Find out what’s heating up (and cooling down) in our weekly barometer of trends from fashion to pop culture.
Stems so thin they could snap? Simple silhouettes? Just one transparent shade? Please! The hottest glassware right now is chunky and comes in a kaleidoscope of colours. With candy-hued cubes and gobstopper-sized spheres, the London-based studio Gather’s handblown versions are functional sculptures that can make even a tepid glass of water feel fun. The more minimally minded might like to try Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s short and sweet Totem glasses, or for something classic but colourful, seek out Hay’s Tint wine glasses. Chin-chin.
Going down
A plague in modern pop culture
Wearing tracksuit bottoms that look like jeans — because they’re comfier. End of days
We’d rather not be actually
Now added to cereal, face creams and, um, toothpaste
Say what? Words of the week, decoded
When you make a somewhat interesting life decision for the sake of a good story/WhatsApp chat/social media following
Girl power: the remix
If 2025 was the year of the female solo artist, entering from stage right are the new-gen girl bands coming for your playlist
Girls Don’t Sync
From left: Hannah, Gaia, Matty and Sophia of Girls Don’t Sync
LAUREN LUXENBERG
The Liverpool-formed four-piece are part DJ collective, part girl group on a mission to re-energise the nation’s club scene after a summer of much-hyped sets in places like Ibiza and Glastonbury. Having started out as club promoters, Hannah, Gaia, Matty and Sophia mix euphoric instrumentals with unifying lyrics that, in their words, “reassure people they belong at our sets regardless of gender, race or sexuality”. Ravers rejoice.
Sounds like A blend of house, garage and dancehall, with hard-hitting bass lines and euphoric drops.
Do say “Get your bass face on, girls.”
Don’t say “Anyone got any Veras?”
Hear them next Their debut EP, Code Orange, is out now.
Girl Group
Lil, Thea, Mia, Maria and Katya of Girl Group
There’s something quaintly MySpace era and Kate Nashesque about Lil, Thea, Mia, Maria and Katya, the five-piece who formed while at performing arts college in Liverpool. Taking up the Brat baton and running with it, they opened for Olivia Dean in London this summer and deliver a fine line of social commentary on the concept of the girl group itself and young womanhood in their high-energy singles Yay! Saturday and Flink Pike (Norwegian for “good girl”). “We don’t want to mask any of the girliness — we want it to be our superpower!” Maria says.
Sounds like A messy, high-octane feminist force of alt-pop, or the love child of Lily Allen and Wet Leg.
Do say “I hear the new sound is heavily inspired by feminist punk literature and Sabrina Carpenter.”
Don’t say “Can you do Charli XCX’s Apple dance?”
Hear them next Their new single, Rage Song, is out now, the first from their second EP, plus there’s another single, She Goes, due next month.
XO
Reanna, Shali, Zoe, Emmy and Summer (in front) of XO
This British five-piece joined forces after meeting at dance-offs and now bring us bouncy pop bangers like Lovesick, which references everyone’s favourite rite of passage: kissing on the night bus (sample lyric: “I wish you were a song, I’d listen on repeat”). They have tracks in the pipeline written by Charli XCX and Lostboy and are managed by Girls Aloud’s team. Pop girlies, assemble.
Sounds like Bolshy Y2K production (think Timbaland and Gwen Stefani) meets contemporary pop that owes vibes — and some dance moves — to Little Mix, Katseye and Tate McRae.
Do say “Watch me make that ponytail swing.”
Don’t say “But which one is Sporty Spice?” (It’s the one in the Umbro shirt.)
Hear them next XO’s debut EP, Fashionably Late, is coming in mid-November.
Florence Road
Emma Brandon, Ailbhe Barry, Hannah Kelly and Lily Aron of Florence Road
The four-piece from Wicklow, Ireland, spent their teens perfecting covers of Hozier and Olivia Rodrigo in lead singer Lily Aron’s garden shed before performing in school assemblies. It was TikTok, of course, and their following of almost one million that garnered them streaming superstardom and a full-circle gig opening for Rodrigo in London and Dublin this summer. Just don’t call them manufactured: “People can scroll back and see the really bad covers,” Aron offers as proof.
Sounds like Pop-rock hooky vocals and big guitar riffs. Their anthemic single Break the Girl is giving Alanis Morissette and Phoebe Bridgers with top notes of the Cranberries.
Do say “I’ve got the Flo Ro mix tape on repeat.”
Don’t say “Turn that racket down!”
Hear them next A new EP is due next month and a European tour in November supporting Wolf Alice.
Culture maths
What is the debut series of The Celebrity Traitors, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and starting very soon, made of?
“David’s Dead!” (from Celebrity Big Brother) + XXL hooded capes + “There’s been a murder!” Taggart voice = The Celebrity Traitors
GETTY IMAGES, ALAMY, BBC
Trend mapper
One current look, broken down. This week: shouty sweaters
1. Wearable slogans have returned this autumn, with everyone from SS Daley to Stella McCartney showcasing jumpers and tops that really say something. But there’s more to this revival than sporting the name of your favourite coffee shop across your chest
SS Daley’s love letter to Marianne Faithfull
VICTOR VIRGILE/GAMMA-RAPHO VIA GETTY IMAGES
2. Spotted on merch for the thinking woman, the season’s slogans work best when they have a cerebral message — think less political and more discreetly clever. Or better still, display the name of a recently departed cultural icon who, just by association, is likely to boost your own personal kudos. See SS Daley’s love letter to Marianne Faithfull.
3. Slogan tops with jeans? How vulgar. In 2025 they must be teamed with cocktail attire or at least a “put together” look. Layering yours over a statement print will also ensure your messaging is right on point
Additional words: Phoebe McDowell, Karen Dacre, Tracy Ramsden
