I Never Thought I’d See Denim Capris Make a Comeback—Alexa Chung Just Proved Me Wrong in Paris

Another day, another triumphant display of fashion to emerge from the streets of Paris Fashion Week.

Whilst the runways have certainly delivered countless looks of note this season—Schiaparelli’s sheer slips dotted with feathered accents, Jonathan Anderson’s micro bubble skirts and shrunken bar jackets for his debut Dior collection, the return of the 1957-era sack dress at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga—it’s really the maze of boulevards that make up the city’s arrondissements where some of the more relatable and immediate offerings occur.

This point was proven by none other than Alexa Chung on Sunday evening. The British style icon stepped out to attend Chloé’s spring/summer 2026 show in a millennial-adored trend I could’ve never imagined would come back.

So, whilst everyone was consumed with dissecting Chemena Kamali’s latest bohemian range, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from Alexa's denim capri pants. As a patron of England’s noughties fashion scene, it really should come as no surprise to see Alexa revive this silhouette. I thought it would be forever banished to the annals of the early 2000s. Alas.

As someone who believes that pedal-pushers aren’t the controversial fashion item they’re made out to be, but who also really struggles to wear jeans at the best of times, I was quite conflicted about the return of this structured shape. I loved her peplum-esque grey blazer, the cream satin blouse that peeked out from under the lapels, the chunky belt that was fixed at her waist and her pointed-toe, T-bar kitten heels. But knee-grazing, slim-cut denim trousers? Are we really prepared to go back there?

Then, I remembered who I was talking about. This is the premier It girl. The person who inspired that heart-stopping note, penned on the back of a cocktail-bar napkin and who introduced Mary Janes and Peter Pan collars to the mainstream. If Alexa wants to resurrect one of the more polarising looks of the last century, all the rest of us really should be doing is taking notes. (Especially when she finishes the look off with a Chloé Paddington bag!)

That’s exactly what I did, and after a bit of digging, I realised that some very similar ensembles had already been making the rounds in the French capital, with countless Parisian tastemakers posting themselves on social media wearing nearly identical outfits.

However, if you were to ask Alexa herself, her look isn’t necessarily Parisienne, but more pirate. Indeed, the 41-year-old posted it to her own Instagram with the caption, "Swashing, buckling etc. The Chloé show was very gorgeous. 🪝[SIC]."

The presenter turned model might’ve put the most sophisticated spin that I’ve personally seen, though she’s not the only one embracing the maritime aesthetic. Both Alaïa’s balloon trousers and Alexander McQueen’s hussar jackets evoke this buccaneer sensibility, as do the Kate Moss-approved slouch boots that have slowly been trickling back in. Still, if you’re looking for a more elevated way of testing the waters with this motif, Alexa's interpretation is surely the one for you.

So, whether you’re ready or not, capri jeans and slender-shaped denim is certainly on the way up. And if you can’t beat them, you may as well join them and shop pieces inspired by Alexa's outfit (her entire look is from Chloé's Resort 2026 collection, which will hit stores early next year), along with a few especially chic cropped-trouser options, below.

Shop Alexa Chung's Capri-Jeans Outfit:

Shop More Capri Jeans