Halle Berry Wore the Edgiest Version of Summer 2025’s ‘It’ Pants

It’s a spin on Audrey Hepburn’s classic style.

  • Halle Berry challenged traditional denim norms by wearing divisive denim culottes in France. 
  • Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Renée Zellweger, and Bella Hadid are also fans of the summer-perfect jeans.
  • Styling them is easy; pair the cropped denim with bucket hats, cotton tops, and heeled sandals for a trendy summer outfit.

When it comes to denim, I can get stuck in my ways. I become comfortable with what I know works for me, slipping into traditional high-rise jeans, flare-leg pants, and (every so often) venturing into the world of barrel-leg bottoms. The beauty of denim rests in its easy, uncomplicated, and versatile nature—but Halle Berry flipped the pants universe on its head with her latest ensemble.

Out and about in France, the Never Let Go actress wore a navy cardigan with a round neckline and a single row of buttons. Heeled oxblood sandals complemented the top, and a coordinating woven purse hung from her arm. While this uniform didn’t break any rules (read: Berry having to make a last-minute Cannes style pivot due to a newly imposed fashion rule), her divisive denim pants certainly made a statement.

Madewell Denim Culottes

$108

Zara Low-Rise Jorts

$46

Berry slipped on a pair of mid-wash culottes that hit just below the knee. They were surprisingly elegant, drawing inspiration from two major summer 2025 pants trends: capris and bermudas. As jarring as her bottoms may be, she has a roster of celebrities backing her.

While not all of Hollywood is going this cropped denim direction, Hailey Bieber, Renée Zellweger, and Bella Hadid have signed off on the look, reaching for billowy, elongated silhouettes. Similar to Berry, they paired their bottoms with chic, streamlined blouses—letting the pants do the talking. The footwear followed suit, embodying sleek, open-top profiles versus chunky, enclosed styles.

Berry-inspired bottoms may also be the edgiest version of capris I’ve seen yet. Unlike refined variants made popular by Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, this loose form offers an ease of movement, perfect for toasty summer days. All you need is a lightweight tank top and an iced matcha latte to be ready for the warm season ahead.    

This was all the convincing I needed to pack the Madewell Denim Culottes and Zara Low-Rise Jorts for my upcoming honeymoon to Mexico. I plan to wear each with a lace Lack of Color bucket hat, heeled Reformation sandals, and structured Meshki cotton top. Once back, I can seamlessly sport the culottes on casual office days and to Sunday brunches alike.

Continue reading for more Berry-inspired denim bottoms.  

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