The energy in New York is quite unlike anywhere else. Many cities have and will continue to try and emulate the kind of creative magic that goes on in the Big Apple (the thing that continues to enchant fashion onlookers flocking to the American fashion capital each season). But they will always inevitably come up short. As the Autumn/Winter 2025 season kicked off in New York, we were reminded that a playful attitude towards new trends of the moment is always a good starting point.

The Fashion Month schedule looks a little different this season – there’s a nine-day break in between New York and London which will give us fashion set a much-welcomed pause. So, if anything, this means we have longer to bask in the trends that have emerged from the New York runways (I’m definitely not complaining). And there is certainly plenty to bask in. From shaking up the traditional tailoring rules we’ve been told to live by, to a joyful continuation of fashion’s Wild West obsession and a hearty helping of coveted vintage influences. It’s time to unpack the seven key trends to know (and shop) now.

What does a cool girl taking on the corporate world in 2025 look like? The NYFW AW25 runways give us a good idea. We saw the corporate cool girl take centre stage at Calvin Klein’s big return to the runway following a six-year hiatus. She looked very comfortable and ready to take on anything that the modern metropolitan woman might have thrown at her in masculine-style oversized tailoring, blazers with stand collars or none at all, exaggerated lapels and diagonal pinstripes. There was a colour palette of greys (some with an icy silver tint), camels and other delightful neutrals that even the most colour-obsessed style gurus can get on board with. All a much-welcomed shake up of the workwear we’re used to. It was a reimagined corporate Americana with a healthy dose of ‘90s minimalism. 

Other brand’s joined in on this sense of playful experimentation with office attire. Think oversized double-breasted blazers paired with baggy Bermuda shorts, all covered in hand-drawn polka-dot prints in a mix of black and white plus pastel fuchsia and mint green colourways at Christian Cowan. There were also very cool double lapels at Fforme, and Khaite’s standout take on corporate edge materialised as oversized shirt and baggy trouser combos finished with fitted bodices and long leather gloves extending to the mid-arm. The key takeaway is that there seems to be a new kind of business casual that extends to more than just baggy jeans and blazers – and I’m so here for it.

Cowboy-core is one of those fashion trends that seems perfectly suited to being a fleeting craze but, according to the NYFW AW25 runways, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, viral online moments like Pharrel Williams’ Wild West-inspired Autumn/Winter 2024 Menswear collection for Louis Vuitton and the release of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album have helped the styling phenomenon gain traction. But the crux of its enduring popularity is clear courtesy of New York’s most revered designers this season. An excess of fringe details on everything from cuffs, side seams and pouches to belts with hanging tassels confirmed my suspicions that cowboy elements will be welcomed into autumn and winter this year. 

Cropped leather jackets at Christian Cowan and quite possibly THE COOLEST pair of straight-leg leather trousers I have even seen at Brandon Maxwell showcased how subtle nods to the western aesthetic are the way to go. Plus, I loved how Brandon Maxwell mixed layered lace with sweeping fringed leather hems to inject some femininity into the trend.

Next up is another enduring fashion phenomenon that’s become a mainstay on the runways in recent seasons. It’s easy to see why people love the angelic ethereal aesthetic with all of the floaty gowns in sheer and silky materials that it’s inspired. But for AW25, this heavenly aesthetic seems to be taking on a more wearable feel. Calvin Klein presented tops formed of softly draped fabrics for an ethereal look and teamed them with pleated straight-leg trousers to create head-to-toe ensembles that add some much-needed whimsy to workwear. 

This angelic style was also created over at Fforme using shiny satin liquid-effect materials that appeared light yet voluminous. It was spotted on both shirt and trouser pairings, plus dresses with extreme dropped waists that created a super flowy hem for a more traditional take on the style.

In yet another bid to show ‘90s minimalism some love, turtlenecks seemed to be everywhere this NYFW. On dresses at Fforme, smooth leather mini tunics and baggy knits at Khaite, underneath contrasting white oversized pinstripe shirts and blazers at Brandon Maxwell. Plus, super baggy collapsed versions of the turtleneck shape popped up over at Calvin Klein. This influx appeared as a love letter to the classic style’s continued versatility.

The prized scarf-coat hybrid is a style concept which I’ve personally been championing for a long while now. And the New York runways proved (to my delight) that this year I can once again look forward to enveloping myself in this all-encompassing style as the weather starts to chill. The coats in general focused on boxy, shapeless silhouettes that felt very androgynous and this was true of the scarf-coat fusions, too. In general, we saw an expansion on the style, with the cosy number appearing in fur and leopard print iterations at Brandon Maxwell. Over at Khaite, longline coats with exaggerated lapels that hung loosely created a similar effect.

I’m betting that this next trend will prove one of the most fun to experiment with come autumn. Chunky knits for chilly weather is certainly nothing new but the New York runways were having plenty of fun showcasing a mixture of playful textures in some pretty cool ways. There were chunky knits in the form of jumpers as well as skirts at Khaite, fuzzy tops that gave a whimsical finish to business casual ensembles at Brandon Maxwell, plus shaggy accessories over at Fforme.

Giving the mighty midi skirt the love that it deserves, the New York runways championed the classic style in many forms this season. Brandon Maxwell’s skirts with circle hems to create a standout A-line silhouette were often paired with baggy long boots for an undeniably chic look. And the long leather pencil midi skirts at Khaite have already earned a spot on my wishlist. These styles very much built on the love shown to pencil skirts and poodle-style hems last season. It’s certainly got me excited to see what the other fashion cities are planning to do with last season’s trends that continue to ooze potential.

And that’s a wrap on the first leg of the AW25 season! Which trends are you most shocked and/or excited by? And which ones do you want to see infiltrating the runways of London, Milan and Paris? Let’s discuss!

If you want to see all my NYFW outfits, check out

My New York Fashion Week Diary