Fashion tips for 2025 from top stylists Zara Bryson, Clare Ryan and Teagan Sewell

On the fashion front, 2024 was a year of loud animal prints, feminine bows and head-to-toe tonal dressing. There was a flurry of corporate-meets-casual aesthetics with a sprinkling of viral hit and misses, and the trend cycle remains to be as fast as ever. But what is on the horizon for our wardrobes in 2025? Will maximalism go even further, or will we see a swing back to a more minimal look? Which colours will we see everywhere? What silhouettes will dominate? How will fabrics, textures and accessories come into play? As always, fashion is, and should always be, dressing in what makes you feel good. But there are some secrets to a chic look and no one knows more of them than a professional stylist. Zara Bryson, Clare Ryan and Teagan Sewell are among WA’s top stylists and fashion tastemakers, with years of experience in coming up with outfits that pop on runways, photo shoots, for fashion labels, shopping centres, celebrities and for the pages of magazines, including STM. Sewell has produced hundreds of runways shows, worked on more than 400 fashion editorial projects and styled for companies including David Jones and Myer, Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Argyle Diamonds, Tourism Australia and Harper’s Bazaar. Ryan, a journalist and stylist for more than 17 years, has worked on numerous runway shows and fashion workshops and styled for a wide variety of clients including Claremont Quarter, Meraki, Corona and Tourism WA’s recent campaign with Daniel Ricciardo. Bryson started her styling career in Scanlan Theodore’s first Perth store and founded her own well-known eponymous fashion label and store before co-founding public relations agency The Peach & Pineapple Co. She has continued to do high-profile styling work, including for Chanel, Disney Australia, Betts Shoes, Solid Gold Diamonds and Empire Rose. To get their top five tips for your 2025 wardrobe, STM sat down to see what the trio recommend fashion-lovers invest in for a stylish year ahead. Zara Bryson My emphasis is always on high quality pieces (locally owned and made where possible!) that can update your look without playing too heavily into micro-trends. I’m not afraid to stand out and take some risks but my non-negotiable is comfort; I won’t suffer for fashion. Fashion can be so much fun if you don’t take it too seriously and your clothes should always make you feel amazing above all else. 1. Timeless sparkle The idea of investing in fine jewellery pieces that last forever and become family heirlooms, has always captured my heart. I’m seeing the push away from throw-away costume jewellery and the emphasis on higher quality jewellery coming through across all price points. It’s a welcome change. I have some stunning things on my wishlist from Linneys (a client) and I’m committed to slowly and purposefully adding to a collection that tells my unique story and can be stacked up over time. 2. The go-anywhere dress A beautifully-cut printed dress can pretty much take you anywhere. I tend to eschew the LBD (little black dress) because it can lack personality and black can sometimes look harsh in our warm climate, but a perfectly designed print can lift even the most simple frock silhouette. The “house dress” style from Empire Rose is my favourite shape that suits most body types and is very comfortable to wear. The best part is that they are designed and made to order (in all sizes) locally in North Fremantle by a team of incredible female artisans. 3. The perfect white tee Don’t underestimate the power of a classic white tee. White near the face always adds life and a fresh, perfectly oversized crew neck tee will do a lot of heavy lifting in your wardrobe, especially under jackets and open shirts to keep things feeling relaxed yet polished. The thing about white tees is that they look better when they’re fresh, so my advice is to update them regularly. My pick is a unisex Uniqlo Airism tee for its easy-to-wear cut and very affordable price. 4. Tinted lenses If I want to instantly add some cool factor to my look, my first port of call is always tinted lenses sunglasses — yellow, blue, rose pink or soft gold lenses are my favourite colours and they are very flattering on most skin tones. I love that you can see your eyes through them and when they pick up on the tones in your outfit, you look so fabulously put-together. My top picks are from independent Aussie brands, Bresac, Pared Eyewear, Edera and Vehla. 5. Heritage sports styling I’m seeing a strong return to heritage sporting styles of the 80s and 90s — think rugby stripes, polo tops (anything with a collar really!), knits thrown over the shoulders and high crew socks. It’s a trend I can get behind because we have so many great references from the past and it works practically with our casual WA lifestyle. I always favour looking polished, so this type of styling can really elevate basic activewear and turn it into a “look” . It’s also coinciding with the resurgence of heritage fashion houses like Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and Burberry. Locally I look to HyperLuxe (a client) for my must-have rugby polos and high socks. Clare Ryan 1. Animal print You either love it or hate it, but animal print is definitely roaring back into the spotlight for 2025 and I’m here for it. This timeless trend has never truly disappeared, and 2025 is set to see lots of refreshed prints with a modern twist. Expect the classic prints, like leopard and tiger, plus hybrid prints with oversized zebra, soft colours and even some unexpected textures. I’ll be investing in a pair of leopard boots or a leopard print dress for 2025, but the best part about this trend is its versatility. You can easily choose to invest in an item that fits your personal style and current wardrobe; for example, a timeless pair of snakeskin-print boots or a leopard-print bag. I think go big and bold and make a statement. 2. Multi-purpose bag Top of my list for 2025 is a top-handle bag that is multi-purpose, whether it’s a tote or a shoulder/crossbody bag with an extra top-handle feature. I’m all for getting the most out of your accessories, and a timeless yet versatile handbag is the ultimate go-to and a smart investment. I’ll be purchasing a bag that I can use from day to night, so something with a detachable strap for those moments when I’m on the run, is a must. Once the strap comes off, I’m left with a classic top-handle design. A standout for 2025 is the big brown bag, particularly in a textured suede. 3. Barrel jeans Barrel jeans are the ultimate elevated denim for 2025. After a quiet debut in 2024, they’re set to truly take off in 2025. It’s because they honestly suit any silhouette! They fit snugly at the waist and gently taper down the leg with a statement curve that suits every body type. The look is modern and structured, yet relaxed, making them perfect for dressing up and down. Expect to get a lot of wear out of them all year round. 4. Leather belt Belts are definitely having their moment in 2025. They’re the statement piece you need to elevate any outfit. This year, I’m wrapping these beauties around everything from oversized blazers to flowy dresses. And trust me, the more personality the belt has, the better! These eye-catching accessories add a sense of drama and luxury to your ensemble, seamlessly transforming an outfit while being practical too. 5. Statement suit Next year will turn the spotlight on statement suits. Matching sets have had their moment, but now we’re stepping up the game with classic two-pieces that boast beautiful, modern tailoring. I’m chasing a blazer that nips in perfectly at the waist with matching wide-leg pants that reach new lengths. The more daring, the better: lace, leather, suede or a pastel colour. These suits are designed to make you stand out in an exciting way. Teagan Sewell 1. Versatile scarf Scarf, sarong, pareo — regardless of the name or size, there’s no denying that social media feeds have been flooded with creative ways to style it, transforming it from skirts to shirts and beyond. I’ve even created a dedicated Pinterest board for my love of this versatile piece of fabric, with various wrapping, twisting and tying techniques. I was excited to see that Perth designer Poppy Lissiman has just launched her own collection of sarongs, further fuelling my love for this multifaceted fabric square or rectangle. I’m also obsessed with Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping objects in repurposed fabric — perfect for the gifting season, too. 2. Slow fashion This movement is gaining significant momentum as awareness of environmental impact continues to grow, emphasising the importance of sustainable materials and ethical production practices. One standout brand is Re/Lax Remade, which specialises in creating unique hats crafted from vintage towels. Each hat is handmade in Sydney, ethically produced, and repurposes materials that are already in circulation. What’s truly special is that each hat is one-of-a-kind. Featuring vibrant colours and bold patterns, these hats move away from minimalist designs to offer more expressive and eye-catching options, all while supporting local artisans. It’s truly a win-win situation. 3. Re-emerging labels Fashion is cyclical, with trends re-emerging every few decades, and so too are roles within the industry. This is precisely what Pip Edwards has accomplished by stepping down as creative director of her synonymous label, PE Nation, to take the reins again at Ksubi. Her return to the brand that kick-started her fashion career in the early 2000s is thrilling, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this iconic Australian denim label. Stay tuned. 4. Hidden gems Salasai is a hidden gem in Perth that we could almost mistake for a New Zealand brand, as it originates from the beautiful shores of Hawkes Bay, NZ. However, Salasai has firmly established itself as a Western Australian brand deserving of attention. They primarily collaborate with and support local WA creatives, models, photographers and hair/make-up artists and time and again, this brand delivers standout collections. Whowhatwear.com has highlighted its top trends for 2025 — 90s plaid took a leading spot, which is prominently featured in Salasai’s 24/25 summer collection. Designer Kirsha Whitcher is my go-to style muse for what’s in vogue. 5. Boilersuit The boilersuit is my go-to fashion piece every season. I find it to be timeless, androgynous and utilitarian, making it practical for both work and my new life as a mum. It’s a one-piece wonder that I can zip or button up, and I’m ready to go. Each season, there seems to be at least one or two brands offering their own version, which reinforces its enduring appeal for me. I rotate between three khaki jumpsuits: a vintage boilersuit I scored for just $30 at a thrift store in Sydney, a work-style one I picked up in New York (which always garners compliments when I’m out and about), and a dressier version from Max Mara that I found on sale at TK Maxx — my go-to spot for hunting down luxury labels and hidden gems at a great price. Megan French, STM fashion writer According to the popular online visual platform Pinterest, 2025 is going to have a witchy, vibrant, bohemian vibe. Its fifth annual report analysed billions of search requests and engagement signals to forecast the expected aesthetic shifts of next year. These are my picks from the 20 predictions. Cherry coded: red has had a meteoric rise in recent months but things will take a darker turn into a moodier rendition of the romantic hue. Think deep red maxi dresses, accent jewellery and pop-of-colour footwear. Dolled up: Cute-core on steroids. The aesthetic of Sabrina Carpenter with whimsical colours such as baby pinks and blues, love heart motifs, necklace charms and nods to Polly Pocket. Moto boho: A blend between moto (leather jackets, silver hardware, edgy make-up) and boho (fringe, flowy dresses and earthy tones). Pinterest predicts gen Z and boomers will adopt the trend first with chunky leather handbags and flowy skirts. Mix and maximalist: Think Poppy Lissiman meets GANNI — clashing, eclectic prints, bold colours, unique textures and layers, layers, layers. Fisherman aesthetic: Becoming a maritime muse is all the craze, apparently. Nautical notes such as cable knit tops, sardine and lobster motifs and quintessential sailor stripes will be everywhere, and on everything.