Forget simple jeans and “going-out tops”. Funky pants and basic tops might just be this summer’s chicest fashion formula.
Sometimes getting dressed is all about finding the right fashion formula. Every season brings a new trend, and this summer, it all comes down to funky pants. All summer, I couldn’t stop thinking about owning a pair of blue, yellow, and white striped pants. I wasn’t looking for a specific brand. I had simply imagined how good they would look with a tank top. That’s when I realized that I might have found this season’s ultimate outfit formula.
The thing about fashion is that it can make you crave something you never knew you wanted. And sometimes, that one unexpected piece ends up reflecting more about your own style than anything already hanging in your closet.
Long before fun pants took over this season, there was sleepwear-inspired dressing. Over time, the pajama pants trend evolved into the colorful, expressive styles that we’re seeing today, in which bold prints, vibrant colors, playful silhouettes, and unexpected textures take center stage. Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection featured blue striped pajama-inspired trousers with embellishmed details, while Versace‘s Spring/Summer 2026 drop embraced bold blue, yellow, and orange striped pants with an ’80s-inspired feeling. And then suddenly, statement pants were not just for the bedroom, the beach, or the runways anymore.
Live, Laugh, Love Fun Pants!
This summer, statement pants are paired with the most understated tops, proving that sometimes one great piece is enough. A tank top, a baby tee, an oversized button-down shirt, or a bodysuit is all you need for styling, as inspired by Millie Bobby Brown, who paired Pamela Anderson’s archival embellished jeans with a fitted white baby tee, or Hailey Bieber, who paired bold polka-dot capris with a black boatneck top.
Celebrity and editorial stylist Lauren Croft told IMAGE that she’s “really drawn to those one-off eccentric pieces that are something different, and wearing that one statement piece that sets the tone for the whole outfit.” That’s exactly the role that fun pants have taken on this season. They will do all of the talking and can be the one unchangeable part of your style equation.
The best part? There are no rules. Animal print, sheer fabrics, embroidery, studs, bold colors, stripes, sequins, balloon silhouettes, barrel legs, or pajama-inspired styles all unite under the fun-pants umbrella. The only requirement is to have fun with them.
During the day, style statement pants with a simple white crew-neck baby tee, flip-flops or ballet flats for coffee dates, lunch in the city, or summer vacations. When the sun goes down, you can switch the tee for a black satin strappy backless blouse, swap your flats for sleek heels or mules, layer on chunky jewelry, and the very same pants are instantly ready for dinner, rooftop drinks, or a summer party. For more styling inspiration, we can channel our inner Zara Larsson with bold-print trousers, a rhinestone bikini top or tied button-down shirt, and nostalgic accessories like statement sunglasses, skinny belts, and metallic kitten heels.
Personally, I’ve been reaching for my Lioness Penny Pants all summer long. The button-front detail running from the waist to the hem gives them (and me) plenty of personality. The simplicity of a basic top and minimalist jewelry let the pants shine. I’m also a fan of trousers long enough to cover my stilettos. They instantly make the silhouette feel sleeker, cooler, and bolder.
So if you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe this summer, start with the pants, especially the funky ones.
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