Let's get loud

If 'quiet luxury' is not for you, fear not-the spring/summer 2025 runways prove that maximalism is back in her main-character era. Early adopter Susie Lau explores

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When I was 17, I was voted the 'person most likely to be the next Donna Karan' in my school-leavers' yearbook. Although my wellmeaning classmates may not have chosen quite the right designer for my actual style wavelength (no offence to the inimitable Donna, of course), what they meant to say was: 'Susie is into her fashion.' Or rather, 'We don't quite understand why she comes to sixth-form history class in a Victoriana blouse, two vintage slip skirts, stripy legwarmers and Buffalo trainers.'

To me, more has always been more. From the moment I had full control over what I could wear, I messily rainbow tiedyed every plain garment in sight. One skirt was not enough—I had to layer three. Was there a way of pairing powder blue, mint green and candy pink all at once? Of course! Could an outfit visually balance out five prints? The answer was always yes. When I was finally able to afford to buy my own clothes, I routinely gravitated towards the most ornate garments, the broadest and brightest colour palettes and the maddest textures on the rails. Maximal dressing has been my source of refuge in the face of difficulty, sadness and insecurity. When people talked about dopamine dressing post-pandemic, I could smugly turn to my hyper-stimulating wardrobe for an instant hit.