Faux fur
Elie Saab's designs. (Getty Images)
Designers from across the spectrum all seemed to agree that the big winter trend this year will be faux fur, whether in those classic symbols of luxury, fur coats, or in embellishments to jackets, bra tops, and even handbags. Elie Saab offered numerous examples in a Fall/Winter collection (pictured) that was, according to the label’s Instagram, “modern, feminine and tactile … high-altitude style for effortless living.” Elsewhere, brands including Valentino and Chloé combined it with another of the season’s major trends: boho fashion.
Lace
Bella Hadid walking for Saint Laurent. (Getty Images)
Vintage-inspired lace was prominent in the Fall/Winter collections of several major designers. For Saint Laurent, Bella Hadid (pictured) walked in this blue lace coordinated set with power shoulders (another Fall 2025 trend). Colored lace — especially green or yellow — was popular elsewhere too (Gucci even went neon), alongside the classic white or black.
Browns
Michael Kors. (Getty Images)
Staving off competition from purple and green, brown seems set to once again be the dominant color this coming season, continuing a streak that goes back over 18 months now. Michael Kors’ collection (pictured) featured this chocolate-brown sequined co-ord — a color Stella McCartney also used to great effect on a strapless gown. But browns of all shades and in all materials were ubiquitous on the Fall/Winter catwalks.
Pencil skirts
Gucci. (Getty Images)
Once a staple of women’s wardrobes, the mid-length fitted pencil skirt made a notable return on the F/W catwalks this year across all cities: in Calvin Klein’s minimalist collection, in Sarah Burton’s first collection for Givenchy, and in the pastel-hued co-ords of Fendi and Gucci (pictured). Many designers paired the skirt with oversized or flow-y tops — whether blouses or knitwear.
Animal print
Nina Ricci. (Getty Images)
While the fashion press seems divided on exactly which animal print will be the hottest, there’s no debate that an animal print of some kind is a must-have for your Fall wardrobe. Leopard print has been a strong favorite for a while now — and was spotted (see?) on dresses, skirt suits, and accessories at numerous F/W shows. But zebra stripes — as used by Nina Ricci (pictured) — are also going to be big.
Capes and drapes
Balmain. (Getty Images)
Any self-respecting 2025 winter wardrobe is going to include outerwear that is either cape-inspired or an actual cape. Layering or draping was a feature of coats from Michael Kors and Calvin Klein to Altuzarra and Balmain (pictured). It’s a look that works for both casual and more-formal affairs — and a built-in hood is always welcome if you’re travelling to chillier climes over the winter months.
Old-school tailoring
Tom Ford. (Getty Images)
Power shoulders, frills, and trimming is all well and good, but sometimes all that’s needed to lift an outfit to ‘must-have’ status is great tailoring. Structured silhouettes were a major feature of Sarah Burton’s first Givenchy collection — creating that classic ‘hourglass figure’ look. Immaculate, if unflashier, cuts were also evident in the collections of Valentino and Tom Ford (pictured), whose suits will suit business meetings and social get-togethers equally well.
