Can I wear capri pants instead of shorts? Are capri pants in style? These are questions I receive frequently during the spring and summer. And I’ve read and heard so many bloggers, YouTubers and stylists forbid us to wear them that I’d decided capri length pants were absolutely taboo. But I’ve changed my mind. And today I’m going to share with you how {and why} you absolutely can wear capri pants this summer…if you want to.
Hang with me here. Today’s post is a little different from most. I’m going to rant a bit, and then we’ll get on to some quick style tips and photos.
Just recently a reader emailed me wanting to know if she could wear the capri pants that fill her closet and that she enjoys wearing during the hotter months. She’s in her young 60s and no longer feels comfortable wearing shorts. Without thinking beyond the strict style rules I’ve heard and read so many times, I shot back my reply. “Well, they’re not really ‘in style,’ but of course you can wear anything you want to. Just be careful that they don’t end right at the thickest part of your calf.”
But shortly my reader replied back with additional information. She’d forgotten to tell me that she’s 5’8.5″ and just about 120 pounds. So she’s obviously on the thin side and probably has long legs to boot. Shoot! She can wear potato sacks on her long, slender legs and look gorgeous. That little interchange was a reminder to me that we’re all different and need to learn the style principles that work best for our unique bodies rather than just following the dictates of influencers like myself who have learned a thing or two and declared themselves experts.
And another thing. I’ve also realized that most of the women mandating that we never again wear capri length pants are in their 30s and 40s. I kinda think those are the years – when you’re raising kids and struggling a bit with your own identity and realizing that you’re no longer that thin teenager or 20-something you were just a few years ago – that you’re more prone to deem certain pieces of clothing as frumpy or “old” or outdated. Maybe those capri pants or Bermuda shorts or comfort sandals or button up cardigans (you get the idea) look like something their mothers would wear. And so they proclaim them accursed.
I think when you’re in your 30s and 40s you’re a lot more concerned about not looking old than you are when you reach your 50s and beyond. I mean, I don’t want to look old either. But then again, I’m not young. And honestly, I’ve got bigger issues to worry about at this point. As I get older I realize there’s a reason a lot of women stop wearing shorts beyond their front yard. That’s not to say you have to stop wearing shorts, mind you. I’ll still be wearing mine some this summer.
But what those younger influencers and stylists don’t know yet – because they haven’t gotten here yet – is that most of us do reach an age where we no longer feel quite as comfortable in shorts for summer as we used to. And because they haven’t gotten here yet, they honestly don’t get that it’s not just one thing that makes us feel that way. It’s not just that our legs look older in general. Shoot, that wouldn’t be a big deal at all. But it’s the surprising details. Amiright?!? It’s the cumulative effect of the…
- crepey skin
- age spots
- thicker ankles
- varicose veins
- diminishing muscle tone
- and extra baggage around the knees
- did I leave anything out???
And maybe you don’t have all of those conditions. I don’t. But I have enough to understand how you may feel. At 57 I still feel like a young woman in many ways. But when I put my reading glasses on (hahaha!) and take a good look at my legs, I’m a little aghast. When did all that happen?!?
I say all of this simply to say that if you want to wear capri length pants this summer because you feel more comfortable exposing a little less of your legs…I’m on your side. I get it. And I say wear the things.
But…
I would like to offer a few tips to help you look your best in those capri length pants. So yes. You absolutely can wear capris this summer and here’s how.
Style Tip #1 – Consider wearing more of a cropped length rather than a true capri length pant.
True capris hit somewhere just below the knee to mid calf, making them a poor choice if you’re trying to create the most pleasing proportions. Ideally we want our bottom half to look approximately one and a half times as long as our top portion. But when we wear capri length pants the bottom portion is chopped up into two shorter portions. See the problem?
The solution is simply to choose cropped or ankle length pants when possible instead. Longer pants = visually longer legs. Especially if you have a long torso and shorter legs, capri length pants will make you look even more disproportionate.
Style Tip #2 – Make sure your legs look as long as possible by tucking your top or wearing a slightly cropped top.
I’m wearing what Chico’s calls high rise straight leg crops, but they’re definitely on the shorter side of a crop pant, at least on me. So when I first tried them on I though, “Uh oh. I can’t wear these. They’re really cropped…almost capris. That’s against ‘the rules.'”
But I like these pants. They feel great on, they hang nicely and they’re versatile. They’re cooler than long jeans, but they cover more than shorts. I want to wear them.
So I topped the high rise straight leg crops with a slightly cropped top. Now I could do that because these straight leg crops do have a somewhat high waistline. So choose your crops or capris accordingly. I’d definitely stay away from low rise cropped or capri length pants.
Fortunately we can find lots of cropped tops these days. For real versatility, I suggest either the Loft cinched front tee I shared in my t-shirt review last week or this denim tie-hem top. The denim tie-hem top isn’t quite as cropped, but the fact that it’s tied means you don’t have to tuck it in to make it look complete. You could also check out this short sleeve tie-hem sweatshirt from Old Navy or the raw edge tie-dye sweatshirt I’m wearing (size down; wearing a small). I also have this raw edge v-neck sweatshirt in solid black. It’s so comfy and has a great drape. But admittedly these tops are quite pricey, so I’d check out the selection at Old Navy.
Style Tip #3 – Choose capris or crops that fit so that you have some space between your leg and the pant, especially at the hemline.
A slightly looser fit will help your legs look leaner and, thus, longer. So steer clear of crops or capris that fit snug or tight all the way to the hemline.
Style Tip #4 – Do try to avoid cropped pants that end right at the thickest part of your calf.
Lines draw attention. So if you have a line straight across the thickest part of your calf it will only accentuate the fullness there.
Style Tip #5 – Wear nude colored sandals with your crops or capris to elongate the leg.
This one trick can help your overall look so much. Wearing nude colored sandals or even flesh toned sneakers, if you prefer, will help those proportions so much, elongating the leg and, in the process making you look leaner and taller.
Style Tip #6 – Make other more modern style choices in your outfit.
Because capri length pants are indeed seen as a bit old fashioned or dated, it is wise to make other style choices that are more modern. For instance, I wore a trending tie-dye top and added a modern necklace.
Style Tip #7 – If your capris or crops have a slim fit, wear a top that is a little fuller, but still fits well.
Good fit is always important. So don’t compromise there. But if your capris or crops have a slender fit then you can balance the look, as I did here, with a more blousy top.
Style Tip #8 – Wear you look with confidence.
Let’s circle back around. I think we can all agree that high cropped or capri length pants are not necessarily the cat’s meow. But they are still a viable option for summer if you want to be cool and sporty but also cover more of your legs. And if you enjoy wearing them, then go for it.
Yes, recognize that when you really want to look your absolute best, you’ll wear something else instead. But when you do opt for those capri length pants, wear them with confidence. Stand up straight, put on some lipstick and rock those things. And if your daughter or younger sister tells you they look frumpy or old, you just wink at her and say, “Oh sweetie, you just wait and see. Your day’s coming.”
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Blessed for My Day
In my husband’s sermon yesterday he reminded us that “reactions speak more loudly than actions.” By that he meant that how we respond to the hard things often says more about what’s truly inside of us than how we manage ourselves during the more “normal” times. Our responses indicate our character, but they also testify to what we believe to be true about God.
Amidst false accusations and an unjust imprisonment, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God. Evidently the other prisoners listened intently to them. Then, when an earthquake shook the prison and freed them all from their chains, Paul and Silas honorably stayed put rather than running. That’s when the prison guard noticed their unusual behavior and asked about their God. Let’s ask God to help us react to today’s circ*mstances in ways that honor Him and lead others to Him.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,and suddenlythere was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediatelyall the doors were opened, andeveryone’s bonds were unfastened.When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword andwas about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ~ Acts 16:25-28
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xoxo, Kay
