Cropped trousers are dominating the shops. They did so for winter and signs indicate that they will do so for summer. This has resulted in many of you wearing them even when, in my opinion, some of you should not. Of course this only holds true if figure flattery and creating a great silhouette are among your dressing priorities.
On one of my evenings out recently, I just saw too many examples of women looking less than fantastic because they were wearing capris. Women, who otherwise looked very well dressed and groomed, but whose overall silhouette was ruined (to my eye) by the cropped trousers.
Check all our tips on how to wear capris and cropped pants here.
Capris are not for everyone. As I outlined in my article on how to wear capris, they come with certain conditions on how to wear them. I even believe that some women should forget about them altogether.
The feedback I received through social networks on the looks I’m sporting in the article mentioned above, reinforces that opinion. The general feedback on all of the looks shown, was that full length trousers looked best. The only exception being my beige long pants, but that was only because the women did not like the wide on wide look (which I agree is generally not a a smart thing to do).
That result came despite the fact that I have a few factors in my favour when it comes to wearing capris:
- I’m predominantly a rectangle, which makes wearing capris easier.
- I’m moderately tall, which makes the shortening effect less of an issue.
- In the examples I wore the capris with heels.
Despite that, most people still favour the full-length trousers look.
If figure flattery and silhouette is a priority for you in your dressing (as it is for me), you need to be really careful with capris when you have short legs or have a pear or apple shape. In most cases you will need to wear heels and pay a lot of attention to the tops you combine them with.
Yes, it will be a lot tougher to find good full length trousers in the shops as there will be fewer of them. But it’s worth making the effort. Full length trousers will always be current and will often give you the nicest silhouette. Certainly when you opt for straight or bootleg legs.
An alternative is to choose the longer cropped trousers or 7/8 trousers, which are getting very popular. They work best if they are very tapered and can look very chic and hip.
As you can see above, I still wear cropped trousers and may very well succumb to some 7/8 trousers this season as I do like the looks from the top picture.
But I also believe that full length trousers look best on me. That is why I have full length white straight leg trousers on my wish list.
Since I do not have full length skinnies in white, I opted for these white capris instead. I’ts an o.k. look, but I doubt I will wear it again, since looking back on it, I don’t love it. Perhaps I should add some white full-length skinnies to my wish list as well!
What do you think about cropped trousers? Do you agree with me or do you just prefer the hipness and comfort of capris and don’t care about the silhouette or shortening effect?
I like capris for coolness, but they clearly don’t like me. I can’t wear any sort of heel, or even flat sandals (orthotics and medical issues). So even thought the rest of my outfit might look good, the capris and sports shoes ruin the look. I wear them at home, but rarely out now. Fortunately I sew, so can make long cool pants for myself.
The reason I got rid of my capris/crop trousers that hit at mid-calf was that I noticed a lot of women wearing them after moving back to the east coast of the US this summer, and they didn’t look good on anyone. They looked akin to the so-called “mom jeans” to me (no offense to well dressed moms out there…I’m only a kitty mama so what do I know). I did, however, buy a pair late summer in the ever popular cobalt blue color that are more tapered and hit right around my ankle. I think that looks much better. I wear them with cute, embellished flats. Now that I’m targeting skirts more, though, I probably won’t buy another pair.
Sounds like you bought the right model Rita in a great colour!
I like a shorter trouser but not too short. Ankle length is my favorite for me if I’m going for that look. But like you, I’m tall, so I don’t get the shortening effect. I buy J Crew’s cafe capri trousers but I buy them in the long size so they hit at the ankle.
Yes, good idea!
I received my March American Vogue today and have read the first 200 (out of 618) pages. The number one style I noticed is all of the cropped length trousers! From inexpensive Gap jeans to Chanel and Saint Laurent, that is THE look. At one time I did not find this attractive but now that I am seeing it everywhere I like it. I do think the legs have to be slim and the hem needs to hit right above the ankle bone. Mid-calf, wide legged capris do not work on many women.
I think the shoes you choose make or break the 7/8 trousers. I love high ankle wrap sandals with them or even an open toed bootie. And there has to be a heel or wedge – but not too high. And I would have to either wear a nude colored shoe or one to match the hem as that would lengthen my leg line. I am much shorter than you Sylvia so I would wear white shoes with your white trousers above or a darker shoe with a darker pant. I actually might try a very small flat sandal with the jeans though. It would be a beachy look on a warm day.
As far as wearing cropped trousers in Winter – I do not see how that would work in the cold and snow. I need long hems to tuck inside tall boots or a long bootcut length to go over boots.
Booties are often great with 7/8 trousers as they diminish the shortening effect. Of course choosing shoes in the same colour is always a good idea too. How fun that you already have the new Vogue!
Planning to wear ankle pants to the airport with ballet flats, but would like them better with heels. Everyone in my area embraces capris, remember we are a casual beach tourist area in the warmer months. I mostly wear them in evenings with heels and will have pics when i return from the Cayman’s to post. It will be interesting to see what the photos reveal as I have said before, my mirror lies to me!
I understand that everyone is wearing them, but I’m just wondering if everyone Should be wearing them. Not all trends are good for all women. In the end it comes down to good styling though. Have fun on your holiday!
Oh dear, I love capris! No, really love them. The weird thing is i love the way they look on me in the mirror, but I hate the way they look in photos. Weird, huh?
Wear what you love Heather. That is always a good idea. Style them well and as Tim Gunn says: Make It Work!
Ankle pants are not for me, as I have shapely calves and I’m only 5′ 5 1/2″ tall. In the summer I will however wear slim, short capris that hit just between the knee and the fullest part of my calves, it’s a look that works for me as I have fairly long legs for my height. I’ll usually wear them with heels, though.
Cropped trousers just below the knee are usually a great length too as they don’t break up the leg line.
Interesting to see so many of these 7/8 lengths in Vogue, but they are definitely not for me. It’s amazing how popular they are now, because short trousers of around the ankle used to look just too short, as if you’d bought the wrong length of trouser.
But I have to admit that for years I hated skinny jeans and now I love them. As long as my bottom is covered with a longish shirt or top I think they are very stylish. So maybe I’ll get used to the 7/8 length on others, but they won’t ever be a good look on me.
Great article Sylvia and as always you look amazing and can wear anything.
Full length trousers will always be good, so if 7/8 doesn’t suit you, just skip it! Before too long, 7/8 will just mean too short again, and you will be happy that most of your trousers are full length!
Thanks Sylvia, good advice.
Sometimes I have to wonder if the industry pushes styles like cropped slacks just to save money (less fabric but the same price as long slacks) and they pass it off as a trend. Kind of like 3/4 length sleeves. If it’s warm I want to wear short sleeves, and if it’s cold, I want long sleeves…3/4 length sleeves just leave part of my arm too hot or too cold.
Ho! Ho! Rita, you make me laugh, but I know what you mean. I feel the same about 3/4 sleeves on tops and jackets. If it’s cold you need a jacket with a full sleeve and if it’s not then you don’t need a jacket at all. Very well put xx
I LOVE 3/4 length sleeves! But I know what you mean – went out in 3/4 sleeve jumper yesterday and it was zero degrees! Brrhhh! Ha ha!
Haha! Different tastes for sleeves, too! I’m always cold, so that little extra bit of skin on my (very bony little) wrists makes a bid difference. It’s funny…at 5’4″, I’m right on the fence between regular and petite sizes. Often I’m a petite on top since I’m a tad bit short-waisted, and prefer a regular in slacks because the rise feels better (though I do need to get most hemmed). For tops, however, many that I like don’t come in petite sizes so I buy regular, and if they are long-sleeved, the sleeves are often too long. For sweaters, I just turn the sleeves up one turn. I recently bought a cardigan in a petite size that had just the right length sleeves, but over the course of the day, I ended up tugging at them…they felt too short since I’m used to my sleeves being too long. Drove me bananas!! So, I think I might just stick with regular sized long sleeved shirts from now on, and save the petites for short-sleeves.
Hi there Capri sister! Did you check out the capri humour on the forum (Just for Fun)?
I never considered myself petite as I am 5′ 5″but the purple coat my husband bought me is Precis which is a range for petite people under 5’3″. They say the design is not just shorter but proportionately smaller all over, but I got a UK 12 and it feels generous. However, what I wanted to say was the sleeves are a perfect length which makes a change as I find they are often too long.
Posting a 3/4 sleeved outfit up now for all you haters!
I did, Lorraine…LOL!! 🙂 You’re so funny! I’ll have to check out the Precis label. All of my coats have sleeves that are too long. I think about getting them hemmed, but when I’m driving, and my arm is bent upward with my hands on the steering wheel, they are perfect and keep my wrists warm while the car warms up. Hmm…can you tell I like to be warm? LOL! Oh, and I LOVE purple!
Being straight and 5 ft 74 with great legs (sorry girls, that is the one feature I am really confident about), I think I can pull off cropped and 7/8. I never wear them wide, always leg hugging. Even so I am more careful with them than I used to be. Even with me, some of them tend to make me look childish or short. Both are no good of course.
And if I wear flats with them it gets worse. So nearly all the time I wear heels with them. After a while you want some comfort back and you turn to long trousers again.
It is just that every wideness or narrowness of trousers need specific shoes, making life a bit more complicated. I am into skinnies nowadays.
Complicated but fun at the same time, right?
Right
I do agree with you Sylvia, that everyone should not wear this style. Also, if you’re going to wear this style you need to know what complements it, and makes it pop.
Yes, combining with the right tops and shoes is key. Look at the silhouette from all angels and Make it Work!
Oh I could rant for a good, long time about capris. For several years, I refused to wear anything but full trousers, skirts, or casual shorts. Capris are the “I give up” garment of middle age women everywhere.
But, despite my loathing of the capri, I’m finding that I like ankle length trousers and jeans, as long as they are a slim-leg cut. I purchased 2 pairs of the Express Editor pant in the ankle length, and find they give my work wardrobe a modern edge when worn with billowy shirts and heels.
Thanks for the feedback Shebolt and great to read that you have found a way to make the 7/8 trousers work for you!
What a good idea, going with ankle length as long as they are slim-leg cut. I’m definitely going to give that ago and thanks for the advice.
Last year I loved wearing slim fit cropped jeans (just below the knee) for casual and slim cut capri pants with heels for dressier outings, but it was searching for the guidance on capris that led me to 40+ Style. I don’t agree they are the ‘give up’ garment and wonder if we are actually talking about the same thing when we say ‘capri’.
I threw out any cropped trousers that were wide cut (leg-flapping, Rita!) as they don’t do anybody any favours, especially from behind – but I don’t consider them to be capris.
As for the 7/8ths, I have not tried them yet, although I love the way they look on models.
Just below the knee trousers are not capris in my book. They are flattering as they do not break up the leg line. Unflattering trousers for many are those that end between the widest part of your calf and ankle. It’s especially the wide capris that end on top of the calves that are seen as ‘giving up’ trousers by some.
In the end it’s possible to make cropped pants work, so long as you make the extra effort to style them correctly with the right tops and shoes and don’t fully disregard your body type.
Good luck with trying on 7/8!
That’s right, no leg-flapping my capri sister! 🙂
I guess what I consider Capri pants are the slim Audrey Hepburn style but the term seems to have been extended to cover a range of lengths and widths. Also, I came across a pic of her and they seem more like 7/8ths!
I came across this blog piece which is quite good – especially like the humour if you scroll down the piece:
http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/capri-pants-friend-or-foe/
My biggest problemwith 7/8ths is that I recall my mother wearing some shorter, slimmer leg trousers in the 70s and my sister and I told her she looked like a carrot. I wish I could apologise but sadly it’s too late.
I think the debate could run and run!
I think Audrey Hepburn makes “not full length” trousers (I’ve also heard them called cigarette trousers) look absolutely timeless, and she wears them with flats and I think it’s perfect!
I’m sure your mom didn’t think twice about the carrot comment. She probably thought, “My daughters are so silly!” 🙂 And probably when she looked back on 70’s clothes, she thought so, too.
Thanks Rita. I always felt awful about that comment (it was probably me who said it) and others I said.
I wore my capris with flats last year and felt cool but I probably looked like a carrot (rather than Audrey) too!
🙂 Well, only if they were orange, and I bet you would have been a very cool carrot!
Better than looking like a pumpkin! ha ha!
I frequently travel to Mexico (missions) and have to sacrifice fashion for comfort. Long pants are unfortunately very impractical and my thighs are best left to the imagination so I have to pass on shorts. That leaves me with a choice of capris (right below the knees or shorts right above the knee. While much of my work is in places where fashion is scarcely an issue, I do have to present a good appearance at times and many of those places do not have air conditioning. Additionally, I have a hip issue and can only wear low wedgies or flats. I am 5’6.5″ tall and wear between a size 8 or 10. Any suggestions?
Wow…bless you for your mission work to Mexico, Sheri. You put a great spin on the discussion. While clothes and fashion are fun, there are things way more important and for some who have next to nothing, debating pants length would be ridiculous. Is your work very labor intensive, where slacks/shorts are best, or can you wear skirts? That might be an option. Otherwise, sounds like walking shorts are perfect!
I would wear cargo pants for comfort and forget fashion! However, I can’t help thinking of Princess Diana raising awareness of landmines – didn’t she wear capris/a crisp shirt/flats and she looked appropriate.
Right above or below the knee capris are both a good option and can look very fashionable, when combined with a nice cotton top. These can easily be worn with flats. Good luck with all your work there!
Every time this subject comes up, I feel like the experts are talking to me, LOL. I am very short, only about 5’2″, and body size combo; definitely not long legged. And I love my capris. They tend to stop just above the ankle on my height, and all logic tells me to wear a long pair of pants {not completely sure what this 7/8 pant length is}, or forgo the pants and wear a dress. But, truthfully, my printed capris feel so summery that I keep on wearing them. Now I did have one pair that did not feel right on me each time I wore them. A little too short, cuffed {blech} and too wide. So I altered them, but they still sit above the ankle. Come spring, I will start wearing them again, and perhaps as I post pics on my little blog, I will see the error of my ways. I agree with dressing in what pleases us; but I also do want to look my best.
In the end Sue, if they make you feel good, then that’s all that matters. Perhaps figure flattery is not a priority for you? If you do feel that you look better in full length pants why not buy a really flowery, summery one at full length? That may still give you that nice summery feeling while still creating the best silhouette.
Thanks for your reply Sylvia. I do indeed want to wear clothes that not only flatter me, but make me look taller, and slimmer, ;). For the most part, I believe I make fairly good selections. It’s funny though…when I put on a pair of my above the ankle length pants with a summery top and little gold sandals {for example}, I see all the good things, and maybe don’t even see that the silhouette is off. I know, it’s usually the other way around, where we criticize ourselves endlessly about everything body related. I can’t wait for summer, then I can start really assessing this silhouette thing. And it will be fun to share with you and the lovely ladies on the forum some pics to get some feedback. {Yikes, :)}
You have seen our comments on the Forum… we are not that frightening are we? You have to always bear in mind that any comment is just a personal opinion of somebody whose taste you don’t know. So look at a comment at an arms length. Do you immediately recognise what is said? Then you probably agree. But you can also disagree and happily continue. Not everybody is a goeroe. Only Sylvia. Haha, she is going to respond to this…
🙂
haha there are no gurus here Greetje. I’m far from it!
I already thought I misspelled the word guru, but was in a hurry. And I know you don’t regard yourself one. But you do know a heck of a lot.
I couldn’t agree more. I’m in Asia, and it’s so tragic that everyday I see so many women victimized by this capris, or even worse, legging trend. They could have looked much nicer if not because they are following such trend so blindly.
hi i want to crop capri trousers and pants.i need your help………..
All my best tips can be found here: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-wear-capris-and-cropped-pants/