GQ Staff's Favorite Outfits of 2025: A Year in Style

GQ's team members offer a personal review of their most cherished and distinctive ensembles from the past year. From highly strategic party attire to comfortable yet chic travel outfits, and even a nod to sports-inspired looks, each staffer's choice reflects a unique blend of personal taste, professional context, and memorable life moments. This collection underscores the idea that clothing is not merely fabric but a canvas for self-expression, confidence, and identity, chronicling a year's worth of sartorial narratives.

As the year draws to a close, the fashion connoisseurs at GQ delve into their camera rolls to showcase the outfits that defined their 2025. This curated selection reveals a fascinating spectrum of styles, from the practical yet playful choices of a party reporter navigating social events to the deliberate elegance of formal wear for destination weddings. Each featured look is imbued with personal significance, illustrating how fashion can be both a functional tool for daily life and a profound medium for expressing one's individuality and experiences, making every garment a chapter in their yearly style story.

Diverse Dress Codes and Personal Narratives

The GQ team's chosen attire for 2025 spans a remarkable range, reflecting the varied lives and roles of its members. One editor recounts a year dedicated to event coverage, necessitating outfits that blended ease of movement with an approachable yet confident aesthetic. This often involved comfortable jeans, distinctive loafers or high-platform shoes for better visibility, and a practical messenger bag, all accented with playful graphic tees. This ensemble perfectly encapsulated the balance between journalistic professionalism and the need for a relaxed, engaging presence in dynamic social settings.

Other staff members highlight moments of significant personal or professional impact. A commerce editor proudly displays a meticulously assembled look featuring a vintage Armani jacket, a classic Oxford button-down, and Japanese denim, all unified by an unexpected yet charming fleece beanie that evoked an iconic American style. Another editor shares the joy of receiving a championship cap, integrating it into a casual yet impactful outfit that symbolized both team spirit and individual triumph, proving that even simple accessories can carry deep emotional weight and style. These narratives underscore how fashion choices are often deeply personal, serving as markers for achievements, memories, and self-perception, transforming clothing into a tangible representation of their year.

From Metropolitan Chic to Global Getaways

The fashion journey of GQ's staff in 2025 wasn't confined to local events; it spanned continents, embracing diverse cultural backdrops and occasions. One individual recounted a bold style choice made during Paris Fashion Week, opting for comfortable hiking sandals paired with high-fashion denim and a vintage shirt due to the intense heat, a decision that blended practicality with an unexpected flair, perfectly capturing the essence of 'Missoula-meets-Paris.' Another editor embraced a 'Canadian tuxedo' during a Roman holiday, showcasing a vintage denim shirt with wide-leg jeans, completed by a retro promotional hat, demonstrating how personal style can adapt and integrate with new environments while retaining a unique identity.

For formal occasions, the team displayed impeccable taste. A fashion editor stunned at a Met Gala afterparty in a custom-tailored Amiri suit, accessorized with fine jewelry and a luxury watch, exemplifying high-octane glamour. Similarly, a global design director chose a classic Saint Laurent suit for an exclusive event, elevated by a vintage YSL scarf, proving that timeless elegance remains a powerful statement. The collection also includes vacation-specific ensembles, from a black-tie look for a Mexico City wedding featuring Mexican designers to a purely white beach club outfit in Ibiza, adorned with vibrant, whimsical accessories. These diverse looks not only illustrate the adaptability of personal style but also the global adventures and varied experiences that shaped the GQ team's fashion choices throughout 2025, each outfit telling a story of its own.