Emerging Trends in Fashion 2025: What Youth Care About Most
Published: September, 2025
Opeepl’s Youth Pulse Wave 4 (Apr 2025) shows 15–30-year-olds are flocking to second-hand clothing. A stunning 77% of youth now buy at least some second-hand apparel.
In fact, only 23% buy exclusively new clothes – the rest mix new and used items. This chart from the report highlights how young shoppers split their fashion purchases by source:
Who Uses AI Tools?
The numbers show just how normal AI has become:
68% of young people already use AI tools.
14% are open to trying them soon.
18% say no, they avoid AI.
New only: 23% of youth
Mixed new/second-hand: 72% (most common)
Second-hand only: 5%
Together, this means 77% of young people buy second-hand clothing, up from 63% six months earlier. In other words, second-hand has become mainstream among Gen Z and young millennials as they stretch budgets and express their style
Why Young People Choose Second-Hand
Cost and ethics are driving this boom in thrift. By far the most cited reason is affordability – 56% say cost savings motivate them to shop for used clothes. Sustainability and uniqueness also rank high: 36% of youth shop second-hand for unique, vintage finds, and 33% do it for environmental reasons.
Personal style and brand values matter too (27% cite individuality and 18% support local/charities).
These motivations are illustrated below:
Cost Savings (56%) – Young buyers love how much they save on used pieces.
Unique/Vintage Style (36%) – Finding one-of-a-kind items or retro looks appeals to 36%.
Sustainability (33%) – A growing 33% value the eco-friendly aspect of thrift shopping (up 9 points from last year).
Personal Style (27%) – Over a quarter say second-hand lets them express individuality.
Supporting Local/Charity (18%) – Some (18%) do it to help charities or local businesses.
Higher Quality (16%) – Another 16% prefer vintage quality over fast-fashion.
These findings show that youth prioritize both price and values. Cost is king, but sustainability and uniqueness are also key. Together, they explain why second-hand isn’t just trendy – it’s become a mainstream fashion choice among 15–30-year-olds in 2025.
10 Key Fashion Trends to Watch in 2025
Opeepl asked young Europeans to name new fashion trends that are gaining ground. Ten clear themes emerged.
Below we describe each one, with insights from the Youth Pulse report:
Sustainable & Upcycled Fashion: Climate and values drive this trend. Youth want to “shop guilt-free” without sacrificing style or price. Eco-friendly materials, recycled fabrics and upcycled designs are becoming expected, reflecting high climate change awareness among young consumers.
Y2K Fashion Revival: Early-2000s styles are back. Think low-rise jeans, baby tees, mini bags, butterfly clips, metallics – nostalgia for teens’ childhood fashion. Young shoppers embrace these retro-futuristic looks on social media and at festivals, blending vintage vibes with modern twists.
Gender-Fluid Fashion: Influenced by queer culture and social media, more youth reject strict gender norms. Clothing is seen as a tool for identity exploration. Styles feature unisex cuts, mixing masculine and feminine elements (e.g., skirts for all, neutral color palettes), appealing to those seeking inclusivity in their wardrobe.
Luxury Streetwear & Quiet Luxury: Premium quality basics are in. Young people love well-made streetwear and subtle designer pieces without obvious logos. This “quiet luxury” means durable fabrics, good tailoring, and high-end streetwear that signals status through craftsmanship rather than flashy branding.
Minimalist Basics: Clean, simple wardrobe staples are rising as a response to fast-fashion overload. Youth mention neutral, versatile pieces, capsule wardrobes, and simplicity. The trend favors timeless T‑shirts, streamlined cuts and monochrome outfits – the “Skinimalism” of fashion – giving stability in a chaotic trend cycle.
Retro Brand Revival: Nostalgia is authentic and sustainable. Many iconic older brands (e.g. Fila, Adidas Originals, Diesel) are making a comeback. Teenagers often wear these labels ironically or second-hand. Reviving legacy brands gives vintage credibility while aligning with eco-conscious values, since old-logo items are repurposed rather than newly produced.
Techwear & Futuristic Styling: Tech meets fashion. Young consumers are drawn to sci‑fi inspired details – water-resistant fabrics, modular pockets, high-tech zippers – reflecting gaming and digital-native culture. These edgy looks (e.g. cyberpunk and tactical elements) speak to a high-tech lifestyle.
Hyper-Baggy & Oversized Silhouettes: Big is better. Youth demand extreme comfort and street culture influence. Oversized pants, hoodies, and jackets with exaggerated proportions let wearers move freely and stand out. This anti-fit movement, rooted in hip-hop and skate influences, continues growing, especially on TikTok and in urban fashion scenes.
Maximalist Prints & Bold Graphics: More is more. Loud, statement prints and saturated colors help young people express individuality. From neon florals to graphic art on clothing, this trend is about standing out on social media or at music festivals. It’s the opposite of minimalist basics – bold patterns become a fun way to break monotony.
Denim Reinvention: Denim stays, but with a twist. Rather than classic blue jeans, youth want experimental denim. Expect new cuts, patchwork, avant-garde washes, and layering (e.g., denim-on-denim outfits). In essence, they’re creatively reinventing a staple fabric through DIY and upcycled approaches.
These top trends – from eco-conscious styles to Y2K nostalgia and gender-neutral cuts, are all backed by youth survey data. Together, they highlight how young Europeans are blending values (sustainability, inclusivity) with self-expression in fashion.
What This Means for Fashion Brands
The future of fashion is not just about chasing the next style. It is about purpose.
Embrace second-hand and resale if you want to stay connected to youth.
Be honest and clear about sustainability — young people will see through empty claims.
Balance comfort with creativity, because they want both.
In the end, fashion must speak. Every piece should tell a story about the person wearing it and the values they stand for.
Final Thoughts
Youth are reshaping fashion in 2025. They buy second-hand, they want eco-friendly fabrics, and they mix comfort with creativity.
The message is simple: young people are not just following trends — they are setting them.
Discover more trends among 15-30 y.o. in Youth Pulse Report
Opeepl Youth Pulse is a bi-annual study that keeps pulse on the latest developments in the youth market. Discover key youth trends in consumer confidence, media habits, attitudes, values, and five major categories: Food, Beverages, Alcohol, Fashion, and Personal Care.