Hands up if you wore stirrup pants back in the ‘80s. My hand is up. Many stirrup pants were black or tartan back then, but mine were a solid pastel yellow with sheen. They were stretchy trousers with a zipper and structured waistband. A slim fit, but not as tight as leggings. I wore them with big shirts, flat white oxfords, and an oversized white jacket with shoulders pads over the top. 

Stirrup pants and their leggings versions are a fringe trend. Most of them are black like they were decades ago. To my eye, the point of the pants is to showcase the stirrup part with bare ankles and low vamped shoes. Of course, you can style and wear them any way you like. I’ve worn stirrup leggings like hosiery under skirts and dresses, which I much enjoyed too. I showcased the stirrup part with bare ankles and low vamped shoes so that you could see they weren’t regular leggings.

If you enjoy wearing super slim bottoms with a little ankle action, you might like these looks. There is a lot of black in the outfits, but feel free to swap out black to colours that are more to your liking. The outfits are formulaic in the combination of items rather than the palette.

1. Casual Sweater and Ballet Flats

Black stirrup leggings made of a stretchy Ponte-type fabric are combined with simple black sweater to create a column. A chunky charcoal and black patterned cardigan is worn over the column. A brooch fastens the cardigan and adds subtle bling. The chunkiness of the cardigan adds volume to the gently fluid fit. Feel free to wear a roomier and longer sweater to offset the body-con fit of the pants. Black Mary Janes look perfect with the stirrups because they showcase the detail. A small black satchel matches the black in the outfit.

2. Horsey Hard Edge

These stirrup pants look like a specific pair of horse riding jodhpurs that you wear with short leather riding boots. They have a loop at the hem that you pop over the outside of short riding boots – exactly like the model is wearing here – so that the pants stay put as you ride your horse. The black boots with stirrup pants make the leg and foot look like one long line. A black and white striped sweater is tucked into the pants, which you can certainly leave un-tucked. A fairly oversized black leather jacket tops the lot and a black bag matches the pallette.

3. Architectural Column

Black stirrup pants with vertical pintuck detailing are paired with an architectural and asymmetrical black tunic. Black sling-back pumps effectively showcase the stirrup detailing of the pants. The tunic could be any colour or pattern that works well with black if a black head-to-toe look is not your thing.

4. Frocked

Last, a black shirtdress at a midi length is combined with white stirrup leggings. The pants are worn like interesting hosiery. Black pumps showcase the ankle detailing of the leggings, with the stirrup loop worn over the outside of the pumps. A mismatched teal bag completes the look. This is my favourite stirrup pants look of the lot. I would wear stirrup leggings as hosiery under a dress or skirt with closed low vamp footwear. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

Over to you. Who will wear stirrup pants and leggings (again)?