Swish Swish: Parachute Pants Drop in Again
Situated in the niche between Y2K and gorpcore, parachute pants are everywhere right now, with highlights from NEEDLES, Dion Lee, Marc Jacobs, and more.
As style continues to explore the dusty corners of Y2K trends, more and more all but forgotten vestiges of the era are being resurrected as pillars of contemporary style. A shining example? Parachute pants. What’s more, the return of parachute pants coincided with the ever-present desire for technical fabrics and outdoor-ready garments, making them one of the more relevant trending pieces of 2023.
Characterized by varying levels of enormous leg widths, parachute pants usually feature a simple build with an adjustable waist tie and toggled hems for each leg that allow for the ballooning shape. Cargo pockets are also a defining feature, leaning into the military style of the design. In terms of how to style parachute pants, following a technical direction is a safe bet, coupling them with tactical jackets and accessories for a uniform finish.
Model wears Palm Angels pants.
Palm Angels’s latest collection is home to a pair of the biggest parachute pants we’ve seen. Adorned with the label’s gothic text logo on one leg, they feel like an authentic pair straight from 2002. Bungee drawstrings at the waist and ankles offer a customizable fit.
Model wears Reebok Classics pants.
While many pairs of parachute pants act as the main character of an outfit thanks to oversized legs and hard-hitting color palettes, this pair provides a more understated take on the style. A two-tone gray and blue colorway is highly versatile for those on the hunt for utility.
Model wears Anna Sui pants.
Anna Sui’s SSENSE-exclusive green parachute pants nod to the garment’s military roots with a camouflage print throughout. Bungee toggles at the thigh, knee, and cuff mean that the wearer can really play with the silhouette here.
Model wears NEEDLES trousers.
Cult label NEEDLES has been making some of the boldest wide-leg pants on the market for some time now. The brand’s H.D. fit is particularly comfortable in this neutral, pure cotton build. A toggled waistband drops to a wide, subtly tapered leg for the classic parachute pants shape.
Model wears Dion Lee trousers.
One of the most prominent names when it comes to designer parachute pants? Dion Lee. The Australian designer’s technical prowess shines through in features like the harness, which defines this pair.
Model wears Dion Lee trousers.
Elsewhere in Dion Lee’s collection are options like this moto-inspired pair, which looks to an unmissable two-tone, paneled construction for impact. Keep them baggy or cinch in the cuffs for a tighter finish.
Model wears Saks Potts trousers.
Saks Potts stands out as a label that understands how to use trends to inform collections without losing sight of its unique DNA. The Esther trousers are a prime example, taking inspiration from the parachute pants trend but reshaping it with an understated edge.
Model wears Gucci trousers.
Gucci opts for several unorthodox details to give this pair of women’s parachute pants impact. An exposed zip fly and cargo pockets to each thigh are the real standouts.
Model wears Collina Strada pants.
While most parachute pants stay faithful to the technical, military origins of the style, some purposefully subvert that. Collina Strada swaps out the typical canvas build for a much more dramatic velvet finish.
Model wears Marc Jacobs trousers.
Marc Jacobs was quick to capitalize on fashion’s desire for Y2K style with its Heaven sublabel. If these white parachute pants are anything to go off, though, it seems that mainline Marc Jacobs has finally given in to the pull of the 2000s.
- Date: August 10, 2023
