Fashion world exploded when Chappell Roan wore a 60 centimeter high pointed hat (hennin) at the Grammy Awards. This look, which looked like it was straight out of “Game of Thrones”, made Chappell Roan the center of attention that night. It also revealed the most fascinating trend in fashion for 2025: a full invasion of medieval-style. Why, in an age of rapid technological advancement, do people suddenly use 12th century aesthetics to combat reality? This is more than just a retro trend. It’s a cultural and psychological earthquake.
Generation Z is redefining medieval style. From Dilara’s Joan’s Knives Dress to Hodakova’s Metal Corset, the look has been redefined. In 2023, #MedievalWeirdcore on TikTok will have received 830 million views. Etsy sales of medieval-styled accessories will increase by 240%. Zendaya’s wearing of Versace’s Chainmail at the Met Gala was not a retro look, but rather a silent protest.
Lady Gaga’s new era pushed Catholic aesthetics into a climax. She wore metal cross tights by Olivier Theyskens and a Dosis G6C pendant of a human face in the “Abracadabra”, MV. This “dark Gothic revival” is more than just a visual impact. It’s also a cultural counterattack to the resurgence in conservatism. Data shows that searches for metal accessories on Farfetch increased by 310% after Gaga released her look.
In an age of algorithmic surveillance and identity anxiety, as well as the resurgence in cultural conservatism, medieval style offers a “controlled retreat”. The Gothic silhouettes, peaked hats and chainmail are a gentle way to resist the chaos of everyday life. Fashion critic Sarah Mower once said: “When you can’t change the whole world, at least you can change how you see it.”
This style is more a statement for the LGBTQ+ community, and feminists. Chappell Ron’s chainmail battle-robe and Julia Fox’s dramatic pleated dress have become new symbols of power. In the first quarter 2025, data shows that the resale value of clothing with “female fighter” elements on Depop will be 47% higher than its original price. This is not just fashion, but also a form of confrontation.
We saw “chaotic aesthetics” when Aknvas wore party skirts and collars from the Elizabethan era at New York Fashion Week. Charli XCX wore Jean Paul Gaultier’s dramatic dresses to celebrate “Brat”. In an age when conservative elites have hijacked minimalism, the “weird” core of medieval style is a new symbol for freedom.
