If you told us five years ago that the humble windbreaker would make its way from hiking trails to Hailey Bieber’s closet, we might’ve laughed. But Fall 2025 has declared it loud and clear: the lightweight, nylon shell has evolved into the ultimate It-girl jacket.
The Rise of the Retro Shell
Over the past month, paparazzi shots have told the story better than any runway report. Hailey Bieber stepped out in Paris wearing a cinnamon-orange color-block windbreaker layered over lace-trimmed shorts during Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway show, while Zoë Kravitz was spotted pairing a khaki funnel-neck version with a silk slip skirt and heeled sandals. And Charli XCX? She donned a red color-blocked windbreaker with micro shorts, pointed-toe pumps, and black sunnies.
Once an emblem of the ‘80s jogger aesthetic, the windbreaker is now slouching its way into the wardrobes of the fashion elite for Fall 2025. The difference this time? It’s less “functional outerwear” and more “off-duty statement piece.”
Why the Trend Actually Tracks
GRAZIA’s fashion editors have already flagged the windbreaker’s comeback, naming it a key player in 2025’s “sporty minimalism” wave.
Designers are reinforcing the narrative, too. Prada and Tod’s spring collections reintroduced nylon shells as sophisticated layering pieces. Miu Miu reworked the silhouette in glossy gray and navy, cropped just above the waist — seen on Bieber herself earlier this year.
Even Saint Laurent’s slinky Paris runway looks nodded subtly to sport, with technical textures and elastic cuffs breaking up otherwise pristine tailoring.
The through line is clear: fashion’s obsession with contrast. In a season dominated by refined utility and wearable luxury, the nylon windbreaker offers just the right dose of irreverence — functional, unpretentious, and a little nostalgic.
The Celebrity Seal of Approval
The celebrity stamp has made the trend impossible to ignore.
- Hailey Bieber has rotated between Miu Miu and FILA collaborations, wearing cropped shells with tailored trousers and satin minis alike.
- Zoë Kravitz gives the trend her signature minimalist twist, choosing neutral tones and pairing them with silk and suiting for balance.
- Jessica Alba was spotted in New York City this past August, sporting a Miu Miu Technical Silk Blouson Jacket — proof that practicality and polish can coexist.
- Kendall Jenner recently posted to her Instagram story in an oversized Marty Superme zip-up with loafers and crisp white pants, merging athletic nostalgia with quiet-luxury ease.
Street-style photographers from Copenhagen to Seoul have captured similar silhouettes: sporty jackets slung over maxi skirts, unzipped atop micro tanks, and cinched at the waist over cargos. The message? It-girls are done treating “functional” as a dirty word.
How to Wear the Windbreaker Now
Whether you lean minimalist or maximalist, the new-age windbreaker trend thrives on styling tension.
- Sport + Silk: Offset its utilitarian edge by layering it over a bias-cut satin skirt or slip dress. Add sleek sneakers or sharp boots for balance.
- The Street Set: Pair an oversized shell with cargo pants and a cropped tank for that “I-just-left-the-studio” energy.
- Cropped Contrast: A shrunken windbreaker defines the waist — perfect with high-rise jeans or capris, straight out of Hailey Bieber’s playbook.
- Color-Block Moment: Lean into retro tones — paprika, butter yellow, or navy-on-gray — for an instant style statement.
- Travel Uniform: Layer a lightweight windbreaker over a knit and leggings for a plane-ready look that feels intentionally chic.
The trick lies in proportion and polish: treat the windbreaker as you would a blazer or trench, not a gym jacket. Keep the rest of your outfit elevated — think gold hoops, sleek hair, and a structured bag — to turn “athletic” into *effortless*.
GRAZIA’s Favorite Picks: Windbreaker Trend for Fall 2025
Our editors scoured the latest drops to find the chicest shells to invest in this season.
Miu Miu Technical fabric blouson jacket, $3,150: SHOP NOW
The high-fashion brand leading the charge
SAINT LAURENT blouson in crinkled nylon, $2,400: SHOP NOW
Lightweight and luxe
Loewe x On Storm Anorak Jacket, $1,350: SHOP NOW
The perfect fashion-forward travel companion
Stella McCartney TrueNature Panelled High-Neck Jacket, $180: SHOP NOW
Equipped for outdoor activity and street style
adidas SPORTY & RICH WINDBREAKER, $140: SHOP NOW
Sporty and rich. Need we say more?
Nike Sportswear Windrunner Shine Jacket, $120: SHOP NOW
A glossy update on the classic
Under Armour UA Unstoppable Jacket, $100: SHOP NOW
Perfect over wide-leg trousers
Halfdays Joyner Windbreaker, $81: SHOP NOW
Sustainable, ultralight, and editor-approved for layering
Why the Windbreaker Trend Matters
The reemergence of windbreakers isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s a reflection of where fashion sits now: comfort no longer cancels out cool. Technical outerwear is infiltrating luxury wardrobes because modern women expect versatility from their clothes.
It’s also climate-conscious. Many brands are cutting theirs from recycled nylon or water-resistant materials, reducing waste without compromising design. Functionality is no longer an afterthought — it’s part of the aesthetic language.
And unlike other micro-trends, this one has legs (and zippers). The silhouette’s adaptability makes it a mainstay for unpredictable weather, travel, and transitional dressing — a perfect metaphor for how women actually live today.
The Bottom Line
When Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, and Charli XCX all reach for the same jacket at Paris Fashion Week, it’s worth paying attention. The windbreaker trend reigns as the *It-girl outerwear piece* of Fall 2025, but it isn’t about irony, it’s about intention — and led by the Saint Laurent show, making a statement.
So before you dismiss it as an athleisure flashback, try one on. Zip it halfway, throw it over something silky, and watch how easily it transforms from “practical” to powerful. Because sometimes the coolest thing you can wear isn’t couture — it’s confidence layered in nylon.
