- How to Wear Pedal Pushers? 6 Outfits to Inspire Your Next Look
- 1. White Halterneck + White Pedal Pushers + Platform Flip-Flops
- 2. Black Pedal Pushers + Trench Coat + Heeled Flip-Flops
- 3. White Pedal Pushers + Strappy Camisole + Block Heel Mules
- 4. Black Pedal Pushers + Funnel Neck Jacket + Head Scarf
- 5. Polka Dot Capris + Ribbed Tank Top + Black Ballet Flats
- 6. Embroidered Capris + Sleeveless Top + Slip-On Mules
- Celebrities Wearing Pedal Pushers
When it comes to dressing woes, three-quarter length trousers have suffered immensely from the reputation of being too hard to wear. This comes down to the fact that they never consistently fall at the same length, either stopping just underneath the knee or skimming below the calf, leaving the exposed space above your ankle a perilous gap to style for some. Many find themselves asking, “How to wear pedal pushers?”, among other questions like, “What shoes suit capris best?” and “Why did cropped trousers make a comeback?” Fear not, for I have the answer.
After being introduced in 1948 in the debut collection of fashion designer Sonja de Lennart, the style was swiftly adopted by mid-century film starlets, becoming entrenched in popular culture after Audrey Hepburn wore them in the 1953 romantic comedy, Roman Holiday. Later co-signed by Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe, the humble calf-hugger became a testament of modern style—part gamine, part glamorous, entirely chic. But by the early 2000s rolled around, pedal pushers became a gaudy red carpet staple, diminishing their sophisticated associations for something a little more chintzy. In the decades that followed, pedal pushers survived as a relic of the past, reminding wearers of the lurid looks worn as teenagers. That was until they were spotted again on the legs of influential tastemakers.
Indeed, in 2025, pedal pushers have come full circle. Bella Hadid helped pioneer their return when she made them a part of her return to the public eye post her health-related hiatus. Shedding her Depop-purchased vintage wardrobe for something a little more refined, she opted for black pairs from Ferragamo, Nuovo and Tank Air while on the promotional tour for her perfume line, Ôrəbella. Following in her footsteps, Hailey Bieber wore a polka-dot pair from Paloma Wool and pedal pushers with a Miu Miu technical jacket while out and about in New York earlier this year. Rounding out this trifecta was Kendall Jenner, who wore them twice in the span of a fortnight. The first was with a white wrap top while in Paris, while the second came when she was departing from a speedboat in Venice. (Very fitting considering it’s European Summer origins.)
This time around, considering how to wear pedal pushers is a matter of wondering what classic wardrobe essentials can be paired with them to create a sophisticated outfit that elevates the pants further. Twenty years ago, we might have been happy to throw on a baby tee or a halterneck with our pedal pushers, but the 2025 way to enhance the look is with longline tops, boxy jackets and polished accessories—think high/low luxury styling. For Who What Wear UK fashion editor Remy Farrell, the winning formula is “as simple as a boxy blazer, a white tee, pedal pushers and kitten-heel mules”. But she adds, “there's a dressy outfit for every style, and as a rule of thumb, if it looks good with leggings, it'll work for pedal pushers too.” As for me, I tend to inject a little more personality with a tiger print pair from Australian label Hansen and Gretel, a feather-trimmed cerulean cardigan from Oséree and Paris Georgia’s coveted Dune wedges. Therein lies the appeal of pedal pushers; whatever you consider as wardrobe staples will always complement the style.
So, should your interest in pedal pushers be piqued and you're wondering how to make them work for weekends, work and play, keep scrolling for six sources of inspiration that put to rest the concern of “how to wear pedal pushers” to bed once and for all.
How to Wear Pedal Pushers? 6 Outfits to Shortcut Your Way to Style
1. White Halterneck + White Pedal Pushers + Platform Flip-Flops
Style Notes: Wearing an all-white outfit in the summertime should be considered a summer commandment. The crisp monochrome finish of wearing a singular shade is a shortcut to looking polished when really all you've done is slip on a summer top and trouser. This outfit, while looking like it stepped off Dolce Gabbana's spring 2004 runway, contextualises Y2K tropes with modern edge, adding studs, a rosette motif and a platform flip-flop to bring the look up to date.
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This premium denim halterneck from Reformation can be considered the mature version of strappy tie-up tops.
Channel your inner Lee Radziwell with this pair.
When it comes to fit-flops style insiders covet, you can't skip The Row's Ginza style.
2. Black Pedal Pushers + Trench Coat + Heeled Flip-Flops
Style Notes: For in-between weather days when you're combating the heat of London summer whilst freezing under workplace air conditioning, a structured trench is the perfect finishing touch to your pedal pusher outfit. Dress up with some heeled thongs and screenshot this for your next office outfit.
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Adds polish and poise with one simple top layer.
These bridge the gap between sporty chic and sophisticated elegance.
The square-toe shape is one of the season's most notable footwear trends.
3. White Pedal Pushers + Strappy Camisole + Block Heel Mules
Style Notes: Dressing up a strappy cami top is as simple as playing with proportions. Lean into the underwear-as-outwear trend with a boudoir-approved-yet-equally-elevated tank top featuring the thinnest straps imaginable to balance out the boxiness of a pedal pusher. Pair with chunkier block-heel mules to tie it all together.
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The definition of expensive-looking high street.
This vintage-inspired style has a fit and flare finish that makes it perfect for summer wardrobes.
Take the toe-ring sandal trend to the next level with this slip-on style.
4. Black Pedal Pushers + Funnel Neck Jacket + Head Scarf
Style Notes: Everyone chic Brit has a funnel-neck jacket in their wardrobe, and throwing it over a simple button-down and capri-style leggings is the easy way to style up a lazy weekend 'fit. Just swap out the boyfriend shirt for a waisted top and keep pretty ballet flats and scarf to take the look from loungewear to lunch date.
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Everything from the hidden zip to the curve of the lapel makes this jacket look so premium.
I'll be replicating this entire look once the temperature drops.
A Toteme-inspired piece for the price of a classy dinner out in Soho? Consider me sold.
5. Polka Dot Capris + Ribbed Tank Top + Black Ballet Flats
Style Notes: From the best-selling Réalisation Par Sadie dress to Nobody Child's highly coveted Felicity Dress, fashion people truly can't get enough of polka dots this season. Stylish independent labels like Fruity Booty and Paloma Wool have both taken the print one step further by rendering the spotty style into shin-grazing pedal pushers. Don't worry about feeling like you've just raided Lady Gaga's costumes from Joker: Folie à Deux with the oversized circular motif. Opt for a more petite shape to make it feel less clownish and more like you've just come from the South of France.
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A ribbed tank top will never go astray.
This pair is inspired by the Brazilian landscape. Pair with a glossy red clutch from a resort-ready brand like Jacquemus to tie it all together.
Perfect for trotting around the city.
6. Embroidered Capris + Sleeveless Top + Slip-On Mules
Style Notes: Bohemian motifs like lace, pin-tucking, and ruffles always rear their heads in summer. But, ever since Chemena Kamali took the reins at Chloé, our appetite towards floaty and romantic shapes has only grown. This season, embroidery like broderie anglaise has come to quench this need. When featured in pedal pushers, the result is something altogether different and quite graceful when compared to the more body-conscious styles that dominate the market.
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A capsule wardrobe must-have.
The eyelets add such an interesting textural element.
Slip-on shoes like these lean into the air of nonchalance that embroidery carries.
Celebrities Wearing Pedal Pushers
Style Notes: Zoë Kravitz wearing pedal pushers while out in New York.
Style Notes: Bella Hadid wearing Ferragamo pedal pushers and a widebreaker from the Italian maison while out in New York in 2024.
Style Notes: Kendall Jenner wearing pedal pushers with The Row's Mara jelly sandals and Margaux bag while out in Venice in 2025.
Style Notes: Hailey Bieber wearing Paloma Wool pedal pushers while out in New York.
Style Notes: Ariana Greenblatt wearing pedal pushers from Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 1993 Chanel collection while out during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Style Notes: Emily Ratajkowski wearing pedal pushers while out in New York in 2019.
Style Notes: Barbara Palvin wearing pedal pushers while out in Cannes in 2025.
Style Notes: Audrey Hepburn wearing pedal pushers in a promotional portrait for Billy Wilder's film Sabrina in 1954.
Style Notes: Renée Zellweger wearing pedal pushers in a full Hermès look while out in London in 2025 while promoting Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
Style Notes: Paloma Elsesser wearing pedal pushers while out in New York in 2025.
