Project Pan & My 2025 Trend Predictions
and words of wisdom from Cleo Wade.
WELL. I’m pleased to announce that it is now February, thank goodness. We are slowly marching towards daylight savings and I woke up feeling grateful to exist. In our lifetime, we’ve been through so many unprecedented times, it’s hard to remember what supposed normalcy feels like. Oh how I long for the previous versions of me, specifically the one that didn’t have anything to worry about besides getting a parmesan pretzel at the local Jamba Juice after school. Anyway, congrats on making it through the first month of the new year! It’s time to get back on the sauce if you managed to make it this far without a drink.
Attempting Project Pan:
In terms of habits that I’m not allowing myself to pick back up, it’s a cheeky walk through the aisles of Sephora. We are on a no Sephora spend journey, unless it’s a restock of an empty product, which apparently TikTok has dubbed Project Pan. Given the fact that I was existing for about a month without a paycheck, I unintentionally decided to hop on this train. Presenting — my empties of 2025 thus far:
e.l.f Holy Hydration cleansing balm ($11): As much as I wanted to, I didn’t love this one. Yes, it got the job done in a pinch but I felt like it left a weird residue on my skin that led to me triple cleansing. I was really hoping to convert from Pharmacy's Green Clean cleansing balm ($24 for 0.3 oz less product), but unfortunately we’re going back to the drawing board on dupes for this one.
Clarins Double Serum Light anti-aging serum ($135): The dreaded day has come where I’ve finished a skincare product that I didn’t purchase for myself and am unable to restock as a result of the price. My mom gifts us this and the eye cream ($92) around the holidays and it’s always a welcome non-surprise. Here’s to hoping she decides to give me another one for Groundhog’s Day. I would also accept this as a President’s Day or Easter gift.
COVERGIRL Outlast vegan lip stain ($8.99): This is my new holy grail lip product (until my Rhode lip contour ($24) arrives later this week, probably), and at less than $10 I’m not sure it can be beat. It wears super naturally and is completely idiot proof, and I have recommended it to five different people this week alone.
Biossance Probiotic gel moisturizer ($54): This very well might be this product’s 10th mention in the substack, but it deserves all the high praise and more. The only reason I’m delaying a restock on this one is because in the New York winter, I need something a little bit heavier. I’ve been leaning on the Rhode barrier butter ($38) all winter.
My (Biased) 2025 Trend Predictions:
Earlier this weekend, I received this text:
And it really had me thinking — with all the uncertainty around the economy (and the general sense of global stability) what will the runways look like this year? There have also been numerous creative director changes across the board, to the point where I am expecting to see some large scale reinventions. Generally speaking, I see things going one of two ways:
Recession-proof: I’ve mentioned this in my previous writing, but historically speaking when the world struggles in a financial recession the fashion industry follows in close suit, swinging from bright busts of color and free flowing pieces to moody grays and severe silhouettes.
I’ve hypothesized that runways adapt their presentations to be muted, removing the symbolic joy that couture often brings to the table in order to closely align themselves with the consumer. We’ve seen the beginnings of this recently, in the return of chocolate brown as a trend, and I presume it will continue through the winter and into the spring. I’m thinking oversized but structured pieces, paired with comfortable shoes and medium sized bags — micro bags are for the good days, in hardship no one is carrying around a mini bag that can’t even hold an iPhone. If we see a resurgence of any fashion house under this fashion direction, I predict it’ll be Louis Vuitton, as their canvas coated handbags withstand the test of time and trends. Louis Vuitton also remains one of the more attainable fashion houses. I believe we are already seeing the beginnings of this trend as the classic Speedy bag makes its return to wishlists. One other thing that leads me to believe that the pendulum is swinging towards recession-chic? The return of the Ugg as an acceptable outdoor footwear choice. I cannot and will not comment further on that.
OR super-luxe and OTT: As a response to any threats to the aforementioned financial and global stability that we all hold so near, I could see things swinging the complete opposite direction into something that mimics Blake Lively on the It Ends With Us press tour (yikes), meaning bright florals, patterns and sequins.
Mismatched textures and prints are the main event of fashion maximalism, and the good news is there isn’t really a way to do this incorrectly. If we aren’t having fun the least we can do is experiment with a pattern every now and then. I will say this: loud patterns and bright colors are not synonymous to logo-mania, especially in times of economic hardship. I could see fashion trending towards fashion loudness to lift spirits, but I believe we will see less branding, as colorful fashion could be seen as a sign of hope, but logo-mania reads “let them eat cake!” and that’s hitting a bit too close to home these days.
Other than that…
Words of wisdom from Cleo Wade:
“Real leaders lead with love.
In this sea of loveless leadership, may we remember the strength and safety of community. May we remember the value of speaking truth to power. Of holding tight to our humanity and empathy. Of wanting for our neighbors what’s we want for ourselves and our children. May we protect each other like family.
Happy Black History Month, beloveds.”
—
In uncertain times, it’s important to seek out community. Remember to find joy in the little moments, giggling over cheese fries at Shake Shack, walking home right after the rain stops, and laughing so hard that you cry at Tom Sandoval in Traitors. Call your friends and family. Be the love that you wish to see in the world (for me this week, that looked like ordering cookies from this list of trans/non-binary Girl Scouts).
x JS