Medieval fashion is back, baby—this time, in a really big way. By now, you’ve probably seen the deluge of TikToks: A remix of Charli XCXs “Apple” done with harps and flutes; NYE posts jokingly wishing everyone a “happy 1425”; reading guides for those who “love Medieval core”; slideshows simply yearning for veils and crowns and chainmail snoods and pointy little hats. It seems the world is chomping at the bit for another Gothic revival—so it’s a good thing we’ve had one bubbling under the surface for quite some time.
Chappell Roan’s Middle Ages Era
Arguably the biggest Gothic moments of 2024 came from none other than pop-sensation, Chappell Roan. Earlier in the year, Roan wore a Middle Ages style headdress for her Miss Piggy-inspired “Good Luck, Babe” cover art. Then, a couple months later, her stylist Genesis Webb put together a jaw-dropping array of Medieval garb for the VMAs red carpet and performance.
Dior Fall 2006 Couture
We’ve also seen a noted resurgence in images from John Galliano’s Fall 2006 Couture collection for Dior. All of a sudden, photos of his armored gowns, beaded veils and puffy jester-esque hats flooded the fashion boards on Pinterest. Now, Galliano is no stranger to a Dark Ages sartorial reference. His Spring 1986 collection featured long linen dresses with square necklines, enunciated foreheads and sheer chemises just about dripping off the models—all fashion hallmarks of the Medieval period.
Nosferatu Press Tour
Lily-Rose Depp’s Nosferatu press tour looks are another pop culture moment fueling this resurgence. Yes, we all know that Nosferatu is set in 1830s Germany (about 300 years after the end of the Middle Ages). So it’s more of an early-Victorian era fashion moment—but the vibes. The dark, moody castle, the prominent forehead, the petrifying fear of hellish demons and monsters living among us on Earth… so Medieval.
The Origins
And there’s a reason for that. At the time in the early 19th century, there was a major Gothic revival happening in architecture. Everything was all pointed arches and spires and intricate stonework– and this interest didn’t die with buildings. The Victorians were entranced by Druidic Naturalism (forming honorable relationships with the land and natural world around them) as well as Medieval Feudalism, which was the social structure of holding land in exchange for labor (read: basically our current stage of capitalism). This large scale social interest led to the Arts and Crafts movement—which promoted handicrafts, a pastoral lifestyle and imbuing a particularly decorative nature to even the most mundane objects (quite similar to life in the middle ages).
We then saw another Medieval Revival in the 1960s and 70s. This is the period most people are probably familiar with: Heart’s “Little Queen” album cover, empire waist dresses gilded with metal filigree and tall lace-up boots—all blasted with the psychedelic color palette the era is known for.
Now, a fashion trend cycle you probably don’t immediately associate with the Medieval period is the witchy aesthetic of the 90s and early aughts. TV Shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the beloved 1998 movie Practical Magic all contributed to what has been called the “whimsigoth” look. This trend incorporated dark velvets, feminine silhouettes and celestial elements– all of which drew inspiration from a darker, Gothic Medieval aesthetic.
2025 Trend Forecasting
As this trend develops in 2025, we’re going to be seeing lots of long hair looks, cotton/linen maxi dresses with square necklines and an increasing focus on a pastoral lifestyle. As the world spins towards economic insecurity and digital exhaustion, people start to seek out elements from a time where life was simpler. This trend goes hand-in-hand with the rise of “Trad-Wife” aesthetics and the Country/Western resurgence.
If you’re looking for Fashion inspiration, Anna Sui’s Fall 1998 show is the perfect place to start. This collection is chock-full of fun, tapestry inspired knits, playful crowns, fur-trimmed robes and chunky braids adorned with gold.
The firstVIEW Archive
We would also recommend Betsey Johnson’s Fall/Winter 1997 Collection. It’s all puff-sleeve mini dresses, metallic horns, long veils secured with forehead straps and belted princess dresses.
For those with a darker, more masculine sensibility, check out Dolce and Gabbana’s Spring 2014 Menswear collection. It’s literally on-the-nose style Dark Ages gear: tapestry sweatshirts with chunky crowns, Gothic architecture outlines burned into velvet suiting, chainmail hoods with matching gloves and oversized fur coats.
One thing about the Medieval Modern trend, you know it has real staying power in the fashion cycle. So you can feel comfortable investing in Middle Age garb that you really love—because we know it’s always coming right back in style.
