Every now and then, the fashion world experiences a style renaissance of sorts, one that sees a particular trend or aesthetic that has reigned supreme for considerable time slowly die out, while a new guard takes its place at the top of the pyramid. With minimalism now being considered a trend of the past, it seems that maximalist dressing has made somewhat of a return as of late. Amongst the masses, there has been newfound interest in kitschy and eclectic dressing as a way to express oneself, often in the form of excessive layering and over-the-top accessorising. As for the latest microtrend to pervade the current style zeitgeist? Plushiecore.
Perhaps a continuance of the keyrings and charms craze spurred by the likes of It-brands Balenciaga and Miu Miu, the rise of stuffed toys within fashion has been hard to ignore. On the streets, many have started adopting this playful trend within their wardrobes, hanging personal plushies on their bags or belt loops. Smaller brands have certainly taken notice too, with Copenhagen-based label (Di)vision taking it up a notch in its recent spring/summer 2025 collection. Presented at Copenhagen Fashion Week earlier this month, the show saw several plushie-inspired looks, including a 1-of-1 trench coat entirely swathed in vintage stuffed toys. Apart from the social media traction and virality garnered, it also spoke to the brand’s mission towards fashion sustainability, a smart way to give life to these once-discarded items.
A deeper dive into the introduction of plushies within fashion would uncover that this was not the first time that this style has been seen on the runway. Back in 2020, former creative director and designer Virgil Abloh released a similar collection for Louis Vuitton menswear that saw various stuffed animals sewn onto knitwear. Aside from that, several other brands such as Vetements, Walter Van Beirendonck and Moschino have continuously poked fun at this aesthetic from time to time, with various signature bags and footwear that referenced the iconic teddy bear. However, while what (Di)vision showed might not have been the first of its kind, it was certainly a spirited revitalisation of the style, one that is playful, adaptable and representative of the modern consumer. And in a current fashion landscape that can feel too serious at times, this might just be what the doctor ordered.
Below, peruse Vogue Singapore’s selection of the best plushie-inspired clothing and accessories that would make for a fun outing in styling.
