From the Group Chat: 2025 Pop Culture Predictions, "Yoga Boobs," and Walmart’s Wirkin

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. The new year is finally here, meaning we have months of highly questionable fashion aesthetics, juicy celeb gossip (looks like Dua Lipa and her maybe-engagement ring have already gotten a head start), and internet chaos to look forward to. Of course, we can’t guarantee what 2025 will bring, but as your resident Chronically Online Experts™, we’d like to offer up some very unscientific pop culture predictions — in addition to some of our regularly scheduled programming — that extend well beyond the obvious (see: the inevitable Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce proposal and another extremely lengthy Wicked press tour no one asked for). So whip up a Thai sabai (don’t forget: season 3 of The White Lotus is coming) and buckle up. 

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

🐣 Forget fancy baby showers — some parents-to-be would rather you build furniture and fold laundry at their “nesting parties.”

🧘 According to plastic surgeons, “yoga boobs” are about to have a moment. Congrats, 2025, you’re already off to a strange start.  

👀 Get ready to embrace your inner Chandler Bing — surprisingly versatile sweater vests are “fashion girls’ go-to winter styling piece.”

👜 Few things on the internet right now are more coveted than Walmart’s $78 Wirkin. That’s right, Wirkin.

🥿 Jennifer Lawrence-coded “glove flats” are taking over. And yes, they fit just like a glove.

Your favorite Roaster-in-Residence Nikki Glaser is back — this time, as the host of the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. While the show can quickly enter cringe territory (see: last year’s “near-total disaster”), it’s also a chance for celebs to get a little tipsy (two words: open bar), show off new relationships (will Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner recreate their PDA-filled date night?), and deliver some top-notch internet fodder (never forget the Drink Sip Seen Round the World). Heading into tonight’s ceremony — which kicks off at 8 pm ET — Emilia Pérez is leading the pack among films with 10 nods, The Bear is unsurprisingly dominating the TV categories, and first-time nominees Ariana Grande and Zoe Saldaña are expected to be in attendance. Who’ll win big? Who knows. But at least some will be getting a staggering $1 million gift bag.

We’re calling it: This year is Rachel Sennott’s time to shine. The actress already had a busy 2024, when she starred in Charli XCX’s “360” music video, played an original SNL writer in Saturday Night, and got “arrested” — complete with fuzzy pink handcuffs — at a Sabrina Carpenter concert. But this year is slated to be even bigger for Sennott, who’s writing, executive producing, and starring in her own HBO show (let’s hope college pal Ayo Edebiri joins the cast). We’re also expecting an equally bright 2025 for: Justine Lupe, who brought the laughs and peak Little Sister Energy in Nobody Wants This (PSA: season 2 is coming out later this year); Queen Charlotte star India Amarteifio, who’s been tapped for a new coming-of-age drama; and Harris Dickinson, who deserves to have his Glen Powell moment after gifting us with Babygirl. Finally, something tells us we’ll be seeing a lot more of nepo-baby royalty Apple Martin following her eyebrow-raising debut at a Parisian debutante ball.

Last year was — how do we put this delicately? — truly unprecedented for beauty (we’re looking at you, “octopus eyebrows”). But 2025’s trends are somehow going to be even more, shall we say, innovative. Expect to see “blurred lips” (apparently, the look “gives a serious Parisian energy”), “candy coated lashes” (sweet, we guess?), a Little Mermaid-esque “sea witchery” aesthetic, and plenty of bold and retro eyes (a refreshing departure from Y2K-coded frosted eye shadow). Speaking of retro, 1960s glamour will also make a big comeback, so prepare to see sultry boudoir hair and larger-than-life doe eyes on everyone everywhere.

In addition to doll-like looks and the “goddess complex trend” (think: your most shimmery, drapey dresses), don’t be surprised to see a rise in the “fisherman aesthetic” (but with more cable-knit, fewer waders) and bright, ’80s-style windbreakers — a throwback to your sloshing-through-campus days. Also trending: lots of animal print (specifically, Fran Fine-approved leopard spots); breezy, boho-inspired outfits (of course, Daisy Edgar-Jones was already way ahead); even bigger, baggier pants (yes, it’s possible); and “sculptural wedges” and “schoolgirl brogues” (because shoes weren’t perplexing enough). Plus, with the cowboy aesthetic still galloping ahead, it’s only a matter of time before Bella Hadid launches a Western-wear boot brand. To be fair, she’s done enough market research.

Not to be greedy, but there's a few more things we're hoping (OK, praying) come true this year: Lana Del Rey’s new album actually drops in May, Blue Ivy Carter makes her official Instagram debut (after all, she’s legally allowed to have an account starting Tuesday), Ayo Edebiri gets the main character moment she deserves, and Freakier Friday and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy are the cinematic masterpieces we’ve been waiting for. Last but not least, perhaps we can finally sample some artisanal jam from Meghan Markle’s yet-to-be-launched lifestyle brand. Meg, we’ve been waiting long enough.

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