Turning over a new year, we are always left with the choice of what to bring with us into January, and what to say goodbye to in December. 2025 has left us with a multitude of trends to either be cherished or put on the chopping block.
According to Lee Anderson ’29 a trend worth continuing is one that benefits others. He has admired people participating in the Walmart Angel Tree this holiday season.
“You pick a kid off a tree and buy presents for them for Christmas, and that became really popular,” Anderson said. “They’re all empty and I think that’s really cool.”
Other students find that they tend to participate in fads that affect their everyday lives. In 2026, Madeleine Grabruck ’26 intends to keep cozy by continuing to wear her matching sweat sets.
“I like how sweat sets are cute but comfortable and they’re acceptable to wear, and you’re not a slob if you wear sweats,” Grabruck said.
Athleisure will likely stay popular, but it is impossible to discuss 2025 clothing without mentioning quarter zips. Causing controversy on social media this winter, quarter zips have made a rapid uprise in men’s fashion. A strong supporter of comfort and style, Anderson will definitely bring his beloved quarter zips with him into the new year.
“I liked the quarter zip trend,” Anderson said. “I feel like I have already been wearing them, but I like them better than hoodies.”
Just like quarter zips, many trends are promoted on social media. By scrolling through TikTok, Chloe Craig ’26 fell in love with Tyler the Creator’s new album “Don’t Tap the Glass.” Just like the songs stuck in her head, they will stick with her well after 2025.
“I feel like the songs, especially on TikTok and on social media, were used in so many different ways, like edits,” Craig said.
While all of our culturally significant moments this year will be remembered, not all of them have to stay relevant. Throughout the age of brainrot, Grabruck has grown tired of it and hopes that society as a whole chooses to leave it behind.
“I hate how trends are funny at first but then they get overused and it gets to the point where it’s not funny anymore,” Grabruck said. “People don’t know when to stop doing it, like ‘six seven’ or ‘brainrot.’”
Both as individuals and society as a whole, we get to decide what trends we follow or drop. However, Craig recognized how trends cycle in and out, and often repeat themselves—with no better example than the ever changing styles of jeans.
“I think [low-rise pants] are going to stay relevant, but I feel like it might shift back,” Craig said. “I feel like it’s going to be a constant [back and forth].”
