Maximalism for Minimalists: Quiet Drama in Textural Layers
Fall 2025 is proving that maximalism does not always mean loud color or clashing prints. Designers are showing a softer kind of drama, one built on texture, proportion, and subtle layering. It is maximalism expressed through quiet detail rather than spectacle.
Dries Van Noten
Fall/Winter 2025-26 Ready to Wear
Discover more at driesvannoten.com
Dries Van Noten leads the movement with fringe layered over tonal knits, creating movement without chaos. Chloé shows tassels and draped fabrics in shades of sand and stone, building dimension through surface rather than palette. The Row explores volume through oversized scarves and wrapped silhouettes, all in neutral hues that read as architectural rather than decorative.
The appeal lies in restraint. Where maximalism once shouted, this version whispers. A neutral look with fringe or draped wool feels intentional, signaling richness through craft. It suggests confidence without needing color to carry the weight.
Culturally, this reflects the shift toward textural living. Interiors are layering neutrals, beauty is turning gloss into a texture rather than a finish, and music and art are embracing minimal palettes with complex arrangements. Fashion is part of that same conversation, finding excess in the smallest details.
Street style editors have already adopted the look, showing up in head-to-toe tonal outfits punctuated by tassels, layered knits, or sculptural outerwear. The effect is restrained but memorable, minimal in palette but maximal in presence.
