Happy Monday, ladies! Today’s post may ruffle a few feathers, but let’s dive right in. Capri pants for 2024 are gaining popularity, and I’ve had several emails about them, so I wanted to weigh in. I’ve made my feelings about Capri pants crystal clear here, but I’ve had a few comments from readers expressing interest, so I want to share the how and why of their latest iteration.
Capri Pants
German fashion designer Sonja de Lenhart first introduced Capri pants in 1948 and named them after her favorite holiday destination, Capri, Italy. They’ve been in and out of popularity for 75 years in one shape or another. Who can forget how chic Audrey Hepburn looked in hers? I have vivid memories of my Mom wearing hers, à la Laura Petrie style, back when we called them pedal pushers. They were worn close to the body and in a below-calf length, which highlighted the ankles and looked slimming.
Lots of designers sent Capri pants down the runway this spring, so the trend is being embraced by lots of young actresses and fashionistas. Technically…Capri pants are back in style for 2024, but they have a very different vibe, so let’s look at their latest iteration.
Several years ago, brands aimed at women over 50 started selling Capri pants in styles that end mid-calf length. They often have a drawstring or button details at the hem which draws more attention to the widest part of your calf. As time went on, Capris began getting called out as unflattering, so the brands renamed them crops, skimmers, clam diggers and on and on… See also: Are Capri Pants Still in Style This Year?
Younger women are wearing this ‘trend” with tighter legs and barely-there heels or sandals.
Most of the women our age wear capri pants because they’re hoping to stay cool in hot weather. They no longer feel confident wearing shorts, and they see these capris as a way to stay cooler than when wearing full-length pants. But here’s the thing: if you wear these with the heavy athletic sneakers you’d wear to the gym, you’re going to look out of touch and unstylish.
A Capri pant needs to bypass the widest part of your calf… unless they’re a wider leg, and then they’re called crops. BTW, if you type Capri pants into the search box at most retailers, you get page after page of crops. The inseam of a crop on one woman may be full length on another woman. Expect to alter your pants to get the most flattering length.
Many of us struggle with painful, tricky feet and need the support of a solid athletic shoe. If that’s you, I encourage you to opt for a pant with more length and width to balance the shoe.
I believe you should wear what makes you feel happy and confident. There are plenty of trending looks that have a non-traditional, ‘ugly’ appeal that begins to look attractive the more often you see them. Quirky and unique, has its own charm. The unexpected is chic and fashion-forward, with creative pairings and unusual shapes. Personal style is as individual as a snowflake, but if your goal is to look current and modern, you may need to adjust how you wear your capri pants in 2024.
I’d love to hear your take on capri pants.
CAPRI PANTS AT NORDSTROM
