Gigi Hadid champions pleated chinos as summer jeans alternative

Spotted in New York City this week in a monochromatic outfit built around pleated, drawstring-waisted chinos, Gigi Hadid turned a familiar menswear shape into something lighter, cleaner, and far easier to wear in warm weather. The appeal is in how unforced the look feels.

Why this chino moment works

The strongest part of Hadid’s outfit is its restraint. Rather than pushing a statement pant with exaggerated volume, she kept the line easy and the palette quiet, which lets the trousers read as polished instead of precious. Yahoo Shopping called the look an “anti-trend” choice, a label that makes sense in a season crowded with louder pant ideas, yet it feels more usable than most of them.

A pleated chino can either lengthen the leg or drown it. The difference usually comes down to whether the fabric stops at the ankle, how much pleat is built into the front, and whether the waistband sits flat instead of stacking into bulk at the midsection. Hadid’s version lands on the right side of that equation because it suggests ease without dragging on the floor.

The petite-friendly details to get right

The first thing to check is length. An ankle-grazing hem gives the eye a clean endpoint and keeps the trousers from pooling around the shoe, which is where the whole idea starts to look oversized rather than chic. On a shorter frame, that cropped finish also leaves a sliver of skin or sockless ankle visible, which helps lighten the silhouette in the way straight jeans often cannot.

Pleat depth is the next test. A soft front pleat adds shape and movement, but too much fabric at the waist can create a puffed effect that swallows the torso. The best petite version has enough room to skim the hip without ballooning, so the pant falls in a relaxed column rather than collapsing into folds.

Then there is the drawstring. It is useful because it removes stiffness, but it can also introduce clutter if the waistband is thick or heavily gathered. Keep the belt area flat and discreet, and the pant stays sleek enough to read as a deliberate summer substitute for denim.

How to style them without losing the line

Hadid’s styling blueprint is exactly the kind that flatters shorter proportions: simple layers, low visual noise, and footwear that does not compete with the hem. A white tank and cardigan keep the top half streamlined, while flip-flops reinforce the pant’s relaxed mood without adding weight at the ankle.

For petites, the shoe choice is not a detail, it is the finish. A narrow sandal, a low-profile flat, or a clean open-toe shoe keeps the leg line open; chunky soles and heavy vamp straps can cut the body in half and make even a good pant look awkward.

If you want the look to feel closer to street style than loungewear, follow the same principle Hadid does: keep the layers simple and the proportions crisp. A fitted tee, a fine cardigan, or a tucked shirt all help define the waist without introducing bulk.

Why editors keep circling back to drawstring pants

J.Crew’s drawstring pants have become a coveted spring and summer staple, and Who What Wear noted that they work with a tee or button-up shirt. That kind of styling versatility is exactly why the shape keeps coming back: it is casual enough for daywear but structured enough to feel like a real outfit.

Throughout 2026, ELLE’s fashion coverage pointed to the same larger shift, with relaxed trousers and lighter jeans alternatives moving into the space basic denim used to occupy. That trend is not really about abandoning jeans altogether. It is about wanting pants that breathe, move, and look less rigid in heat, especially when summer dressing starts to feel repetitive.

Pleated chinos sit neatly inside that change because they borrow from tailoring without the stiffness of suit trousers. They have enough structure to flatter, enough softness to feel current, and enough familiarity to avoid the overdesigned trap that catches so many trend pants.

Gigi’s off-duty influence still shapes the conversation

Hadid remains one of the most watched off-duty dressers in fashion. Just Jared photographed her departing New York City at JFK Airport on June 26, and that same June visibility has kept her in the style conversation beyond a single outfit sighting. Her surprise cameo in Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable for Work, which marked her first onscreen acting credit, has only widened that spotlight.