This Winter's Viral Fashion Trends Are Giving "Soup Mode"

As a wise man (and fashion icon!) named George Costanza once said, “I gotta focus. I’m shifting into soup mode.” Soup mode, or better yet, soup season, is in full swing. The holidays are over, January (National Soup Month, according to Google) has begun, and the line for self-serve clam chowder at my office cafeteria has never been longer. In other words, everyone is craving something warm, like broccoli cheddar or tomato consommé, to get through the day.

That feeling extends to fashion, too. Mid-January is not the moment to experiment with sheer dressing or teeter around in a trendy twisted heel—that's for warmer days and lighter moods. Instead, plush, cozy clothes are trending across the Internet, dominating feeds and saved folders this month. The appeal is obvious: When the sun sets at 4:30 p.m., and dinnertime feels like midnight, it's only natural to eschew trends, layer up, and go back to basics.

Winter 2025 isn't about mob wives or tomato girls. Current trends prioritize comfortable, cozy 'fits that make you feel as content and uplifted as a bowl of vegetable minestrone or lobster bisque. In short, it’s time to embrace soup season in your culinary and sartorial choices. Whether you buy into the viral jeans that are secretly sweatpants or try the boyfriend sweater styling trick during your "no buy" month, there are plenty of options get soup-y with your style.

So grab yourself a bread bowl, settle in, and peruse the cold-weather fashion trends you need to know in 2025.

The Viral Sweatpant Jeans

The first must-have item of 2025 are these viral “sweatpants jeans," which have been circulating at the very top of For You pages and Instagram Reels. If, however, the algorithm decided not to serve you this workwear-meets-loungewear hybrid for some reason, never fear; the viral fashion trend is exactly what it sounds like. On the outside, these pants look like your average pair of baggy jeans in a denim (or denim-passing) fabric. Turn them inside out, though, and a deliciously soft, sweatpant interior is revealed.

Think of these Insta-famous jeans as the fashion equivalent of French Onion Soup. They're sophisticated at first glance but hide a cheesy, bread-filled interior (a.k.a. fleece lining). Shopping options range from the likes of Gap, if you're sticking to a New Year's budget, to Amazon, but don't sleep on the original jean sweatpants from Rag & Bone, which are available in a range of washes and fits. Trust me, these trompe l'oeil bottoms are the stuff of hygge-fueled dreams.

Who Knew Uggs Were So Bratty?

We’re so back. The Y2K favorite that many of us millennials never stopped wearing is trending again. And while the mini Ugg boot reached sell-out status last year, fashion folk are embracing the shoe with new and delightful styles in 2025. There’s the celeb-loved platform version (Hailey Bieber is a fan), chill-girl clogs, and even a sparkly Ugg that’s a hit with the online crowd.

Wherever your Ugg fashion journey takes you, take comfort in knowing your feet will be shearling-swaddled and snug all winter long.

'90s Sitcom Sweaters

Fashion girls find inspiration in the strangest of places, and this winter is no exception. In a move that’s extremely Boy Meets World-coded, influencers and street style stars alike are embracing the oversized sweater and crewneck T-shirt combo beloved by ‘90s teen heartthrobs and sitcom leads.

It's pretty simple: Layer your lumpiest, most oversized sweater over a white crewneck t-shirt, and voila! You'll look on-trend, polished, and retro-chic despite wearing the baggiest clothes imaginable. And for those who prefer a little more balance in their outfits, consult the seesaw styling method when you choose your shoes and pants for a cohesive yet unexpected look.

Scrunch Your Socks Like Princess Diana

The humble sock is finally having its fashion moment. Worn on the streets of Paris, Milan, London, and New York, the often-overlooked accessory is officially a Fashion Month favorite. What's more, socks are warm, practical, and easy to style—basically, perfect for soup season.

No one knew this better than Princess Diana, who favored a chunky wool sock scrunched above dad sneakers for her most casual looks. This winter, do like Princess Diana and invest (or re-surface) your thickest, wooliest pair of socks for a soup season slay. Make sure to scrunch accordingly—because TikTok said so.

A Not-So-Basic Basic

Divisive when worn as pants but beloved for their comfort and versatility, the basic black legging is inescapable. Love it or hate it, they're in your closet. And no matter how "out" or "in" TikTokers and trend forecasters declare them, we'll never be free.

There are ways to broaden your athleisure horizons this winter. Most notably, flared fold-overs (we love this pair from Skims) are trending with Gen Z just in time for soup season. You can enjoy all the comfort of a dusty old pair of Lululemons with this trend while also freshening up your style.

I don't know about you, but it certainly feels like an elevated take on every girl's weekend warrior (i.e., threadbare black leggings) has been a long time coming.

Read the original article on InStyle