In fashion —as it happens with art, we very often see movements that are the result of feelings and emotions being perceived across our society. In the 18th century, we saw the Rococo as the decorative style of art that communicated excessiveness, wealth and playfulness, but then there was a period of minimalism, clean lines, and architecture that brought back some of the classic elements of art and architecture that people felt nostalgic about.
Fashion is cyclical, and the clothes we see are reinterpretations of clothes that have already been made. These reinterpretations are influenced by our society, our economy, and our politics. After a couple of years of colorfulness and excessiveness elevated by Barbiecore, maximalism, and logo mania, conservative fashion is on the uprise in 2025. Let’s discuss some of the main factors behind the rise of conservative fashion and what conservative fashion looks like.
Far-right governments
The political environments have a direct influence on the fashion that we produce, consume, and wear. The rise of far-right figures in different parts of the world has triggered a form of nationalism that pushes for locally made products and embraces what they see as patriotic symbolisms and clothes.
In 1930s Italy, Mussolini's fascist government promoted "national fashion" distinct from French influences. The pride of owning and wearing clothes that are made in your country of origin is seen by the far-right as a defense mechanism from the ideas and the clothes of other countries that they see as threats or as enemies.
In the USA, there are several visual elements that elevate this proud idea of being American. Harley Davidson motorcycles, Levi’s jeans, and Bourbon are some of these ‘emblematic American goods’ (These products specifically, were hand-selected by Canada to receive retaliatory tariffs in an effort to push back against Trump’s trade war and ensuring they were meaningful.)
In 2025, some of the consequential trends of nationalism include Western influences. Fringes, leather, and cowboy boots have become more popular with the rise of American patriotism. (Ironically, cowboy boots trace back to Northern Mexico with Spanish influences).
Of course, there are other factors that have influenced the rise of western fashion in recent years, such as Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, and the increasing popularity of country music.
Mourning
A January 2025 study conducted by Gallup shows that only 34% of Americans are satisfied with the way American democracy is working https://www.gallup.com/democracy
The sense of loss, sadness, anger, and frustration has been consistent and thoroughly evolving since election day till the beginning of 2025. These feelings are expressed in dark and sober colors, such as black, dark gray, browns, olive greens.
These feelings of loss only expanded further at the beginning of the year with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. As the award season approached, we saw red carpet looks that really focused on dark colors and black. The extravaganza of flamboyant looks that we saw in previous years settled down this year. Of course, there are personalities in the entertainment industry who continue to be flamboyant or who adapt the darkness of the times to their personality and the clothes they are wearing.
The feeling of mourning, loss, and anger amplifies with massive layoffs in the federal government and a sense of anxiety with several American communities being under attack. Over 500 anti LGBTQ bills introduced across the US, and jobs cut increased to over 245%, numbers that haven't been seen since the Great Recession 16 years ago. These circumstances not only affect the LGBTQ community and those in the federal government, but also their family, and their loved ones. The domino effect boosts this absence of happiness across people of different backgrounds and communities.
If happiness is often associated with the presence of colors, whether those are bright tropicals, soft pastels, or neons, then the absence of happiness is the absence of color. If we see a toned-down color palette amongst the clothes people are wearing, is the toned-down version.
Crisis
The sense of mourning, mixed with an unprecedented trade war with both American allies and rivals, is predictively, causing uncertainty in the stock market.
A piece of clothing is the result of a lot of work from people from different parts of the world. Sewers, textile dyers, trim makers, pattern makers, sample makers, designers, artists and tailors. During the process of creating clothes, the materials and the clothes are disassembled in different parts. So the trade wars and a potential ongoing battle of tariffs will very likely cause an increase in fashion goods that will attempt to bring attention to locally made clothes at the price of trade wars and culture wars.
From a sustainable fashion perspective, locally made products have always been a reliable alternative to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the environmental crisis. But if we follow the far-right path of alienating anything and everything that is not locally made, we are not really fixing the problem head-on. We are only forcing consumers to look at American fashion as the only way to consume fashion, and consumers like to have options —or at least the illusion of having options— rather than being forced how to shop. Additionally, the trade war shaking the nerves of the stock market will bring uncertainty to American businesses, especially small businesses.
So what is conservative fashion?
Regimes, crises, and trade wars are not necessarily woven into conservative fashion. This particular wave of conservative fashion happens to be triggered by these factors.
The Conservative fashion movement in 2025 brings back modesty with higher necklines, longer hemlines and less revealing silhouettes. The ‘sexy’ appeal usually comes in the tailoring and the well-fitted silhouettes of the pencil skirts and the fitted dresses.
Additionally, traditional aesthetics become a core center of inspiration. Bringing back some of the colors, accessories, and textures from the 1950s as they are merged with the technology of the 21st century. The colors and the cuts in conservative fashion are usually more classic and timeless, rather than trendy-focused.
The pieces are usually easy to mix and match and we will likely see a conservative fashion movement for at least a couple of years. The reasoning behind this classic and almost timeless aesthetic is that there is a need for the clothes to last longer and to be worn several times.
