From soldier to supermodel: 5 looks that made BTS’ V the ultimate fashion muse of 2025

Kim Taehyung (BTS’ V) made 2025 feel like a reset: fewer gimmicks, sharper choices, and a wardrobe that moved comfortably between utility, runway-grade luxury, and intimate editorial storytelling. His post-service public sightings and brand moments also reinforced what the fashion world has known for a while—he doesn’t just wear clothes; he accelerates conversations around menswear, jewelry, and influence.

When V returned to public view after military service, the most striking detail wasn’t a logo or a loud silhouette—it was the restraint of an all-black, pared-back outfit that let his changed proportions and presence do the work. Coverage around his return repeatedly spotlighted his noticeably bulked-up, more athletic physique during this period.

A single luxury cue—his Cartier watch—did what a thousand styling tricks couldn’t: it anchored the look in quiet status and fed the “sold-out” frenzy that follows his accessories.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

At Celine’s menswear show in Paris, he leaned into a worn-in leather jacket with relaxed denim and a plain white tee—an intentionally unfussy uniform that read expensive because it didn’t beg to be noticed.

The crowd response outside the venue was closer to concert energy than a typical fashion arrival, underlining how his presence now functions as fashion-week spectacle on its own.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

Images circulating from his military-era fitness updates pushed a functional, tactical-athleisure vibe into the mainstream fan-fashion ecosystem—sleeveless layers, utilitarian tones, and pure practicality.

Part of what made it sticky as a trend is that it didn’t look “styled”; it looked lived-in, which is exactly why it translated so well into everyday menswear inspiration.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

V’s positioning with Cartier has been framed as a significant luxury alignment, with multiple outlets highlighting his global-ambassador role and the brand’s emphasis on his “modern” appeal. That context matters, because when he appears in high jewelry—especially pieces built around Cartier’s Panthère codes—it lands less like costume and more like a statement about how men can wear heritage jewelry with ease.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

Toward the end of the year, he shared a more intimate, editorial set of images that leaned into a stripped-back, sensual aesthetic—minimal styling, wet-look hair, and an intentionally raw energy that fans and entertainment outlets amplified heavily. The public reaction framed him as “living art,” but the more interesting takeaway is how confidently he’s now choosing simplicity as a form of control—less performance, more persona.
(Image Credits: Pinterest)