramatic return of ruffles. Love them or loathe them, ruffles are officially back and louder than ever. Once a hallmark of aristocratic menswear, they now dominate women’s collections for FW25, adding shape, volume, and theatrical flair to garments.
And when we say “on everything”, we mean it: ruffles are cascading down blouses, adorning the hems of skirts and coats, and turning even the simplest dresses into showpieces. This comeback channels the elegance of a bygone era but infuses it with a modern flair that feels deliberately theatrical on today’s catwalks.
Ruffles have made a strong return in the 2025 runway trends, led by Valentino under Alessandro Michele, Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Chanel, whose FW25 ready-to-wear collection marks the maison’s final showcase before Matthieu Blazy’s eagerly awaited debut this September. These ruffles have also appeared on red carpets from the Met Gala to the Oscars. It’s a look that speaks of romance and delicate lightness, with a subtle touch of rebellion.
View this post on Instagram
Highlights from Alessandro Michele debut collection at Valentino
- Crinkle Texture Fashion: Imperfect is the New Chic
The second major trend of the season? Crinkle texture fashion. This tactile, intentionally messy finish is making noise across the FW25 fashion trends, redefining what luxury can look and feel like.
But why is crinkle texture fashion trending now? Crinkled fabrics add character and dimension to classic silhouettes such as midi dresses, outerwear, and pencil skirts. What once felt unfinished is now totally intentional and surprisingly elegant.
Let’s face it: crinkle textures are a blessing for those who can’t be bothered to iron, but more importantly, they represent a broader cultural shift. Fashion is leaning into authentic fashion style 2025, embracing imperfection and real-life dressing.
Seen at Prada, Acne Studios, Miu Miu and others, this trend responds to a growing consumer demand for clothing that reflects a life well-lived, not just one that is perfectly posed.
View this post on Instagram
Key moments from Prada FW25 womenswear show by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons
- Drop Waist Dress Trend: A 1920s Classic Reborn
Finally, one of the most quietly radical FW25 fashion trends is the resurgence of the drop-waist dress trend. Historically viewed as unflattering, the drop waist was revived by Chanel in the 1920s as a symbol of freedom and modernity.
A century later, it’s making a comeback on the runways for 2025, this time with softness and soul. You may wonder whether a drop-waist dress suits everyone. While the answer is not a definitive yes, it’s largely positive. Thanks to fresh interpretations seen on the FW25 catwalks, drop-waist dresses have become softer, more wearable, and flattering for a variety of body types. Take, for example, Chloé’s creative director Chemena Kamali, who has reimagined this silhouette with bohemian ease, creating dresses that flow with the body rather than shaping it unnaturally.
Ultimately, the drop waist dress trend sends a clear message: don’t wear what squeezes your waist. Opt instead for comfort, confidence, and a touch of retro elegance.
View this post on Instagram
Look from Chloé FW25 collection featuring drop waist dresses
Why These FW25 Fashion Trends Matter
What sets FW25 apart from previous seasons? Whether it’s the architectural drama of ruffles, the effortless charm of crinkle textures, or the liberated elegance of drop-waist dresses, the key fashion trends for FW25 prioritise self-expression, comfort, and a relaxed approach to style, reflecting our desires in life as well. When we interpret and make them our own, these 2025 runway trends may finally help reveal more about who we are, how we live, and what truly matters to us.
Anna-Mariya Djurdjevich
Fashion Management, Digital Communication and Media student, Milan
A version of this article originally appeared on The Front Row, an editorial project created by students from Istituto Marangoni’s Fashion Management, Digital Communication and Media programme: Aleksandra Koczocik (Editor-in-Chief), Anna Ireni (Fashion Director), Tyler Jo Aron, Maia Nord Hadeed and Anna Mariya Djurdjevic (Fashion Editors).