Paris Fashion Week closed the autumn–winter 2025 calendar in the French capital, bringing the season’s four major weeks to a close. This year featured style icons such as Kira Knightley, Giji Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Anna WinTour, Olga Karput and other luminaries at the Louvre Grand Dîner du Louvre, where couturiers unveiled their latest collections. From March 5 to 11, Paris hosted 109 fashion houses and presentations from brands choosing not to stage a traditional runway show, like Loewe.
Industry insiders focused attention on Tom Ford, Sarah Berton, Givenchy, and a new designer at Julian Clauser’s label. In December 2024, the creative direction under Haider Ackermann moved into Dries van Noten’s fashion houses, and those brands showcased a series of collections. Meanwhile, admirers watched the catwalk where fur, leather, bright colors, mini skirts and micro-shorts, workwear, and 80s styling dominated the shows.
What stands out from Paris Fashion Week? For audiences in Canada and the United States, the results easily translate to a modern North American wardrobe, highlighting bold textures and color stories that fit into everyday style.
Lace
Transparent fabrics are retreating from the spotlight compared with earlier seasons. In Paris, sheer blouses and dresses made from shimmering chiffon were less common. Yet lace remains visible on the runways in a variety of forms.
Lace can appear in details such as tights, ruffles, and trims. For those embracing this feminine material, a lace blouse, dress, or suit can be styled with a V neck or clean lines; the look works for many body types, and while some runways celebrated a model’s figure, tightening the aim is not required.
Leggings
Hems are moving away from wide leg silhouettes for now. Runways show more tapered shapes in place of the free-flowing palazzo, with cargo-inspired sagging fits appearing less often, while skinny pants and leggings gain ground. This echoes trends seen a decade ago. It offers a practical nudge for wardrobes built around oversized knits: add thick wool leggings and tall boots for an updated silhouette.
Pink
The Paris color story leaned into bright hues with purples, mustards, reds, burgundies, grays, blacks, and browns forming bold contrasts. Against that base, pastel tones emerged, including unexpected pinks that feel versatile for winter wear. A classic tweed suit remains a foundation, while dresses with soft drape or sculptural lines and bright red accents invite experimental tops.
Ground
A signature of the 80s returns: long jackets and oversized coats paired with fitted blouses and dresses. Broad shoulders, minimal waist emphasis, clean lines, and a mix of asymmetry or full-length drapes create the image of a woman who exudes confidence. A pencil skirt or a mini can soften the impact, though some may prefer to keep the strong look intact.
Basque
This detail traces from 2010s trends but appears in a modern form. In jackets, or the upper part of skirts, a wide ruffle finishes the garment to emphasize the hips. The Basque element is even older: it appeared in 18th-century Russia and was popularized by Balenciaga and Dior in the 20th century. What we see now is a dramatic hip accent that can adorn romantic dresses or solid suits, possibly in organza or fur to avoid traditional materials. Basques are often sold separately as independent accessories and are now worn with jeans, trousers, or skirts.