A new trend is taking over the streets of London right now. A frilly, wide-legged, Sienna Miller-esque trend: that of the bloomer.
Think bloomers were only for Victorian ladies? Think again—they’ve been seeing something of a style explosion in past months, fuelled by social media, the rise of boho chic and the hunt for a cooler alternative to jeans to wear in the hot summer months.
And banish all thoughts of the ultra-frilly cropped shorts that were spotted at every festival going in 2024: no, these bloomers are proudly long-legged, voluminous and decidedly more demure.
“I feel like they're are having a bit of a moment due to the buzz around the ‘Chloé girl’ and a more romantic, 70s mood being around for summer,” says Angie Smith, a stylist, consultant, and contributor to fashion site WhoWhatWear.
That, plus the fact that all the influencers seem to be wearing them. Rachel Stevens paired some black ones with a black blazer and heels recently, while London fashion blogger Chlo Davie was wearing them all the way back in February.
Why are they taking off? “It’s the next chapter in the lingerie trend,” designer and stylist Briar Turner Figueroa told Elle last year. “First came slip dresses and nighties, then slip skirts. Now, bloomers are the latest example of underwear as outerwear.”
As for where to get them, well. Chloé’s ‘pongé’ cropped trousers are whimsical as heck, but they do also retail for £1,800, and there are fortunately some more affordable alternatives out there too.
“For some great bloomer inspiration I’d check out Hollie Mercedes and Laura Vidrequin on Instagram, who both wear them well, and check out Free People who have a few styles on their website and are so good for anything in that vein,” Smith says.
Free People are certainly a great place to start for a bloomer that’s both chic and affordable—their site has seen a 138 per cent increase in customers searching for ‘bloomers’ this year, with their Forever Young Bloomers booming in popularity: last month saw a 174 per cent increase in sales. Plus, their bloomers are still available to buy, in a range of colours, for £88.
But once the bloomers secured, how to style them? Hollie Mercedes styles hers with a graphic tee, while Laura Vidrequin’s Instagram account shows her wearing a floaty chemise. Smith herself also has some tips.
“With anything that’s a bit more voluminous on the bottom half I’d make sure your top has a bit of definition too it. It doesn’t have to be tight but tailored and showing some skin will help balance the overall shape,” she says.
“Personally I’d style them in the same way I would cargo pants, as they feel like the girlie younger sister to those, and I'd wear them with a strappy vest or 90s baby tee, flip flops and a big raffia bag.”
Or, this could be the perfect chance to dive into another resurgent 90s trend: flip flops.
As Smith says, given that the bloomers “have a bit going on I feel like the rest of your look can be pulled back a bit. Think minimal accessories. I’d invest in some flip flops by The Row and maybe one of their raffia bags whilst you are at it.”
Let the hot bloomer summer commence.
Angie Smith’s new clothing collaboration with The Upside launches this week
