I'm Sad Too, But According to Parisians, These 7 Trends Aren't Making the Cut in 2025
As we bring in a new year, there's no better time to breathe new life into our wardrobes by embracing the latest fashion trends. What better place to draw inspiration from than Paris, the style capital of the world? After all, Parisian women have an innate ability to stay ahead of the curve.
As I am determined to refresh my closet this January, I dove into the Instagram feeds of my favorite Parisians. The outcome was a carefully curated selection of seven winter trends currently captivating attention along with seven others that are being left behind in the fashion dust.
Without further ado, continue scrolling to discover and shop the chic cold-weather fashion trends that Paris's stylish elites wholeheartedly are endorsing this year. Prepare to be inspired.
Skip: Boxy Short Coats
Adopt: Cinch-Waist Long Coats
Whether people like it or not, one thing is clear: Parisians are fully embracing the waist. The trend of cinched and nipped waistcoats is here to stay in 2025, pushing boxy, oversize coats to the sidelines. This resurgence isn't entirely new; it's a nod to jacket styles that dominated the early '90s. Unsurprisingly, this silhouette is staying in the spotlight—it's streamlined, figure-enhancing, and incredibly chic. These sophisticated styles with an hourglass effect elevate chic dressing to new heights, offering various options. In Paris, people are embracing this look with designs featuring gathered drawstring details, tie belts, and tailored craftsmanship.
Skip: Pleated Miniskirts
Adopt: Midi Pencil Skirts
Say goodbye to flirty miniskirts because there is a more polished and mature style in town: the pencil skirt. Before you dismiss pencil skirts as stuffy, consider that this year's styles are refreshing and distinct from those of the past. Instead of sticking to navy or gray, chic Parisian women are embracing fun textures and warm colors; however, classic black is still a top choice for eveningwear. When it comes to fabrics, these women are opting for sleek power leather, stretchy knit, and mesh and moving away from office-appropriate wool. This shift demonstrates that pencil skirts are no longer confined to the workplace. We're now styling them for off-duty looks as well.
Skip: Leopard Print
Adopt: Zebra Print
In 2024, the fashion world embraced leopard print, captivating designers and style enthusiasts alike. As we look at this new year, a fresh wave of creative inspiration is already taking center stage with the emergence of zebra print. This chic pattern is making its way onto shoes, accessories, and clothing, promising to add a fresh twist to our wardrobes. Like leopard print, zebra print is a versatile neutral that effortlessly pairs with understated and striking pieces.
Skip: Baseball Caps
Adopt: Unique Soft Caps
Trendsetters in Paris are taking note of the fall/winter and spring/summer 2024 runway shows and implementing soft, sculpted hats into their 2025 wardrobes. From chic pillbox hats reminiscent of Altuzarra perfectly paired with tailored outfits to warm-weather bucket hats that complement knit dresses, these versatile accessories make a bold statement. Regardless of the silhouette or how they're styled, these hats are poised to be one of the most defining trends of 2025.
Skip: Cashmere Gloves
Adopt: Leather Gloves
I'm not saying that you shouldn't wear cashmere gloves if you have them, but if you're in the market for a new pair of gloves, consider adding leather gloves to your rotation. This chic accessory is not just simple and stylish—it can instantly make any outfit look expensive. Plus, they keep the hands incredibly toasty. In fact, many would argue that leather gloves even outdo cashmere in warmth thanks to their cozy lining and durable leather exterior. You can't go wrong with black longline gloves, bold and short burgundy ones, or anything in between.
Skip: Mink-Look Coats
Adopt: Shearling Coats
This winter, Parisians are embracing the bold elegance of Mongolian (or faux) shearling jackets, proving they're the ultimate statement piece to elevate any outfit effortlessly. With their shaggy designs, these jackets offer a delightful contrast to the high-end faux fur styles. While they look great with formal attire, we're noticing them styled most with wide-leg jeans and leggings, demonstrating a master class in high-low dressing.
Skip: Tote Bags
Adopt: Bowling Bags
Whether you call it the Miuccia Prada effect or not, bowler bags will continue to be popular in 2025, according to chic Parisian women. While Miu Miu's Beau bag dominated 2024 with its structured, boxy silhouette, this year's designs are all about softness and fluidity, featuring gentle curves that add an elegant touch. Similar to last year, we will see a variety of styles, ranging from black leather to tan suede, in all different sizes.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself. When she's not writing, you can find her taking a Pilates class, reading a powerful romance novel, or exploring a new wellness spot in Manhattan.
-
I Know Parisians Would Love These 29 Stylish Nordstrom Fall Sale Items (FYI, They're Going to Sell Out)
Elevated staples to shop on sale before Black Friday.
-
I Was a VIP Nordstrom Stylist, and I Just Got Back From France—I Wore These 7 Items to Look Chic in Paris
Parisian-inspired looks.
-
Forget Ballet Flats—Fashion People in Paris Prefer This Elevated Alternative
The next It shoes are here.
-
If You've Already Ordered This Pretty Winter Trend Celebs Just Started Wearing, You Have Good Taste
Spotted on It girls in Paris and NYC.
-
Looking Parisian in Paris Is Only Doable If You Own These 12 Fall Wardrobe Essentials
Buy them; look French. It's as simple as that.
-
I Know I'm Going to See This Specific Parisian Outfit All Over NYC and L.A. This Fall
Expect to see everyone wearing some variation of this easy, cool look.
-
Meghan Markle Made Her First-Ever Paris Fashion Week Appearance Wearing Two Custom Balenciaga Looks
The Duchess of Sussex tapped into elegant French style.
-
4 Simple Steps to Look Parisian This Fall, According to Solange Knowles
So easy, so chic.