What they wore—and what it said about 2025

In 2025, fashion revealed itself less through spectacle and more through intention. As the year unfolded—shaped by shifting lifestyles, quieter aesthetics, and a renewed respect for craft—the idea of a “best fashion purchase” evolved beyond trends or price tags. What lingered instead were pieces tied to memory, identity, and personal turning points: garments encountered rather than acquired, objects chosen with patience, and items that carried stories far deeper than their silhouettes.

For the designers, creatives, and tastemakers we spoke to, these meaningful pieces were not always new, nor were they always wearable. Some were artifacts of the past—vintage garments, heirloom techniques, echoes of ancestry—while others were modern expressions of individuality, versatility and mindful living. Each choice reflected a broader shift seen throughout the year: a move toward longevity, adaptability and emotional resonance in how we dress.

Taken together, their answers form a quiet but compelling portrait of fashion in 2025—one rooted in craftsmanship, self-awareness, and lived experience. These are stories of clothes as companions to growth, markers of milestones, and reminders that not everything of value can be bought, and not everything meaningful needs to shout.

Joey Samson, fashion designer

When I travel, I always make time to search for vintage garments or hard-to-find books. Earlier this year, I was invited to a workshop by scenographer Gino Gonzales on the evolution of the barong. During his talk, Gino presented a one-piece men’s shirt — a camisa from the 1800s. It was astonishingly well preserved, its details still crisp and exquisite. To see a garment from that period so intact, its color unfaded despite the use of only natural dyes, felt almost unreal. I was offered the chance to touch it, gloves on, but I was too afraid. Seeing it with my own eyes was more than enough.

I’ve always been drawn to these things, even as a child. I suspect this came from what I saw my parents, grandparents and great-aunts had worn. I still keep my Tatay’s barongs from the 1950s. From time to time, I air them out and study their construction—simple, yet thoughtful. The way those old garments were made continues to amaze me. I’ve even tried to have their embroideries replicated, hoping to carry fragments of our past into the present. There’s a stiffness to contemporary work; the older pieces possess a certain lightness, a quiet daintiness in their execution.

Among my own finds is a Japanese sailor’s shirt from the 1920s, purchased at a vintage shop in Osaka, and a military jacket from the 1940s that I found in Yokohama. I still take them out occasionally, letting them breathe. This year, I wasn’t fortunate enough to acquire anything new, but seeing that camisa at Gino’s workshop was enough. Hindi lahat nabibili. I was lucky simply to encounter it up close.

Linda Ley, socialite

The best fashion purchase of my year was the gown I wore to the recent Tatler Ball by Rajo Laurel. He designed it with a structured bodice, clean lines on the sleeves, and a full skirt with a subtle slit and uneven hem. The mix of shape and movement gave it a fresh spirit that I enjoyed wearing.

What I appreciate most is how adaptable it is. A sequin crop jacket, a scarf, or a few well-chosen accessories can shift it into an entirely new look. Reinventing a piece while keeping sustainability in mind has always appealed to me. Fashion becomes more meaningful when you let creativity guide the way.

Ivarluski Aseron, fashion designer

I think my best fashion purchase this year was my custom handmade Herian eyewear from Florence, Italy. A close friend once told me to retire my nerdy black glasses, so it felt like the perfect timing to invest in a new pair while traveling with Rhett Eala last April. The uniqueness of the frame has earned me compliments from friends and even strangers, but what made it truly special was witnessing the artisan in the shop hand-carving each order. It reminded me so much of the craftsmanship and patience that go into custom-made pieces in fashion.

The eyewear is meaningful not just because of its design, but because it’s tied to a fun, relaxed and enriching trip with Rhett, who’s one of my best friends. Every time I wear it, I’m reminded of that experience. It also reflects 2025’s quiet shift back toward individuality—pieces that feel personal, intentional, and made with a story behind them.

Cathy Ileto, brand PR head, SM Retail

My best fashion purchase for 2025 is definitely my dream bag—a medium Chanel double flap in caviar leather.

I manifested getting this purse on my 50th birthday. This is the holy grail for collectors and bag enthusiasts like myself. For me, it’s personal; it marked a milestone. My fashion choices have always been classic and timeless pieces. This purse symbolizes longevity and history. Women should also find inspiration in going after their dreams. As Coco Chanel said, “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”

Joann Bitagcol, fashion designer

I recently acquired a framed pair of vintage terno sleeves from Filip + Inna, and it brought me a profound sense of joy. The piece serves as a quiet reminder of my journey—from photographer to designer—and the evolution that came with honoring where I came from. Reconnecting with my roots and ancestors has shaped me in ways both personal and creative, and for that I remain deeply grateful.

Steven Tan, president, SM Supermalls

Norms, beliefs and ideas changed overnight in 2025. On the fashion front, people gravitated towards elevated basics and muted colors (or muted everything). My style philosophy is not really into “sameness” so my favorite purchase is a fringed scarf from Hermès that I can layer to brighten any outfit. I wear it a lot. I believe that sustainability in fashion is about quality clothing that has flexibility and range (to use and reuse).

Tim Tam Ong, jewelry designer

Looking back at 2025, my best fashion purchase wasn’t about something trendy or a fancy label. It was a bright yellow reversible jacket from Madrid, printed with birds and flowers, a piece that brought me a sense of lightness and clarity.

I’ve always loved animals, nature, and happy shades, and the moment I saw it, I knew it was mine. Its sunny yellow color feels like a burst of optimism, while the birds and flowers remind me to stay curious, hopeful, and connected to the things that bring me joy.

Because it’s reversible—one side bold, one side calm—it taught me something simple but meaningful: we don’t have to stay in one version of ourselves. Some days invite energy and expression, others call for softness and rest. I don’t have to show up the same way to the world every day, and this jacket quietly mirrors that truth.

This year also brought a gentle shift as our eldest, Marco, left for college. I felt proud and excited, but also adjusting to this new season of motherhood. Somehow, this yellow jacket became a quiet comfort, a small symbol that even as life evolves, there are still moments of light and ease to hold onto. Knowing he’ll be home for the holidays fills me with so much joy.

More than anything, this piece reflects who I’m becoming, someone who chooses joy with intention, embraces color, creates with heart, and gives herself the care she needs to care for others. It’s not just clothing, it’s a reminder to find balance, appreciate both the bold and quiet moments, and stay rooted in what matters.