Looking back at the trends that once filled South African wardrobes, it’s clear that style has already moved on. By the end of 2025, a few fashion moments that dominated closets and social feeds across the country have gradually disappeared. Some never lasted beyond a viral craze, while others simply outgrew their moment in the spotlight, making way for pieces that balance style, comfort, and versatility.

Photo Credit – Instagram

One trend that made waves early in the year was Labubu; playful bag charms and quirky miniature accessories. Influencers in Cape Town and Johannesburg clipped them to bags, belts, and phones, making them almost unavoidable on social media. But by mid-year, their appeal had already begun to fade. Once the novelty wore off, South African consumers started choosing accessories that worked across multiple outfits and occasions, leaving these tiny statement pieces as a memory of the year’s fleeting hype.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Skinny jeans, a wardrobe staple for over a decade, also saw a sharp decline. Across South African cities, from university campuses to urban high streets, wider-leg, straight, and relaxed-fit denim became the preferred choice. Runways and local editors highlighted these alternatives, focusing on both comfort and practicality. Tight-fitting skinnies, once essential for a polished look, are now largely reserved for specific occasions rather than daily wear, as more South Africans prioritise ease of movement without sacrificing style.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Micro miniskirts, which dominated summer festivals and warm-weather street style, are also on the retreat. While still fun for summer events, their extreme shortness limits versatility, particularly when seasonal shifts bring cooler weather to Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria. Designers and shoppers are increasingly favouring skirts and hemlines that are wearable year-round, offering a balance between visual interest and functionality.

The decline of playful mini accessories, skinny jeans, and micro minis shows a clear shift in South African fashion: people are choosing pieces that combine style with practicality. These trends, once unavoidable, now feel like a record of 2025, making way for wardrobe choices in 2026 that are both versatile and expressive.

Pamela Mtanga’s approach to fashion has always been direct and confident, consistently choosing bold, visually led designs. This pink butterfly look captures that instinct through its wing-like construction and saturated hue, presenting a moment that feels striking and deliberate rather than decorative. It reflects a style identity that favours presence and scale, especially in settings where the host is expected to set the tone.
She wore the look while hosting the first leg of The Pink Table with Brutal Fruit. As a brand-led, hosted setting rather than a traditional red-carpet appearance, the occasion required an outfit capable of holding attention without excessive styling or distraction.

Pamela Mtanga – Instagram

The mini dress is engineered from translucent pink layers shaped into oversized butterfly-wing panels. The wing-like structure is intentionally balanced, extending from the bodice with measured precision. Beaded edging traces the contours of the design, creating motion at the hem and definition through the overall shape. A subtle plunge at the neckline offsets the volume, while drop earrings and minimal heels keep the finish sharp and controlled. Her hair, styled in a slick ponytail, reinforces the architectural quality of the look.

Pamela Mtanga – Instagram

The look succeeds through careful design. Its bold form and vivid hue are structured with exacting control, letting the butterfly-inspired panels define the statement. The result is a confident, modern presentation, ideal for a host who naturally anchors attention at the centre of the room.

Mihlali Ndamase has built a reputation for looks that sit confidently between fashion discipline and personal confidence, and this appearance subtly reinforces that reputation through thoughtful styling. The look feels confident and composed, well put together without rigidity, and true to how she usually approaches fashion.

The images, shared on her official Instagram page, place her on a wide outdoor staircase with no explicit reference to an event or occasion. Her caption, “A piece that belongs in an Article gallery,” feels like she’s simply showing off her style, not promoting anything.

Mihlali Ndamase – Instagram

She wears a strapless chartreuse-toned gown sitting between yellow and green, designed with a structured corset that defines the torso before giving way to an asymmetrical skirt. The fabric gathers dramatically at the hip, forming layered, sculptural ruffles that cascade downward and reveal just enough leg to maintain balance. The shade is striking against her skin tone without overpowering the look. Gold strappy heels complement the dress, while a crystal-embellished clutch introduces detail without taking attention away from the dress. Jewellery is kept minimal, keeping the attention on the design of the gown.

Mihlali Ndamase – Instagram

What makes the look work is control. Despite its dramatic details, the outfit never feels overdone. The clean neckline offsets the weight of the draping, the corsetry anchors the structure of the skirt, and the accessories remain intentional rather than decorative. Ndamase carries the look with ease, moving between composed and playful poses that prevent it from feeling static. The result is a fashion-forward image suited to a magazine spread and consistent with the direction her recent style choices suggest.