Capri Pants Make a Comeback, Sparking Mixed Reactions Among Fashion Enthusiasts
Capri pants are experiencing a resurgence, reminiscent of their heyday in the early 2000s and the iconic looks of Audrey Hepburn. Recently, celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Ratajkowski have been spotted sporting these calf-length trousers, with Hailey Bieber turning heads in a polka-dotted pair. Retailers from Gap to Jacquemus are cashing in on the trend, offering various styles, including a $790 version from the latter.
The current iteration of capris draws inspiration from midcentury designs—sleek and often made from stretchy materials. However, not everyone is on board with this revival. Many millennials recall the last wave of capris, characterized by low-rise cuts and gaudy embellishments. “They look wonderful on Audrey Hepburn…but I hate the idea of them on myself with the fury of a thousand suns,” expressed Elisa Mala, a millennial travel writer from Staten Island.
Becca Lyn, a 42-year-old nurse from Chelsea, echoed similar sentiments: “When I look at pictures of myself in capris from when they were in fashion, I have only deep regret.” Megan Reynolds, an editor and author, added, “At my age, which is 42, the fact that they’re coming back makes me feel old.”
Even men have weighed in on the debate. Robert Ossant, a fashion historian, remarked, “The capri pant flatters almost no one,” likening them to “breakup-bangs” in the fashion world. He questioned the notion that they are truly back in style, suggesting that brands often push contrary trends to encourage consumers to refresh their wardrobes.
Capris have a storied history dating back to the 1940s. While German designer Sonja de Lennart is credited with naming them, Daniel James Cole from the Fashion Institute of Technology notes that their concept was already in the air. The style gained traction as women transitioned from dresses to trousers during World War II, seeking a balance between femininity and practicality.
Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly popularized capris further. Hepburn famously wore them in “Roman Holiday” and “Funny Face,” while Mary Tyler Moore challenged traditional gender roles by donning them on television. “They were a symbol of youth,” Cole stated, noting their revival through various cultural movements over the decades.
Fashion student Emma Bennett recently embraced the trend by purchasing polka-dotted pedal pushers inspired by Elle Fanning’s bohemian looks in an upcoming biopic. “I thought getting more clothes that could look like they were from the ’60s would make me closer to it,” she shared.
Stylist Julie Matos has cherished capris since childhood, recalling her first pair bought during a Girl Scouts trip. Now at 48, she proudly wears her Ports 1961 capris and embraces her style evolution: “Like, ‘Look, I’m 48, and I’m still bringing it.’”
Writer Isabel Slone recently felt compelled to acquire vintage Emilio Pucci leggings. “It’s hard to think of a more glamorous image than Marilyn Monroe wearing pedal pushers,” she noted, highlighting the allure of nostalgia in fashion.
Angela Betancourt initially resisted the trend but rediscovered her pink linen capris from nearly two decades ago. “I had so much fun wearing them,” she said, reflecting on how her daughters’ interest in the style brought her back to her own past. “It just feels right.”
