Zara “Death Trousers” Got You Down? Here’s How to Properly Wear Palazzo Pants, People

Over the last few weeks, a specific pair of Zara trousers, that retail for $46, have been (allegedly!) causing a slew of physical accidents for their wearers. The flowy wide-leg pants are made of polyester, have an elastic waistband, and—most importantly—extremely long, wide legs that often pool on the ground. Most people know them as puddle pants, palazzo pants, or even balloon pants (although these are normally cinched at the ankle).Nevertheless, this style of pant is leading to many people literally falling over themselves. TikTok is full of videos attributing bloody elbows and even broken bones to the style. They’re actually called Flowy Wide Leg Pants, but their new namesake has become the “lethal trousers” or “Zara death pants.”As a tall girl myself, there’s nothing I love more than incredibly long palazzo pant. But, it takes years of practice to get this style to flow correctly without leaving you on the floor. So, I’ve gathered a few helpful tips, so that you won’t be the next victim of the Zara Death Trousers.Valentina Frugiuele//Getty ImagesThe Princess MethodThe easiest and most sure-fire way to wear the Zara pants is by...lifting the pants as you walk along any surface you do not trust. As a resident of New York City, I often wear these pants and pretend I am a princess descending a grand staircase in her billowing gown. That is the mindset you need. Stepping down a curb or across slippery granite? Lift and walk. It saves you the embarrassment and (plainly) the hospital bills that come with tripping over the hems of your sweeping pants.Add Cosmopolitan as a preferred source in your Google search results.Use your Google account to add this to your settings.Platform Shoes Are Your FriendIf you’re not committed to lifting and walking everywhere you go, then might I suggest a good platform shoe. Please let it be flat and add at least three inches to your height, so that the pants are barely kissing the floor.Stiletto Heels Are Not Your FriendContrary to my previous point, stiletto heels are going to give you more grief, so don’t wear them with palazzo pants, unless you’re a seasoned princess walker. Those point thin heels will get caught and cause you to tumble (I am speaking from experience).The Handy Safety PinWhen in doubt, solve the problem completely. If you want to wear the Zara death trousers, but need a more concrete trick, try safety-pinning or sewing/tailoring the hems to be a little higher up. This way you don’t lose the flow, but won’t step all over them as much. You can also try sizing down if the thigh and waist fit is comfortable enough, as it’ll give you a shorter length on the legs.Overall, stay safe out there, people!Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).