Have you seen them? They’re furry, gremlin-faced and hanging from the bags of all your favourite style insiders this spring. It’s the Labubu – a collectable bag charm that is so popular it’s bolstered China’s economy by £1.2 billion. The question is: where did they come from?

“It’s part of a trend known as ‘kidcore’, which has seen the rise of nostalgic items like jelly shoes, phone and bag charms, bubble hemlines and puffy skirts, which feel fun and childlike,” says Stylist’s fashion writer Soraya Gaied Chortane. “Last year, we also saw Sonny Angels – small, collectable baby dolls that people would attach to their phones, laptops and bags or display around the house – come out of nowhere as a trend. Labubus are the new version of that.”

Safe to say, 2025’s fashion trends are growing increasingly niche and insider-focused. To get a proper handle on what’s ahead, we spoke to industry insiders on the trends they’re predicting will be huge this year so you’re not caught off guard. 

The time has come to showcase our summer footwear, and all of our attention is focused on sandals. Here, 10 industry experts – from content creators to editors – share the exact styles they build their summer wardrobes around, including flip flops, slides and mules. They’re all available to shop now.