From quickie noodles to sixties sex: We welcome the trends of 2025

Hello 2025.

It’s the birth year of the new generation, Gen Beta.

We barely know anything about Gen Alpha (who are now from one to about 12 years old) and are still trying to understand Gen Z. And now we have Gen Beta, the children of Millennials and Gen Z.

Gen Beta will grow up with AI automation and technology in every aspect of their lives. Growing up in a globalised world, they will insist on inclusivity and thrive on change.

The generations

#1 The Greatest Generation: 1901-1927
#2 The Silent Generation: 1928-1945
#3 Baby Boomers: 1946 -1964
#4 Gen X: 1965-1980
#5 Millennials: 1981-1996
#6 Gen Z: 1997-2012
#7 Gen Alpha: 2013-2024
#8 Gen Beta: 2025-2040

25 Trends for ’25

In the mainstream

#1 Poetry
#2 Gender fluidity 
#3 Podcasts 
#4 Newsletters are the new magazines
#5 Tattoos are for everybody
#6 Ozempic is the new Botox
#7 Skirts for women and men
#8 Inclusivity is non-negotiable

The third chapter makes a comeback

#9 “The Great Retirement" is very passé
#10 More and more women in their 50s and 60s are leaving marriage
#11 Sex rhymes with 60 (and 70) – middle-aged sex comes out of the closet and is white-hot and wonderful
#12 Seventy is the new 21
#13 More and more medical breakthroughs are coming for Alzheimer's disease

Health trends

#14 Sugar is officially poison
#15 Alcohol tends to that
#16 “Overtourism" leaves a bitter taste. The new trend in travel is to visit places that are not overpopulated with tourists – the buzz words are “off the beaten track tourism"

The new tasteful

#17 Puff everything: puffed shirts, bubble rompers and skirt with round seamlines are big
#18 Vintage is the new luxury – invest in quality second-hand clothes. Look for a leopard print coat, jacket or handbag
#19 Everything generic is taboo and officially dead (except generic medicines)
#20 Sequined sweaters or skirts, chunky earrings and strings of beads
#21 Tiles are more beautiful than ever
#22 Brown is the colour of the moment. Remember mocha mousse and chocolate brown tiles are the new biggest thing
#23 White, grey and beige interiors are banned
#24 Pink walls are still seductive
#25 Gold is always in – gild a wall or piece of furniture with gold leaf
# 26 Leopard print on furniture remains a thing
# 27 Glass bricks are back

What excites us now

#28 Stripes

Stripes are timeless and more beautiful than ever this year.

In South Africa, towels in all stripes are available for the first time. So are umbrellas, bags and containers. Look – it's all around you.

#29 Tiles

The tiles that we have admired for years in overseas catalogues are now available in South Africa. 

Food: We are on for these 3 trends!

#1 Edible flowers

The edible flower trend has evolved from a niche culinary practice to a mainstream phenomenon – in both professional and home kitchens. While cultures around the world have included flowers such as chrysanthemums and roses in their cuisine for centuries, the past few years have seen an explosion in interest in edible flowers such as nasturtiums, marigolds, violets and pansies.

The boom can be attributed to the rise of Instagram, an increasing demand for natural food colouring and flavours, and a growing appreciation for micro-seasonal ingredients.

Chefs and home cooks use these delicate botanicals for their visual appeal and signature flavours – from the peppery kick of nasturtiums to the sweet, floral notes of lavender. 

Rubix Foods' “The NEXT Flavor" report notes that Gen Z prefers the hibiscus, lavender and cherry blossoms that appear on beverage menus, which are also used in hot and cold coffee, lemonade and tea, and garnish cocktails.

The Fomolistas opt for the red of hibiscus, the yellow and gold of marigolds and the delicate embroidery (and taste!) of elderflower as our flowers for '25.

#2 Non-alcoholic beverage

The trend away from alcohol is a tsunami. The no-alc industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, to include sophisticated alternatives that rival their alcoholic counterparts in complexity and craftsmanship. This shift has been driven by several factors: increasing health awareness, the “sober curious" movement, and increasing demand from consumers who want to participate in social drinking events but without alcohol.

Advanced techniques such as distillation and fermentation are used to create complex flavour profiles that rival their alcoholic counterparts. Innovative brands, also here in South Africa, have come up with premium non-alcoholic spirits, botanically flavoured drinks and alcohol-free versions of classic cocktails.

The market has enjoyed exceptional innovation in categories such as adaptogenic drinks (containing plant materials that support the body during stress); functional drinks with nootropics (brain supplements); and alcohol-free cocktails that include traditional mixology elements such as bitters, herbs, and exotic fruits.

Sales figures reflect this trend, with the global non-alcoholic beverage market experiencing unprecedented growth and, according to projections, will maintain momentum as younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, adopt conscious drinking habits.

The Fomolistas are on this bandwagon. We have been fans for a long time of Heineken's zero-alcohol beer. And this festive season we have discovered the most delicious Corona Zero 0.0% – with a lime in its spout, this Mexican beer doesn't hold back one step. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that we prefer the non-alc version. (We are also noticing another trend in the drinks market – Guinness beer suddenly is everywhere!)

Check out this delicious idea we've tried out these holidays:

#3 Two-minute noodles

The humble instant noodles have undergone a dramatic gourmet transformation. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have spawned numerous “ramen hacks" that elevate simple noodles into sophisticated meals, with popular adaptations including everything from soft-boiled eggs and fresh vegetables to Korean gochujang and Japanese furikake.

In America in particular, premium instant noodle brands have entered the market with higher-quality noodles, more complex soup bases, and authentic regional flavours, often in collaboration with celebrity chefs and restaurants to create limited-edition varieties.

This premiumisation trend has entailed the introduction of organic ingredients, low-salt options, and even plant-based alternatives to meet today's dietary preferences.

The convenience aspect remains central, but consumers are now willing to spend more on premium instant noodle products that promise restaurant-quality experiences at home.

We love the Korean Buldak noodles which is now also available in Checkers, but have also had played around wonderfully with the cheap stalwarts of our local Spar.

Check out these tips from professional chefs on how a packet of two-minute noodles can be transformed into a taste sensation. 

♦ VWB ♦

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION: Go to the bottom of this page to share your opinion. We look forward to hearing from you.