Quite Luxury or Loud Living? Why Fashion is More Divided Than Ever
Throughout history, fashion trends have always been in a constant state of change. No style ever stays for long, and those who fall in love with a look are always searching for the next trend. However, it seems as though the discovery of new trends has come to a halt, with today’s looks echoing those of previous decades. Nostalgic revivals of loud, expressive styles such as baggy 90s attire or Y2K graphic T-shirts now walk the same streets as the sleek, modern quiet-luxury aesthetic of brands like JW Anderson or Bottega Veneta. The scene is an active clash of maximalism vs. minimalism — and it’s in dire need of a breakdown.
Working from the top down, fashion giants hold massive influence over what’s replicated by more affordable brands and retailers. It isn’t uncommon for loud, logo-heavy fashion to dominate the runway, but it often trades recognisability for class — or so it seems. The internet, as always, has played its part by romanticising and associating the sleek, soft-toned outfits of minimalist fashion with wealth and sophistication. High-quality, timeless pieces from brands such as The Row, Zegna, and Maison Margiela have become highly sought after as symbols of quiet luxury.
In turn, we’ve seen a major rise in popularity for more accessible minimalist brands such as UNIQLO. The Japanese retailer has reported a 311% increase in profits over the past five years — clear evidence that minimalism in fashion isn’t limited to high society. Falling into the mid-range price bracket of minimalist wear, its top sellers include the HEATTECH thermal line, Ultra Light Down jackets, and the AIRism collection. UNIQLO recently went viral for its collaboration with JW Anderson, bringing another touch of quiet luxury to a brand thriving in simplicity.
Other brands like H&M have also attempted to break into the high-end market, particularly with their recent A/W 2025 collection. Their campaign featured some of fashion’s biggest models, including Alex Consani and Awar Odhiang, and showcased sleek, formal pieces dominated by soft nude tones.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of the biggest names in fashion history are famously unapologetic and loud. Under Alessandro Michele, Gucci was defined by colour, logos, and chaos — more is more. Letting everyone around you know exactly what brand you were wearing became the defining trend of the mid-2010s. Supreme, Bape, Off-White, Yeezy — these brands dominated the internet, making even the most questionable outfits acceptable as long as they carried an iconic logo. But by the early 2020s, the hypebeast culture began to fade, dismissed as “cringe” by the next wave of trendsetters.
Now, in 2025, we’ve slowly started climbing back up the trend ladder. The 90s are back, the early 2000s are having their moment, and TikTok is romanticising even the 2010s. It might not be long before it’s “cool” again to wear skinny jeans with a Supreme hoodie.
However, it’s important to consider who is driving these maximalist revivals. Looking at recent trend cycles, it’s clear that platforms with younger audiences, such as TikTok and Instagram, are leading the charge. No one who lived through the 90s is likely eager to revive looks they once moved on from — it’s the younger generation’s fascination with the past that continues to reshape fashion’s landscape. And for that, we can’t complain.
Some may see the simultaneous popularity of quiet luxury and loud expressionism as a divide within the industry, but ultimately, it’s a sign of healthy growth and creative freedom thriving across a diverse spectrum. Over the next few years, we’ll be watching closely to see how trends continue to shape what we wear — hopefully producing new forms of self-expression inspired by old looks.
Written by Jack Murray (@Jack.mrry)
Copy Editor: Niall Carey (@Niall.030)
