MOVE over hotpants . . . this summer’s biggest fashion trend will be a teeny weeny pair of brightly coloured nylon knickers with, ahem, nothing worn over them.
Celebrities have been forgoing their trousers for a while.
But now, thanks to fashion brand Miu Miu, micro-pants — that are meant to be worn as outerwear — are heading for a Wetherspoons or Vodka Revs near you.
Fashion technology company Lyst, which does a quarterly index of the most searched-for items on the internet, has reported that a £600 pair of skimpy pants is the third most- wanted clothes item in the world right now.
And historically, where Miu Miu starts, the High Street follows.
The “swim briefs” are reminiscent of Eighties budgie smugglers.
But despite their name and appearance, they are not intended for the pool.
The designer brand, a contemporary “little sister” to Prada, debuted the nylon bottoms on their spring/summer catwalk, teamed with frilly blouses, trench coats and sandals.
The Speedo-esque pants are the latest iteration of Miu Miu’s stride towards trouserless style.
In March 2023, it kitted out The Crown’s Princess Diana actress Emma Corrin in a pair of its sparkly knickers on the catwalk.
Embroidered with sequins, beading and 75 per cent glass, the nappy-like bottoms had a £3,750 price-tag — and are still available should you fancy a pair.
Social media was set alight and influencers could not wait to get a pair of the pricey pants.
Of course, there were critics, too. “The most expensive yeast infection you can get,” wrote one commentator.
“Don’t know what’s sadder — the fact that Miu Miu is actually selling this s**t or that there’s really people out there who buy this,” said another.
Despite most of us thinking Emma looked bonkers, and wondering how uncomfortable the crotch-compromising pants must be, the trend took hold.
Mango was the first High Street brand to bring out its own version, for a hefty £89.99.
And Nasty Gal and Free People followed.
Designers including Dolce & Gabbana started flogging britches as outerwear, too.
Billie Piper, not known for her daring fashion choices, even wore a pair of D&G’s pinstripe pants for the premiere of Netflix’s Scoop.
And Alexa Chung — usually seen in a mini skirt and flats — slipped into a pair of silky pants designed by none other than Victoria Beckham.
From Sydney Sweeney to Jodie Turner-Smith, Kristen Stewart and Dua Lipa, anyone who is anyone in showbiz seems to have had a brief encounter with itsy bitsy pants.
Miu Miu’s £600 micro-pants in pillarbox red, mushy pea green and mustard yellow are the most popular yet.
But can normal folk pull off the look?
For a night out, channel Sydney Sweeney — the bombshell wowed in an embellished pair of silver Miu Miu pants, paired with a blazer and opaque tights earlier this year.
However, I would not recommend digging out your bloke’s Y-fronts from the washing basket and wearing them superhero-style over black tights, as Kylie Jenner did.
Or coupling them with Uggs, like Bella Hadid.
The fact is, this trend is not going anywhere.
Mark my words, you’ll see it in your city this summer.
(Let’s hope budgie smugglers don’t make a comeback with blokes.)
