Happy April Fool’s Day to all! Whether you’re playing pranks or begrudgingly subject to the day’s tomfoolery, there’s something we can all borrow from the jesters out there: their style.
Fashion has long taken inspiration from the clowns, as my colleague Laird Borrelli-Persson noted. In 1989, Vivienne Westwood embraced the harlequinade with colorful argyle galore, while Maria Grazia Chiuri even went so far as to stage Dior’s spring 2019 couture runway beneath a circus tent.
Clown-inspired fashion is still ever-present on the runways. Over the last few seasons, we’ve seen a return to ruffs, balloon pants, and argyle. Chloé embraced balloon pants for spring, resort, and fall 2026, while Louis Vuitton added modern ruffs to outerwear—and pants—for their fall 2026 collectsion. And lest we forget Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose latest show embraced the Pierrot chapeau.
In honor of April Fool’s Day, put down the face paint—instead, consider adding these clown-approved fashions to your closet.
A ruff
An over-the-top collar elevates any look. While Christopher John Rogers took direct inspiration from Pierrot, Chloé and Moschino incorporated a ruffled collar into outerwear.
Balloon Pants
Did you buy balloon pants during the boho revival? No need to keep hiding them in the back of the closet. While everyone from Versace to Michael Kors showed them in the spring, Chloé and Sea kept the party alive for fall 2026.
Argyle
For those hoping to air on the subtle side of clowncore, argyle is a perfect entry point. Nili Lotan, Diane von Furstenberg, and Burberry offered a very approachable takes while Chopova Lowena, Tolu Coker, and Bora Aksu offer a blueprint to the more outré dressers.
A clown hat
Why not go all in?
