How to recognise it
Slim all the way down, ending at mid-calf or just below. There may be a small slit at the side of the hem. Mid or high waist.
Where it comes from
Designer Sonja de Lennart created capri pants in 1948 and named them after the Italian island of Capri. In the 1950s Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly made them popular.
Who and when it suits
Light summer trousers for holidays, travel and a hot day in town. They look best with ballet flats, sandals or loafers.
Variations and look-alikes
They come in cotton, denim, linen or with stretch, with a slit at the hem, side buttons or plain. A slightly shorter version is called pedal pushers. They differ from cigarette pants in their shorter length, and from culottes in being slim.
How to style it
- With ballet flats or flat sandals.
- A tucked-in shirt gives a 1950s look.
- Pointed shoes lengthen the leg.
- A short cardigan or a shirt tied at the waist goes well with capris.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01Where does the name capri come from?
From the Italian island of Capri: Sonja de Lennart, who created them in 1948, named them after it.
02How do capris differ from culottes?
Capris are slim, culottes wide; both end at a similar length.