Every year comes with a fresh batch of trends, and while some genuinely improve how we live, dress or work, others slowly start to feel a bit tiring. By the time 2026 rolls around, a few familiar ideas already seem to be clinging on long past their peak. This isn’t about hating on what people enjoy, it’s more about recognising when something has had a good run and might be ready for a quiet exit. Here are some trends we’re leaving behind in 2025.
From fashion moments that have gone from fun to overdone, to workplace and tech habits that add more pressure than value, these are the trends we’d happily leave behind. Think of it as a light refresh rather than a full reset — a look at what we don’t need more of, and a gentle nudge towards things that feel more thoughtful and more human. Here are the trends we’re leaving behind in 2025.
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The trends we’re leaving behind in 2025, or are we?
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Move on from Labubu
As a collectible, it’s cute enough. As a constant companion on bags, keys, desks and outfits, the Labubu craze is taking a backseat as consumers take a liking on other characters. Explore the likes of Twinkle Twinkle, Sweet Bean, Zsiga or Hacipupu as you peruse Popmart stores near you.
Bulky / ultra-chunky trainers
Comfort matters, but the proportions have got out of hand. The soles are so thick they’ve become the main feature, and we’re ready for trainers that don’t feel like a workout just to walk in.
Always-on hustle culture
Being busy all the time isn’t impressive anymore. Answering emails at midnight, skipping breaks and treating exhaustion like a badge of honour just leads to burnout. Working hard is fine, never switching off isn’t.
Return-to-office mandates
We’ve already shown we can be productive without being in the office every single day. Forcing everyone back full-time ignores how people actually work best and turns flexibility into a privilege instead of the norm.
Logomania
When the logo is the outfit, something’s gone wrong. We don’t need brand names shouted across chests, bags and faces to know you’ve spent money. Subtlety, good design and a bit of personal style go much further.
Excessive use of beauty editing apps
We all want to look our best, and a bit of editing is understandable. But when smoothing and filters start to erase what makes people look like themselves, something gets lost. Real skin, real expressions and a bit of texture are far more relatable and interesting than perfection.
AI content with low value flooding our feeds
There’s more content than ever, yet finding something genuinely useful feels harder. Instead of real content, we’re stuck scrolling past odd, pointless AI creations, like bears chasing grandmas, uncanny men lurking outside houses. None of it helpful. All of it mildly unsettling.
This story first appeared here.
Featured image by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.