Mariska Hargitay proves floral jeans are here to stay

Mariska Hargitay stepped out in New York City this week wearing floral-print pants, a look that’s been gaining traction among celebrities and shoppers alike. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star paired the statement bottoms with a plain top, a Knicks hat, and a to-go mug, offering a real-world example of how to wear the trend without overdoing it.

The pants Hargitay wore are technically cotton-drop front-button pants, likely canvas or linen, not denim. The effect is the same: flowers on bottom half, everything else kept simple. It’s a look that’s been building for months.

Editors first spotted the floral-pants trend in April, finding affordable versions that worked with basic tees and button-down shirts. Since then, more brands have released their own takes. Some companies are even selling matching sets for those who want to go all in on the flower-power aesthetic.

The trend isn’t limited to pants. Flower earrings and floral sandals have also entered the rotation.

For styling, Hargitay’s approach is a useful template. Keep the top neutral — a plain tee, tank top, or button-down — and let the pants be the center of attention. Accessories can add personality: a favorite hat, a colorful bag, retro sunglasses, or flower earrings. Shoes should stay simple, with white sneakers, ballet flats, or heeled flip-flops as solid options.

Hargitay is currently on break from SVU for the summer. She’s using the time to make her Broadway debut in Every Brilliant Thing. During an Actors on Actors conversation with Jamie Lee Curtis, she called the role the fulfillment of an early career ambition.

“This is a dream come true for me, to play in a different sandbox,” Hargitay said. “Being onstage has been my lifelong goal. [In my 20s], I became friends with the amazing [stage actress] Kathleen Chalfant. She said, ‘Don’t sell out and do TV.’ An hour later I got SVU. So that was a hard call to make. Getting this call from my agent with the offer for the play Every Brilliant Thing, I was pinching myself.”

Other celebrities have also been spotted in floral jeans and pants, including Keke Palmer, suggesting the style has mainstream staying power. The pattern offers a way to bring color into warmer-weather wardrobes without resorting to prints that can feel overwhelming.

It’s not entirely clear whether the trend will last beyond this summer, but for now it’s giving people options. And if nothing else, Hargitay’s outfit choices are easy enough to copy without much effort or expense.