Not Your Mom's Pair: The Return of Capris
A brief history and modern style guide.
I was chatting with a few less fashion-inclined friends last night when one of them turned to me and said, “I need your opinion. How do you feel about capris?
Which responded, “I love them. And they're coming back.”
She wasn’t too fond of my response, and being a millennial, she responded, “We already went through that years ago. They’re horrible.”
The 20‑Year Rule
While I completely understand the pushback, capris’ return is inevitable—fashion is cyclical, and by the 20‑year rule, we’re due for another resurgence. It’s been roughly 20 years since capris dominated the 2000s on Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie, and other style divas.
But this time, it’s not your mom’s or even J‑Lo’s capris—it’s Marilyn’s and Audrey’s pedal pushers.
Origins of the Capri
In 1948, Sonja de Lenhart introduced the original capri pants during an era when women rarely wore trousers. Costume legend Edith Head spotted de Lenhart’s designs in the ’50s and featured them in Roman Holiday (1953) on Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn cemented the trend in Funny Face (1957), pairing slim black cigarette‑capris with ballet flats. That decade also saw Jayne Mansfield strut in leopard‑print capris on the Warner Bros. lot and Marilyn Monroe dazzle in high‑waisted white crops during her 1953 Life Magazine backyard shoot.
From Pedal Pushers to Empowerment
Originally dubbed “pedal pushers,” these mid‑calf pants freed women cyclists from skirts catching in bike chains. By 1963, Audrey was photographed biking through the set of My Fair Lady in blue‑and‑white gingham crops, and Mary Tyler Moore turned capris into a TV talking point on The Dick Van Dyke Show—so much so that Procter & Gamble briefly pulled ads over the controversy. More than a trend, capris symbolized autonomy, challenging restrictive dress codes up through the ’70s.
2025: The Modern Revival
With a love of rebellion and some vintage charm, today’s it-girls are bringing cropped pants back to the forefront.
In April, Bella Hadid wore a slim-fitting black capri-style co-ord from the Parisian brand Nuovo to Gigi Hadid’s 30th birthday party in New York. With a halterneck top, black pumps, and a Fendi Baguette bag, she captured both the nostalgia of the 2000s and the chic-ness of the ‘50s. Impressive.
Another one of today's greatest fashionistas, Emma Chamberlain, wore a gorgeous pair of cream capris to Coachella day two, and I absolutely adored this look. The red accents paired with the off-white base were chef’s kiss! So sporty-chic.
Underrated fashion icon and my current biggest inspiration, Devon Lee Carlson, just wore a cute vintage-esque pair of denim capris for a promo shoot by Walker Bunting for Devon’s phone-case brand, Wildflower.
Listen, if Bella, Emma, and Devon are wearing capris, they’ll be back on store shelves faster than you can even say pedal pusher!
So, if you want to hop on the trend but don’t want to look like someone’s mother in 2009…take notes.
When wearing capris, opt for kitten heels or slim sneakers rather than chunky choices to elevate your look with a classy, chic vibe. Kitten heels, especially, add just the right amount of lift while keeping your outfit polished and comfortable.
Pair your capris with a fitted or tucked-in top to define your waist and maintain proportions. A crisp button-down shirt, a sleek peplum tank, or a solid-colored turtleneck can keep the look modern and sophisticated.
Choose capris with a high waist and mid-calf length to elongate your legs and avoid cutting off your silhouette awkwardly. (Or if you’re feeling more Paris Hilton, low-waisted is the way to go!)
Shop the Look
High-Rise Cropped Capris Pants from Gap—affordable and versatile
Balancing vintage charm with modern tailoring, capris are the ultimate way to add effortless chic to your wardrobe. Ready to give them a spin?