Steal The Runway: Thrift and Upcycle the Best of S/S '25
Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Week has arrived, and the runways are bursting with bold, eclectic designs that are giving me all the vintage vibes. I couldn’t help but notice how many of the standout pieces draw inspiration from vintage styles, or look like pieces you often find in a thrift store—with a modern edge added to them.
In this post, I’ll be sharing nine of my favorite looks from S/S 2025 and breaking down how you can achieve these runway-ready styles. With a little creativity and upcycling, transform secondhand treasures into trendy, one-of-a-kind pieces that are both sustainable and stylish—and certainly don’t come with that designer price tag. Ready to dive into some serious thrifting inspiration? Let’s get started!
Anna Sui's collection, inspired by vintage silhouettes and patterns, is one of my favorites this season. It reminds me of '60s and '70s dresses I often find at the thrift, usually in long maxi styles. A quick DIY—hemming it to a mini—gives it a modern twist, and you can use the extra fabric for a headscarf! For similar vintage dress styles, look for brands like Gunne Sax and Laura Ashley, and check for the "Union Made ILGWU" tag to date it between 1950-1990.
Let this be your reminder to never skip the lingerie section when thrifting—multiple designers this season have turned undergarments into statement pieces. Christian Cowan featured bras and underwear worn over clothing (left), even creating an entire skirt from them (right) —a clever way to upcycle old lingerie. You can also recreate Monse’s look (center), by thrifting slip dresses and layering them for a unique, lacy ensemble that’s perfect for everyday wear.
Designers like Monse and Private Policy featured looks that can be recreated from pieces you probably already have in your closet. Got some old jeans you don't wear anymore? Create Monse's ombre denim effect (left) by soaking the top half in bleach. Or, cut off the waistband and layer over some slacks for a unique patchwork effect like Private Policy's look (center). How about your Grandpa's old boxy blazer? With a bit of cutting and sewing skills, turn that into a chic mini skirt to resemble Monse's look (right).
Reminder: Instead of discarding the extra material, repurpose the leftover denim for creating denim leg warmers, and utilize the top half of the blazer to pair it with the skirt as a co-ord set.
Check out my Pinterest board for more S/S '25 styles to recreate:
Comments