Australian social media influencer Elle Ferguson has found herself at the centre of a fresh online storm after being publicly criticised for her choice of outfit during a recent trip to Paris.
Chilly Paris Stroll Sparks Heated Debate
The controversy erupted over the weekend when the media personality, who famously quit the renovation show The Block in 2022, shared images from an impromptu photoshoot while exploring the French capital. Despite the mercury hovering at a brisk nine degrees Celsius, Elle opted for a black jumper paired with extremely short printed shorts.
Accessorising with a black belt and a shoulder bag, the influencer appeared unfazed by the cool temperatures. She captioned her Instagram post with the phrase: 'I like my shorts short and my jumpers with a high neck.' However, this sartorial choice did not sit well with a significant portion of her followers, who quickly flooded the comments section with their disapproval.
Followers Decry 'Underwear' as Outerwear
The criticism was swift and severe, with many commentators insisting that Elle's shorts were indistinguishable from underwear. 'This stupid trend is not classy or elegant,' one person declared bluntly. Another supporter agreed, stating: 'Those are undies and I'm not going to pretend otherwise.'
The sentiment was echoed by a third who commented: 'Even with that body of yours… undies are not pants.' The backlash extended to broader societal concerns, with one individual lamenting, 'Wearing underwear in public is not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination. Society is sinking.' Other remarks included 'No sorry Elle, not attractive,' and 'I don't get the point. Running around without pants…that one is not for me.'
History Repeats Itself for the Fashion Influencer
This is not the first time Elle Ferguson's fashion choices have attracted negative attention. The influencer was recently called out for appearing in a fashion show wearing a very revealing lilac Loewe dress from the luxury fashion house's Fall 2025 collection.
In a video posted to Instagram last October, she showcased the designer frock, which featured a plunging neckline and a peplum layered design around the waist. While Elle expressed her admiration for the garment, calling it 'even better in real life' and a 'dream' to experience, her followers were again divided.
Many described the dress as 'hideous', with one person asserting, 'This dress wouldn't be flattering on anyone as it is.' Another simply stated, 'God that's an ugly dress,' while others found it looked 'uncomfortable to wear'.
Despite the harsh critiques, Elle's style did find some supporters who praised her model-like appearance. One fan wrote, 'You are the full model vibe. Give this girl a catwalk,' while another labelled her an 'Actual Supermodel', proving that in the world of influencer fashion, public opinion is rarely unanimous.
