Your Go-To Guide for 2025’s Early-Year Fashion Trends

Whether you’re a burnt-out student or working a hectic job, it can be challenging to stay on top of trends or develop personal style while navigating a busy schedule. As the new year begins, you may be looking for stylish pieces that balance comfort, warmth, and practicality while sticking to a budget. 

That’s why fashion experts at Boohoo have compiled a style guide for the beginning of 2025. According to the experts, the key for this season is finding versatile staples that can be styled in a multitude of ways, layer easily to provide heat, and transition seamlessly from class or work to social outings.  

Finding the essentials to make up the foundation of your outfits makes styling and throwing together outfits a much simpler task. Whether you’re hoping to experiment with some of Autumn/Winter 2024’s biggest trends, or seeking inspiration for chic campus-ready looks, you won’t go wrong with incorporating these items into your wardrobe.  

Knee-high boots never go out of style 

Knee-high boots are timeless, which makes them a great investment for anyone prioritizing longevity and wearability when it comes to their wardrobe. Knee-high boots come in many different forms and styles, and many of these are having a moment in the fashion sphere right now.  

Riding boots are the major trend for winter 2024. The style captures countryside heritage flair evocative of the old money aesthetic, which has experienced a huge surge in popularity over the past 18 months. These boots are distinguished by their zip fastening or pull-on style, are usually comprised of faux or real leather, and are typically brown or black in colour. They may have minimal metal hardware or other details, but overall are often simple designs that can be especially effective when paired with straight-leg jeans, leggings, shorts, or miniskirts. Their sturdy, flat soles make them a practical choice for people looking for boots that will be fit for braving various weather conditions. 

Similarly, cowboy boots are still in demand this winter. They’ve dominated the wardrobes of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour attendees since last year, while the current aesthetics of other artists such as Beyoncé and Chappell Roan have contributed to their ongoing popularity. They’re somewhat alike to riding boots but have an angled heel that can be several inches tall, making them an elevated choice for social events. They are widely available in a variety of colours and patterns – bolder ones can be fun for events, parties or nights out, while more muted tones can easily fit into an everyday outfit.  

Long days require the cosiest knitwear possible 

Cozy knitwear is the perfect remedy for chilly days and a favourite for this time of year. The relaxed fits and soft feel provide optimal comfort for long hours studying in the library or holed up in the office. While there are endless styles to choose from, a particular few are highly sought-after for the final months of 2024. 

Oversized chunky cable knit sweaters are a classic that will always be in fashion to some degree, but they particularly capture the heritage style currently circulating throughout the fashion industry. The interwoven texture of the unique cable stitching provides a rustic, handcrafted look, making them both more snug and more visually interesting than regular sweaters. Cable knit sweaters can be worn with pretty much anything and come in every colour imaginable – although light neutrals such as cream are the most traditional.  

Crew-neck and V-neck button-up cardigans are also a popular choice. These replicate the cozy factor of oversized sweaters while providing more temperature control, as they can be buttoned up fully, partially, left undone, or draped over the shoulders. These can be composed of a range of fabrics, such as wool, cashmere, cotton, and synthetics, but will assuredly provide some extra warmth. As for colours, grey is an in-demand and ideal choice for mixing with various outfits and colour palettes. Additionally, statement buttons are experiencing an influx of popularity, and cardigans with this special detail are guaranteed to elevate any look. 

Oversized sweater vests are another garment that are popular this season. These can be perfect for a student wishing to replicate the varsity styles historically worn in Ivy League universities, or for someone wishing to emulate the old-money aesthetic. Sweater vests may include details such as contrast stripes around the neckline and hem, and be adorned with crests, badges, or logos. On colder days, try layering the vest over an oversized shirt. 

Chic outerwear is perfect for layering in crisp temperatures 

Having a good jacket or coat is perhaps the most essential clothing item for traversing the winter season. You don’t need tons of options – having one warmer coat and one lighter jacket that are both versatile enough to wear with most outfits will likely be enough to last you until spring. 

Oversized long wool coats can provide a dramatic elegance to any winter wardrobe while keeping you warm. Their long silhouette is a more sophisticated alternative to other popular coat styles, and they may include details such as structured shoulders and double-breasted closures that provide a minimalist yet flattering touch to any outfit. Oversized long wool coats that indeed contain wool are likely to be of higher quality, but there are many wool-effect coats that are available at a cheaper price point and may be preferable to someone sensitive to the fabric. An oversized long wool coat is the perfect blend of functionality and style, and if you only add one outer layer to your wardrobe this year, a good quality wool coat is the way to go. 

If you desire a piece that can be worn more easily in both cool and more mild temperatures, leather bomber jackets are the perfect garment to complete an outfit. These should be at least slightly oversized to comfortably accommodate various layers worn underneath, such as a long-sleeve base layer or t-shirt and a sweater. These may be collarless, have a stand-up collar or a standard pointed collar, and most frequently come in black, brown, neutrals, and earth tones. The relatively lightweight nature of these jackets deems them an especially ideal choice for partygoers or social butterflies, as they are practical and fashion-forward enough to complement evening attire. 

For maximum comfort, wide-leg jeans and trousers are the way to go 

There are plenty of trousers and jeans styles to choose from, but baggy, wide-leg variations are undoubtedly the comfiest. Their loose, flowing silhouette allows maximum mobility, flexibility, and breathability, making them the best choice for your wardrobe. Additionally, their roomy fit makes it easier to layer tights, long socks, and even leggings underneath when the weather requires it.  

Wide-leg jeans have been popular for a long time and are essential denim additions to any wardrobe. You may want to buy a standard wide-leg pair or investigate specific styles, such as ‘dad jeans,’ barrel-leg jeans, boyfriend jeans, and skater jeans. Wide-leg jeans can be styled in many ways, such as with an oversized knit, or a tight top to create a contrast in the silhouette. Oversized, slouchy trousers, such as joggers, suit trousers, and palazzo pants, are other super-comfortable trousers that every wardrobe should have. These trousers will probably be made from a comfortable fabric such as cotton, viscose, or synthetics, and you’ll be able to find both casual and dressy options, as well as options that are suitable for both. If the trousers have an elasticated or drawstring waist, they’ll possibly have a more casual appearance and be slightly more comfortable, whereas trousers that have a non-stretchy waist and potential belt loops may be more formal-looking. Regardless, all of these options can typically be dressed up or dressed down, so they can be adapted to different outfits and occasions with ease. 

Don’t forget the basics and remember to accessorise 

None of these items can complete a wardrobe without a collection of tank tops, T-shirts, and long-sleeved tops to wear with or underneath. Be sure to include a variety of basic tops and T-shirts in your wardrobe that you like and are versatile enough to be easily switched out between outfits. Having these in staple colours such as black, white, and grey, as well as any colours that you like to wear regularly, will ensure that you don’t run out of options and allow you to rely on outfit formulas that you like.  

For added warmth, remember to include tights, legwarmers, and thick, long socks in your wardrobe. These are necessary especially if you wear skirts or shorts, since these extra layers minimise skin exposure, making cold weather much more comfortable. If you don’t want to wear opaque tights, it’s a good idea to buy fleece-lined tights that have a sheer illusion. Alternatively, you could buy fleece-lined nude tights and layer sheer black tights over the top to create the same effect. Legwarmers or socks look particularly stylish in combination with knee-high boots, with the top of the legwarmers or socks peeking or slouching above the boots. Furthermore, specialized thermal layers are easy to find and can be a beneficial addition to your outfit on frosty days.