I’m living in these bottoms.
It’s pretty much summer—the second June arrives, it’s all Mister Softees everywhere (New Yorkers, IYKYK), shorts out, sandals galore, and unbearably hot subway platforms. I like two of those four things, with the latter being the one NYC summer burden I don’t think I’ll ever be able to handle gracefully. And while I’m not a big fan of shorts, I’ll wear them if need be, though Katie Holmes just presented an alternative that still provides some ease and breeze.
The actress attended a Chanel lunch for the Tribeca Festival, and while, of course, she was wearing a micro mini Chanel crossbody bag that was just big enough to hold her keys (?) and maybe a Chanel lippie, her pants are the total opposite of her squint-to-see bag: big, billowy, wide-leg trousers that weren’t your average pants. They were cool trousers, with an XXL silhouette that almost makes them look like a skirt, as well as cute floral appliqués that gave the pants some extra dimension.
Open Edit High-Waist Wide-Leg Trousers
Buy on Nordstrom $70 $52
Nordstrom Pleated Wide-Leg Pants
Buy on Nordstrom $129
Holmes paired her XXL pants with a teeny, tiny tank top with a larger flower smack dab in the middle; she rounded out the look with the aforementioned Chanel bag, a cool chain belt, and shoes that were, well, totally concealed under her pants. Those will remain a mystery! While I would wear everything Holmes wore, I have to mention again how in love I am with her pants for summer 2024—and I’m not the only one either.
Big pants have been around for several years now, and there’s a reason for it. Unlike super-tight skinnies, this roomy silhouette gives you ample breathing space, a.k.a., air ventilation for when it’s super hot and humid outside and you’d rather be in a swimsuit than any other article of clothing. Obviously, that’s not always possible, so billowy bottoms are the next best thing; not to mention, they also keep your legs safe from any sunburn, in case you frog to put on sunscreen (me!).
My final word? I particularly like the idea of pairing big pants with a teeny-tiny crop top, almost like Holmes did. It plays around with the proportions in an eye-catching way, and is subtly sexy, too.
Shop some more big pants to get in on summer 2024’s big pants energy with ease.
Get the Look:
Reiss Olivia High-Waist Wide-Leg Jeans
Shop now: $245; nordstrom.com
Gap × DÔEN High-Rise Denim Trousers
Shop now: $100; gap.com
Theory Oxford Wide-Leg Pants
Shop now: $325; nordstrom.com
Nadaam Twill Wide-Leg Pant
Shop now: $128; naadam.com
Madewell the Harlow Wide-Leg Pant
Shop now: $118; madewell.com
Vero Moda Margot Wide-Leg Jeans
Shop now: $79; nordstrom.com