This April Fool’s Day—and Beyond—Clown Around With Your Wardrobe

Happy April Fools’ Day to everyone! Whether you’re pulling a prank or reluctantly embracing today’s silliness, there’s something we can all borrow from clowns: their style.

As my colleague Laird Borrelli-Persson points out, fashion has long taken inspiration from clowns. In 1989, Vivienne Westwood embraced harlequins with colorful argyle patterns, while Maria Grazia Chiuri even placed Dior’s Spring 2019 Haute Couture show under a circus tent.

Clown-inspired fashions are still regularly seen on the catwalks. Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen the return of ruffles, bloomers, and argyle patterns. Chloé features bloomers in its spring, resort and fall 2026 collections, while Louis Vuitton adds modern ruffles to coats and trousers in its fall 2026 collection. Lest we forget Simon Porte Jacquemus, his latest show features a Pierrot chapeau.

To celebrate April Fools’ Day, put down the face paint—instead, consider adding these clown-approved fashions to your wardrobe.

collar

An over-the-top collar can enhance the overall look. Christopher John Rogers took direct inspiration from Pierrot, while Chloé and Moschino incorporated ruffled collars into outerwear.

balloon pants

Did you buy balloon pants during the bohemian revival? No need to keep them hidden in the back of your closet. Brands from Versace to Michael Kors are showing off their looks for spring, while Chloé and Sea are keeping the party alive for fall 2026.