Capris - Fashion Do or Don’t?

By Dana Holler

There has been a long-standing debate on whether capri pants are considered acceptable attire or a fashion faux pas. Many women that want something shorter than jeans during summer months (but cringe at the thought of donning shorts) opt for capris as a nice compromise. Yet capris also get a lot of slack (no pun intended) for creating a less than flattering silhouette.

It’s true that these little knickers can be tricky to work with. The length of the leg, obviously, is one major point of contention. If you have bulky calves or, like myself, have been cursed with—dare I say it—cankles, having the hem of your pants hitting at these points will only draw attention to these areas and make them appear larger. However, if you have a lean lower half and want to proudly display your gams, you can afford to go with a light-colored or white pair of capris with the hem hitting at any point.

Another issue with capris is that they tend to be tight. You can, however, find a pair with a slightly looser fit, like the Christopher Blue pair, pictured. These are also a great solution to the hemline issue, as they hit right below the knees and can be adjusted up or down as needed. They also come in a slimming neutral shade easily paired with a colorful top. If you’re still not confident with your calves, a heel of at least 2 inches helps to visually elongate and slim the leg.

Speaking of tops, it’s a good idea to pair capris with longer, looser tops. With these pants having a snug fit (and typically sitting low on the hips), billowy tops create balance to the look and provide extra coverage on the derriere.

Capris come in many colors, and pastels are a good choice if you don’t mind your legs getting a little extra attention. You can pair these with neutral colored tops for a classic look. 

The verdict: Capris are a fashion do if the right choices are made. Get inspired with these outfit ideas!

Dana (a.k.a. Cville Fashion) writes monthly columns for the Charlottesville Woman blog and quarterly columns in Charlottesville Woman magazine. In between you should definitely take the time to explore Cville Fashion for ideas on local fashion finds, fun health tips, beauty advice and so much more.