Five years ago, if someone told me that cropped pants would be passé in just a few years, I don’t know that I would have believed it. At 5’4″, I’m used to spending a good amount of time and money at the tailor or shopping for pants with an inseam of 28″ or less. But now the year is 2022 and cropped pants are feeling like more and more of a distant memory. In its place are puddle pants, and celebrities have been solidifying their importance more and more every day.
Puddle pants are pretty much exactly how they sound: ultra-long trousers (or jeans) that pool around the ankles, dragging on the floor. Pants dragging on the floor isn’t really music to my ears, but a trend is a trend, and you can always wear heels to minimize the dragging. But some celebs, such as Zoë Kravitz, are embracing the puddle and even wearing flats with the trend. Others, such as Kate Middleton and Rihanna, are wearing them with their highest heels. Whatever your shoe preference, puddle pants are shaping up to be one of the biggest pant trends of 2022. Scroll on to see which stylish celebs are wearing them and shop my favorite puddly pairs.
Zoë Kravitz wore her puddle pants with flats (well, flatforms) to make them extra puddly. On Zoë Kravitz: The Row Zipped Boot 1 Suede boots ($1490)
Bella Hadid’s jeans (which she also wears with flats) formed the perfect pool around her ankles. On Bella Hadid: Prada vintage bag
Kate Middleton has worn her share of cropped pants in the past, but she seems to have gotten the puddle pants memo. On Kate Middleton: Jigsaw pants; Anderson’s Leather Belt ($160); Emmy London Josie Pumps ($415)
Chrissy Teigen’s chic jumpsuit shows plenty of skin, but not at the ankles. On Chrissy Teigen: Alexis Lynette Jumpsuit ($595); Paco Rabanne Mini Sparkle Crossbody Bag ($880)
The coolest way to wear the cargo pants trend? An extra-long pair with sneakers. On Jennifer Lopez: Oree New York sneakers
Rihanna’s pink puddle pants went viral when she wore them recently. On Rihanna: R13 Oversized Workwear Bomber Jacket ($695); Bottega Veneta Intreccio Bralette ($800); Vetements Flared Distressed Jeans ($1270); Amina Muaddi Ursina Snakeskin Crystal Ankle-Strap Pumps ($1345)
The suiting trend is still going strong but the most 2022 way to wear it is with a pair of floor-grazing trousers. WHO: Sydney Sweeney
Kaia Gerber is a puddle pants pro, often wearing them with polished pieces and sneakers. On Kaia Gerber: Prada coat; Celine bag and sunglasses; Adidas sneakers
Next: The Easy 2-Piece Outfit I Wear Every September and October.
