The millennials are truly winning celebrity street style this week. First, Dakota Johnson revives the 2010s hipster uniform of ankle boots, flannel, and slender jeans at the US Open. And now Selena Gomez is declaring leggings are pants for fall 2026.
We really should have seen this coming. After all, capri leggings became the top alternative to summer shorts, while straight-leg jeans began pushing through the sea of wide-leg silhouettes last year. On September 15, Selena Gomez made it clear that the controversial bottoms largely relegated to athleisure are business casual once again. In fact, they’re polished enough for night out in New York City.
Sporting one of her signature monochrome looks—this time opting for a classic all-black outfit—Gomez stepped out in a pair of full-length ponte leggings that definitely can’t be mistaken for gym clothes.
Selena Gomez is seen on September 15, 2026 in New York City.
Raymond Hall
Yes, we’re talking about the thick, structured leggings that were a popular alternative to jeans and dress pants in the 2010s. Gomez’s ponte leggings featured a subtle ankle slit that further elevated the stretchy pants, especially when paired with the rest of her fall staples: a soft turtleneck, long open cardigan, and large quilted Chanel 25 handbag.
The only thing truly distinguishing the look from an outfit formula Gomez favored back in 2015 are the black thong kitten heels she wore in place of ankle boots or the thick-strapped heels of the time…and her lack of a random fun hat, of course.
Selena Gomez in Paris on September 28, 2015 .
Marc Piasecki
