How to wear capri pants

Right leg into right leg hole, left leg into left leg hole et voila

If you look hard enough, you’ll almost always find traces of a trend that appears like it came out of nowhere, having been cooking on low flame somewhere, for sometime.

Maybe it’s always been like this and we can just see it better now, like there’s an obvious trail of cookie crumbs that you can follow to get to the most recent source but it really has added a new dimension and dynamism to the conversations we have around trends these days. No longer can you just assume or assert that some fad has appeared out of nowhere — there is always a place of origin we can trace back to, and a spark that has carried it forward.

This one — capri pants — started on practical terms in the 1950s/60s to make mobility easier for women. In pedal pushers, they could ride their bikes easier (hence the name).

I have no doubt that wearing such pants must have served as a sort object of status that signaled progressivism and maybe this made them seem revolutionary, which could be why since then, the trend has seen a resurgence at least once every decade, maybe barring the 70s.

In recent fashion terms, they’ve become a sort of classic — with Khaite and Toteme counted as brands that have offered a pass (still available in some places) at the silhouette that dates back (but doesn’t discontinue) at least 6 years.

Ratajowski at left, wearing Khaite’s ‘Jane’ capris, and Gigi Hadid at right Jacquemus’ “Le de Nimes Alca” Capris

Before this surge in capris, we had cycling shorts, Bermudas and a cross between Bermudas and pedal pushers.

The shorts of summer are a cross between pedal pushers and bermudas

So maybe what we’re being dealt now are like the portmanteau that comes next — or the early onset of a 60s revival. Because the other thing about these pants is that they’ve taken many shapes — some have been longer, looser, straighter, etc., but with this return, we are looking at a crop that is tight to the leg, fitted at the knee, and often high rise.

Antivol jacket, Leset shirt, Lululemon leggings, Prada heels

No doubt the easiest way to get your toes wet with this one is by repurposing a pair of black knee cap leggings (the ones above are these from Lululemon, but I recommend these from Alo Yoga too), which can be made to feel more dressy with as simple an inclusion as the right pair of shoes.

The commercial internet is churning out tons of variations that are a bit more structured (fastened with a side zipper, and usually rendered in a stretch fabric that has less give than spandex) and those are worth considering if you, unlike me, still have a waist.

A survey of options made up mostly of denim and spandex. From left: Alice and Olivia, Mango, EB Denim; Anine Bing black capris at center (they are on sale for $90; from Mango, these are also an option), and from the realm of fashion spandex: Magda Butrym (featuring floral waist band; also on sale) and Sandy Liang x 2. Not pictured but just as useful are these from Live the Process; I love the cut. These from Alo Yoga (I have them in grey, the red makes a compelling case too), these also from Alo Yoga (they are, shockingly, very flattering). From the realm of printed things: year of YES to these blue floral print guys for $42 from Frankies Bikinis and these red gingham ones from Acne.

The most recent runway instances include an ambitious interpretation from Coperni (ruffle hem!), an easy to wear pair from 3.1 Phillip Lim, less pressure with a mini skirt sewn over from Sandy Liang and a pair from Isabel Marant.

Jacquemus spring 2023, Chanel cruise 2019; Sandy Liang, Coperni, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Coperni again spring 2024

Then there are brands like Jacquemus or Chanel (standing separate at left, above), which basically bring them back every few years.

With a mini dress or skirt

If you’re going to try it, how are you gonna wear them? I broke down some possibilities — I think the best way to try them, especially if you’re not completely sold, is with a mini dress styled over.

Veronica de Piante dress (less structured alt here), Lululemon leggings, Khaite sandals; this one would look great with white leggings under it

Why? Because the combination flatters your legs. A structured and long-ish fitted top that peplums out slightly is a good option too.

By Malene Birger shirt, same Lulu leggings, Gabriela Hearst sandals (like these too), Etsy market tote, Mana by Ezgi shell necklace

With leggings generally speaking, you’re going to want to wear something more structured on top. Unless you’re swapping the dress for a mini skirt:

Polo Ralph Lauren denim shirt, Khaite belt, Still Here denim mini skirt, Alo Yoga white knee leggings — they’re a great summer option if you can get the fit right. Encountered these from a brand called Buci too, which are nice with a slightly flare hem. Gucci sandals (these are a good alt)

Also into these knee cappers from Live the Process — esp like the baby slit at the knee

A good knee-length coat

A good knee length coat could serve the same purpose. (This shape is my preference, but — and I’ve mentioned this a couple times in the last 2 weeks. It could be the precise way to stay in your yoga crops all spring long without looking like you’re in yoga crops.)

Sezane trench coat, Nackiye leopard anorak, Donni capri leggings, Repetto satin ballet flats

Selfe Studios hat (sim sim here), vintage coat and t-shirt (try this and this), Eve Denim capris, Bally boat shoes (but something like this works too)

Come to think of it, because the weather still demands more layers than it will, you’re probably going to wear a jacket regardless (unless you go for a sweater, which will mean you’re a little more focused on accessories or shoes):

Good sweater for you here, a solid long sleeve here, the jean capris are Eve Denim too (or you can revert back to the ones from Mango) and the shoes are Prada (more summer appropriate alt from The Row here (more sizes here), a better priced option here)

Or jacket

My recommendation as far as jacket is to opt for something structured. If the jacket’s a bit shorter in length, denim capris might serve the look better.

Vintage Chanel jacket - also love this and it’s on crazy sale, Teira 1996 t-shirt, Eve Denim capris, La Double J wedges (this is the vibe I’m thinking for the upcoming summer), Metier bag

Or then again something more delicate like layers of chiffon add a nice element of softness to the jeans with structured, but very feminine shoes.

Bibliotheque Nationale top styled over Khaite tank with Eve Denim jeans and Chanel mary janes (these from Le Monde Beryl are a similar shape)

I’ve been wearing longer jackets — they suit my changing body, and I like how the proportion of it looks to cropped pant:

Khaite shirt (a parade of alts here, here, and here), Skall Studios button down tee, same Eve Denim capris, K. Jacques fisherman shoes (or these from Madewell) and here’s a festive bag to add some flair

Giuliva Heritage jacket, Eve Denim capris, Alaia wedges (got them on The Real Real, there are plenty more where they came from)

But no doubt a blouse tucked into these or a cropped cardigan (like this) that settles right on the pants’ fly, would look great too.

Getting the shoes right

A heel is the obvious, more flattering choice, but with the denim variations, structured shoes like a mary-jane or slingback sandal (fisherman or otherwise) or even a car shoe now that I’m trying it

Rouje trench (this from Ganni is comparable, and one of us needs this dress), Soeur button down shirt (I love this shade of light purple for the summer too), Eve Denim capri pants, Tod’s loafers

work just as well (better, actually, because you can walk).

With styles that are more like leggings (so any pair that’s seamless at the front — could mean side zipper or not zipper at all, and barring the looks specifically styled for you to look more dressed up), my preference is something with a low vamp, like a ballet flat

Soeur x Cafe Leandra dress (it comes inside the Claire), Alo Yoga white leggings, The Row red flats; for bag, try this

The ankle swelling is starting.

Or something clog-like —

Silk shirt, oatmeal knit (this from Alex Mill is the good warm weather option), Donni capri leggings, Jigsaw clogs (I got them last Spring, but don’t they look exactly like The Hugos?) Soeur’s ‘Sleeper clog’ is a good option too.

Backless shoes with a short heel, be they mules or sandals (sandals!) are the most versatile option because of how they get along with structured capris or leggings capris.

Tory Burch coat (the satin version still has a good range of sizes, and is on sale), Vince green long sleeve shirt (get the Miu Miu vibe with this one), Alo Yoga white leggings, The Row thong flops (same heel, but a lace up style here, here) and here’s a solid navy blue tote for you. The sunglasses are Oliver Peoples’ Zasia frame — I got them from The Real Real, which I mention because it’s a solid search to save if you’re in the market for a pair.

The last miscellaneous note I’ll make is that I really like a pair of capris that features a tiny slit at the knee — like these from Donni (heard a rumor they are launching in pistachio green!), these from Live the Process or these from Anine Bing (all mentioned above). They feel more deliberate this way. Here are the options I included above if you’re in the market (and don’t have leggings that serve the purpose!) once more:

A survey of options made up mostly of denim and spandex. From left: Alice and Olivia, Mango, EB Denim; Anine Bing black capris at center (they are on sale for $90; from Mango, these are also an option), and from the realm of fashion spandex: Magda Butrym (featuring floral waist band; also on sale) and Sandy Liang x 2. Not pictured but just as useful are these from Live the Process; I love the cut. These from Alo Yoga (I have them in grey, the red makes a compelling case too), these also from Alo Yoga (they are, shockingly, very flattering). From the realm of printed things: year of YES to these blue floral print guys for $42 from Frankies Bikinis and these red gingham ones from Acne.

Have a great week,

Leandra