Capri Pants Are Tricky—Here’s How I’m Making Them Work
And how not to look like you’re boarding a cruise ship.


Cropped, close-fitting, and slightly controversial, capri pants are officially back for another spin around fashion’s trend cycle. Once championed by '60s-era Hollywood starlets, like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, this calf-skimming trend has since made its way onto the Spring 2025 runways of modern labels like Sandy Liang, OpéraSPORT, and Filippa K. To no surprise, the style has trickled down from designer catwalks to the coveted closets of fashion enthusiasts.
Marie Claire Fashion Features Editor Emma Childs tells me that she’s a staunch advocate for capri pants. “I consider the cropped pants a cult classic—up there with ballet flats and Breton stripe shirts,” she says. “I own a pair of black stretchy capris from H&M and typically wear them with either a button-down shirt or a minimal black long-sleeve (à la Audrey) with my favorite Prada kitten heels to tie the vintage-inspired look together.”
Like my savvy colleague, I prefer a polished approach to wearing capris, often coordinating them with sharp blazers and lofty mules for days in the office. However, if I’m in a laid-back mood, I’ll pair these pants with oversized T-shirts and retro sneakers for errand runs and casual city strolls. As for my chosen style, I opt for high-waisted capri pants with lengthy mid-calf hems, which create an elongated look, considering I'm borderline petite at 5 feet 4 inches.
With endless styling options available this season, there’s no better time than now to indulge in the capri pants trend. Scroll on for 20 options that will help you do just that, from neutral variations to statement-making alternatives featuring pinstripes, gingham prints, and lace.
Shop the Capri Pants Trend:
I tried on Everlane’s Dream Capri pants last week and instantly fell in love. The silhouette offers a flattering slim fit without being too tight. Plus, these bottoms are made from soft, stretchy cotton, delivering an extra dose of comfort.
Enhance your assortment of summer work uniforms with Lamarque’s Celine pants. They’re cut from pristinely stitched twill fabric, so they closely resemble refined tailored trousers.
Aritzia’s Scribe capris flaunt a timeless, form-fitting look that celebrates ‘60s fashion. Slip into these retro slacks with a crisp blouse and a pair of Mary Janes to turn up the old-school volume even more.
Gingham is a quintessential summer print, so why not embrace the season of sweltering heat with Frankie Shop’s Parlour pants? Made from lightweight poplin fabric, these capris will keep you cool and comfortable.
While COS’s capris are regarded as “slim,” they actually offer a relatively loose fit compared to their counterparts. Pull on these pants if you’re not in favor of a skin-tight shape.
Y2K fashion is back in full swing, and denim capris are leading the charge. Travel back in time with this version of the trend from Gap.
There’s something so elegant about the subtle flare of these capri pants. Style them with a frilly top and slingbacks if you’re feeling sophisticated.
Doused in an inky indigo colorway that feels effortlessly cool, Still Here’s capris are perfect for endless late nights on the town. Pair them with a sculpted tube top and sky-high platforms for an easygoing going-out getup.
Not afraid to show a bit of skin? Embrace the naked dressing trend with La Porte’s sultry capris adorned in delicate lace.
For your next gym day, consider wearing Alo Yoga’s ‘90s-inspired capri leggings. Not only do they have a super soft feel, but they’re also undeniably stylish and will pair well with a streamlined sports bra and chunky sneakers.
The girlhood aesthetic is still thriving, and Miaou’s capri pants are evidence of that. Adorned with delicate bows, these bottoms showcase a delightful feminine flair.
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Lauren K. Tappan is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers trend forecasting and shopping stories, highlighting runway-inspired styles and a blend of emerging and established brands. Prior to joining Marie Claire, she worked as a freelance editor for Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE, specializing in e-commerce content and curating seasonal trend reports. Earlier in her career, she worked at Town & Country, developing a strong portfolio of fashion roundups and designer profiles.
Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, she served as editor-in-chief of The Walk, the university's fashion magazine, and completed internships at Philadelphia Style Magazine and EveryStylishGirl.
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