Now that it is one month into the new year, it is natural to reflect on the potential new beginnings that lie ahead. This may include leaving something behind in the past year or adding something new for the year to come. That concept doesn’t just include making a new year’s resolution, but it could also mean staying with the latest trends. Now that 2025 is underway, York students have taken an opinion on what these trends should be.
A popular social media trend originating on TikTok indulged by many creators is the “ins” and “outs” of 2025. This is not a new trend as it has circled back around from years prior, though there are always new adaptations from year to year. York students have shared their input on what should stay and what should go.
As for style, many items included in the “in” category can be seen scattered around school, so I know they have been trends that have carried over from this past December. Headbands are the newest trend I feel has popped up in the past couple months, whereas others have stuck around for a while. Personally, I am a fan of the headband trend, along with wide-leg pants, the color navy, braided hair and off-the-shoulder tops.
Though I agree with the ins, I disagree with some of the outs. Based on what I’ve noticed in stores and with peers, I feel like bows have been a trend that came into the picture last year and are still popular today. I don’t think I’m ready to throw away the trend just yet, as I still wear bows in my hair on occasion because I think they can top off an outfit with a cute, slightly more formal look.
Another point I’ll make regarding the outs is that “fast fashion,” like SHEIN for example, shouldn’t be totally out. Yes, I do think it’s a little outdated and not truly reliable enough for you to supply your entire wardrobe from those kinds of stores, but think websites like that are easy in terms of needing an outfit for a one time event. For example, if you’re going to a concert and don’t want to spend a ton of extra money, you can find almost anything on SHEIN for under $10.
I picked out the top five most popular trends in style I have seen based on the responses and had students vote on which one they think will be the most popular going into 2025. Based on student responses, sweatsets was the clear winner with an 86% majority. The other 14% was braided hair, which I was surprised by. The other options were headbands, leopard print and stripes. Seeing how most students dress day to day, I could expect sweatsets would be granted most popular. Lately I have noticed the brand Aritzia supplying a great amount of these sweatsets in colors like tart pink and nightshade blue. It’s a cute and comfy outfit, while also having clothing from an expensive brand. I like this look for school and for staying in, though I’m sure there are similar sweatsets people can find without buying a name brand.
Other responses from students that didn’t fit into the “style” category were a bit more random. I decided to combine the rest of the ins and outs into a “lifestyle” category, including new year’s resolutions with the added apps, sayings or practices. Some ins and outs are common new year’s resolutions while others are more niche.
Less screen time was voted the most popular in for 2025, beating staying organized and trying new things. Less screen time with 57%, trying new things with 29% and staying organized with 14%, the other answers being working out more and eating healthier. Less screen time being in goes along with doom scrolling and taking your phone everywhere being out, concluding how it’s a trend many students want to get behind. That being said, it may be hard to break the habit.
The survey showed how Instagram reels are in, this coinciding with TikTok being out, though at the time the responses were being collected, it was literal. When TikTok was sentenced to be banned, more people started migrating to reels. Now that TikTok is back, I am curious to see how that if in and out become outdated.
Positive affirmations and self confidence, among other self-uplifting practices, were on the lifestyle in list, which is nice to see that students are thinking about having a healthy mindset in the new year. I like the framework of the ins and how they don’t have to be something you actively do, it can be something you can think about.
Whether you resonate with these trends or not, the students of York have spoken. Choose what you wish to carry with you in the new year and what you wish to discard, but either way, it’s a good opportunity to start fresh.
