Last summer, pants looked a little different. Call it the Alaïa effect: after the brand showed harem styles in its spring 2026 collection, it seems that Pieter Mulier struck a nerve with women. With billowing legs that cinched at the ankle and paired with crop tops and tanks, the easy yet stylish combination felt like a runway look that readily translated to reality. Suddenly you saw a slew of labels, from designer to more affordable options creating their own takes. And it seems like a year later, that fascination shows no sign of stopping. You only need to look at Charlize Theron ’s recent outfits for her “Apex” press tour as proof. Styled by Leslie Fremar, Theron was seen on the streets of New York City in a Givenchy by Sarah Burton look consisting of roomy black trousers and an oversized shirt. She followed that outfit up with similar white pants, topped with a denim jacket.…