As conservatism sunk its teeth deeper into mainstream culture in 2025, a new dress code came into force.

On the runways, high necklines, low hemlines and restrained ensembles cast a somber mood—a stark contrast to the skin-baring, genderless silhouettes of the early 2020s. The “tradwives” of social media, such as Nara Smith, Hannah Neeleman and hordes of maternal micro-influencers, continued to dominate algorithms, buoying a rise in fifties-inspired capris, polka dots and dainty neck scarves, an offshoot of the “old money aesthetic.” The trend can also be seen on red carpets like at the Cannes Film Festival, which banned “naked dresses” this year, citing “decency.”

This shift is not just about fabric—it’s about signalling compliance. These concealed and subdued styles evoke an antiquated image of womanhood: feminine, domestic and devout.