They’re more than slouchy pants and pants worn very low on the waist. They are drop crotch pants, a style that will always be saggy at the hips, seat, and rear, no matter how much you pull them up. If you need more visualization, see Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber rocks drop-crotch pants in two distinct styles, while Cate Blanchett opts for classic tailored trousers (Credit: Dara Kushner / INFphoto / Sara Jaye Weiss / Startraksphoto)
Got the image? Now erase it because this guide explains exactly how to wear pants with a low crotch without being compared to the Biebz.
Three individuals showcase a variety of drop-crotch pants, combining urban style with comfort and mobility
If you’re digging the too-cool-for-school vibe of drop crotch pants but are apprehensive about their “poopy diaper pants” rep, keep these three styling do’s and don’ts in mind:
1. Elevate Your Style With a Tailored Fit: The Chic Way to Wear Drop-Crotch Pants
A tailored fit counterbalances the sag of drop-crotch pants. Juliette Binoche in a pleated style and Halle Berry in a tapered cut both positively nailed it.
Note how they carried the look with cool confidence — a sure smile on their faces, hands on their hips, and a pose in bold, legs-spread-apart stance — which is key in wearing drop-crotch pants.
You can also try Gavin Rossdale’s wrap-front style, which gives the droopiness a bit of shape and structure.
Celebrated at Cannes, Juliette Binoche dons pleated drop-crotch pants, Halle Berry looks chic in a tapered version at a CBS event, and Gavin Rossdale opts for a structured, wrap-front design during a casual day out, showcasing how versatile drop-crotch pants can be (Credit: WENN)
2. Embrace the Laid-Back Cool: How to Channel the Relaxed Vibe of Drop-Crotch Pants
Drop-crotch pants are all about looking chill, relaxed, and cool, so go with it. Style them with a loose tank, favorite sneakers, and unbrushed hair like Gwen Stefani (bonus punk points for making drop crotch pants your version of maternity pants).
This type of pants also has a hip-hop-dance-inspired element, so go crazy on street-style accessories like Cassie. In the picture below, Cassie is exhibiting one of our favorite styling techniques: pairing loose-fit pants with skinny heels, which are ultra-flattering to calves and ankles.
Gwen Stefani masters the relaxed charm of drop-crotch pants while running errands, and Cassie mixes street-style elegance by pairing her loose pants with skinny heels during a TV appearance, illustrating different approaches to styling these distinctive trousers (Credit: WENN)
3. The Boyfriend and Cropped Cut: A Modern Twist on Drop Crotch Pants
A boyfriend fit and a cropped cut tone down the volume on drop-crotch pants. With these styles, you can worry less about getting the proportions of the pants right since they’re more like slouchy, relaxed-fit pants.
Heidi Klum wore hers like regular boyfriend jeans, except much cooler. Gwen wore her cropped jeans like sweatpants with the legs pushed up and even added a street-style-inspired sweater tied around the waist.
We also spotted Beyoncé wearing drop crotch shorts, which she wore like a grungy plaid shirt wrapped around her hips.
Capturing casual outings, Heidi Klum turns heads with her boyfriend-style drop-crotch pants, while Gwen Stefani sports a cropped version, adding a sweater tied around her waist for an extra dash of street-style flair (Credit: WENN)
Now, here are the things to watch out for when wearing drop-crotch pants:
4. Avoid the Excess: Steering Clear of Overly Saggy Drop-Crotch Pants
These exaggerated styles are what give drop-crotch pants a bad name. The worst offender seems to be Justin Bieber; not only does he wear those awkward-looking diaper-low crotch pants with disproportionately skinny legs, but he also still inexplicably wears them below the butt. Just stay away.
Peta Murgatroyd, will.i.am, and Justin Bieber each take on the drop-crotch style with unique flair during various public appearances, from dance rehearsals to red-carpet events and music concerts (Credit: WENN)
5. Select Wisely: Not All Drop-Crotch Pants Are Created Equal
Not all drop-crotch pants are made the same. Pink looked super cool in her Balmain-printed harem pants on stage, but they might not translate well off the stage.
We would’ve made Maria Menounos’ drop-crotch pants a do, but her pair was cut weirdly, giving her an unflattering lump at the crotch (someone should’ve checked that.)
Then there’s Gwen Stefani again; some things, like ’80s-inspired denim hammer pants, only look good on cool girls like her.
Maria Menounos, Pink, and Gwen Stefani each sport drop-crotch pants, showcasing how this style can adapt from stage performances to casual, everyday activities (Credit: WENN)
6. Rear View Check: Ensuring Your Drop-Crotch Pants Look Good from Every Angle
Lastly, but maybe most importantly, don’t forget to check how you look from the back in drop-crotch pants. They may look cool and relaxed in front but extra-droopy to people you’re walking away from.
Gavin Rossdale and Russell Brand in a star-print scarf fail the rear-view mirror test.
Gavin Rossdale combines comfort with style during a busy day in Beverly Hills, while Russell Brand opts for a relaxed, bohemian look as he steps out of a Manhattan coffee shop, each embracing the laid-back yet trendy appeal of drop-crotch pants (Credit: WENN)
Even the usually impeccably chic Jessica Alba failed. The drop-crotch pants gave her a bad case of saggy butt.
Jessica Alba balances motherhood and style while managing a parking meter and enjoying a lunch outing with her daughter at Nate ‘n Al of Beverly Hills Delicatessen in Los Angeles, showcasing the real-world functionality of drop-crotch pants (Credit: WENN)
For more insights on styling unconventional pants, explore our article on Julianne Hough’s chic approach to slouchy pants. Additionally, discover how Katie Holmes masters the French tuck trick with oversized shirts and wide-leg trousers for a polished, relaxed look.