5 Wardrobe Essentials Stylists Are Wearing on Repeat This Season

When fashion editors, stylists, and influencers agree, you know a trend has arrived. As we dive into the current season’s style landscape, there are certain wardrobe pieces showing up again and again — pieces that are versatile, statement-worthy, and perfectly timed for the mood of the moment. Whether you're refreshing your closet or just looking to invest in timeless staples with trend credibility, here are 5 pieces’ stylists are wearing on repeat this season, why they work, and how to style them.

1. Soft Loafers

Soft loafers have emerged as one of the most comfortable yet stylish footwear trends this Fall/Winter 2025. Think buttery leather, suede, flexible soles, slim silhouettes. These are loafers softened — less rigid, more relaxed — making them ideal for both polished and casual looks.

Why stylists love them:

• They bridge comfort and elegance — you can wear them with a midi dress, tailored pants or even relaxed jeans, and still look pulled together.

• They fit into the “quiet luxury” / minimalism trend because they lean on quality material rather than flashy logos.

• They are versatile through layering and seasonal change — soft loafers look good with ankle socks, with trench coats, or with dresses.

How to style: Pair with cropped wide-leg pants to show off the shoe, or with skirts / dresses for contrast. Neutral tones (camel, tan, soft brown, cream) are especially popular.

Brands:

• Miu Miu – suede loafers (ranked #1 on Lyst Index).

• Aeyde – sleek leather loafers.

• Gianvito Rossi – luxe versions with modern details.

• Marks & Spencer, & Other Stories, Free People – affordable everyday options.

2. Belt Bags / Cargo Belt Bags

Functional yet stylish — the belt bag is back, and this season stylist are favoring forms that blend utility and fashion. Wide belts with pockets, cargoized designs, or belt bags worn over coats or dresses are showing up often.

Why stylists are repeating them:

• They free up the hands while still being a statement accessory.

• They allow layering in fresh, interesting ways: over outerwear, over a dress, cinching waistlines.

• They come in many sizes and styles — some minimal, some bold — so they adapt to many personal styles.

Styling tip: Use a belt bag to define your waist over oversized jackets or coats. Or wear it cross-body for a more casual street style vibe. Materials like leather or technical fabrics add texture.

Brands:

• Prada – structured belt bags with buckles.

• Miu Miu – leather belt-bag designs.

• Ferragamo, Hermès, Proenza Schouler – luxury belt-bag edits.

• Lululemon – “Everywhere Belt Bag,” viral on TikTok/Instagram.

3. Barrel-Leg / Relaxed Denim Jeans

Jeans are always around, but this season stylist are favoring barrel-leg or relaxed, tapered profiles over skinny fits. These pair well with chunky or structured tops, layering, and balancing volume. Katie Holmes’ recent looks are good examples: barrel jeans + boucle cropped jacket, etc.

Why this silhouette is on repeat:

• More comfort + more room equals better movement and a more relaxed silhouette, which feels very much aligned with current lifestyle and work-from-everywhere habits.

• They offer nostalgic echoes (’70s, ’90s, etc.) but in updated washes and proportions.

• Easy to dress up or down depending on footwear and top.

How to style: Pair with fitted tops or structured blazers to balance the looser leg. Tuck-in tops help define the waist. Try contrast between soft denim washes and sharp colors or textures (e.g., boucle, satin, leather).

Brands:

• Agolde – 90s-inspired barrel fit jeans.

• Marks & Spencer (Per Una & Autograph) – barrel high-waist ankle grazers.

• Calvin Klein – relaxed / barrel-leg styles.

• Levi’s – experimenting with looser and wide-leg fits.

4. Minimalist Dresses / Clean Block Colours

After seasons of bold prints, flashy embellishments, and maximal layering, there’s a pull toward minimalism. Dresses with clean lines, high necks, sleeveless or simple sleeve cuts, and block colors (e.g. black, rust, chocolate, off-white) are getting a lot of play.

Why stylists repeat them:

• They’re easy to style in multiple ways: add a belt, add a coat, change shoes.

• They offer elegance without overthinking — perfect for events or days when you need to be ready quickly.

• Clean, minimal pieces also tend to have more longevity in the wardrobe (less likely to go “out of style” quickly).

Style advice: Accessories matter – think elegant earrings, minimalist boots or loafers, maybe a scarf or belt to add dimension. Also layering under or over can shift the vibe: cardigan, coat, leather jacket.

Brands:

• Nanushka – minimal, sleek silhouettes.

• The Row – luxury minimalist dresses.

• COS – high-street brand known for block-color clean cuts.

• Mango / Zara – affordable takes on minimalist aesthetics.

5. Trendy Prints & Animal Patterns (Especially Zebra), Washed-Plaids & ’70s Boho Details

Prints aren’t going away: animal prints (especially zebra), washed or muted plaid, boho textures & trims are very present. On runways and street style alike, stylists are reaching for these to add personality into looks.

Why they are on repeat:

• Prints allow for self-expression; they break up block colors and add visual interest.

• Trends like zebra vs leopard: zebra is being seen more this season as fresh contrast.

• Washed plaids and ’70s boho details (suede, fringe, lace etc.) give a nostalgic yet modern mood.

How to use prints well: If the rest of your outfit is simple, let a print be the star piece (shirt, coat, skirt). Or mix prints with caution: one bold print + one neutral or smaller pattern. For example: a zebra print skirt + a muted top.

Brands:

• Balmain – zebra prints in FW25 collection.

• Oséree – jungle / zebra patterns in luxe textures.

• Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli – bold animal-print use.

• H&M – offering washed plaid & boho-inspired prints at high street level.

Putting It All Together

Here’s how you might build a repeat-worthy outfit combining several pieces:

• Put on a minimal block-color dress in rust or black, layer with a long coat, cinch with a belt bag at the waist, and finish with soft loafers.

• Or take barrel-leg jeans, pair with a plaid / animal print blouse or bomber, add accessories (statement earrings), and maybe tuck in or layer a minimalist top underneath.

These pieces play well together, so with a small investment in a few, you can mix and match many looks.

Why These Pieces Are Dominating?

A few broader macro-trends help explain why these five are on heavy rotation in stylists’ wardrobes:

• Comfort meets aesthetics: Soft materials, more relaxed silhouettes, footwear that you can walk in — the pandemic and its aftershocks have made comfort non-negotiable, but style is still essential.

• Functional fashion / utility: Belt bags, roomy jeans, layering — these allow adaptability.

• Quiet luxury, minimalism & timelessness: Instead of flash, there’s more focus on good cuts, better quality, less is more.

• Nostalgic influence: ’70s boho, ’90s plaid, animal prints — reinterpreted, not repeated verbatim.

How To Choose the Right One(s) for You.

• Assess what fits your lifestyle: If you travel a lot, belt bags and soft loafers might earn more wear. If you attend many formal dinners, minimal dresses could be more useful.

• Look at your existing wardrobe: What your colors are, what shapes you often wear. Choose pieces that will integrate well.

• Prioritize quality over quantity: A well made soft loafer in good leather will outlast several cheap ones. Same with sturdy denim.

• Try layering and accessories: Often a piece becomes a go-to when you discover multiple ways to style it.