Avant-Garde Elegance: Witchy Styles, Bold Belts, and Statement Accessories

In contrast to rustic comfort, Fall/Winter 2025 embraces a dramatic and avant-garde aesthetic, often described as "Witchy" or unsettlingly chic. This trend explores diverse styles, including Gothic, Bohemian, and Dark Academia.

The silhouette is defined by structure and drama. The trend of "big shoulders" stands out, demanding careful balance with accessories. This structure is complemented by the reappearance of lace in dark or highly saturated tones, seen in dresses, blouses, and separates.

Accessories become bold focal points. Belts are crucial: statement styles are observed, from the sumptuous layering of multiple belts (Schiaparelli) to thick belt-corset hybrids (Bally). These elements cinch the waist over jackets and minimalist outfits, injecting a sense of both utilitarian and opulent style.

Footwear is equally dramatic. Pointed shoes, traditionally feminine, become avant-garde. The standard is: "the more menacing, the better," with exaggerated, "witchy" silhouettes. These V-shaped styles elongate the figure and deliver that "unsettlingly chic" factor seen in shows by Dior, Gucci, and Prada.

In jewelry, bold shapes near the face are essential to complement the big shoulder trend. Mini bags with thick, metallic chain straps offer a mix of elegance and toughness. The color palettes are enriched with unexpected contrasts, including metallic details. Colored gemstones are fundamental, especially in chandelier designs. Emeralds are recommended to complement the deep greens of the season, or gems like peridot for contrast. The emphasis on dramatic earrings and necklaces has the explicit purpose of drawing attention to the face and echoing the beauty of lace. However, if the focus is on the shoulders, ornamentation must be reserved for the wrist, which requires makeup (like a Dark Lip) to maintain impact close to the face.