Introduction to the No-Pants Trend
The recent Met Gala 2025 witnessed a distinct trend under the red carpet: the absence of pants. This style, worn by celebrities such as Kristen Stewart, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Sydney Sweeney, has been gaining steam over the years. However, it was pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and K-Pop star Lisa who particularly rocked the internet with their pantsless outfits, sparking controversy.
The Controversy Surrounding Lisa’s Outfit
Lisa’s underwear part of a lace bodysuit, designed by Louis Vuitton, appeared to have a picture of civil rights activist Rosa Parks embroidered on it, along with other figures. Although this was not confirmed, social media users were offended by the look, which seemed to be an unsuccessful attempt to marry the gala’s theme of black dandyism with the hottest fashion trend.
The Modern Revival of the No-Pants Trend
The revival of the no-pants trend or mini shorts marks a shift towards individualism in fashion and may also use shock value. Since 2022, we have slowly resumed this trend, with celebrity outfits and a series of runway adoptions. The latest runways have continued to deliver collections with hot pants, mini shorts, and simply no pants, including Miu Miu Spring 2024 RTW, Alexander Wang Spring 2025 RTW, and Louis Vuitton Spring 2025.
Origins of the Trend
The body positivity movement can also be a factor in the way celebrities express themselves. The no-pants trend is a moment to celebrate one’s legs. It is also particularly useful for people who are shorter, as it creates the illusion of longer legs by focusing on the upper body. Sabrina Carpenter said she was expressly advised by Pharrell Williams not to wear trousers at the Met Gala due to her short stature.
History of Women’s Pants
Pants for women have a long and complex history. Before the mid-19th century, women in Western societies were considered unacceptable to wear bloomers (pants), as this was seen as a threat to male power. The taboo lasted until the early 19th century, with a men’s magazine from 1903 featuring a special edition of "Bifurcated Girls" – i.e., women posing in pants. It was only in 2013 that France officially lifted a 200-year ban that allowed women to wear pants only with the permission of the police.
The Cycle of Fashion Trends
For women, pants provided practicality and freedom of movement, which was particularly important when they took over men’s roles during the First and Second World Wars. So, it is no surprise that women’s pants became a fashion staple. Other trends, such as the no-pants trend, will normally make their way into mainstream fashion in two ways: either they trickle down from runways and celebrities or bubble up from street style or social media.
The Future of the No-Pants Trend
Trend cycles begin with "innovators" and "early adopters" – the brave among us who are willing to take the risk before others. Research into fashion trends suggests that about 1 percent to 2.5 percent of the population are innovators who accept a style before it becomes mainstream. Trends generally die when they reach a point of saturation, and people get tired of them. While a trend that is closer to classic fashion can take ten years, fashion "phenomena" tend to last about a year to two years. Given the Met Gala appearances, it is likely that the no-pants look will last at least another year, and we can expect it to be diluted as it trickles into mainstream fashion, meaning we might see more mini shorts in stores instead.
