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.
Before this surge in capris, we had cycling shorts, Bermudas and a cross between Bermudas and pedal pushers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why? Because the combination flatters your legs. A structured and long-ish fitted top that peplums out slightly is a good option too.
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:
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.)
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):
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.
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.
I’ve been wearing longer jackets — they suit my changing body, and I like how the proportion of it looks to cropped pant:
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
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
Or something clog-like —
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.
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:
Have a great week,
Leandra
Hmmm… anyone else thinking about Becky’s advice this week and what she did with those sweatpants? And maybe just cut them yourself?? I may experiment with some retired skinny jeans …
I can’t go back to wearing them, however much I like some of your outfits (especially one of the last styled with the silk shirt).
They bring back too many memories (being insecure and in puberty) 😅