Trousers Are Out, and Underwear Is In—6 Risqué Runway Looks That Prove It

In addition to simple, pared-down looks on the spring 2023 runways, the latest fashion season also offered up its fair share of more risqué ensembles, one of which involves ditching trousers entirely and wearing underwear—only. Even more surprising, though, was how alluring the trend turned out to be. Rather than over-the-top or showy, designers like Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta and Victoria Beckham showcased the trouserless look in the most high-brow of manners.

What levelled up the concept was the way in which it was styled on the runways, which I suggest you take note of for when you test out the trend IRL. At both of the aforementioned presentations, models ditched trousers and wore just tights instead, paired with classic heels and either a simple knit (at Bottega Veneta) or a lace bra and tailored blazer (at Victoria Beckham).

In contrast, Miu Miu Creative Director Miuccia Prada used long, layered T-shirts and knee-high open-toe boots to create the illusion that going out sans trousers was no big deal. At Del Core, thigh-high stockings provided just enough coverage to make a bodysuit (and only a bodysuit) suitable for everyday, and at Coperni, a cropped blazer was made to turn high-rise black briefs into a put-together ensemble. 

All that's to say if you were planning on investing heavily in trousers come spring, don't. Or at least, don't buy so many that you can't afford a few pairs of show-worthy panties and snag-proof tights. I promise they'll come in handy because the trouserless trend, no matter how impractical, is here to stay.

Though it might not feel natural at first to go without bottoms, this season's runways provided everything you need to get well acquainted with the styling method and, better yet, make it appear to be the most casual and natural way of dressing. From layered-on, longline T-shirts made to appear minidress-like at Miu Miu to a crisp, tailored blazer worn with nothing but high-rise briefs at Coperni, it's clear that there's no one right way to style this bottomless trend. 

1. Panties Worth Showing Off

For those of you who refuse to go trouserless entirely (I see you and I feel you), designers such as Blazy at Bottega Veneta and Victoria Beckham offered up another route for navigating this trend: Just throw on some tights. Tights aren't trousers—I know that. But they definitely provide an additional layer of fabric and modesty to a trend that doesn't include too much of either. Plus, if you pick a cool, patterned pair, they tend to add an interesting and unexpected touch to any top half of an ensemble. 

2. Hosiery That Stands on Its Own

As with most styling trends, shoes play a big role in the culmination of the overall look. For this particular one, the runways would suggest that black heels, from open-toe sandals to point-toe pumps, are the move. 

3. Classic Black Heels Are the Final Touch

Next: 11 Major Shoe Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Winter

This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.