You’ve Probably Seen Zendaya’s After-Party Boxers on the Runway

Published: May 22, 2026 Last Updated 3 months ago by Evelyn Adenike

Zendaya continues to demonstrate her status as a leading fashion icon of her generation.

On May 20, 2026, Zendaya attended the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 show at the Frick Collection in New York City. She made a notable wardrobe change, appearing at the afterparty in an outfit that had debuted on the runway only minutes before.

Her transition from an elegant silver mini dress to a black motorcycle jacket and yellow boxer shorts has generated discussion about the boxer shorts trend and her ability to merge runway innovation with red-carpet style.

For her arrival and front-row appearance at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 presentation, Zendaya wore a silver mini dress by Nicolas Ghesquière. The dress featured wide-cut bell sleeves and an asymmetrical, draped one-shoulder silhouette. She completed the look with silver satin pumps, Tiffany & Co. white gold pavé diamond link earrings, soft glam makeup, and her gold Jessica McCormack wedding ring.

As a longtime Louis Vuitton ambassador, Zendaya’s presence at the show highlighted her ongoing relationship with the brand. Her front-row seat showcased the look before she briefly left for her notable wardrobe change.

Zendaya later appeared at the afterparty wearing look 14 from the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 collection. This outfit included a cropped black motorcycle jacket with ribbed swirl detailing and an open snap-closure neckline, paired with lemon-yellow satin boxer shorts.

The shorts featured a white and khaki cinched waistband with a two-tone belt detail, providing a strong visual contrast. She retained the silver pumps from her first look and added large silver statement earrings to complement the jacket’s hardware.

This rapid outfit change, occurring minutes after the look appeared on the runway, demonstrates the strong coordination between Zendaya, her stylist Law Roach, and the Louis Vuitton team. It highlights her influence as both a fashion leader and a contributor to broader cultural discussions.

Zendaya’s choice of yellow boxer shorts aligns with a growing trend, seen on figures such as Paul Mescal, Kristen Stewart, Emily Ratajkowski, Hudson Williams, and Justin Bieber. By wearing the runway version, she further elevates the boxer shorts trend.

Fashion observers note that this look combines comfort with high-fashion elements. The citrus yellow reflects current colour trends, while the motorcycle jacket introduces a bold accent. Stylists suggest Zendaya’s approach offers inspiration for styling boxer shorts beyond loungewear, pairing them with tailored outerwear and statement accessories for evening occasions.

This appearance adds to Zendaya’s notable history with Louis Vuitton. From custom gowns during her The Drama press tour, where she incorporated “something old, something new” storytelling with Law Roach, to her white zoot suit at the 2025 Met Gala designed by Pharrell Williams, she consistently delivers impactful fashion. Her relationship with the brand supports creative choices such as this quick-change afterparty moment.

Beyond fashion, Zendaya’s 2026 schedule is full. Euphoria Season 3 returned in April, and her upcoming film projects include Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (July 17), Dune: Part Three (December 18), and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31), which reunites her with Tom Holland.

In a recent interview, Zendaya mentioned she may need to “disappear for a little bit” after this busy period, making appearances like her Louis Vuitton event especially significant.

Photo: Getty Images