By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
May 14, 2000
Capri pants. Fashion statement, or expensive floods?
Judging by their popularity, the trendy pants are definitely a fashion statement that are as popular with women (and some men) this year as they were last season.
“Why are capris still around?” says Meg Rottman of Style PR, a marketing agency specializing in fashion. “Because they look good on people. And you don’t have to be built like a model to wear them well.”
Because the pants vary in length–from just below the knee to a few inches shy of the ankle–women can pick a style that flatters their body type. Got short legs? Opt for the shorter cuts that show more leg. Don’t want to worry about tanning this summer? Then hide your gams in a longer pair of capris. Worried that your calves are too thick? Then stick with a pair that have side or back slits for a roomier fit around the legs.
Back in the day when they were called pedal pushers or clam diggers, the pants were worn a little more casually than they are today. Think Laura Petrie cleaning the house in a pair of black, cotton clam diggers.
“I would say that the basic style for capris is the same as pedal pushers or clam diggers,” Rottman says. “I think that whenever designers introduce an old style, they like to give it new terminology so that the clothing seems up-to-date and modern.”
But check out any vintage clothing store–or your mom’s closet–and you’ll see that while the theme is the same, the detailing is different from what you’ll find at the department stores.
For instance, many of today’s styles offer intricate embroidery work or fringed beading at the cuffs. They also utilize a little Lycra, which gives the pants a more tailored fit. This means that depending on how you accessorize, you can wear them to goof around at the beach, or to a swanky party afterward.
“There are some beautiful capris made out of raw silk,” Rottman says. “Pair those up with a great pair of shoes, and you look very put together and fashionable, without looking overly trendy.”
Which begs the question, what shoes look best with capris? It depends on what look you’re trying to achieve. If you’re lean and leggy, you don’t need high heels to show off your gams. So pair a mid-length capri with some sneakers or a delicate Sabrina heel. Sandals and platforms add a funky touch to a simple look.
This season, don’t be surprised if you see men strutting their stuff in capris. The Kenneth Cole store on Michigan Avenue reports that they’re already sold out of the ankle-length capris for men.
“We’ve had a mixed reaction to them,” says Bruce Stein, the store’s manager. “They tend to go over best with taller guys, because the pants are cut long and hit them well. On shorter men, they’re too long.”
This leads to an important thing to remember about capris. Make sure that they’re short enough so that people know they’re supposed to be that way. Wear them too long and you risk looking like a Bay City Roller.
“There really are no set rules for capris,” Rottman adds. “Just remember that the dressier you want to look, the longer your capris should be. Then have some fun with it.”
