Sometimes they come back: summer 2025 micro-trends from the past From bandage dresses to bloomers, the summer wardrobe is full of vintage inspiration

Fashion is a fickle creature. It spins, spins, and then... bam! You find yourself catapulted into the past at the speed of an Instagram scroll. The best part? It’s all absolutely intentional. Because nothing comes back by accident: every micro-trend summer 2025 is like an old friend sliding back into your DMs. And we, who thought we had archived it alongside MP3 players and low-rise jeans, end up giving in. apri pants, crochet, jorts, slip dress, coastal-inspired looks, and linen sets? They’re all back. But the past never returns exactly the same. It transforms. And this season isn’t just about nostalgic revival: it subverts it, reworks it, and makes it new, with a summer twist and zero guilt. The truth? Fashion trends never really forgot about these pieces. They were simply on standby, waiting for us to be ready to see them with fresh eyes. That moment? It's now. Ready or not, here are five pieces that are officially back to make us smile, sigh, and, why not, fill our wardrobes (and feeds) with lively déjà-vu.

Vintage trends for summer 2025

Bandage dress: the comeback of the 2000s bodycon

We thought the bandage dress was buried along with skinny jeans and MySpace. But surprise: it’s back. Tighter, bolder, reborn from the fashion ashes like a scene-stealing side character. From Kaia Gerber to Hailey Bieber, this second-skin bodycon dress has become a symbol again, no longer just of flaunted sensuality, but of self-confidence. A quick flashback. Azzedine Alaïa, the king of "body-conscious" fashion, is said to have conceived the bandage dress, inspired by Egyptian mummies, a refined response to the exaggerated power dressing of the era. But it was Hervé Léger in the ‘90s who turned it into a pop icon, an unofficial uniform for supermodels and queen of early 2010s nightlife.

While it remains undeniably close to an aesthetic that celebrates thinness and to a certain conservative conception of femininity, today’s versions, like those from House of CB and Saint Laurent, still have that “snatched” effect beloved by TikTok, but with a new awareness, reflecting a generation exploring many shades of femininity without apology. The new bandage dress is lighter, less restrictive, in neutral or pastel shades, with strategic cuts that shape but don’t squeeze. Once worn with push-up bras and sky-high heels, it’s now paired with flat sandals, glowing skin, and zero drama.

Peplum top: the new volume of desire

We’d filed the peplum top among the "never agains" of the 2010s. But now? Time for a rethink. That flared-hem top that once dressed fashion editors on weekdays and wedding guests on weekends is back. But it's no longer stiff and corporate. It has time-traveled to Ancient Greece, embracing draping and fabric play to rediscover softness and shape.

At the SS25 fashion shows, it returned in daring, sculptural versions, with asymmetric cuts, bold volumes, and playful proportions. Designers like Bally and Ferragamo love it for its unexpected silhouette and its ability to give volume and personality to any outfit. It-girls pair it with Capri trousers, oversized bermuda shorts, or shimmering midi skirts for that theatrical touch we forgot could be so seductive. The 2025 peplum top is witty, flirtatious, and expressive, perfect for dressing simply for the joy of it. And in a season like summer, when everything is lighter, even a top we swore off deserves a second chance.

Bandana, scarf, or sarong: summer knots where it wants

Whether you call it a bandana, scarf, or sarong, the key concept of summer 2025 is "tie it with style." Behind every knot, there's a story, from the Hindi word bāndhnū (“to tie”), to American cowboys, Rosie the Riveter, and WWII factory workers. Today, the bandana tied at the waist, the scarf looped through belt loops, or a printed shawl worn as a top are acts of sartorial freedom. No rules. Just possibilities and imagination.

As always, the revival started on social media. Leandra Medine Cohen dubbed this humble square of fabric the “ultimate solution to summer outfit drama.” Diana Vreeland, the iconic Franco-American fashion editor, often used a signed silk scarf as a stylish waist accessory. Alexa Chung paired hers recently with a white tee, wide jeans, loafers, and a Gucci bag. Emily Ratajkowski and Elle Fanning have embraced vintage silk scarves as hair accessories. Gucci honors its aristocratic heritage, Jacquemus its rustic roots. The bandana trend also became a signature of Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour and Gracie Abrams at Glastonbury. Whether tied on jeans, over dresses, or wrapped on the head like an Italian film diva, this is the most democratic and shape-shifting summer accessory of the year.

Bloomers: comfortable and chic Turkish-style pants

They look like they came out of a costume trunk or a Victorian drawing room, and yet, bloomers are everywhere. Not by chance. Inspired by Victorian lingerie and traditional Turkish şalvar pants, these puffed pants, once worn by suffragettes and rebels like Amelia Bloomer, were born as political statements. In 1850, they were considered almost scandalous. Now, they’re back as the boldest piece of the season: a symbol of body freedom and avant-garde fashion. Designers reimagine them for the street, pairing them with cropped knit tops, oversized blazers, or silk bralettes. Chloé offers them in pastels with sheer shirts. Alaïa makes them architectural showpieces. Online, they're trending in all forms, from retro romanticism to countryside rave vibes.

They’re pants, but also disguised skirts. Comfortable yet provocative. Perfect for walking, biking, running, or just posting. On TikTok and Instagram, they dominate as bubble shorts, balloon skorts, and other “cloud silhouette” versions. Every fold tells a story; every ruffle is a statement. In a summer ruled by fluidity and reinterpretation, the modern bloomer is a feminist outfit with the playful spirit of a metropolitan Lolita. And who wears them? Anyone wanting to express themselves, no compromises.

Halter top: sensuality with a bow at the back

If summer were a piece of clothing, it would be a halter top or halter dress. Easy. A triangle of fabric, two neck ties, and off you go. But behind that simplicity lies the most powerful and seductive fashion aesthetic of the season. The halter neckline, tied behind the neck and reminiscent of ‘90s urban sirens, is back, more flexible, more versatile, more... everything. Popularized by designers like Phoebe Philo and revived by TikTok, the halter top now exists in countless forms: hammock-style, crochet, silk, or tropical prints. It’s perfect to highlight shoulders, play with proportions, or simply beat the heat in style. Sophisticated with a linen maxi skirt, or ultra-casual with wide-leg jeans and flat sandals. The best part? You can roll it into a corner of your suitcase, and it instantly becomes the star of your vacation photos. Above all, the halter top summer 2025 is a message of lightness. It’s freedom, of movement, of form, of purpose. You feel amazing the moment you slip it on, no filter or makeup needed. It’s pure summer, made clothing.

So, call it a comeback, a revival, or a resurrection: summer 2025 fashion invites us to play with the past to rewrite the present. To wear what we thought was outdated but really just needed a second chance, and a bit of self-aware humor. Because fashion micro-trends are like summer flings: short, intense, and often unforgettable.