If fashion trends move in cycles of 20 years, then the return of the parachute pant is right on schedule. A mainstay in the wardrobe of anyone-who-was-anyone throughout the late ‘90s and early aughts, parachute pants have since ebbed in popularity after their epic heyday… that is until recently.
When Bella Hadid wore a pair of voluminous parachute pants when out and about we couldn’t help soften our our stance on the style, and when Jennifer Lopez styled a denim pair when running errands earlier this year, we were convinced.
The ball is now rolling and celebrities are styling the barrel-leg trousers for casual jaunts and red carpets alike. Just this week queen of street style, Emily Ratajkowski wore a khaki pair on a dog walk in New York. Never one to pass up a Y2K moment, the model and podcaster styled her billowy trousers on the hip with a bedazzled baby tee and trucker hat for a look drenched in noughties nostalgia.
Of course you can do it like Emily and lean all in to the noughties style, but it you’d rather channel something a little more current, read on for our guide to styling parachute pants in 2023.
Parachute pants add a lot of volume, but we say lean right in and stack on the layers. A clever layer with variations in fabric and length can freshen the feel of parachute pants whilst adding dimension to your look.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, sieve through your wardrobe and grab your favourite button-up. When worn with relaxed accessories an oversized shirt and billowy parachute pants make for the perfect weekend outfit.
Em Rata was on to something when she wore her larger that life cargos with a baby tee. For a more 2023 take, opt for micro top with more structure.
Take inspiration from Iris Law and style with a tonal look by finding a top in the same shade as your cargos.
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