5 Ways to Wear the Anti-Baggy Pant Trend That Has Us Divided

It's only been a minute since we shared this story about another controversial pant trend, but here I am, likely about to upset some of you all over again. This time, it's to bravely make the case for some of the pedal-pusher outfits I've been spotting of late. To be honest, I really expected this cropped trend to taper off as we eased into fall and winter and then perhaps reemerge come spring. Now, we are in the midst of the holiday season, and pedal pushers, capri pants, even mid-calf cropped jeans are still popping up all over my feed.
At first, I put it down to this winter's early bouts of unseasonably mild temperatures, but it's now apparent that the pedal-pusher trend really does have some staying power—cut to a slew of chic styles being available to shop now from Donni, Reformation, Rag & Bone, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, and so many more of our go-to spots. Here are five looks spotted on chic influencers, from Paris to Copenhagen, that make the argument that this cropped style is as versatile as, well, any other pair of black pants. Perhaps they're even worth having chilly ankles for this season. Discuss.
Pedal pushers feel very off-duty cool when paired with an oversize leather jacket and trendy suede sneakers.
I can never have enough reliable, all-black outfits on hand, especially this time of year with so many dinners and events. I'm not always in the mood to wear a dress, so I *love* this tailored look as a fresh, ultra-polished option for the evening.
Wearing pedal pushers with patent flats and a crewneck cardigan feels a little bit retro in the best possible way. Is it just me, or is this a perfect look if you're hosting these holidays?
This slightly longer cropped style feels especially elegant, and showing a little skin below the ankle balances out all that fabric that comes with the scarf coats that are continuing to trend this winter.
We love an outfit that's chic and practical. This look is doing a great job of low-key leaning into vintage-inspired accessories, giving a slight cinema Italiano energy. I feel like there's a Vespa nearby.
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Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.
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