Photo: Liana Hardy

Photo: Liana Hardy

The Fashion Issue

This Is How Australians Do Street Style in 2025

Who wore what on the streets of this year’s Australian Fashion Week. Plus: practical tips and notes from fashion editor-at-large Maggie Zhou.

· Published on 17 May 2025

Once a year, every year, Australia’s fashion set descends upon Sydney’s Carriageworks, bringing show-stopping looks to the former industrial site. And just as much as we heed the runway , we look to attendees too for their takes on textually rich ensembles, statement accessories, unexpected clashing and uniform cohesion.

Australia’s climate, culture and diverse citizenship mean our street style is an assemblage of many influences. We take inspiration from the big four fashion weeks, but also take cues from our neighbours in south-east Asia. We’re proud of our laid-back and lived-in style, but aren’t afraid to turn it up when the occasion demands.

This is what people wore to this year’s Australian Fashion Week. Plus, how to translate the looks at home.

One standout piece is all you need. Take this bold striped jacket and this intricate corset, both pulled together with chrome accessories. Photo: Liana Hardy

One standout piece is all you need. Take this bold striped jacket and this intricate corset, both pulled together with chrome accessories. Photo: Liana Hardy

Unexpected details take Karen’s outfit to the next level: asymmetric pants from Vietnamese label The Idiot tie in nicely with her custom-tailored jacket, also from Vietnam. Photo: Liana Hardy

Unexpected details take Karen’s outfit to the next level: asymmetric pants from Vietnamese label The Idiot tie in nicely with her custom-tailored jacket, also from Vietnam. Photo: Liana Hardy

Architectural Givenchy boots offset Violet’s feminine, monochrome look. Photo: Liana Hardy

Architectural Givenchy boots offset Violet’s feminine, monochrome look. Photo: Liana Hardy

Battle of the beige-ish coat. Ariana and Jamie let a cinched waist and a pair of sunglasses do the talking. Photo: Liana Hardy

Battle of the beige-ish coat. Ariana and Jamie let a cinched waist and a pair of sunglasses do the talking. Photo: Liana Hardy

If all else fails, chic prevails. Janitha’s Courtney Zheng coat is effortlessly paired with monochromatic staples. Photo: Liana Hardy

If all else fails, chic prevails. Janitha’s Courtney Zheng coat is effortlessly paired with monochromatic staples. Photo: Liana Hardy

More is more. Dana proves maximalism can be polished, finishing a printed mesh top with a sharp blazer – both from Common Hours. Photo: Liana Hardy

More is more. Dana proves maximalism can be polished, finishing a printed mesh top with a sharp blazer – both from Common Hours. Photo: Liana Hardy

Cool, calm and caffeinated is the brief for Praveen’s model-off-duty look. Photo: Liana Hardy

Cool, calm and caffeinated is the brief for Praveen’s model-off-duty look. Photo: Liana Hardy

Skin-tight red leather paired with sheer mesh brings the heat to Sydney. Photo: Liana Hardy

Skin-tight red leather paired with sheer mesh brings the heat to Sydney. Photo: Liana Hardy

Barbara brings an Audrey Hepburn-esque touch to the week. Resortwear with layers, who knew? Photo: Liana Hardy

Barbara brings an Audrey Hepburn-esque touch to the week. Resortwear with layers, who knew? Photo: Liana Hardy

A pop of colour – subtle like Naima’s stockings, or bold like Cait’s Issey Miyake dress – is all you need. Photo: Liana Hardy

A pop of colour – subtle like Naima’s stockings, or bold like Cait’s Issey Miyake dress – is all you need. Photo: Liana Hardy

Cut corners with asymmetry, an instant interest booster. Photo: Liana Hardy

Cut corners with asymmetry, an instant interest booster. Photo: Liana Hardy

The unexpected waist of these Loewe jeans centres Yuzhen’s layered tops. Photo: Liana Hardy

The unexpected waist of these Loewe jeans centres Yuzhen’s layered tops. Photo: Liana Hardy

Take a leaf out of Benji’s book – the small details matter more than you think. Photo: Liana Hardy

Take a leaf out of Benji’s book – the small details matter more than you think. Photo: Liana Hardy

Isabel’s bold green Lee Mathews dress is a breath of fresh air. Photo: Liana Hardy

Isabel’s bold green Lee Mathews dress is a breath of fresh air. Photo: Liana Hardy

Sharon’s all-grey outfit, topped off with a newsboy cap, is equal parts nostalgic, understated and playful. Photo: Liana Hardy

Sharon’s all-grey outfit, topped off with a newsboy cap, is equal parts nostalgic, understated and playful. Photo: Liana Hardy

Fleur has Sydney label Dinosaur Designs bangles and rings piled on high. If in doubt, add more. Photo: Liana Hardy

Fleur has Sydney label Dinosaur Designs bangles and rings piled on high. If in doubt, add more. Photo: Liana Hardy

Street style is a stage, and Charlene is its star. Photo: Liana Hardy

Street style is a stage, and Charlene is its star. Photo: Liana Hardy

Incognito in black leather and oversized sunnies. It’s the unofficial uniform for fashion week. Photo: Liana Hardy

Incognito in black leather and oversized sunnies. It’s the unofficial uniform for fashion week. Photo: Liana Hardy

Let a little bit of animal print creep into your tonal look. All bark, no bite. Photo: Liana Hardy

Let a little bit of animal print creep into your tonal look. All bark, no bite. Photo: Liana Hardy

Leather jackets will always be timeless. Photo: Liana Hardy

Leather jackets will always be timeless. Photo: Liana Hardy

Anika’s Lem bomber and Ashleigh’s Tom Ford pick (above) are butter-soft but edgy. Photo: Liana Hardy

Anika’s Lem bomber and Ashleigh’s Tom Ford pick (above) are butter-soft but edgy. Photo: Liana Hardy

Sarah had her blazer custom-tailored in Vietnam, because suiting doesn’t have to be standard. Photo: Liana Hardy

Sarah had her blazer custom-tailored in Vietnam, because suiting doesn’t have to be standard. Photo: Liana Hardy

This story is part of Broadsheet's special Fashion Issue , proudly sponsored by Mini, which lays down the new rules for Australian style in 2025.

About the author

Maggie Zhou is Broadsheet’s fashion editor-at-large. Her work also appears in the Guardian, Refinery29, ABC, Harper's Bazaar, The Big Issue and more.

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