An interesting thing happened as I was clicking through the spring/summer ’25 collections. Scanning the runways for denim trends, I started fixating less on leg shapes (still baggy, btw) and washes (true blue), and more on the detail shots. I am admittedly interested in (obsessed with?) the choices that help a brand differentiate its jeans from all the rest. (Have you ever noticed that Stella McCartney likes to punctuate the J-stitch with a rivet, for example?) In my search for these tiny gems, I ended up striking whole-outfit gold.
Bear with me as what follows is an unusual exercise in runway-to-reality dressing… A way to read the collections that inspires something completely new, centered around–my favorite–jeans. It was a men’s look at Bottega Veneta (Look 19) that first got me thinking: What would happen if I pulled the individual elements and fabric themes within the close-up and applied them to a shopping search? I took liberty with the styling while sticking to the color palettes, abandoning direct imitation for loose interpretation. OK, in some cases the translation was more literal (woven leather loafer to woven leather ballet flat). But I improvised a lot, allowing a maxiskirt to replace wide legs when the wash was a match, for example. The most fun was turning accessories (crochet flowers, a chevron tote) into statement sweaters. What emerged feels so wearable, current, and cute.
Below, five flashes from the spring/summer ’25 collections that caught my eye and motivated me to get dressed in something completely now and new.
Indigo Arts and Crafty Crochet
The crochet flowers are what make this look so captivating. I wanted to create a similar bouquet by pairing a hand-knit sweater with a brooch pinned to the trench. As long as the denim is the truest blue, any fit will be fine.
Proper English With a Bow on Top
The floral hem on these jeans was just begging to be a blouse, and the key was finding one with a black background. Pointelle socks translate smoothly to a sweet, cap-sleeve sweater. I looked outside of the close-up and added a red accessory just for kicks.
Runway: Chanel
Feathery Tops and Robin’s Egg Blues
As much as I love the trailing chiffon cape, the first thing to do was find something more wearable. This one from Toteme balances the jean’s wide leg–it works for day and feels right for holiday party season, too.
Runway: Ralph Lauren
Chevron and Chambray All The Way
There is so much to work with this Ralph Lauren look—the bag’s bamboo handle and chevron-esque print; the rope belt, the scarf’s paisley pattern. To make this outfit work for right now, I channeled the bag’s print into a sweater, and everything fell into place. If not as a hair accessory, the scarf can easily be tied around a bag handle, like this one from Clare V.
Classic With a Casual-Cool Twist
Inspired by Sacai’s look 9, I thought a sneaker would play nicely with the peacoat, here. Metal mixing is also must with this look—gold buttons, silver jewelry. To soften things even more (beyond the top), I suggest looking to the color of her lips–how gorgeous!–and applying them to accessories. Try a delicate sock (like this or this) for romantic contrast.
