Review: Summer 2025 Fashion Trends

Written by Tiffany Jamero

Another hot Vegas summer is upon us. The trends can be seen from locals and tourists alike. I’ve searched the Internet high and low to get an understanding of runway trends how they are translating to what real people are wearing this summer.

I’m going to go over the most agreed upon trends and what these trends say about culture today.

Summer Prints

Many articles have touted the prominence of prints like gingham, polka dots, and plaid. While these are considered “classic” prints, I can definitely see this as a trend in real life, based upon the summery pieces I’ve seen in stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s.

I think these classic prints are indicative of conservatism entering the main streams. A worrying sign of the current political climate. While I personally enjoy these prints because of my style outside of the trend, it’s important to understand the context of why these trends are being pushed on the general public.

Bubble hems

I’ve seen bubble hems pop up in the last year. I saw some people wearing bubble hems in Austin last summer. I’ve seen the appearance of bubble hems in trendier fast fashion stores like H&M, but it’s not something that I am particularly enthusiastic about. I think the bubble hems I’ve seen look out of place from modern silhouettes, similar to the bloomer shorts that were popular of few years ago. The bubble hems end up looking a little “boneless” and unstructured.

Peplum

Okay, I can’t lie I actually really like the return of peplum. It was very passé for a few years as a symbol of the 2010s. But I think that’s the trend looks different than it did back then. I think the style of the peplum is smoother, less of a drastic peplum on tops. Also, the silhouette is now in more than just tops. I’ve seen peplum designs in pant legs.

While the trend cycle is on par with peplum coming back, but I’ve seen people claim that it is a recession indicator. I would agree, as the job market becomes more competitive, young people can’t afford to or don’t have time to buy separate clothes for work and pleasure. The work clothes become more casual and the leisure clothes becomes more formal, for a constant cycles of everyone wearing some various of business casual 24/7.

Coastal/Nautical Style

This trend is a culmination of different pieces. White linen clothes, stripe, boat shoes, and nautical themed accessories like shells and starfish. The clothes themselves are modest, with pops of nautical themed symbols that them “coastal cool”.

I think this is a trend that also indicates the shift in conservative values but I also think it might be a form of escapism. Economic downturn means most people can’t take vacations or spend summers along a coast. This could be a way for people to emulate the lifestyle without actually living it.

Midi and Long length skirts

Hem lines are lowering. The shape of these skirts can vary from fitted to a-line but the way they are styles can come off as cool and casual or a flattering piece for the office.

The most common skirts I see would be the tiered full length skirts, particularly in white, but have seen in other neutral colors as well. I do like the trend and have participated, I have seen these skirts from high end to low.

The biggest theme when it comes to these trends and brands, is the eerie ignorance and almost acceptance of the current political landscape. It feels like the world is burning down, talks of world war, but the fashion and media world have effectively shut out the noise and continue to regurgitate the same trends faster and faster. There is no time like now to embrace individualism and reject the trends fed to us by large corporations. Enjoy and observe trends as they come, but always be skeptical and analytical of the motivations. Why push these trends to the general public?