There’s a rift in fashion at the moment. On the one hand, we have zany, maximalist trends that find unconventionally “cool” things cool (like cowboy hats and grandpa sweaters); on the other, the obsession with minimalism, capsule wardrobes, and understated luxury persists. What happens when these two ideas clash? We get the resurgence of capris, of course! Jacquemus presented the controversial style on its Spring 2023 runways, Kendall Jenner just posted an Instagram in the pants (er..shorts?), and all fashion people can discuss is the legitimacy of the trend. Are we seriously wearing capris? I took it upon myself to find out.
Capris are a slightly unorthodox style that’s also pretty minimalist—the perfect amalgamation of the current trend cycle. Unlike the cropped jeans of the past few years, capris are a skinny pant that ends just after the knee, which, in theory, sounds pretty basic. Yet, when trying a pair on in the Zara fitting rooms I felt way out of my comfort zone. My everyday style consists of basics: blue jeans, neutral tees and tops, and plain shoes with minimal accessories. For a week, I put wearing capris to the test and attempted to seriously style the pair of pants for my day-to-day activities. Here’s how it went.
Monday: Checking off to-dos
I knew that styling the capris for everyday wear would be the hardest part of this challenge. But, out of all the looks I wore, this one surprised me as a favorite. It was a brisk afternoon in LA, and before heading out to the post office, I paired the pants with a square-neck cream tank from Reformation and Adidas Spezials. My large Le Pilage tote, Le Specs sunnies, and baseball cap tie the running-out-the-door look together, and the capris add a level of intrigue to the overall casual feel of the outfit.
Tuesday: Dinner date night
My boyfriend did a double take when he showed up to pick me up for dinner and I was in capris. Yet, when putting this outfit together, I found that the capris shined their brightest when paired with a heeled shoe. Capris aren’t super casual; to me, they serve as a statement piece that’s the focal point of an entire outfit. That said, when dressed up with my vintage Prada heels, white tank, and brown bomber jacket the pants felt cohesive to the overall quirky-cool feel of the outfit.
Wednesday: WFH at a coffee shop
I’ll be honest: I didn’t love this outfit. I’m not used to leaving the house in outfits I don’t feel comfortable in, partially because I don’t stray far from my fashion comfort zone. That said, the sweater, sneaker, and capri combo isn’t a terrible one, but something’s missing. Maybe the addition of a trench or swapping the sneaker for a ballet flat would’ve made for a better fit.
Thursday: Drinks with the girls
Two things cross my mind when I think of capris: the 2000s and Carrie Bradshaw. On Sex and the City, Carrie loved wearing a capri pant! I tried to channel her spunky style energy for this look, where I paired a thrifted gingham tube top with white thong-heeled sandals and my mother’s (now my) vintage Louis Vuitton pochette. I felt like a Sex and the City character in the best way. This experiment showed me that I feel the most confident when I dressed up the capri pants for going out, and this look was no exception.
Friday: A work event
I never know what to wear to work events, but because this one was happening on a Friday night, I thought a dressed-up look felt more appropriate. The photo does not do this outfit justice: I styled a black Reformation tank that’s detailed with an asymmetric chiffon ruffle with black heels for a monochromatic look. It felt chic and the capris kept it from feeling too stuffy and serious.
The Verdict
Capris are not as far-fetched as they seem. If anything, they look their best when paired for going out, channeling true Carrie Bradshaw energy. They provide a fun, interesting silhouette without taking too much away from the rest of the outfit. And, in the summertime they would be great to style on a hot night out. Overall, the trend is worth a try if you’re in the mood to switch things up, but not stray too far from your personal style.
Our Favorite Capris
