From the Office Siren revolution to the luxury toy takeover—an analysis of the year we stopped dressing for perfection and started dressing for the plot.
If 2024 was the year of “Quiet Luxury” whispering in beige tones, 2025 was the year fashion started screaming. As I look back at my own wardrobe evolution over the last twelve months—somewhere between the humidity of March and the typhoons of September—a distinct shift occurred. We collectively decided that “perfect” was boring.
This year, the industry didn’t just give us trends; it gave us “Algorithmic Tribes.” We witnessed a fascinating psychological tension play out on the streets of Manila: a digital obsession with the future clashing with a desperate, tactile craving for the past. Whether you found yourself collecting vinyl toys or wearing leather in 30-degree heat, you were part of the movement.
Here is our editorial post-mortem on the aesthetics that mattered in 2025, and how we actually wore them.
1. The Anti-Algorithm: Indie Sleaze Revival
The styling genius here lies in the “slept-in” quality. It’s the specific nonchalance of a vintage leather jacket—preferably oversized and looking like it’s survived a decade of concerts—thrown over a distressed tee. Yes, wearing heavy leather in our tropical climate is an act of sheer will, but for this aesthetic? We suffered for the look.
The Muse: Charli XCX. She championed the “candid flash photography” vibe that killed the golden hour selfie. The goal was to look like you were caught in a moment of hedonistic abandon, not posing for a brand deal.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- Cotton On Band Tee | Authentic Branded Overruns ACDC Nirvana Metallica Beatles Vintage Shirt Graphic
- Shoes for Women 2023 New Platform Women’s Boots Fashion Punk Boots 12CM High Heel Boots
- Women’s High Waist Wide Leg Jeans – Flowy Floor-Length Trousers, Loose Fit & Slimming
- Strokes Slick Gel Eyeliner [Easy Glide Lash Gel Liner]
2. The Office Siren: The Obsession with the 9-to-5
There is a delicious irony in Gen Z—a generation defined by the gig economy and remote work—turning the corporate wardrobe into a high-fashion fetish. The Office Siren (or Corpcore) aesthetic turned the mundane interiors of BGC skyscrapers into a cinematic backdrop.
The Look: Weaponized Competence
This isn’t your HR manager’s cardigan. It’s “Bayonetta” glasses, pencil skirts cut dangerously close, and sharp button-downs. It’s dressing for the job you want, if the job was “Main Character in a 2000s Thriller.” It provided structure in a chaotic year, allowing us to roleplay authority even if we were just answering emails from a coffee shop.
👉 Our Curated Finds
3. Method Dressing: The Wicked and The Goth
Cinema replaced the runway this year. The cultural juggernaut of Wicked sold tickets, but it also bifurcated our wardrobes. You were either Team Glinda (hyper-feminine pastels) or Team Elphaba (moody, witchy greens). But for the true fashion heads, the look went deeper.
Enter: The Victorian Goth
Thanks to Mia Goth’s influence in the Frankenstein revival, the Whimsigoth trend matured. We moved past the 90s mall goth into something more historical and romantic. Think heavy velvets, beetle wing iridescence, and archival jewelry. It’s fashion as a talisman—wearing celestial motifs and heavy fabrics to protect oneself from the digital noise.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- SweeticMe Women’s 2025 New Fashion Retro Flower Printed Mesh Vacation Irregular Long Skirt
- 6Pcs/Set Vintage Flower Metal Rings Baroque
- V-Neck Halterneck Sleeveless Vest
- SeaGloca Vintage Tote with Smartphone Pocket Premium Shoulder Bag For Woman No 44
4. The New Luxury: Labubu and the “Kidult” Economy
We need to talk about the monster on the bag. If you walked through Greenbelt or SM this year, you saw it: five-figure designer handbags adorned with Labubu dolls. It was the most unexpected “It Item” of 2025.
The “Lisa” Effect & Status Signaling
When Lisa from Blackpink endorsed this, it shifted from a toy collector’s hobby to a global fashion statement. But deeper than the hype, this “Kidult” trend represents a softening of luxury. It says, “I have the expensive bag, but I don’t take myself too seriously.” It’s the ultimate high-low mix—customizing serious fashion with playful, chaotic joy.
👉 Our Curated Finds
5. Blokecore: The Democratization of the Jersey
Finally, a trend that actually makes sense for the Philippine heat. Blokecore evolved from a niche TikTok subculture into a legitimate style pillar. But in 2025, it split into two sophisticated directions.
Her Edit: “Pink Blokecore”
The juxtaposition here is key. We saw the rise of the “coquette jersey”—oversized sportswear styled with ribbons, lace skirts, and ballet flats. It bridges the gap between the hyper-feminine and the tomboyish.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- 2025 NFL Edition Jersey Baju T-shirt Number 23 Lelaki Lengan V-neck Oversize Retro Unisex Teamwear
- [PUMA] SPEEDCAT BALLET
- Bow Jersey Blokecore – Remmus | Blokecore style embroidered lace bow Jersey combined with coquette for women
His Edit: The Vintage Purist
For men, the focus shifted to archival authenticity. It’s no longer about the shiny new kit; it’s about the hunt for the 90s vintage piece with the felt collar and the boxy fit. It pairs perfectly with the other footwear king of the year: the Adidas Samba.
👉 Our Curated Finds
6. Menswear: The Era of “Soft Power”
Men’s fashion in 2025 was defined by a beautiful dismantling of traditional masculinity. The “Alpha” posturing died out, replaced by vulnerability and “Aura.”
The Pedro Pascal Effect
Pedro Pascal, our collective “Internet Daddy,” taught a masterclass in relaxed confidence. He popularized the “Soft Boy” evolution—where the Voluminous Cardigan replaced the stiff blazer. We saw men embracing pearl necklaces, slouchy fabrics, and a palette of sage and cream.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- INCERUN Men Korean Fashionable Strips Lapels Long Sleeve Loose Cardigans
- GIORDANO Men’s Classic Man Cardigan
- Regatta Regular Fit Zip Up Cardigan For Men
- COLLAB by Inspi Full Zipped Boxy Polo for Men & Women w/ Pocket & Collar Plain Korean Style Polos
Quiet Gorpcore
Then there is the “Preparewear” tribe. This is technical gear for the guy whose urban jungle is Makati Ave. It’s functional, waterproof, and teeming with pockets, but styled with a minimalist edge. It’s practical, but make it fashion.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- GIORDANO MEN Padded baseball jacket
- GIORDANO MEN Stand collar raglan sleeve padded jacket
- EAGLADE Tactical Cargo Baggy Loose Pants for Men Q47
- INSPI Twill Hoodie Jacket Color of the Year 2026 Cloud Dancer
7. The Accessories Report: Heavy Metals and Paper-thin Soles
If you’re still carrying a micro-bag and wearing chunky “Dad Shoes,” we need to talk. 2025 was the year the silhouette flipped entirely.
The Shoe Reset: Impossibly Slender
The era of the clunky, oversized sneaker is officially on pause. Driven by the “Prada Collapse” sneaker, we saw a move toward Low Profile footwear. The new cool is aerodynamic. Think driving shoes, boxing boots, and mesh flats that hug the foot. It’s “Leisure Luxury”—shoes that look like hotel slippers but signal high status.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- PUMA Basket Classic XXI Men’s Trainers Sport Classics Low Boot
- Qiaodan Women Board Shoes Low-Profile Lightweight Casual Sports Rubber Fashion Sneakers
- adidas Men Samba OG | B75807
- SHOE SALON Puma Bella UT LEA Women’s Shoes Warm White/Silver
The Bag Return: Heavy Lifting
Conversely, bags got heavier. The Indie Sleaze revival brought back the “It Bag” of the mid-2000s, specifically the slouchy, hardware-heavy aesthetic popularized by the return of the Chloe Paddington. We are done with structured minimalism; we want soft leather that collapses when you set it down, adorned with unnecessary buckles, studs, and padlocks.
👉 Our Curated Finds
- AZTRID Large Hobo Bag (Premium) 2025 New Leather, New Lining and Zipper, Unique Texture per Color
- BOSTANTEN Vintage Elegance Chloe Bag Shoulder Bag Handbag PU Leather Crossbody Bag
- ALBERTO Unisex Morry Cross Body Bag
- UrbanMuse Woman’s Naomi Hand Bags
8. The Palette: Mocha Mousse vs. Future Dusk
