Take a look at my Pinterest boards and Instagram saves and you'll notice a theme; I am obsessed with patterned pants. I've been stalking a pair of iconic Roberto Cavalli tiger print pants on Vestiaire Collective from the Fall 2000 collection for a week straight. It's safe to say this trend is taking over my life, and I'm not mad about it. After countless hours scrolling through fashion TikTok and strolling downtown Manhattan, I've come to the conclusion that all the cool girls are living for printed pants in 2023. This trend is all about nostalgia, with our favorites taking inspo from '70s fashion: Flared silhouettes and psychedelic swirls appear on pants by brands like House of Sunny and Hosbjerg, and Miaou gives a nod to the early aughts with its low-rise printed denim. So what are you waiting for? It's time to go bold or go home.
YanYan Fafa Bell Bottom in Lurex Jacquard
These funky floral pants can be worn out on the town. The lurex knit adds a touch of sparkle, giving these bellbottoms a dressed-up feel. Fun fact: YanYan uses leftover yarn to reduce waste.
Kim Shui Shell Print Stitch Jersey Pants
The light jersey fabric and shell print make these pants a must-have for summer.
Miaou Fargo Pants
These baggy low-rise jeans scream Y2k. Play up the nostalgia by adding a baby tee and some shield sunnies.
Comic High Rise Straight Long Jeans
These are like wearing Roy Lichtenstein pieces on your legs. How could pants get any better than that?
UO Sierra Mesh Flare Pant
These are, dare I say, pretty groovy. Look at that swirl pattern!
Wild Card Wide-Leg Culottes
This brand boasts a wide array of African-inspired designs, including these fun patterned pants (and its matching crop top!).
Simply Be Wide Leg Pants in Black Ditsy Floral
I love these. They're patterned yet subdued, which makes then a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
Women's Paisley Printed Palazzo Pants
These are an excellent way of making work-from-home comfy AND cute.
Alex+Olivia Eric Snakeskin-Print Flared Trousers
This mustard yellow color is attention-grabbing without being garish, and it transitions well from season to season.
High Waisted Floral Wide Leg Pants
These pants would work great for both a dinner date and a wild night out on the town.
H&M Flared Leggings
I love the stings on these, which zig-zag up the midsection. They're leggings, too, which means you'll be able to stand out and stay comfortable at the same time.
Chester Pants
These hand-dyed pants are made sustainably, and the textile workers who created them are paid fair wages. Pants you can feel good in AND good about.
Capricho Trousers
These pastel-colored pants would look amazing in the summer, or in the winter with a black turtleneck.
Leo - Le Posh Pants - Orange
This eco-friendly, fair trade brand is also Latinx-owned! It boasts meticulously made designs guaranteed to retain their vibrant colors for years to come.
The Ragged Priest Mom Jeans in Mixed Plaid
For when you can't decide which color to wear — ¿Por qué no los dos?
Simone Paisley-Print Mulberry Silk Pant
Behold this whimsical twist on Ralph Lauren's signature structured look.
African Pattern Sweatpants
Another fun African pattern. What I like about this particular pair is the way the divers patterns meld into one another.
Gabrielle Ulubay is a Former Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. She has also written about sexual wellness, politics, culture, and fashion at Marie Claire and at publications including The New York Times, HuffPost Personal, Bustle, Alma, Muskrat Magazine, O'Bheal, and elsewhere. Her personal essay in The New York Times' Modern Love column kickstarted her professional writing career in 2018, and that piece has since been printed in the 2019 revised edition of the Modern Love book. Having studied history, international relations, and film, she has made films on politics and gender equity in addition to writing about cinema for Film Ireland, University College Cork, and on her personal blog, gabrielleulubay.medium.com.