How to Style the Controversial Capri Pants Trend This Summer

Suns out, legs out.

First came the low-rise jeans, then came the cargo pants. Now, the latest Y2K trend to infiltrate fashion is capri pants, the mid-length fitted bottoms that are as polarizing as their comeback predecessors. And as summer heats up, they’re becoming more of a go-to piece than a one-off.

This phenomenon was kicked off back in September when fashion designers showed a myriad of capri pants in their Spring/Summer 2024 lineups. Tory Burch, for example, featured capri pants in looser silhouettes paired with fuzzy tank tops and fitted blazers, while Carolina Herrera showed a monochrome suit with capri bottoms. At Ferragamo, designer Maximilian Davis took the sportswear approach, pairing black capri pants with a zipped cropped bomber jacket.

While this style may be a protagonist for 2024, capri pants have a longstanding history in pop culture and the runways. The style’s design is often attributed to German designer Sonja de Lennart, who included the pants in a collection named after the island where her family vacationed. But it was actress Audrey Hepburn who popularized the style with a promotional photo of the film Sabrina, where she’s wearing a custom Givenchy black top-and-bottom set that includes a pair of capri pants. Since then, Hepburn’s association with capri pants became an iconic fashion pairing, but other celebrities made the style their own, too. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for example, often wore capri pants on vacation, giving the style an off-duty, resort wear context that’s still referenced today. Yet, the early 2000s gave the style a twist with denim, cargo versions, and athleisure versions that brought capri pants into a more casual setting.

Today’s capri pants revival is taking notes from Hepburn’s styling with minimalist iterations that are easy to wear and versatile. If you want to dip your toe in the capri trend, take a look at some of the styling options below.

As A Suit

The good old suit is a working woman’s best friend, especially when it comes to no-brainer styling in the mornings. But as the season heats up, it’s hard to wear long, wide-leg pants without feeling scorched on the way to the office. Enter the capri pants suit, which still keeps an air of office readiness but offers a solution to the heat issues. While it may be intimidating, keeping the outfit in a monochrome palette gives you a blank and familiar palette to work with as you venture into the capri realm.

With Ballet Flats

Take a tip from Audrey Hepburn’s playbook by pairing capri pants with ballet flats. The footwear trend is a perfect match for capri pants, giving the look a nostalgic feel. For an elevated yet relaxed take, grab a sweater and an oversized handbag, pairing them with gold geometric earrings and a set of black sunglasses.

As A Two-Piece Set

The summer is the prime season for grab-and-go two-piece sets. While shorts sets are customary (and honestly more heat-proof), going for a capri version is a good way to channel the trend without being too risky. It’s a versatile combo that can be styled for everyday errands (just add sneakers and a bag), as well as a nighttime outing (peep-toe sandals or ankle boots will do the trick).

With Flip Flops

Pairing capri pants with flip-flops may seem unorthodox. But it’s one styling tip straight from Carrie Bradshaw’s arsenal of quirky pairings that somehow work. Let’s be real: The summer is a time when we wish we could go barefoot to avoid the usual sweat-ridden straps on our feet. But since that option is out of the question (if not for fashion, then for hygienic reasons), flip-flops are the next best thing. Grab a pair in a bold color and style them with a white T-shirt and black capri pants.

With A Jacket

The summer season’s rain storms are inevitable. And while it’s still hot out, there’s suddenly a need for styling a rain jacket. Shorts are a guaranteed way to get your legs wet, but capri pants offer more protection. Pair this bottoms style with a dark-hued rain jacket and pumps for a not-so-regular combo that’s both stylish and practical.

For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on InStyle.