8 Controversial Fashion Trends Making a Surprising Return In 2025

Skinny Jeans

Oh, yes. Skinny jeans are officially back, and this 2010s staple is poised to become increasingly popular as we move ahead.  

“Skinny jeans became so tight and form-fitting that their lack of comfort became key once we got into the pandemic era,” notes Dianne Boyer, certified personal stylist and founder of Dianne In Style. “Looser styles became more popular, but now we’ve reached a place where we can enjoy both looks for different occasions.” 

To update the skinny jeans look, she says to forego the classic skinny jeans and ankle boot combo and to instead pair them with knee-high boots or flats for fall. 

Wide Belts

While skinny jeans are having a moment, wide belts have made a comeback. These are belts that are too thick to loop into jeans, measuring in at about three to six inches wide, says Jenni Lee, celebrity fashion stylist and image consultant.

She says that if you want to experiment with this trend, to stay away from the heavy, grommeted look and instead opt for an elegant belt with minimal metal hardware. “Or try a romantic, delicate waist-cincher style along the lines of a classic scalloped edge and perforated Alaia version over a chiffon maxi for a goth-boho vibe,” Lee advises. 

Micro Shorts

Also a rebuttal to baggy jeans is the micro short, which heartily proclaims “long live the booty.” 

“The micro hemline is back, this time split into two dominant expressions: tailored micro shorts and skirts, and the boxer-as-daywear trend in silk, cotton poplin, or crisp shirting fabric,” says Sabrina Morin is a personal stylist and founder of The Closet Compass. “The first nods to early-2000s club silhouettes, the second borrows directly from men’s loungewear but reframes it through a luxury lens.” 

Her advice is to ground the look so it’s more modern-polished versus Y2K go-go. For daytime, pair with tailored blazers or waistcoats and minimal accessories; for evening, lean into contrast with flowy silk blouses, strappy heels and architectural jewelry.

Mis-Matched Styling

The Y2K era was ripe with purposefully bad styling, where people mixed and matched prints, layers, and silhouettes for a sort of maximalist “rolled out of bed like this” vibe. 

“It’s the furry boots, the two inch low-rise jeans with the string thongs peeking out in the back, the butt-logos, the skulls, the bedazzling and the studding,” she says, adding that it’s very much a West Village Girly aesthetic. While Lee is personally not a fan, the reality is that this approach to styling is back—likely a counter-culture revolt against “quiet luxury.” 

“Hit up the re-sale shops and buy the original items; they are so easy to find in consignment stores, Ebay, and your fun Auntie and Uncle’s closets,” Lee advises. “Pick one element to rock, and keep the rest of your look rooted in 2020 to 2025 otherwise it can come off as cosplay Paris & Nicole.” 

Shoulder Pads

The cheesy shoulder pads haven’t made a full return, but today we’re seeing a subtle revival of them as people gravitate toward more structural looks. “Shoulder pads were the ’80s interpretation of power for women, especially in the workplace. Now, the ‘power suit’ returns for 2025, focusing more on strong, statement shoulder styling rather than just oversized,” Boyer says.

She adds, “The shoulder pads of the 1980s seem to be tied to the decade’s excess —everything was bigger and over the top, including fashion. Today’s statement shoulder is a little more streamlined and intentional.” 

Shield Sunglasses

Oversized, wraparound shield frames are back, often in mirrored, smoked, or colorful tinted lenses. “The aesthetic merges sport-tech precision with early-2000s celebrity attitude, making them both functional and theatrical,” Morin tells us.

She adds, “They’re controversial because their scale can overwhelm the face and they carry strong associations with hyper-flashy fashion eras,” but you can make them work with the right styling. “Pull your hair back in a slick ponytail or short crop to frame the face cleanly and let the eyewear’s architecture take center stage.”

Peplums

Peplums have been in and out of style since the 1940s, and we’re officially in a season where they’re being embraced again.

“They were popular most recently in the early ‘00s, often paired with skinny jeans, and now they are back in new ways,” Boyer tells us. “The controversy around peplum tops is around their fit. While they can provide an hourglass shape for some body types, they can make the hips and lower body appear larger for others. It’s not always a universally flattering piece to wear.” 

To circumvent this, she says to avoid styling them like we used to. Today, the look is more voluminous; try pairing them with wide-leg jeans for more balance.

Shaggy and Fuzzy Textures

Enormous textured accessories are dominating fashion right now a la oversize bucket hats with dramatically wide brims made from thick faux fur, and boots so shaggy they appear almost cartoonish.

“These pieces prioritize maximum fluff over practical wearability; they reference Carmen Electra and Pamela Anderson’s ‘more on the accessories and less on the clothes style’ of the ‘99 and ‘00s,” Lee tells us.

She adds that she can’t really get behind this trend because the exaggerated proportions read a bit costume-y, but if that’s your vibe then go for it, friend.