For the Fall 2024, baggy pants are making a powerful return to the forefront of fashion, and it’s no surprise that Gen Z, with its love for unisex and gender-neutral styles, is embracing this trend with open arms. With Bollywood icons like Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Sara Ali Khan, Tiger Shroff, and the current heartthrob pop singer Diljit Dosanjh taking the lead, baggy pants have evolved from casual wear to a full-blown fashion statement. These stars are effortlessly styling high-waisted baggy pants and cargos, creating bold and refreshing looks that fit right in with the current vibe of cool, laid-back confidence.
Fashionable Comeback
As we move into cooler seasons, expect to see more baggy silhouettes dominating the streets. The latest iterations of this trend are all about comfort, self-expression, and versatility. The styles for this season include everything from oversized cargo pants to relaxed joggers and the iconic barrel pants. According to designer Anupamaa Dayal, baggy pants are all about ease of living. “They are comfortable, pointing to the direction of increased self-expression,” she explains, noting that the real standout styling technique this season is the clever use of belts. She says, “Belts cinch the waist and add shape, providing a more structured look. Tucked-in shirts and waist tie-ups are also essential styling choices, giving the baggy pant look a refined, yet edgy finish.”
Street Smart Styles
Baggy pants aren’t just taking over Bollywood. Global icons like Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner are also embracing the trend, further solidifying its street-smart appeal for Fall/Winter 2024. These stars have been spotted making bold fashion statements by pairing oversized pants with crop tops, sleek belts, and statement shoes, proving that baggy is both fun and fabulous. Whether styled with an oversized blazer, a fitted jacket, or even a structured corset, baggy pants offer endless versatility, ensuring they remain a closet staple throughout the season.
Expect to see a variety of loose-fitting denim cuts, including baggy jeans, barrel legs, and the newly popular horseshoe silhouettes for casual airport looks on celebrities. Crystal Henricksen, head of denim design at fashion label GAP, affirms the ‘loose style revival’ is largely inspired by the 90s and early 2000s. She informs, “The big focus for this season is baggy clothes. The freedom of movement and expression is key, as we’ve highlighted in our ‘get loose campaign’ for Fall 2024. Many utility details are being integrated into the design, making these pants suitable for day-to-night wear.”
Henricksen hints at a colour palette that speaks to the season’s transition and vouches for shades of brown, beige, white, blue, and green, paired with rinse washes and textured blacks. Henricksen suggests experimenting with different textures, washes, and accessories like sneakers, ballet flats, or heeled sandals for a versatile day-to-night transformation. She adds, “Layering, particularly with loose-fitting clothes, is also a major trend. When layering denim, I recommend playing with different textures or washes to create a more dynamic look. Anything can be taken up a notch with the right accessories. They are the easiest way to elevate your look and make it fun or bold. I love pairing our baggy pants with an elevated sneaker or ballet flats for daytime and swapping them out for a heeled sandal for dinner plans, so look out for that.”
Baggy Silhouettes & Styling
The beauty of baggy pants lies in their versatility and comfort, but it’s the details that make them fashion-forward. The key silhouettes to watch this season are barrel pants, loose joggers, and multi-pocket cargo pants, all of which serve the dual purpose
of style and functionality. Accessorising with sneakers, chunky boots, or minimalist sandals can instantly up your fashion game. Interestingly, the resurgence of baggy pants is not limited to streetwear alone. Shruti Mangla, founder of the label Perona, reveals that relaxed silhouettes are making a strong comeback, not just for men and women but for anyone who loves fashion’s gender-fluid approach. “Straight, relaxed, and baggy silhouettes are extremely versatile and can be styled for both casual and dressy occasions,” she says. Mangla highlights earthy tones, particularly brown and rust, as the standout colours for this fall, adding that pleated details can elevate the look, making it perfect for high-fashion settings.
Her styling advice for athletic body types leans toward pairing baggy pants with fitted tops to create a flattering triangular projection. For those seeking a more laid-back approach, she suggests an effortlessly cool “half-tuck” of the top within these bottom-wear silhouettes.
Baggy Brigade
• Bollywood icons like Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Sara Ali Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Tiger Shroff are leading the fashion scene with cool baggy pants
• Global icons like Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner are also adopting the baggy pants trend