All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There are plenty of things people are missing in quarantine. Family, friends, basic social interaction … the not-so-subtle rise of puddle pants. You’d be forgiven, of course, given that the only angle from which you interact with people is through a Brady Bunch square on Zoom. But take one scroll through Instagram (or one swipe through Tik Tok), and you’ll see that every so-called cool girl is wearing a pair of pants that look like they desperately need to be hemmed.

Puddle pants, which are slightly tailored curtains, have actually been around for years—and obviously, short girls (raises hand) have been wearing them against their will since birth. They’re an offshoot of the baggy denim trend of the ‘90s, but they’ve had a resurgence in the last year, and you can probably guess the reason.

With the rise of loungewear all day, every day, these pants graduated from something only fashun people wore, to the pant of the people. People who are embracing a closet with baggier silhouettes and relaxed fits in the name of quarantine. Bella Hadid, Rihanna, FKA Twigs, and Katie Holmes have been known to release some teen angst and rock the look, and there’s no shortage of outfit inspiration from street style stars and Gen-Zers. 

But even when we head back into the world, puddle pants are guaranteed to be there. And why not? They’re insanely comfortable precisely because they’re the antithesis to the skinny jean. Puddle pants are relaxed and wide leg, and while they’ll usually come in a non-stretch denim form, they always have the ease of flared leggings. The hallmark feature is that they “puddle” at the ankle—in an intentionally oversized fit. To emphasize the laissez-faire “tailoring,” they’re typically worn over sneakers or flat shoes and meant to kiss the ground … and then keep kissing it, until they rip into tiny shreds at the bottom of your heel. Yes, just like they did in junior high. 

The beauty of these pants is that they work across all kinds of occasions and moods. Puddle pants come in all sorts of materials, from denim to leather to trousers and, of course, loungewear-ready fabrics like cashmere and Pima cotton. You can find them in high-rise cuts, making them the perfect pair to offset a body-skimming mesh top, or you can also find them low-slung, as the ideal companion to a crop top for the warmer months. When styled, they look remarkably modern and cool. 

Below, shop the best puddle pants available right now.

You’re probably well acquainted with hygge, the Danish word for cozy contentment which is best achieved by minding your business, swaddling yourself in a plush throw, and cradling a hot cup of tea on the couch. Though coined at the end of the 18th century, the term rose to global popularity in the mid-to-late 2010s, earning a spot in Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 “Word of the Year” shortlist and influencing us all to stock up on thick socks, soothing candles, and all things shearling. 

While the cuddly concept is on par with how many of us have spent endless days in quarantine, there’s a new Scandinavian word on the block, and it’s ready to take the crown. Friluftsliv, roughly translated as “open-air living,” is core to Nordic culture, in which a connection to nature reigns supreme. And while we may not have natural wonders like magical forests, mountainous landscapes, and the Northern Lights outside our backdoor, we can infuse our lives with nature from the confines of our own homes.

Road trips, picnics, and hiking have served as relatively safe ways to escape the four walls we’ve become uncomfortably accustomed to since last March, but staying home remains the most responsible move right now. So how does one bring some friluftsliv into their life without even venturing outside? By sprucing up your space with accents, textures, and fragrances that nod at nature—and showing what outdoor space you do have some extra TLC. 

We reached out to plant whisperers, trend forecasters, and interior designers to weigh in on how to bring the outside, inside, which can help to quell your thirst for the great outdoors without leaving your nest. Ahead, get in on six simple tips to emulate the natural world all throughout your humble abode.

Open Up Your Space

“To create a room that feels airy and spacious, I encourage shoppers to be purposeful about the decor they select,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s resident trend expert. “Reflective wall decor, like statement mirrors or stained glass, can help make a space feel bigger and brighter, and decorating with light hues, like Etsy’s Color of the Year, sky blue, is an easy way to make a space feel more open and airy.” If square footage is limited, stock up on decorative mirrors that will instantly expand your space, bounce sunlight, and serve as a reflection when you have a sudden urge to snap a WFH OOTD.

Channel the Elements

“Opt for colors inspired by nature—there are so many hues of green which evoke a sense of calm, as well as natural materials like jute, wood and wicker,” says vibe curator and verified plant mom, Kerry Lockwood. Shades of green abound on style and home mood boards, and earthy tones like terra-cotta bring a natural touch to any plant shelf or bedscape. Don’t underestimate the power of framed prints to showcase your favorite destinations, and stock up on chic vases and objects that mimic water and organic shapes, like the hand-blown option below. 

Create an Outdoor Oasis

If you’re lucky enough to have private outdoor space, now’s the time to make your patio Pinterest board a reality. With a whole lot of uncertainty ahead of us in terms of what summer 2021 will look like, it’s safe to say you’ll be happy you invested in your own little natural oasis. “Lean into friluftsliv by adding items like comfy blankets or accent furniture to create cozy yards, patios, stoops, or balconies,” Dayna suggests. Etsy, H&M, and Target offer textiles, objects, and furniture that will help rejuvenate a rundown patio into a mini retreat for less.

Plants, Plants, and More Plants

It’s no surprise that bringing botanicals into your home can instantly upgrade the natural vibes. If you’re worried about accidentally killing yet another green friend, go easy on yourself with plants for beginners that will weather the storm (ie. you forgetting about them for ten days). Pothos, snake plants, and succulents are all good starters, and Kerry “loves potting lots of spring bulbs around the house as a reminder that spring is on its way.” Sara Khodja, Lead of Product Development at CB2, suggests faking it ’til you make it if you must, while reaching for other natural homewares and textiles. “Fauxtanicals are an obvious choice, but materials can really ground a space. Try mixing airy linen fabrics and natural rattan with stone accents like marble, onyx, and travertine. Scents can also transport us—eucalyptus and pine are seasonal and refreshing.”

Strike Up Natural Aromas

When a breath of fresh air feels out of reach, candles and diffusers can transport your senses to greener pastures. Boy Smells’ metallic green candle includes jasmine and fig leaves for lushness, and a rich exotic base of macadamia nut offers a sense of grounding. Bedding brand Brooklinen launched fragrances with rave reviews to back them up, and Bodha makes chic incense with a range of notes from earthy cedarwood to florals like geranium and jasmine. If you’d rather not strike a match, opt for essential oils with Vitruvi’s photogenic diffuser, available in sea green, terra-cotta, and more. 

Bring Botanics Into Your Beauty Rituals

If you’re cooling it on makeup and ramping up your skincare routine, beauty brands are developing botanical formulas with intoxicating scents that mimic natural sanctuaries. Supernal’s Cosmic Glow Oil will shower your skin with vitamins and make you smell like the Garden of Eden, and Bathing Culture’s luxurious body wash has nice silky lather and a decadent aroma inspired by the Redwood Forest. Aside from face and body care, bringing natural fibers into your bathroom can be a welcome breezy touch. “It’s all about natural material choices to help bring that fresh outdoor energy into your space,” says Sara. “Think woods and stones in your furniture pieces, candles at dusk to extend the daylight hours, and bamboo towels in the bath.”

If there was ever a time to channel your high school science teacher who proudly sported socks with sandals as an everyday uniform, it’s now. From Fendi to Ferragamo, luxury brands have signaled that the former fashion faux pas is back and better, and comfort-first quarantine style has welcomed the divisive trend with open arms. These days a look you likely reserved for a quick mailbox run is considered a go-to staple, blending in with a newfound aesthetic that makes sense when another historical moment happens every five minutes.

When the pandemic hit, life as we knew it came to a screeching halt, and constrictive footwear was swiftly pushed to the back of the closet. “Office appropriate” fled from our vocabulary, and plush socks were embraced as mini security blankets at a time that was anything but stable. Heels and jeans took a backseat, slippers and sweatpants became our best friends, and Birkenstocks and Uggs reemerged when we needed them most. 

We’d venture to say this snuggly sense of style will stick around even when masks are a thing of the past. (P.S. You should probably be wearing two of those right now.)

True to form, Rihanna has marched to the beat of her own drum by rocking the “forbidden” pairing long before the pandemic (queen shit), and we’ve all taken the bait since. Everyone from Sophie Turner to Kendall Jenner has jumped on the relaxed look your granola-loving uncle would definitely approve of. Whether you’re preparing for spring with some strappy platforms and sheer decorative socks, or are sticking to shearling and wool for the foreseeable future, there’s a chic way to lean into the divisive duo.

So clear off some space on your shoe rack, make room in your sock drawer, and shop seven combinations of socks with sandals worth adding to cart right now.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.