Fashion trends in 2025 draw inspiration from bygone eras, from the understated charm of the Middle Ages to the refined elegance of Rococo. According to fashion critics and Pinterest Business analysts, Castlecore and Rococo Revival will dominate not only runways but also interiors, parties, and even weddings.
Why are we looking to the past?
Modern fashion increasingly offers escapism—a chance to step away from reality. Since the rise of coquette-core in 2024, naivety and romanticism have become staples of trends. Brands encourage us to dream, imagining ourselves as medieval knights in armor or graceful princesses in Versailles. In 2025, these trends grow bolder, letting everyone find a style that resonates.
Castlecore
Inspired by the late Middle Ages (14th to 16th centuries), the Castlecore aesthetic took TikTok by storm in early 2025. Last year, celebrities set the tone: BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Taylor Swift dazzled on red carpets in dresses with medieval nods, while Zendaya stunned in a futuristic Mugler outfit reminiscent of knightly armor.
Castlecore transports us to an era of fair maidens, chivalrous tournaments, and mysterious castles. Its key symbols are chainmail, armor, and simple clothing in earthy tones—brown, terracotta, olive. In medieval times, vibrant colors like red or blue were a privilege of the nobility. Everyday garments were plain, without embellishments, as tailoring was still in its infancy.
On the runways, Paco Rabanne shines as a Castlecore standout. Metallic pieces evoking chainmail are part of the brand’s DNA. In their Fall/Winter 2025-26 collections, Fendi and Louis Vuitton leaned into earthy hues, incorporating textures reminiscent of rough wool or leather.
Want to bring Castlecore into your wardrobe? Experiment with textures (leather, wool, metal) and earthy tones. Add chunky boots or metallic accessories to complete the look.
Rococo Revival
If Castlecore is rugged romance, Rococo Revival is its complete opposite. This aesthetic whisks us to the 18th century, to Versailles, where voluminous crinolines, corsets, lace, and playful bows reigned supreme. Rococo is a celebration of life, where opulence meets playfulness, building on the coquette-core trend that swept 2024.
Marie Antoinette
The style icons of Rococo are Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette. Their portraits set the mood: pastel shades, abundant ruffles, bows, and, of course, corsets that accentuate a delicate waist. Unlike the dramatic grandeur of Baroque, Rococo is all about lightness, flirtation, and romantic naivety.
Many brands are embracing this aesthetic on the runways. In Fall/Winter 2025-26 collections, we see trends like lace tights from Valentino and ruffles with jabots from Dior. Corsets are making a comeback too, spotted in Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest couture collection and Schiaparelli’s recent show.
One of the first to channel Marie Antoinette’s vibe was singer Chappell Roan. At the 2025 Grammy Awards, she appeared in a vintage, voluminous Jean Paul Gaultier dress, complete with a powdered face and rosy cheeks for dramatic flair.
To weave Rococo Revival into everyday wear, opt for lace blouses, corset-style tops, or accessories with pearls and bows. Pastel hues—pink, baby blue, creamy white—will perfectly complement your look.
