Milan, the birthplace of some of the most iconic fashion houses in the world—Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Versace—has long been a global symbol of style and sophistication. But beyond its celebrated heritage, Milan is home to some of the world’s most fashionable people. From dog-walking to coffee runs, Milanese residents turn everyday moments into fashion statements. Milan Fashion Week, with its refined style and impeccable craftsmanship, is always a showcase of both timeless elegance and forward-thinking designs. This year’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection brought forward a fresh wave of trends, offering a delightful blend of heritage and modernity, with an experimental flair.
Elegant and Experimental: Milan’s Autumn/Winter 2025 Trend
Milan Fashion Week never fails to surprise with its unique fusion of sophisticated elegance and experimental innovation. For Autumn/Winter 2025, designers paid homage to their heritage while also offering exciting new twists on classic styles. Expect an infusion of unique color palettes, experimental fabrics, and unexpected cuts, with plenty of mixing and matching to create fresh, dynamic looks.
Prada, always one to keep things chic yet wearable, presented a collection that embodied everyday glamour. On the other hand, DSquared2 brought the fun, with playful yet luxurious designs that hinted at a carefree attitude, making it clear that Milan has no intention of slowing down.
Dramatic Fur Coats: From Mob Wives to Modern Glam
Among the standout trends, dramatic fur coats dominated the runway as it has at many of the shows over Fashion Month. Fendi and Giorgio Armani brought the fur to life, showing off exaggerated, mob-wife-esque silhouettes. These faux-fur designs are a nod to classic luxury, but they also carry a modern sensibility that’s both wearable and grand. Whether in bold hues or neutral tones, these coats are a statement piece perfect for winter layering.
Giuseppe Di Morabito Faux Fur Coat
Fringe: Luxurious and Glam to Boho Chic
Another theme that took over Milan Fashion Week was fringe, as shown by Etro’s boho-chic designs and the luxurious and glamorous looks shown at Jil Sander. Etro presented fringed elements in a way only they can—playful, artistic, and full of texture. The use of fringe in Milan was far from the conventional, adding movement and life to outerwear, skirts, and dresses, all with a bohemian twist that felt effortlessly cool.
Dorothee Schumacher Emotional Essence II Fringed Jersey Top
Rich Colors: Chartreuse and Lava Tones
When it comes to color, Milan is always ahead of the game. Marni introduced chartreuse—a striking yellow-green hue—adding an unexpected vibrancy to the collection, while Roberto Cavalli leaned into molten lava tones, with reds, deep velvets, and rich burgundys in luxurious textures. These colors brought heat to the runway, warming up the typical winter palette with fiery passion. Max Mara also embraced rich burgundys, reinforcing the idea of a color revolution this season.
Playful Elements: Fashion is Fun
Milan Fashion Week is never without a playful touch, and Moschino and Emporio Armani delivered just that. Moschino, always the more whimsical of the bunch, offered a fun, irreverent approach to fashion, using bold patterns and quirky motifs. Emporio Armani, meanwhile, showcased playful sophistication, adding dynamic elements like oversized bows and unusual silhouettes, giving a fresh update to more traditional designs.
The Return of Skirts: From Kick Hems to Full Knit Looks
Skirts also made a prominent comeback in Milan. This season, we saw everything from skirts with kick hems to leather versions in rich brown and red tones. Full-knit skirts also took center stage, offering both comfort and style in a variety of shapes and cuts. This return to skirts is all about versatility, giving women the option to embrace both the romantic and the more structured aspects of their wardrobes.
Street Style: Red, Leather, and Timeless Italian Elegance
While Milan Fashion Week is known for its glamour, the real inspiration often comes from the streets. Milanese street style is a perfect blend of understated luxury and meticulous personal curation. This season, the Italian street style attendees showcased stunning statement coats, leather pieces, and business-inspired looks that elevated everyday dressing. The Italian approach to street style is minimalist yet impactful—these pieces never feel performative or forced. Instead, they seem like natural extensions of their personal style, as if these trends were already a part of their wardrobes for years.
Cherry red coats, sleek leather jackets, and tailored suits were staples, creating a polished look that felt effortless. Unlike the often over-the-top street styles seen in other fashion capitals, Milan’s street style attendees opt for pieces that feel authentic to their taste and lifestyle. It’s not about over-wearing trends but selecting those that best fit their personal style—making these pieces feel timeless and deeply integrated into their wardrobes.
Bottega Veneta Black Silk Twill Tie
Milan Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collections serve as a masterclass in blending tradition with innovation. From bold colors and textures to sophisticated outerwear and playful, experimental elements, the trends emerging from Milan offer a fresh perspective on winter fashion. And, as always, Milan’s street style reminds us that true style is not about trends but about curating pieces that feel like a natural extension of who we are. Whether you’re drawn to dramatic fur coats, vibrant color palettes, or minimalist elegance, Milan continues to set the bar for global fashion trends, and this season is no exception. —Alexandra Aulicino
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March 7th, 2025 at 11:50 pm
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