While we are being thrust into the beginning of 2025 sans our collective consent, to be honest, the load on fashion to be exciting and full of promise is again looming on our heads for say, the nth time. Some trends will face the heat, some will graciously perish, and the micro entrants will be vying for the top spot. Again. Phew, gimme a break. In this superficial squabble of what’s in and what’s not, I asked team ELLE to pitch in - Beauty Editors hating on CROCS (boo), fashion boys denouncing camouflage, the Fashion Director and EIC fighting it out over jorts, there’s enough entertainment to keep me fed over this week. I asked, and they delivered. 

Krishika Bhatia, our beauty writer, didn't hold back. “Micro shorts. Why are they even a thing? They’re basically panties with slightly thicker fabric. Do we really need to see more butt cheeks in 2025? No, thanks.” I second Krishika on this take with every fibre of my being. Ismat Tahseen, our new Digital Editor, chimed in with her own gripe. “Sheer had its moment this year — shirts, skirts, even jeggings. But sheer shoes? Absolutely not. Toes don’t deserve to be awkwardly squished behind plastic mesh.”

Kannagi, the Beauty Editor, had a lot to say about chunky footwear. “Hyper-chunky shoes need to go. You know, the ones — they look like they moonwalk on a construction site. Platforms can be cool, but these scream, ‘I borrowed them from a sci-fi villain.’ And don’t get me started on low-rise jeans. The early 2000s called, and we’re still not answering. I still have PTSD from fake piercings and smudged kohl — let’s leave the low-rise nightmare behind.”

Art royalty Alekha, never one to sugarcoat her opinions, had her own addition: “Bermuda shorts are the sartorial equivalent of lukewarm coffee. Bland, uninspired, and absolutely unnecessary.” Fashun boy Idris wasn’t far behind. He hates camouflage with a passion. “I get it — military roots and all that. But seriously, who are we trying to hide from? The pigeons? Let’s leave it on the battlefield and bring back some color.” Anamm, a co-fashion writer, brought up another relic of the past. “Low-rise skinny capris. No. Just no. They’ve caused enough trauma, from making people starve themselves to fit in to realizing they suit exactly two people on the planet. Let’s not revisit that mess.”

 

Therein came our Editor-In-Chief Ainee’s qualm with jorts. She cut to the chase, stating, “Jorts need to go. They’ve overstayed their welcome, and we’ve suffered long enough.” Our Fashion Director, Zoha, wasn’t about to let her pet peeve slide. “Oh, so we’re all roasting jorts now? Fine. But let’s talk about ‘elevated athleisure.’ Sequins on a hoodie? Track pants that cost $800? It’s confusing, not chic. If you’re going casual, own it. If you’re going glam, commit. This middle ground is a no.” 

Ekta Sinha, our in-house K-culture wizard has no tolerance for millennial-coded cigar pants paired with 2012 ballet flats. "Seriously, can we please retire that combo? It’s not 2012 anymore, people. Move on! And don’t even get me started on loud colours and mismatched prints. Like, are you trying to blind us? Also, can we please get rid of tacky stoles." Phew, I asked for one, but okay. 

Isha Mayer, our Lifestyle Editor, passionately expressed her disdain towards animal prints. “They’ve had their resurgence, but honestly, we’ve been there, done that. I wore them to death in the 2000s, and it’s time to give them a break. Let’s leave them in the past.” Beauty gal Siya Bhambwani didn’t hold back when it came to leather concho belts. “Why do these even exist? They’re ugly, tacky, and belong in a cowboy movie, not your wardrobe. There are cuter ways to do the cowgirl aesthetic. Pick anything else, please.” Oof, that’s harsh, mate.

 

Then came my loveliest batch of interns, Vishakha and Sarah – two polar opposites who sit on either side of me every day. The pain of being sandwiched remains hidden; I know it. The former, aka ever the trend enthusiast, Vishakha had a different take. An unpopular opinion. “I miss structured trends. This ‘wear what you want’ vibe? Meh. I love a good theme or aesthetic to get behind. If we all end up looking the same, fine — we’ll just be a fashionable cult. Honestly, I’m here for it.” Sarah, however, was tired of the pace of it all. “These rapid-fire trends are exhausting. My wallet can’t keep up, and honestly, neither can I. We’re starting to dress like matching toddlers half the time, which was fun for Barbiecore, but can we not? I’d love to see people wear what they love without being overwhelmed by what’s trending every other week.” And to some extent, I agree with the two of them somehow.

To be honest, I quite enjoyed the barrage of hate directed towards fashion trends that the team feels so strongly about. Especially given my trend-agnostic outlook on the fad-heavy, cyclical nature of the industry. 

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