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The Girly Girl Has Been Reborn With the Return of Femininity on the Runway

by Annalee Daly

According to Spring/Summer 2025 at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), romance isn’t just in the air - it’s woven into every stitch.


At NYFW, numerous iconic designers took to the runway to show off new designs and new ideas with the goal of shaping “culture, trends and the evolution of American fashion.”


Many, however, were quick to point out the overwhelming amount of ‘girly’ elements that flooded the runway, with pastels and female contours creating a romantic atmosphere for the shows.


Any person at home in the fashion corners of social media has probably noticed the surge of hyper-feminine styles that have taken over TikTok and Instagram. Outfits detailing bows, ruffles, and pinks have seemingly transformed from little girls’ fantasies to the closets of grown-up fashionistas.


As societal views on gender and self-expression have evolved through the years, many NYFW designers chose to revisit and reinterpret femininity to celebrate both its traditional origins and modern-day evolution.


The revived embracement of girlhood has many questioning its intentions. Is our society becoming regressive and anti-feminist? Or are women simply regaining touch with their authentic self?


Collina Strada:


Florals may be timeless, but this season they’re blossoming with a fresh twist. Collina Strada’s collection, titled ‘Touch Grass’ offers a mix of sheer, flowy silhouettes, and unique ruffles, with whimsicality combining with feminine softness to create a concoction of romantic allure. 


Models floated past guests in light dresses with the chiffon-like fabric creating a mysterious yet elegant look.



Sandy Liang:


Where Charlie’s Angels meets Marie Antoinette, sexy meets classy; you’ll find Sandy Liang. 


Liang’s collection proudly reclaims the girly-girl archetype through the glitz and glamour of brocade mini dresses and tiny mini skirts. Pink proved to be gospel across the corporate-coded collection, which spans a flock of floral-printed pieces, including a dress crafted fully from transparent flowers.


 “Being a princess is a job, just like being a spy girl is a job,” wrote Liang in the collection’s show notes, who drew influence from animated series Totally Spies to bring her vision of a satin-wearing secret agent to life.


Tanner Fletcher:


Designed for those who aren’t afraid to mix dainty florals with a touch of retro edge, Tanner Fletcher is for the modern femme. 


Debuting their latest collection, ‘The Artist’s Dilemma’, each look was displayed through models completing everyday tasks while showing off playful asymmetry, voluminous tulle, and gentle curves that embrace the body in a quaint way. A subtle reminder that gowns and lace are never to be confused with weakness.


LoveShackFancy:


If you’re hearing bohemian wedding bells, it’s probably just the new LoveShackFancy collection. 


Models graced the runway in flowy gowns that emphasised silhouette over ornamentation and embraced the notion that less is more. The collection is as light-hearted as it is refined, both playful and luxurious with its feminine flair on full display. Ruffles, romance, and a rebellion against maximalism, LoveShackFancy takes femininity from the ballroom to the showroom, all with a twirl of tulle.


Khaite:


While the outside is a rock and roller, the inside is an innocent sweetheart - that’s the epitome of Khaite. 


The collection combines lightness and docility with a hard edge, with capacious white and pink dresses, crocheted pieces, and ladylike ’50s top-handle bags. Through embodying a modern romanticism, Khaite puts a unique twist of timeless elegance, making every piece feel chic and subtly daring.


Fashion’s subtle return to its feminine roots is no surprise, with the pace of trends moving faster than light. Blink, and your outfit is already yesterday’s news.


The reclamation of the girly-girl style on both the runway and everyday looks are an ode to self-empowerment, reviving the joy and self-expression lost in childhood to social barriers through fabric.


It’s not just about frills and pastels, it’s about turning every outfit into a statement of strength. Girly fashion proves that being charming and powerful aren't mutually exclusive, sometimes it only takes a little tulle to make a big impact.


Edited by Emily Duff

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