Let’s talk about stirrup pants .Are stirrup pants outdated? Are they fresh enough to be included in the modern wardrobe? We’re breaking down how stirrup pants came to be and whether they are friend or foe to those of us with fashionable sensibilities.
History of Stirrup Pants
As you can probably guess from their name, stirrup pants were first worn by horse riders. They were created in the 1920s to hold the pant legs of the rider in place. They aided in the transition between a seated position and out-of-side saddle for female equestrians.
Later, at the 1936 Olympics, stirrup pants began to be used in skiing events and continued to ski throughout the ’60s, landing itself a spot in functional ski wear and the ever-chic Après-ski wear. In the 1980s, stirrup pants made a comeback in the form of athletic leggings often used for aerobics, which was the most popular form of exercise at the time.
Finally, in the ’90s, stirrup pants became part of the “proto-athleisure” trend. Stirrup pants, in the form of leggings, were often paired with some sort of elevating piece to pull the outfit together, such as a suit jacket or an oversized crewneck sweater. This mixing of the form-fitting silhouette of the stirrup leggings with a wide and billowy jacket or knit inspires most stirrup-inclusive outfits today.
The popularity of the stirrup pant didn’t end in the ‘90s — nor did athleisure, for that matter. Stirrup pants had a massive resurgence in 2016, being featured in both Marni and Balenciaga’s fall collections as a loose-ankle interpretation brought stirrup pants into a new century.
Of course, stirrup pants never really the highest echelons of chic. They had been seen across runways in Jil Sander’s Fall 2011 collection, Stella McCartney’s Fall 2014 collection, and Trademark’s Fall 2015 collection. A piece this versatile will always find a place on the runways and in our hearts.
Stirrup Pants Today: From Athleisure to High Fashion
Top fashion influencers — from Rihanna to Leandra Medine Cohen — have found ways to dress up stirrup pants and turn them into a versatile addition to their wardrobes.
In this monochromatic baby pink outfit, Rihanna subtly sneaks in a pair of pink stirrup pants that glide right into her blush pink Louboutin pumps and add a subtle pop of eccentricity to an otherwise classically glam outfit.
As a contrast to Rihanna’s head-to-toe glam, Sienna Miller brought high fashion and athleisure together with her New York street style. Sienna and fashion leggings go hand-in-hand, and she took her stirrup leggings on a Vogue-worthy spring jaunt.
On the other hand, Leandra, who you may know best as the founder of Man Repeller, puts her stirrup pants front-and-center as a chic complement to her shearling coat, satin dress, and white pumps.
Despite the other eye-catching pieces in her outfit, Leandra’s stirrup pants stand out the most among her skillful layering as a practical layer among her sartorial selections.
Another compelling case for the potential resurgence of stirrup pants and leggings? Stirrup pants can easily tie a look together. Victoria Beckham wore a pair of stirrup leggings to pull together a nearly monochromatic outfit.
For some, it may be easier to give stirrup pants a try for themselves to see if they work in your wardrobe. Although, if Victoria, Leandra, and Rihanna’s looks are any indication, it looks like stirrup pants offer something for everyone.
Our Picks
Thrilling’s extensive catalog of unique, cool vintage pieces has something for everyone—including the fashion-forward innovators bringing stirrup pants back into the spotlight.
We’ve searched through our inventory to find our favorite sartorial stirrup pants, but if these aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, just send us a message at concierge@shopthrilling.com. We’ll work together with our partner stores and look through our offline inventory to find the stirrup pants that speak to your soul.
'60s Purple Fitted Stirrup Pants
The perfect stirrup pants to pair with a breezy button-down top or fitted turtleneck and your most fabulous pair of platform loafers or chunk sneakers!
Off-White Pleated Stirrup Pants
Opt for a more classic look with these off-white stirrup pants. They’re giving us Hedi Slimane’s first season at Celine vibes, which was heavily inspired by equestrian wear.
80's Red Black Stirrup Ski Pants Skiwear with Stretch Waist
Want to take your après-ski wear up a notch? These red stirrup pants will turn any ski outfit into a bold Euro-vacay look. Their stretch waist provides comfort whether you’re hitting the slopes or watching the Olympics from your couch.
’80s Black Stirrup Ski Pants
If you’re looking for an après-ski look that you can easily wear off the slopes (or at the mall), these black stirrup pants provide all of the European sensibilities of our red black option with a sophisticated, understated sense of chic.
'90s Black Belted Waist Stirrup Ski Pants
These classic stirrup pants could easily be mistaken for minimalistic trousers. They’re perfect for stirrup pants beginners or anyone who wants to embrace dark academia, day to night office wear, or instantly tailored comfort.
'70s Bright Blue Ski Pants
These bright blue ski pants can be worn as a fashion-forward alternative to jeans. when you’re looking for a pair of plain blue pants to build your outfit around. These ’70s stirrup pants not only add some literal flair to your outfit with their subtly flared bottoms, but they’re also multi-functional because they are slope-approved.
Mocha Stirrup Pants
Not all stirrup pants are statement pieces and this chic and minimalistic pair of Ralph Lauren stirrup pants are a testament to that. Pair these with a smart coat and a plain turtleneck or mock-neck top for the perfect fall look.
'80s Pinstripe Stirrup Pants
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect ’80s business chic pants, these are for you. Cause a stir with stirrups at the office.
Check out our selection of stirrup pants and leggings! Share your looks with us on social media @shopthrilling.
A Look We Love
Found the stirrup pants of your dreams and now piecing together the rest of your outfit? Head right on over to the rest of our website to sustainably create the wardrobe of your dreams.
Every single piece on our website is completely unique and ethically sourced and shipped from over 300 stores in more than 100 cities across the United States.
Unlike standard fashion retailers, Thrilling helps extend the life cycle of clothing that already exists. Not only are you reducing waste with your purchase, but you can guarantee that your clothing will have a much smaller carbon footprint than if you were buying it from a standard retailer.
With Thrilling, there is no middle man to extend shipping length. We sell and ship everything directly from the boutique it's sourced from. Reduced carbon emissions and shorter shipping time? It’s a win-win!
Another perk of shopping Thrilling? You will be supporting the small and independent businesses that keep our communities and neighborhoods alive. We pride ourselves on celebrating diversity, so not only are all the boutiques we source from indie businesses, but 95% of them are women and/or minority-owned.
Thrilling is a great place to build the wardrobe of your dreams while finding your fashion tribe! With more than 38,000 followers across all social media platforms, you’re bound to meet like-minded people with whom you can build a community all your own.
Find your style and squad.
SOURCES:
Is Pink the New Black? Kendall, Gigi, and More Warm Up to Winter Pastels | Vogue
3 Ways to Wear a Dress Over Pants | Repeller.com
The World Finally Discovered Victoria Beckham's Fancy Leggings Trick | InStyle