What's HOT and What's NOT for Summer! 2025 Fashion Trends The Style Insider 279K subscribers

Some trends are going to be thriving this summer and others not so much. So today I'm unpacking what's worth wearing this season and what's not. Hi I'm Leonie and welcome to my channel. Now as we know every new season brings a whole lot of new trends which I always find really exciting but it can be really confusing too. And that's why I wanted to share the trends that I believe are worth holding on to and also the others that are quietly fading away. And as always with these trends videos, I like to give you a bit of an entree into what you can expect to see happening in fashion but that of course doesn't mean that everything is going to work for you or that you need all of the trends because let's face it we don't. But forewarned is forearmed and I am hoping that you'll actually already own some of these pieces that you may be able to bring out and start enjoying once again. Anyway let's start with what is hot and what's trending this season and then we'll move into what's not. Now first up is a trend that I'm really excited about and that's the return of skinny capri pants. Now we've seen a lot of wide-legged baggy slightly oversized fits in the last couple of years and while that is still very much a happening look for the season we will also be seeing some more fitted and almost skinny capri pants creeping in as well which I personally think are perfect for summer. One of the reasons I think that they are great for summer is because there's less fabric there and less bulk to cart around and they're just a really elegant pant, a very good staple piece. So I am hoping that some of you guys already own some capri pants and you can bring them out again. And the only thing I would say about capri pants is it's really important where they actually fall. You don't want them hitting mid-calf because essentially your eye will be drawn to that part of your leg and for most of us it is the widest part of our leg so it does run the risk of making our legs look wider and bulkier than they are. So what I would say is just opt for a capri pant that falls just below your knee or to kind of your ankle, so three-quarter length so you're just nowhere near that mid-calf area. Oh and before I forget, I recently asked you guys to share your favourite everyday neutral lipstick shade with me. I've been on the hunt for a goodie for a long time and thank you for all of your kind recommendations. I have actually found a new favourite and I've been using it for the last few weeks and it's from Merit and I have to share it with you guys. It is so beautiful. This is it here, it's actually a blush that doubles as a lipstick and it has been a game changer for me. In fact, I have actually been getting lots of comments on my skin and my makeup recently so I am going to channel my inner beauty guru which is not easy for me. I'm not a professional makeup artist at all but the team at Merit are sponsoring today's episode and I have been using their products for weeks and weeks now and absolutely love them so I thought that I would share a few of my favourites and just kind of do a little bit of a makeup tutorial with you today. I'm also delighted to say that the team at Merit are offering you guys a very cool discount off my favourite products so the products that I'm talking about today and some other bundles that are, I think, essential little bundles to start off your Merit makeup journey. Okay, that is me with my skincare done and I've put some sunscreen on and at 58 it is a little bit nerve-wracking being on the internet with no makeup on but I wanted to introduce you to my new favourite product and you guys have been asking quite a lot recently about my skin and if I would share my skincare and the makeup that I use and Merit's The Minimalist has been my new secret weapon. Now this little product is an absolute game changer because it's a stick and it basically replaces your concealer and foundations and essentially as you can see here I am applying it to get some decent coverage and the great thing about this is that it's actually buildable as well. It just kind of melts into your skin and at 58 I really need a good foundation that kind of gives me the coverage I need but also as I said it's like a concealer as well. So, well it is. So essentially you've got two products in one there. Super lightweight. Now next up is the Merit Bronze Balm and as it sounds it's a beautiful creamy bronzer that just goes on so easily. I sort of really try and warm up the outside of my face but it is just super creamy and it feels great going on your skin. Now I just use the same brush and as you can see there it just sort of disappears really, really easily and leaves a lovely sort of warm glow. Now next up is a Flush Balm. Dab it on the high points of your face as you can see there where you want a little bit of extra glow and again I just kind of melt this into my skin. They also have these beautiful nourishing lip oils. These just give your lips a lovely sort of wash of moisturising colour. If you want a little bit more definition you can apply some lip liner. The other great thing about the Merit products is that they are all perfectly good to use on sensitive skin or even acne-prone skin. They don't have any of the nasty ingredients that can kind of clog the pores of your skin. Okay I hope you enjoyed that little tutorial. As you can see I'm no professional but I'm totally in love with the Merit products. They have been game changers for me. They just give me a bit of a youthful glow which I absolutely love. So don't forget to take advantage of those cool discounts on some of the, not only my favourite products but some really cool bundles that the team at Merit have put together. I'll leave a link to Merit in the description box below so you can take a look at these discounted bundles and you won't find them at a better price anywhere, let me tell you. And also what you will receive for your first Merit order everyone gets this signature Merit makeup purse which is super cute. I'm actually obsessed with these products and this baby just goes everywhere with me. I have it in my purse. It's, you know, I just told you how good it is. It's amazing, the minimalist. Everyone needs one. Do yourself a favour and get one of these. Game changing for me. And also if you can stretch it, get one of these little, oh, lipstick, blush, easy to use, completely goof proof. Just do it. The link is in my description box below. I've talked in a few recent videos about the metallic trend and how we're seeing everything from metallic tops and skirts and pants or just accessories that are really happening. And one of the trends that's very much happening for summer is metallic espadrille wedges. Now I'm here for this. I think metallic shoes are great because they just go with everything. They're a neutral, but they're something that looks a little bit more elevated and a little bit more special. And an espadrille just kind of gives you that easy, breezy, summery look and feel. And anything in a wedge is going to be comfortable. So any of these styles are going to help you just create some really simple outfits. Now, if metallic is not your thing, any kind of wedge espadrille is going to cut it for summer. It's sort of a timeless option. But if you do want that piece that's a little bit more trend focused and just a little bit more fun, then take a look at some of the metallic options on offer this season. Now I'm a huge fan of everyone wearing shorts in summer, regardless of their size, shape. There is no point being hot and uncomfortable. And I think that there is a great pair of shorts for everyone out there. Now this season, there are two types of shorts that are very much happening. Bermuda shorts and more of your kind of tailored looking shorts. And also on the flip side, there's more of a almost a knit style short, or it almost sort of errs into more of a boxer style short as well. And some of these are really colourful and fun and easy to style back with a graphic tee. So I would first and foremost say, wear shorts this summer, regardless of what's happening in trends and regardless of how you feel about your figure, wear the shorts. And there are some great new options around, especially the Bermuda style shorts and some of these kind of looser fit, almost boxer style shorts as well. Florals are always going to be a hit for summer. And what I have noticed this summer is rose inspired florals seem to be popping up everywhere. Designers are incorporating this kind of romantic motif into various pieces, including dresses and accessories. And I've actually even seen some of these floral details popping up on swimwear as well. So if there is one floral that is front and centre this summer, it is a beautiful rose. Now there's a real boho vibe happening this summer and what has come with that is the return of prairie style dresses. Now these are beautiful, feminine, floaty dresses, which are perfect for when it gets hot outside and you just don't want to feel sort of constricted in your clothing. They are a really great option. These dresses are elegant, they're romantic, they're super comfortable. Some of them are in beautiful Broderie Anglais sort of eyelet style fabric, so they're very breathable and very wearable for summer. I often talk about adding texture to an outfit just to create some interest and what is happening this summer is there are a lot of woven pieces. Everything from woven bags, slides, visors, you name it. They actually seem to be everywhere. I love the fact that these woven pieces just add, as I said, that texture, but they also add a real holiday vibe to your outfit as well. So think about some of your classic pieces in more of a woven style. Even some of the bags are just amazing. There's also some beautiful tailoring happening this summer as well and it's very relaxed and it's also in beautiful pastel light colours, which is what we can expect for summer as well. Now, I'm sure a number of you have already some of these pieces in your wardrobe, so it's definitely time to start bringing them out and readying yourself for the warmer weather. So think structured pieces, but make them kind of floaty and breathable and summer appropriate. And this one isn't exactly new either, but strapless is very much a happening thing for the season. Strapless and sleeveless. So think your bandeau tops and your tanks. We saw this last summer, but it's again a very happening thing. Now, if you don't like showing off your arms, you can always grab a lightweight cotton or linen button down that you can kind of wear over the top of some of these bandeaus and tanks. So think of some of these pieces as just your good core basics to help you create and layer outfits. And when it comes to colour trends for the season, think about your citrusy sorbet type colours, your lemony yellows and peaches and powder pinks. And the great thing about these colours is that they generally tend to suit most people or there is a beautiful sorbet shade that will suit you. It's about trying a few different options and working out which one works best for you. But these beautiful sorbet shades definitely scream summer to me. And now we can move on to the what's not list. And these are the trends that have had their moment, but it's time to let them rest or at least just put them away for next season. Now, first up on the list, and this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, and that is overly distressed denim jeans. And I think we've all been there. We've worn the super distressed, ripped, torn jeans and they kind of, they had their moment, but that moment has definitely gone. So do yourself a favour and opt for either very minimal distressing or none at all. And it doesn't matter what shade of denim you choose or even what style. Choose a style that works best for you, but steer clear of some of that real distressed look. But it doesn't matter what style you choose, just opt for a pair of denim jeans that work for you, for your lifestyle, for your body, but just steer clear of that distressing. It's just a little tired looking and definitely just looks a little out of date. Now this one almost pains me to say, but mesh ballet flats are moving aside and they're being replaced with more of a classic leather covered in toe and also some ballet flats that are made out of fabric and kind of woven leather options. Now, don't worry, I bought into the mesh ballet flats trend. I'll still be wearing mine regardless of whether they are on trend or not. I still love them. But also what is happening is instead of the mesh ballet flats, they seem to be also being replaced by more of a kind of a plastic, clear jelly-like option as well. And I think these look super cute, but I'm not such a fan of my feet, so I'd rather opt for something that's going to disguise them a little bit if I'm perfectly honest. One of the trends that's definitely out this season is what we have talked about in the last couple of years and referred to as quiet luxury, which was very pared back, very minimal, and I'm sure many of you thought very boring. But it is being replaced with a bit of a more is more take on fashion. There's definitely a real move towards more of a maximalist and almost eclectic style of dressing. And the good thing about this is that it just allows for a little bit more personal expression and a little bit more fun with your fashion and your outfits. And certainly if you are more of a classic dresser and that minimalist style is very much for you with sort of muted colors and classic silhouettes, then that's still going to be a happening look for you. But there definitely are some more fun and kind of quirky pieces that are being added into outfits just to add a little bit more of a personal flair. Now, one of the other trends that's definitely taking a backseat this summer, and I'm disregarding this actually, is long denim skirts. Now, I'm a huge fan of my denim skirts. I don't plan on parting with them anytime soon, but they are definitely being moved aside. And what seems to be replacing them is more of a classic pencil style skirt. And I think these pencil skirts look beautiful. They definitely look polished, but I can't go past a good denim skirt. I do think that they are just so easy to style and they'll go with everything. They're just a no-brainer for me. So I'll be holding onto mine, but if you start seeing pencil skirts creeping in, then you'll know why. Anything that's really cropped, especially tees and tops, are very much moving aside. I'm very happy about that. I don't like showing off my midriff. Certainly at my age, it's just not, in my personal opinion, a very good look for me. So these super cropped tops are being replaced by more of your sort of looser fit, boxy style tees, which I've been wearing here in New Zealand over summer and absolutely loving. I find them far more forgiving, easier to style with some beautiful flowy skirts and they just definitely work in well with my lifestyle. And so they're easy, breezy to wear. So think about just some of these fun boxy tees. And let me share with you two of my favourite brands that create these beautiful boxy tees. One is called Maku and the other is called Sabi. Both create some fun, graphic, colourful, summery tees that I have been wearing all summer long here in New Zealand. So I will leave a link to them in the description box below. But if you are looking for a top or a tee that's going to be effortless this summer, think about something that is a little bit more boxy and a little bit oversized just to give you endless options for summer outfits. And this one makes perfect sense for summer. The micro bags or the really small purses that we've seen happening over the last few seasons are very much being replaced by more of a mid-size and even large totes and kind of carry-alls. There's lots of sort of bucket style bags and raffia style bags. And certainly for me, when it comes to summer, I need to take kind of more things with me, whether I like to throw in an extra light layer to put on when the weather cools down in the evening. I also like to take sunscreen with me. I seem to have more things to take with me in summer. So some of these mid-size and larger totes and carry-alls are definitely where it's happening for summer. Now, one of the key trends that's been happening for a while now is a real sort of sporty athleisure vibe. And what we did see with this last summer was biker shorts being worn with sort of oversized tees and really kind of creating that athletic kind of sporty vibe. That's changing this summer. So instead of wearing those biker style shorts, which I tend to think are pretty unforgiving, they are being replaced with more of a sort of a boxer style sporty shorts. So these are kind of more soft tailored type shorts. They're in linen, they've got elasticated waist. So they're still very comfy and easy to wear, but they're just a little bit more flattering and definitely where it's happening in terms of trends for summer. So biker shorts are out and more of a sort of a boxer style, elasticated waist short is in. Anyway, that's it for me today. I hope you enjoyed this one. And if you did, I'd love you to give it a big thumbs up. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more and I'll see you in the next one. Bye for now.