Honestly, if you hear the word "knickers" today, your mind probably jumps to one of two things: British slang for underwear or those puffy, knee-length trousers that old-timey golfers used to wear while smoking pipes. But lately, the fashion world has been doing that weird thing it always does—digging through the archives of the 1920s and 1970s to bring back things we thought were buried for good. We’re seeing more and more celebrities in knickers on the red carpet and in street style shots, and it’s not just for a costume party. It’s a deliberate, somewhat rebellious middle finger to the skinny jeans era that just won't seem to die.
You’ve probably noticed that silhouettes are getting wider. Baggy is back. But knickers—or knickerbockers, if you want to be formal about it—occupy this strange, specific middle ground between a short and a trouser. They gather at the knee. They create volume. And for a lot of A-listers, they offer a way to look tailored without the restrictive feel of a traditional suit. It’s about movement.
The Weird History of How We Got Here
To understand why someone like Harry Styles or Sarah Jessica Parker would voluntarily put on a pair of cinched-knee trousers, you have to look at the utility of the garment. Back in the early 20th century, knickers were the ultimate "activewear." If you were a man of status and you wanted to go hiking, play golf, or ride one of those terrifying penny-farthing bicycles, you wore knickerbockers. They kept the fabric away from the gears and the mud.
Then came the 70s. This is where the celebrities in knickers trend really took a turn toward the feminine. Icons like Princess Diana were famously photographed in the early 80s wearing pastel-colored knickers paired with tall boots. It was a look. A very specific, very "Sloane Ranger" look that signaled a certain kind of aristocratic rebellion. It wasn't about being sexy in the traditional sense; it was about being interesting.
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Fast forward to the current runways. Brands like Gucci and Marc Jacobs have been leaning hard into this "Grandpa-chic" aesthetic. It’s a vibe that says, "I have a library and probably know how to fly a vintage glider." When we see modern celebrities in knickers, they’re usually styling them with sheer tights or knee-high leather boots to bridge that gap between "1922 newsie" and "2026 fashion icon."
Who’s Actually Pulling This Off?
It takes a specific kind of confidence. You can't just throw these on with a t-shirt and expect it to work. Well, maybe you can if you're Bella Hadid. She’s been spotted experimenting with the cropped, voluminous silhouette, often leaning into the "ugly-cool" aesthetic that defines Gen Z high fashion.
Then there’s the theatrical side of it. Janelle Monáe has basically mastered the art of the dandy. By wearing knickers, she taps into a history of gender-bending fashion that dates back a century. It’s a power move. It says she doesn’t need a floor-length gown to command a room. She needs structure. She needs a silhouette that challenges the eye.
But it’s not always about the avant-garde. Sometimes it’s just about comfort. Take a look at the "coastal grandmother" trend that took over TikTok. While that mostly focused on linens and bucket hats, the natural evolution has been toward more structured vintage pieces. We’re seeing older style icons—think Diane Keaton—remind everyone that knickers are actually incredibly practical for someone who wants to move around without tripping over a hemline.
The Technical Struggle: Why Knickers are Hard to Style
Let’s be real for a second. This look is a trap. If you get the proportions wrong, you end up looking like you’re about to audition for a production of Oliver Twist. The secret that stylists for celebrities in knickers know is all about the "break."
If the knickers end too high, they look like shorts that shrunk in the wash. If they end too low, they make your legs look three inches long. The sweet spot is usually just below the widest part of the calf. This is why you almost always see them paired with a heel or a very sleek boot. You need to elongate the leg to compensate for the volume at the knee.
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The Fabric Factor
- Tweed: The classic choice. It’s heavy, it holds its shape, and it screams "English countryside."
- Silk/Satin: This is the "nightlife" version. It drapes differently and looks less like sportswear and more like lounge gear.
- Leather: A risky move, but one we’ve seen on several European runways recently. It adds a hard edge to a soft shape.
Why Does This Trend Keep Coming Back?
Cycles. Fashion is a giant wheel. We spent the 2010s obsessed with compression—leggings, skinny jeans, bodycon dresses. Eventually, the body wants to breathe. Knickers offer volume without the weight of a full wide-leg trouser. They allow for a "moment" with your footwear, which is something a lot of celebrities care about. If you’re wearing $2,000 custom boots, you don’t want them hidden under a flare.
There’s also the E-E-A-T factor of fashion (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Fashion historians like Valerie Steele have often noted that when the economy or social climate feels restrictive, fashion often swings toward the eccentric or the nostalgic. Knickers represent a simpler time, even if that’s just a romanticized version of the past.
The Practical Reality of the Look
If you’re looking to try this yourself, don't go full costume. Skip the flat cap. Unless you're actually on a golf course in 1925, the hat is too much. Instead, think about contrast. If the bottom half is "old world," the top half needs to be modern. A crisp, oversized white button-down or a fitted turtleneck can ground the look.
The boots are non-negotiable. If you try to wear knickers with standard sneakers, you're going to look like a middle schooler from the 90s. You want something with a bit of a profile. A chunky lug-sole boot or a sleek riding boot is the way to go.
Misconceptions About the "Knickers" Label
A lot of people get confused by the terminology. In the UK, if you tell someone you like their knickers, you might get a slap or a very awkward look. There, the word almost exclusively means women's underwear. However, in the context of international fashion and "American English," it still refers to these cropped trousers.
It’s also important to distinguish them from "culottes." Culottes are basically a split skirt—wide throughout. Knickers are gathered or banded at the knee. That taper is what defines the look and makes it so polarizing. People either love the structured puff or they absolutely hate it. There is no middle ground.
How to Spot a High-Quality Pair
When you see celebrities in knickers that actually look good, it’s usually because of the tailoring. Look at the waistband. It should be high—above the hips. This balances the volume at the knees. If the waistband is too low, the whole silhouette collapses.
Check the hardware too. Real knickerbockers usually have a buckle or a button tab at the knee. This isn't just for decoration; it’s so you can adjust the fit based on where your calf starts. If it’s just an elastic band, it’s going to look cheap and feel uncomfortable after about twenty minutes.
Moving Forward With the Trend
We’re likely to see this peak during the fall/winter seasons. It’s a "heavy fabric" look. As sustainability becomes a bigger part of the conversation, more people are turning to vintage shops to find authentic wool pieces from the 60s and 70s. These older garments often have better construction than anything you’ll find in a fast-fashion outlet today.
Your Next Steps for Mastering the Look
- Start with the Boots: Find a pair of knee-high boots that you actually love. They are the foundation of this outfit.
- Search Vintage: Look for "vintage golf trousers" or "70s culottes" on resale sites. You'll find higher-quality wool blends than what's currently being manufactured.
- Mind the Proportions: If you’re shorter, look for a pair with less "puff." A slimmer knicker will give you the look without swallowing your frame.
- Tailor the Knee: If the band at the bottom is too loose, take it to a tailor. It needs to sit snugly (but comfortably) to create that iconic silhouette.
The resurgence of celebrities in knickers proves that nothing in fashion ever truly dies. It just waits for someone brave enough to wear it again. Whether it’s a nod to 1920s athleticism or 1980s royalty, the look is about taking up space and refusing to blend in. It's bold, it's a bit weird, and it's definitely not for everyone—which is exactly why it works.
Actionable Insights: To successfully pull off the knickerbocker trend, prioritize the "three-finger rule"—the band should be tight enough that you can only fit three fingers between the fabric and your leg. This ensures the volume stays above the knee, maintaining a sharp, intentional silhouette rather than a sloppy one. Stick to monochromatic color palettes (like all greys or all browns) to keep the look sophisticated and avoid the "costume" trap.