Clashing is the New Matching in 2025
Image Courtesy: Vogue
Stripes, dots, cheetah print – these might sound like the inside of a children’s coloring book, but that is exactly what 2025 is all about. This year is about playing with patterns, drawing outside the lines, and rediscovering our inner child through fashion. Why stay inside the box of perfectly matching clothing when clashing, mixing, and experimenting can lead to something revolutionary? As the year of bold expression begins, let’s take a look at the hottest prints and patterns you’ll definitely want in your closet.
Stacked in Stripes
Image Courtesy: Collage via Isabella Santiago
Whether athletic wear, trench coats, or beachside looks, stripes were everywhere at New York Fashion Week’s 2025 Spring/Summer collections. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are known for their striped items, but other designers like Coperni and Tibi introduced stripes into their collections as well. Coperni released a collection of bright-colored preppy tees, while Tibi’s resort collection reimagined stripes with a sporty twist. To include stripes in your everyday wardrobe, play around with thickness, color, and orientation. Think blue striped men’s shirts as beach cover-ups, sailor-inspired micro shorts, or color-blocked striped sweaters for the winter.
Dot, dot, dot...
Image Courtesy: Collage via Isabella Santiago
If 2025 is the year of whimsical playfulness in fashion, what better way to embrace that charm than with polka dots? This chic pattern is such a classic way to enhance any wardrobe. Polka dots are also peeking their way into accessories like scarves, handbags, and shoes. As seen in Moschino’s Spring 2025 collection, a classic black and white spotted dress is a staple. Playing with color and asymmetry also adds another layer to the dotted look, like in All-In's collection. And of course, a polka-dotted purse can elevate a simple outfit into a joyful statement.
Wildly Untamed
Image Courtesy: Collage via Isabella Santiago
Since I saw Fran Fine in The Nanny (1993-1999), I have been waiting for animal print to come back in style. So, when Sabrina Carpenter walked out in a Fran-inspired leopard skirt suit, I knew this year would be wild. If styled correctly, animal print is one of the most effortlessly chic statements. Versace’s 2025 resort collection featured an array of bold animal prints, with a leopard coat and knee-high boots especially making noise. Roberto Cavalli turned heads at Milan Fashion Week with a snakeskin set and shoes, proving that animal print belongs everywhere. Even if you’re keeping it simple with an all-black outfit, adding a cheetah print velvet purse will be the final detail to complete the look. Cheetah print jeans are also having their moment right now, and an oversized animal print fur coat remains one of the chicest items you can have in your wardrobe.
The best moments in fashion history were born from those brave enough to try something completely new—unafraid to mess up and not limited by standards. Embrace the new year by mixing, matching, and clashing all sorts of prints and patterns—dotted, spotted, and striped included.
Strike Out,
Writer: Isabella Santiago
Editor: Grace Groover
Graphic Designer:
Tallahassee