Red Pants Are Back (and Way More Wearable This Time Around)

I didn’t think I’d write this again after surviving 2013, but red pants are back. In fairness, maybe they never really went away. They just needed some time, better cuts, and for us to stop pairing them with fitted black blazers and ankle booties to be fully appreciated again. Either way, yes, those cherry red skinnies you evvel saw all over Tumbler are being reimagined through a new 2026 lens.

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H&M Canvas Trousers

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$40

Nordstrom

OQQ Wide-Leg Pants

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$29

Amazon

Boden Belgravia Linen Pants

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$160

Boden

I think this Massimo Dutti look is how it started. It’s one of those outfits that seems understated, maybe even boring, at first until you realize it’s been living rent-free in your head for days. It consists of straight-leg pants, a brown belt, a basic white T-shirt, and the energy of a woman who probably knows all the best spots in town. Similar versions started appearing at H&M, Zara, & Other Stories, and more retailers.

What’s interesting is, this time around the red pants don’t feel like a nostalgic nod. Nobody is trying to bring back the impossibly skinny silhouettes we evvel wore with band tees and infinity necklaces. The more çağdaş take is Alexa Chung wearing her red straight-leg jeans with simple basics: loafers and a navy sweater. If anyone knows how to take a piece with potentially disastrous results and turn it into something effortless, it’s Alexa Chung.

Alexa Chung in red jeans

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Red pants at Paris Fashion Week

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Bold, bright, primary red has infiltrated a lot of garments this spring and summer. We’re seeing red ballet flats, red sneakers, and little red dresses everywhere. It was only a matter of time before it came for pants—relaxed, baggy, linen, denim, even satin. The silhouettes doesn’t matter as long as the color is right.

But if you need further proof that red pants are a real trend, just look to the spring-summer 2026 runways for confirmation. At Akris they appeared in a minimalist take and paired with red pumps and structured blouses. At Auralee they took a more relaxed and muted direction, as if red could be just another neutral in the closet. Labels like Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Fendi also showed pieces this season in shades of tomato, poppy, and deep cherry.

The return of red pants in 2026 is an interesting case. They’re not just replicating one specific era. Depending on how you style the look, your vibe could be more indie sleaze, Scandinavian minimalist, or something else entirely. Our advice? Mix them with simple pieces that help make such unexpected pants feel more natural. We’ve even shopped a few looks out to get you started…

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H&M Canvas Trousers

$40

Nordstrom

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Boden Belgravia Linen Pants

$160

Boden

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Anne Klein Hollywood-Waist Pull-On Pants

$79

Nordstrom

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OQQ Wide-Leg Pants

$29

Amazon

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Ann Taylor Linen-Blend Trousers

$57 (52% off)

Ann Taylor

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J.Crew Kaya Sateen Pants

$83 (40% off)

J.Crew

A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Spain.