I Never Thought I’d See Denim Capris Make a Comeback—Alexa Chung Just Proved Me Wrong in Paris

Another day, another triumphant display of fashion to emerge from the streets of Paris Fashion Week. While the runway has certainly delivered countless looks of note this season—Schiaparelli’s sheer slips dotted with feathered accents, Jonathan Anderson’s micro bubble skirts and shrunken bar jackets for his debut Dior collection, the return of the 1957-era sack dress at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga—it’s really the maze of boulevards that make up the city’s arrondissements where some of the more compelling and immediate offerings occur.

This point was proven by none other than Alexa Chung on Sunday evening. The British style icon stepped out to attend Chloé’s spring/summer 2026 show in a millennial-adored trend I could’ve never imagined would come back.

So while everyone was consumed with dissecting Chemena Kamali’s latest bohemian range, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from Chung’s denim capri pants. As a patron of England’s noughties fashion scene, it really should come as no surprise to see Chung revive this silhouette. I thought it would be forever banished to the annals of the early 2000s. Alas not.

As someone who believes that pedal pushers aren’t the controversial fashion item they’re made out to be, but also really does struggle to wear jeans at the best of times, I was quite conflicted about the return of this structured shape. I loved her peplum-esque grey blazer, the cream satin blouse that peeked out from under the lapels, the chunky belt that was fixed at her waist and her pointed-toe, t-bar kitten heels. But knee-grazing, slim cut denim trousers? Are we really prepared to go back there?

Then, I remembered who I was talking about. This is the premier It girl. The person who inspired the most heart-moving note penned on the back of a bar cocktail napkin and introduced the mainstream to Mary Janes and Peter Pan collars. If Chung wants to resurrect one of the more polarising looks of the last century, all we really should be doing is taking notes. (Especially when she finishes the look off with a Chloé Paddington bag!)

That’s exactly what I did, and after a bit of digging, I realised that this exact ensemble had already been making the rounds in the French capital, with countless Parisian tastemakers posting themselves on social media wearing a nearly identical outfit.

However, if you were to ask Chung herself, her look isn’t necessarily Parisienne, but more pirate. Indeed, the 41-year-old posted the look to her own Instagram with the caption: “Swashing, buckling etc. The Chloé show was very gorgeous. 🪝” .

The presenter turned model might’ve put the most sophisticated spin that I’ve personally seen, though she’s not the only one embracing the maritime aesthetic. Both Alaïa’s balloon trousers and Alexander McQueen’s hussar jackets evoke this buccaneer sensibility, as do the Kate Moss-approved slouch boots that have slowly been trickling back in. Still, if you’re looking for a more elevated way of testing the waters with this motif, Chung’s interpretation is surely the one for you.

So, whether you’re ready or not, capris jeans and slender-shaped denim is certainly on the way up. And if you can’t beat them, may as well join them and shop Chung’s exact outfit, along with a few especially chic cropped trouser options, below.

Shop Alexa Chung's Capri Jeans Outfit

While Chung's entire look is from Chloé's Resort 2026 collection, which will hit stores early next year, shop pieces inspired by her outfit below.

Shop More Capri Jeans