Lauren Conrad on Her New Kohl’s Collection and Why She Avoids “High-Maintenance Clothing”

1. Neutral Beige

Open up TikTok, and you'll find that neutral colors, especially beige, are totally "in" among younger generations. From camel wool coats to tan accessories, these warm hues are considered classic and refined.

However, they also have the potential to make you look older than you are. Shades like beige can wash out your complexion, giving you a flat or lifeless appearance.

To avoid getting bogged down by your own clothing, try mixing beige with bolder and richer tones, like navy or deep jewel shades.

2. Too Much Gray & Black

We all know that black is generally considered the most flattering clothing color. Its darkness helps smooth out our silhouettes and hide imperfections that lighter colors, like white, would immediately call attention to.

But even though both black and gray are extremely versatile and easy to mix and match, wearing too many dark hues can create harsh contrasts and cast sharp shadows on your face that inadvertently highlight fine lines and wrinkles.

The key is to soften your outfits whenever you can by incorporating warmer tones. If you're wearing a black or gray blouse, for instance, layer a brighter cardigan or blazer on top.

Also, the type of black hue you choose does matter. Those with fairer skin tones should opt for a softer charcoal black, which results in a less jarring contrast.

3. Soft Pastels

Now that we're rounding the corner on spring, you may have plenty of pastel garments in your closet just waiting to be worn. Unfortunately, you might want to think again.

Even though pastels give off a fresh aesthetic, they're not always the best choice if you're going for a youthful look. The lighter tones can emphasize eye changes as you get older– such as pigmentation of the eyelids and a duller appearance of the sclera or the white part of your eye– and make your eyes appear sunken.

That's why it's advised that you stick with slightly deeper or richer tones to complement your complexion.

4. Monochromatic Outfits

Finally, monochromatic outfits are also back in style, but wearing the same color from head to toe might make you look more mature.

The key to appearing youthful is being thoughtful about contrast. You can still look sleek while mixing in different shades. Pairing a cream sweater with deeper tones, like a mocha skirt or boots, will add a lot more depth.

And if you ever feel like your outfits are falling flat, remember that accessories are your best friend. A bold scarf, baseball cap, fun purse, or statement necklace will instantly help your look feel more dynamic and lively.

1. The Bridgerton Effect

Are you sick of hearing about Bridgerton? We're not and it seems like others want to take a page from the franchise's style book. Jessica Sockel says, "The show’s romantic, whimsical aesthetic appeared to inspire our clients [Stitch Fix] with requests for “coquette” styles up 100% compared to last year."

Try this style: Anthropologie The Chéri Ruffled Tulle Midi Skirt

2. Timeless, Structured Dresses

Fashion trends are always fun when they feel timeless and Amy Ekren predicts we'll continue seeing styles that mirror this. "Clean lines and simple shapes will be popular, but with interesting details like pleats, asymmetry, or unique necklines. No one wants to feel like they’re trying too hard, and structured pieces make a statement without being loud," she says.

Try this style: Meshki Taylor Draped Crepe Midi Dress

3. Neutrals and Soft Earth Tones

Somehow our mothers were right — neutrals are beautiful (and easy) to style. With trends like mocha mousse taking center stage in the fashion and home decor industries, Ekren says we'll be seeing it all year because "neutrals make it easier to build a wardrobe that feels cohesive instead of trendy."

She also draws attention to shades like "warm, muted tones like oat, clay, and soft olive" that "will take over in 2025." Why? It's simple: she feels "they’re easy to style, feel sophisticated, and work for every season."

Try this style: Abercrombie & Fitch Ribbed Collared Cardigan

4. Practical Layers

Lean in close. You're ready to stop feeling swallowed by your coats aren't you? Ekren says, "People are moving away from oversized puffers and leaning into more tailored outerwear. Cropped wool coats, quilted jackets, and fitted trenches will be everywhere. There will be more functional style."

Try this style: MANGO Double-Breasted Cotton Trench Coat

5. Western-Inspired

Did you think the cowgirl era was over? It's clearly not because shows like Yellowstone are making us want to tap into our inner 'yeehaw' this year with a slight upgrade to traditional silhouettes. Sockel says, "Western charm will continue to be popular in 2025 and evolve to incorporate a refined edge. Denim-on-denim, barn jackets and barrel-leg jeans (which have already surged 2,925% in client searches compared to last year) will become wardrobe staples."

And if you thought "suede and fringe" were long buried in time, Sockel says "requests have also increased by 25% since last year" which is "cementing this trend's staying power" in Stitch Fix's eyes. It's to the point where she's seeing "82% of stylists" agreeing that "cowboy boots and feminine dresses will be a client favorite." We guess it's time to break out our cowboy hats!

Try this style: Gigi Pip Teddy Cattleman

6. 'Skinny' Silhouettes

We know — who decided to bring back the 'skinny' trend? We're just as shocked as you are, but Sockel's seeing an increased interested in it. "Rumor has it skinny jeans are staging a comeback. While wide-leg jeans remain the most requested silhouette, 2025 is set to spotlight elevated night-out looks featuring bold prints and unexpected shapes—a vibe Stitch Fix is calling the "Corner Booth" trend."

Her suggestion? "Picture faux leather skinny jeans paired with a cut-out top and animal print booties, which saw a 400% spike in client searches between June and September 2024."

Try this style: GAP High Rise True Skinny Jeans

7. Minimalism

Overall? Ekren says, "Less is definitely more next year, but not in a boring way. I see minimalist style leaning toward higher-quality fabrics and well-placed accents, like subtle embroidery or textured fabrics."

You can still have fun with this trend even though it's not full of statement pieces. Ekren believes "simple doesn't have to mean plain" and we couldn't agree more!

Try this style: Old Navy SoComfy Drop-Shoulder Crew Neck Sweatshirt

1. Ellie is dealing with some major trauma.

In The Last of Us season 1, episode 8 "When We Are in Need," we had the unpleasant experience of meeting a man named David, who says he's a pastor who found God. And over the course of the anxiety-inducing 51 minutes, David kidnaps Ellie, Joel attacks David's men to get her location, and, oh, Ellie realizes David has turned the group into cannibals without their knowledge.

At the end of the episode, David attempts to sexually assault Ellie while the lodge burns down around them. Ellie winds up killing him with a literal meat cleaver before stumbling outside covered in his blood. (I still think about this scene, I hate it so much).

Joel finds her, and from this moment until the end of episode 9, Ellie's a changed person (duh). She's still curious and fun, but she's definitely more closed off than she was before — and we'll have to see how much it affects her five years later.

2. ​Joel saves Ellie at the expense of the Firefly hospital.

Ellie's troubles are far from over after her run-in with David. In episode 9, "Look for the Light," Joel and Ellie arrive in Salt Lake City. After a very sweet conversation about how she helped Joel heal from his daughter Sarah's death that had me emotional, the Firefly rebels arrive and both knock Joel out and take Ellie.

Joel wakes up in a hospital room, where he learns that the Fireflies will operate on Ellie (who's immune, remember) to get the cure for the infection. The only problem? She won't make it out alive. And in a fit of pure paternal rage, he takes out the entire hospital, including both doctors and soldiers.

3. Ellie is immune thanks to her mom.

The show finally explains Ellie's immunity in the final episode during a flashback. Ellie's mom, Anna, gives birth to our leading lady right around the moment she's attacked by an immune. And since the umbilical cord still connects Ellie and Anna, the cordyceps infection enters Ellie's body, and immune system, differently than if she'd been bitten.

4. Joel and Ellie return to Jackson.

The beginning of The Last of Us saw Joel trying to find his brother Tommy, and they do reunite in episode 6, "Kin." After everything that happens at the hospital, Joel and Ellie head back to Tommy's home in Jackson to start their new lives alongside Tommy, his wife Maria, and the rest of the town (including Dina and Jesse, two new friends Ellie has in season 2).

5. Joel lies to Ellie about the cure.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about The Last of Us ending is that not only does Joel kill a dozen Fireflies, but he tells Ellie that there were multiple immune people, and that raiders had attacked the hospital. Ellie doesn't know that the cure would cost her life, but she's obviously disappointed by the fact she couldn't help — especially since it's clear she feels like her purpose as an immune is to help develop a cure.

In the final moments of the episode, she tells Joel to swear he was telling the truth. And when he does, all she says is, "Okay."