The fashion world is a merry-go-round—just when you’ve relegated some trends to history, they circle back into the spotlight once more.
Why are we continuously drawn to styles that we vowed we’d never wear again? We can all agree that we have nostalgia, social media, and the never-ending cycle of popular culture to thank for it.
In 2025, designers, celebrities, influencers and tastemakers have summoned past trends, where some reiterations are amazing, and others continue to make us cringe. So, let’s take a look at 15 fashion trends we can’t believe are back—and why they’re everywhere all over again.
Scrunchies: A Never-Ending Obsession?
If you once thought of scrunchies as a hair faux pas it’s time to think again: in 2025, scrunchies are not only returning— they are larger, bolder, and made of high-quality materials like silk and velvet.
TikTok’s “scrunchie girl aesthetic” is everywhere, with style experts and influencers touting their hair-friendly benefits and playful, oversized designs. Why the comeback? Aside from nostalgia, they are versatile statement pieces and a gentle way of styling hair.
Bucket Hats: From Dad Joke to Streetwear Staple
No longer relegated to old family summer vacation photos, the bucket hat has become the most unlikely signifier of cool. Their recent revival is powered by Instagram and TikTok, where celebrities and influencers pair them with everything from streetwear to tailored coats.
Now made from sustainable, sometimes reversible, materials in bold patterns, what was once a fashion misstep is now a must-have—if you can pull it off.
Combat Boots: Stomping Back with Attitude
Combat boots were the standard issue footwear of angsty teenagers. Now, they’re stomping down runways and city sidewalks in equal abundance, paired with everything from flower dresses to jogger pants.
The trend’s staying power lies in its adaptability and its comeback has become something of a badge of honor, with a pinch of old-school attitude. On Instagram, #combatboots has roughly 470k posts as Gen Z and Millennials take back their bad-girl swagger.
Baggy Jeans: Anti-Skinny Mode
Remember when we stuffed ourselves into skinny jeans and lived for it? Well, guess what? Baggy jeans—long the domain of ’90s skater dudes and hip-hop celebrities—are back with a bang.
It’s not just a part of the overall comfort revolution; it’s a style statement too, offering ease of movement with a nod to street culture.
On Reddit, some question whether this is a real style evolution or a cyclical joke, but the numbers don’t lie: baggy jeans are flying off the shelves.
Slip Dresses: Lingerie as Outerwear, Again
From scandalous to chic once again—the slip dress has crept back into our wardrobes. Popularized by ’90s icons like Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston, modern slip dresses are paired with chunk boots, oversized jackets, or even draped over tees.
Why? Its effortless glamour that flatters almost every body shape and transforms from day to night. Social media videos demonstrate how to “elevate” them, proving that the slip dress is as practical as it is vintage.
Plaid and Flannel: Is Grunge Ever Really Gone?
Plaid and flannel shirts, the grunge uniform of ’90s, are a staple in high fashion and thrift store hauls once more. Their return is part of a broader move toward alternative fashions—think authentic but comfortable rebellion.
On TikTok alone, #grungefashion has over a billion views, where influencers can be seen pairing it with everything from crop tops to straight-leg pants. It’s less about irony, and more about celebrating individuality in the era of quick fashion.
Teeny Tiny Handbags: Utility Be Damned
Tiny handbags—those barely functional, neon or pastel-colored bags—are back, and they’re not even pretending to be practical. They are a wink to the absurdity of fashion, fueled by Instagram influence and celebrity sightings.
Why carry a bag large enough to hold your lip gloss and a credit card? Because it’s all about the statement, not the amount of space. The mini bag trend is a playful reminder that sometimes fashion is about joy and art, not functionality.
Chunky Sneakers: Ugly or Iconic?
Once ridiculed for its bulk and clunkiness, chunky sneakers are the streetwear icon of today. Larger-than-life sneakers dominate TikTok and Instagram, where influencers and fashionistas pair them with everything from formal pants to sundresses.
The trend’s roots are in both ’90s nostalgia and a modern obsession with comfort. Brands are one-upping each another in designs, and resale values on vintage models are through the roof. Are they ugly? Maybe. Are they sticking around? Probably.
Headbands: From Preppy to Power Move
Thanks to the most recent maximalist and minimalist trends, headbands have evolved from merely a schoolgirl style to a bold power move. Plain, padded, or patterned, they are now worn by anyone from professional working from home to TikTok stars.
Their comeback is not merely nostalgic; it’s a response to the need for instant, camera-ready glamour in the era of video conferencing and content creation. Their flexibility and convenience make it one of those older trends that may prove permanent.
Cardigans: Cozy, Relax, and Completely Rebooted
Cardigans have lost their “grandma” image and became a fast favorite of designers and influencers. Cardigans, in oversized, cropped, or skirt-like designs, are being reworked for a comfort-focused new era and have become essential in layered outfits.
Instagram’s “cardi-core” craze is all about mixing textures, colors, and unexpected pairings. The cardigan’s revival is proof that classics can be infinitely reworked—and that comfort never dies.
Overalls: Nostalgia of Childhood Meets Adulthip
Overalls, or dungarees, once relegated to playgrounds and home maintenance and improvement endeavors, are now a fashion-conscious choice. The trend is driven by a desire for practicality, and comfort, with a playful flare.
On TikTok, the #overallsoutfit hashtag has millions of views, as creators style them for everything from brunch to work. The key to their comeback? Confidence and creativity—overalls are a clean canvas for self-expression, not simply a nod to all things retro.
Oval and Cat-Eye Sunglasses: The Cool Shape
Sunglasses silhouettes are well known for repeating in cycles, and cat-eye and oval sunglasses, once the height of ’90s and early 2000s style, take their place on modern faces yet again.
The trend is driven by celebrity endorsements and viral social media posts, with brands releasing classic silhouettes in new colors, patterns and materials. Now they deliver immediate attitude and a dash of retro cool.
Work Boots: Brutality with a Fashionable Twist
Work boots, especially thick-soled and heavily constructed ones, are no longer relegated to construction sites. Their resurgence is part of the “utility chic” craze in which functionality is combined with style.
Now, fashionistas pair them with dresses, jeans, and even business attire on social media platforms, highlighting their adaptability. The craze is an expression of a need for ruggedness and groundedness in a rapidly changing world.
Bomber Jackets: The Comeback Kid of Outerwear
Bomber jackets, owing to their sporty fit and easy customization, are back in a big way. Its revival is associated with nostalgia for ’90s streetwear as much as a desire for gender-neutral outfit design and comfort.
TikTok and Instagram are replete with style tips, ranging from classic varsity wear to graphic, cutting-edge prints. The bomber jacket’s revival is a testament to its versatility and capacity to break style barriers.
Graphic Tees: Wearing Your Mood
Graphic t-shirts, especially those with large logos, classic band insignias, or irreverent slogans, are in every wardrobe again. Their return is a reaction to and disdain for the super-curated, highly polished look of the last decade.
Now, graphic tees are worn in oversized styles, draped in loose-fitting jeans, or layered underneath slip dresses. On Reddit and TikTok, enthusiasts revel in and share their greatest finds and DIY hacks, turning the graphic tee into a badge of honor, signifying both difference and belonging.
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