By Hannah Wolke, Newswire Intern

So far, 2024’s fashion has been filled with bows of delight and UGGs of satisfaction, but I am here to predict the future of fashion and tell you what I believe should be long gone by 2025.

Balloon Jeans:

What even are they? The voluminous shape around the hips looks ridiculous, and the way they taper at the ankles feels even more unwarranted. Honestly, they’re a fashion misstep that deserves a one-way ticket back to the 90s.

Bows:

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love bows. I’ve cherished them since my earliest Christmas memories, back when I would adorn myself in them to show my parents how pretty I looked. However, there’s a point where it becomes too much. When you’re wearing a bow-patterned hoodie, a bow in your hair, bows tied on your shoes, bow earrings, bows on your jeans — the list goes on — it can feel a bit overwhelming. I definitely don’t want bows to disappear, but I think it would be nice to see a bit less of them. A little bow goes a long way, and sometimes less is more.

Ballerina Flats: 

I find ballerina flats to be too flat and close to the ground, which makes them resemble feet a bit too much for my taste. While I appreciate the classic charm they offer, I really prefer shoes that provide some elevation and cushioning. Walking in flats feels like I’m practically barefoot, and they lack the support I need for all-day comfort. If there were ballerina flats with a slight heel or added support, I’d be much more enthusiastic towards the trend. 

Holes in Shirts:

Can we please retire these aggressively holey tops? I love shopping online whenever I get my paycheck — it’s my way of treating myself to some fancy new outfits. But every shirt I find comes with an excessive number of holes, and while I appreciate that our generation values authenticity and self-expression, we could still learn to ease up on the amount of them on our tops. I don’t want to feel like a piece of Swiss cheese! 

Split-Fabric Shirts:

Split-dyed or split-fabric shirts and sweatshirts always pop up when I am shopping. What’s the point of clashing fabrics or colors?  It’s always some wild combination like orange and purple, and those two definitely don’t belong together. Let’s stick to one cohesive pattern per piece, or better yet, the same fabric throughout. 

Yeezy Foam Runners:

I just can’t get behind these clothing items with missing pieces. Take the Yeezy Foam Runner sneakers, for instance — they can be yours today for a mere $152. Sure, you can see your socks right through them, but they can’t be that bad, right? Wrong. I absolutely can’t stand them. Ever since I saw one of my peers wear them in high school, I wanted to sob. It’s not logical to make a shoe that’s mostly foam with half of it missing, and we can’t be expected to work out in those. I’d feel like I was trying to run a marathon on a treadmill with two blocks of loose foam strapped to my feet. Honestly, who thought this was a good idea? 

I recognize that some of these trends can look good on certain people. Fashion is a form of personal expression, and what works for one person might not work for another. If balloon pants make someone feel confident and comfortable, that’s what truly matters. Ultimately, it’s all about finding what feels right for you and owning it. We are embracing our individual preferences and celebrating the diversity of styles out there because fashion is really a canvas for self-expression.