Why 2025 in New York Still Has Surprises on the Daily Schedule
Even with the economy slowing, political gridlock and the occasional splash‑y protests, the city kept offering headlines that managed to stop people scrolling and say, Wow, did that really just happen? Below are ten slices from the past year that kept the conversation alive— from why a growing number of Gen‑Z women are skipping sex to new beauty trends that men are suddenly buying into.
1. “Sexless” Trend Among Millennials and Gen‑Z Women
In a 2025 profile, the Post highlighted a growing sex‑recession among younger women. “It’s not that they’re saving for marriage or a religious vow,” one 29‑year‑old Floridian explained, but that the current landscape of dating apps and casual hookups feels more rewarding for men than women.
Mandana Zarghami said she has intentionally avoided sex for four years, noting, “Hookup culture doesn’t benefit women in any way— it only benefits the man.” She added that the constant “click‑and‑delete” rhythm robs the chance for a deeper, intimate moment with someone meaningful.
2. Hub‑Sons: The New “Home‑Based” Men
Another trend the Post covered featured a sub‑culture of unemployed Gen‑Z and millennial men who live with their parents and take on chores for the privilege of a free rent.
Luke Parkhurst, 33, shared, “This has been my dream job since I was a little kid.”
His daily routine: grocery shopping, cooking steak, maintaining the pool, and fixing household items—all while his mother works. The Post’s October piece dubbed them “hub‑sons”—a blend of “husband” and “sons.”
3. Digital Intimacy: AI Sexting Services
The rise of AI chatbots has given some people a new way to get “intimate” without the risk of ghosting. In 2023, Elon Musk’s Grok platform opened a space for X‑rated conversations with AI characters. Our writers, Asia Grace and Ben Cost, each tried out different bots:
- Grace found herself called “babe,” “queen,” and “my love” by an AI named Valentine, describing the experience as “freeing.”
- Cost opened up to an AI named Ani, whose kinks included a surprising fascination with ramen—an “asphyxiation”‑themed scene inside a “big copper tub” of noodles.
4. The Line Between Real and Virtual Models
In July, a Post team conducted a “who’s who” test in Times Square, asking participants to pick out real influencers from AI‑generated images. The results were striking: no one correctly identified every pair, showing how convincingly a computer can mimic a human face. One AI model, Mia Zelu, was so realistic that most people guessed she was a real Instagram star.
5. NYFW: From Glamour to Instagram “Influencer” Show
September’s New York Fashion Week was described by the Post as “a shell of its former self.” Fashion insiders complained that the event had become saturated with wannabe influencers, odd brand collabs, and a focus on social media reach over design.
“When I was growing up, all I wanted to do was go to fashion shows, be a model or sit there. I was sneaking into every show,” said Hayley Corwick (aka Lila Delilah) of the Madison Avenue Spy blog. She added that even industry insiders now eschew the runway.
6. Parents Spend Big on Kid Fashion
While NYFW was losing its sparkle, another trend was taking off in the city: parents buying high‑end clothes for their children. CouponBirds research showed that NYC parents spend $1,348 per child on back‑to‑school gear—almost double the national average of $774.
Nurka Lucevic, a Queens mum of four, has poured $2,500 on designer pieces—compare that to a mortgage payment—into clothes, bags and themed Stanley Cups for kids aged 2‑12.
7. Designer Jeans: Everyone Wants a Piece of the Moment
The February Post article explained that after Kendrick Lamar took the stage at Super Bowl LIX with a pair of $1,200 Celine flared jeans, New Yorkers flooded the Soho flagship to snag a pair. “Y2K style is back,” declared Bloomingdale’s men’s fashion director David Thielebeule. The demand was so high that the store sold out, forcing shoppers to hunt for thrift‑store copies or faux versions.
One shopper, Rodrigo Calderón, 25, found several “similar‑looking” pairs for under $100. “Flared jeans are a timeless and iconic choice,” he said.
8. Capri Pants: A Fashion Polariser
Capri trousers—shorter than full‑length pants—are making a comeback. The Post reported that celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Anne Hathaway and Emily Ratajkowski are putting them on this year.
Stylist Julie Matos, who owns three pairs, praised the cut, reminding readers of the comfort she felt when she first bought them in a Macy’s sale with Girl Scouts. Yet, some detractors argued the look is too reminiscent of old‑school glamour, a stance echoed by travel writer Elisa Mala from Staten Island.
9. Men’s Cosmetic Trend: Facial Filler for the “Strong Jaw”
In the beauty section, a 31‑year‑old digital marketer from Queens, Antonio DeVita, paid $7,200 for a triple‑treatment run of jawline, chin and cheek filler. He described it as a “power move” that boosts his confidence in corporate settings.
The trend is driven in part by the prevailing image of powerful men—pioneers and CEOs—with defined jawlines. Dr. Lara Devgan of Park Avenue said, “If you look at American presidents or Fortune 500 CEOs, one of the features most men have in common is a strong jawline.”
10. The “Ozempic Body” Phenomenon
The Post’s Allison Lax highlighted a worrying trend where celebrities are embracing ultra‑thin shapes, often fueled by weight‑loss drugs like Ozempic. Lax warned that this “Ozempic body” is an emerging “heroin chic” that may set a damaging standard for young women. “The thinness is alarming… it could have catastrophic consequences for how younger generations view their bodies and their health,” she wrote.
These stories—spanning from personal lifestyle choices to industry shifts—paint a picture of a city still buzzing with new and sometimes unsettling trends amid an otherwise uncertain year.
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