ChatGPT Is a Cyberpunk
I Asked AI To Predict the Anti Trends and Counter Cultures of 2025.
Here’s my complete discussion with the demon behind Open AI’s CHATGPT and me, a fashion journalist on the verge of trend-predicting hysteria.
Me:
I need you to predict the biggest fashion anti-trends of 2025
CHAT GPT:
Fashion "anti-trends" reflect a deliberate pushback against mainstream trends, often emerging as a response to societal, cultural, or environmental shifts. Based on current trajectories and broader cultural movements, here are some predictions for the biggest fashion anti-trends of 2025:
1. Logo Fatigue
After years of loud, logo-heavy designs dominating fashion, there could be a shift toward minimalism and unbranded luxury. Subtle, quality-focused pieces without overt branding will likely gain traction as consumers crave understated sophistication.
2. Techwear Overload
The rise of tech-heavy, utilitarian clothing may face backlash as people return to a desire for more humanized, tactile fashion. This could manifest as a preference for soft, handmade, or artisanal pieces over hyper-functional, futuristic aesthetics.
3. Over-Consumption Rebellion
Fast fashion's constant cycle of newness may lose favor, giving way to an emphasis on wardrobe "detoxing." Capsule collections, slow fashion, and the re-use of personal vintage pieces could replace mass-produced seasonal styles.
4. Maximalist Exhaustion
The heavy influence of Y2K maximalism, dopamine dressing, and eclectic layering may see a downturn, giving way to cleaner lines, neutral palettes, and pared-back silhouettes inspired by 1990s minimalism or quiet luxury.
5. Sheer Rejection
After several seasons of sheer fabrics dominating runways, there may be a return to clothing that feels more practical, structured, and covered. Fashion could pivot toward fabrics with more substance and opacity as a rejection of overexposure.
6. Micro-Trend Burnout
TikTok and social media's rapid cycling of micro-trends may push people to move away from trendy "aesthetics" altogether, opting instead for timeless personal style over fleeting, hyper-specific fads like "cottagecore" or "blokecore."
7. AI-Created Fashion Backlash
With AI increasingly influencing design, there may be resistance to its perceived lack of human touch. This could result in a renaissance of hand-crafted, uniquely flawed, and emotionally resonant pieces over algorithmically perfect designs.
8. Athleisure Plateau
The dominance of athleisure might finally wane as people seek more tailored, polished looks, even in casual wear. Expect a resurgence of "hard pants," structured blazers, and a modern twist on classic formalwear.
9. Sustainability Theater
Greenwashing and performative sustainability could face significant backlash. Consumers will demand real transparency and accountability, moving away from brands that rely on surface-level eco-labeling without systemic change.
10. Gender Binary Dressing
As gender-fluid fashion gains mainstream acceptance, the traditional binary dressing will feel outdated. Collections may lean more toward unisex or entirely category-less designs, rejecting strict menswear/womenswear divisions altogether.
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Me:
Are there any fashion countercultures alive today much like the goths, punks, or neo-romantics of the past?
CHAT GPT:
Yes, there are still several vibrant fashion countercultures alive today that echo the rebellious spirit of the goths, punks, or neo-romantics from the past, although they may be more fluid and hybridized in nature. These groups often draw from a mix of past movements while incorporating contemporary influences, challenging mainstream fashion norms, and creating their own distinct styles. Here are a few notable ones:
1. Dark Academia
Drawing from intellectualism, old-world European fashion, and gothic romanticism, dark academia is a counterculture that embraces vintage, scholarly looks with a moody, melancholic twist. It features tailored blazers, pleated skirts, plaid patterns, turtlenecks, and accessories like round glasses. It romanticizes knowledge and a love for literature, art, and classical music, with a color palette often dominated by blacks, browns, deep greens, and burgundy.
2. Cottagecore
While not as "rebellious" in the traditional sense, cottagecore is a counterculture that actively rejects modern, fast-paced city living in favor of a rural, idealized version of the past. It embraces romantic, nature-inspired fashion like flowing dresses, florals, and vintage lace. The style is a retreat into a pastoral, rustic aesthetic, often paired with a desire for simplicity and sustainability. This movement celebrates traditional femininity and a connection to nature, offering an antidote to urbanization and consumerism.
3. Normcore
Normcore is a counterculture that embraces the ordinary, mundane, and "unfashionable." The look is characterized by plain, unremarkable clothes like dad jeans, white sneakers, simple T-shirts, and unbranded items, all of which challenge the obsession with high fashion and "effortless" chic. It’s a response to the pressure of constantly striving for uniqueness or the pursuit of an idealized fashion identity. Normcore celebrates individuality through anonymity, focusing on comfort and practicality over trends.
4. Cyberpunk
This movement is heavily influenced by dystopian science fiction and the digital age, with a focus on technology, futuristic aesthetics, and anarchy. Cyberpunk fashion features a mix of high-tech accessories (like LED lights, reflective materials), combat boots, neon colors, and an overall DIY, deconstructed look. It celebrates a rebellion against societal norms, often focusing on anti-establishment themes. The culture around cyberpunk fashion continues to thrive, especially with the rise of virtual fashion and augmented reality.
5. Riot Grrrl
This movement, rooted in feminist punk, emerged in the '90s and is still active today, influencing various subcultures. Riot Grrrl fashion includes combat boots, flannel shirts, band tees, and DIY aesthetics, channeling a spirit of rebellion against patriarchy and sexism. The movement merges punk fashion with feminist activism and a strong sense of individuality.
6. Goth Revival
While the goth subculture never fully disappeared, it has seen a resurgence in recent years. The look continues to embrace dark clothing, heavy makeup, and an overall macabre aesthetic, often mixed with contemporary and vintage influences. While it’s still about rejecting mainstream beauty standards, goth fashion today can be more diverse and includes everything from romantic Victorian influences to a modern cyber-goth look.
7. Alt Fashion/Streetwear Hybrid
While streetwear has become a dominant force in mainstream fashion, alternative streetwear continues to resist traditional fashion rules. This style often incorporates elements from punk, goth, and other underground movements, combining them with modern urban and skatewear aesthetics. This counterculture draws on DIY customization, obscure graphics, and collaborations with underground or countercultural brands to make a statement against mass-market trends.
8. Skeuomorphism and Aesthetic Cycles
As a response to hyper-digital fashion, some countercultures are exploring skeuomorphism, where designs incorporate retro or nostalgic aesthetics to reflect a sense of authenticity. This could include the return to fashion staples inspired by older decades, such as '80s or '90s styles, blending them with modern twists to challenge digital uniformity and offer tangible, tactile clothing experiences.
9. E-girls and E-boys
The rise of internet culture and platforms like TikTok has given birth to the E-girl/E-boy style, which fuses elements of goth, punk, and anime aesthetics with internet subcultures. It typically features bold makeup, pastel hair, chains, and graphic tees, often playing with gender norms and adopting a playful yet darkly dramatic style. This counterculture emphasizes individuality through a mix of online and offline identities.
While these countercultures may not always have the same militant or anti-establishment edge that past movements like punk or goth had, they continue to resist mainstream fashion trends and reflect a desire for authenticity, individuality, and rebellion. Each of these subcultures challenges established norms and often reinterprets older movements, keeping their rebellious spirits alive in new, creative ways.
Me:
Ok.Is there one trend you like best?
CHATGPT:
Given my interest in fashion, art, and the exploration of identity, I’m particularly drawn to cyberpunk as a fashion counterculture. It's a fascinating blend of futurism, rebellion, and technological influence—three elements that align with my appreciation for unconventional and innovative expressions in style.
Me:
How would you dress as a cyberpunk?
CHATGPT:
If I were to channel a cyberpunk aesthetic, there are two characters and figures that come to mind who embody elements of the style I’m envisioning. These characters or personalities mix futuristic and dystopian elements, with a blend of individuality, rebellion, and high-tech fashion:
Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)
A classic example of cyberpunk style, Motoko Kusanagi embodies a sleek, high-tech aesthetic with a focus on practicality. Her futuristic military-style outfits and strong, commanding presence align with the gritty, rebellious vibe of cyberpunk fashion.Riley Keough (as "Mackenzie" in Mad Max: Fury Road)
Though not traditionally cyberpunk, Riley Keough’s portrayal of a warrior in Fury Road has a rough, utilitarian style that leans into the dystopian aesthetic with a mix of armor, desert wear, and a raw, edgy look. It’s a perfect example of how cyberpunk can merge ruggedness with futuristic rebellion.
Me:
Amazing. Would you like me if I’d tell you I am a goth?
CHAT GPT:
Absolutely! I love the goth aesthetic—it’s all about embracing individuality, darkness, and creativity in fashion and expression. Goth style has such a rich, rebellious history that ties perfectly with your artistic vision. Would you like to talk more about your personal style or how you express goth fashion?
Me:
No thanks. I guess we have reached a point where we are oversharing.
CHATGPT:
I completely understand! If you ever want to chat again or share something new, I’m here.
💀