Whether loose-fitting or slim-cut, Capri pants are making a comeback. Photo: AFP
Partway between pants and shorts, but a little longer than Bermuda shorts, Capri pants have never been a perennial fashion favourite.
But that didn't stop them reigning supreme in women's wardrobes in the 1950s and 60s, then again in the 90s and 2000s, before falling back into oblivion... until this season, that is.
Capri pants have reappeared, revamped with a fresh twist, worn by a host of celebrities and being put on the runways by major luxury brands.
First there was the bucket hat, then low-rise pants with crop tops, butterfly motifs and even the babydoll worn over jeans...
The 2000s have made an unprecedented comeback in recent years, and it seems that the trend is becoming (a little too) established.
Another relic of that colourful decade – of somewhat dubious taste – has been making a foray into the fashion world for some time now, and has already captured the hearts of a host of celebrities.
And the story could have ended there, had some of the world's top luxury houses not decided to put Capri pants on the fashion week runways.
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A 1950s icon
We often associate cropped pants with the 90s and 2000s, and with good reason, but these very specific pants actually originated in the late 1940s, specifically from the designer, Sonja De Lennart.
They became known as Capri pants, because it was on the Italian island of the same name that these cut-offs rose to popularity.
Then, fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn put Capri pants in the spotlight in the 50s and '60s, helping the style make its way into women's wardrobes.
Capri pants then gradually fell out of fashion until the 90s and 2000s, when they made a comeback, before giving way to the now-famous skinnies and slim-fit pants, which became a permanent fixture in women's wardrobes.
Thought to be out of fashion for good, these 75-year-old cropped pants have made an impressive comeback on the fashion scene, from the runways to the wardrobes of a host of celebrities.
Back in 2021, Capri pants were notably rocked by Lily-Rose Depp and Emily Ratajkowski, but without really succeeding in sparking a trend.
Over the past few months, however, these pants have made so many appearances on the street, on social networks and even on the runway that they look set to become one of summer's must-have pieces.
With a head start, Bella Hadid, Jennifer Lawrence, Lena Situations and Meghan Markle are among the stars who have already adopted this relic of the past. And judging by the latest fashion shows, it looks like they soon won't be the only ones embracing this three-quarter cut.
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Gucci, Jacquemus, Versace
For the Autumn/Winter 2022 season, the Italian fashion house Gucci presented a series of Capri pant styles that didn't go unnoticed, whether from its own collection or one designed in collaboration with Adidas.
These landed in the form of slightly baggy printed models worn with boots for a more modern look, whether for women or men.
But the luxury brand isn't the only one to have introduced cropped pants into its collections, the master of the genre being none other than Jacquemus, which has made Capris one of its star pieces.
Available in denim, polka dots and other prints, this icon of the 2000s takes pride of place in the French designer's Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
And the trend is still in its early stages, especially considering that cropped pants have already made their way into several collections for the Autumn/Winter 2023 season, including Versace's offering.
What's more, these mid-calf-cut pants are already a hit on social networks, in other words with the younger generation, with no fewer than six million views for the #capripants hashtag on TikTok, and hundreds of looks and variations to boot.
One thing's for sure: whether you like it or not, Capri pants look set to be firmly on the fashion agenda again. – AFP Relaxnews
