It's time to throw out your capris.
Yes, I know it's hot. Yes, I know many of us would rather swelter in jeans than expose are pale chub stumps to the light of day. Believe me, I know.
But I still must insist that you ditch the cropped pants this summer.
Because ladies? No one looks good in capris. I own a few pair myself and I will still lecture you on the merits of never wearing your capris in public again. Ever. Your legs look shorter and your hips look wider. Trust me on this.
(Unless you're one of those people who is naturally long and lean. In which case, we cannot be friends. I'm sorry.)
I promise you, these alternatives will not only keep you cool and adequately covered (you will not see a daisy duke short in the bunch), they will also keep you feeling just as cute as you'll look.
1. Walking Shorts (or Bermuda shorts as Old Navy would like you to call them) Or as I like to call them, The Fashion Industry's Answer to My Inner Thighs.
The hemline of a walking short can range from mid thigh to knee length. Most of mine fall just above the knee and fall pretty straight from the hip (read: the widest point on my body!). If you don't have what my grandfather affectionately refers to as Birthing Hips, you can also try a more fitted style.
When I first started to hear about Bermuda shorts coming into style I was a little nervous. I was haunted by images of the Longish Short that I remember women my mom's age wearing. However, a quick trip to the mall will assure you that the long short has come, well, a long way.
2. Full Skirts (Or an A-line skirt of the full variety) - while I have heard that there are women out there who can get away with a straight skirt, it's pretty unrealistic to think that a fitted skirt is going to replace the casual comfort of your old capris. On the other hand, a full, flirty skirt is just as easy to put on and even more comfortable than your favorite pair of petal pushers.
Stop looking at me like that. I'm not crazy. Really.
You don't even have to worry about multiple leg holes when you get dressed!
The length I look for tends to mirror what I look for in a pair of walking shorts – mid thigh to knee length, with the sweet spot usually hitting just above the knee. I'm always on the look out for a waistline that sits right at my natural waist and has a wide waist band. Remember, the whole point here is a blend of style and comfort.
3. Summer Dresses – as if skirts weren't enough for you to think I was completely out of touch with reality, I'm going to push it even further and tell you that summers were made for dresses.
A properly fitting cotton summer dress is far more comfortable on a hot day then any cellulite squeezing pants could ever dream of being.
And speaking of cellulite, no one will ever know you have any. Seriously. A fitted or empire waist combined with a flared skirt is better than Weight Watchers for eliminating any lumps between your chest and your knees.
Added bonus: you don't have to worry about matching and you're only adding one item to the laundry pile. How can you say no to a style that hides belly pooch and reduces your work load?
Of course, you could always resolve to stay inside the air conditioning until the temperatures dip low enough to allow you to go back to jeans and over sized sweaters. But I think you'll find (if you will just TRUST ME and TRY THEM ON!!) that these alternatives will be much easier to live with then 3 months without sunshine.
And really. For the love of all things flattering – donate the high-waters.
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I've never really been too into the capri fashion, mostly because I'm so short. Pant's marketed as capris usually hit me about an inch above my ankle bone, so I just look like I have no idea where to hem my pants.
I've been taken with the idea of summer dresses, yet I don't really own any. There are many mornings that I've thought how easy it would be to just throw one on. I think I'll have to keep an eye out for end of season sales and pick up a couple to try next year. (yes here in upstate NY we've only got about 5 weeks of summer weather left. . .)
I do have capris and I like them even though I'm only 5'3" but my favorite things to wear in the summer are skirts, usually the ones from Eddie Bauer. I don't like A-line or full skirts on me. They make me look wider and shorter.
I admit it…I have a few pairs of capris. I wear them often at school. I am a huge fan of bermuda shorts except I cannot stand the tan lines. Thankfully I'm in a bathing suit alot at the beach to even them out. This summer I did look more into sun dresses and wore them around. I just still feel kind of silly wearing a dress or skirt around the house!
I have come so close to writing a post about the exact same thing. But so many women bloggers rave about capris I thought maybe I was the only one that thought they look unflattering on almost every body shape. The exception, as you mentioned, being long and lean.
Thank you, missbritt, for doing women a great service by pointing out these beautiful, flattering alternatives.
Personally, I like my capris and my full skirts and my bermuda shorts and I'm not giving any of them up based on a blog post.
I don't own capris, but only cos I haven't gotten round to buying any. On the to do list. Luckily for that clothing item (and probably no others) I'm shaped like and upturned triangle – the further down you go the thinner I get, hence the fact that when the sun shines out come miniscule skirts and denim hotpants!
I guess we can't be friends because I have long legs and I love my capris. Walking shorts looks like mens shorts and the full skirt looks like its for a fiesta. Summer dress is very cute!
I'm so short, Capri's look like regular pants on me anyway…. or at the worst, high waters!
All you people with your skinny legs. YOU KILL ME! (And also, if you're done with them, I'd love to borrow them. I'll give them back. Promise.)
I wanted to add to this on the summer dress thing – just picked up a black cotton one for $10 at Wal-Mart the other day. Super cute and more comfortable than my pajamas!
I went shopping last weekend for a pair of casual pants that were not capris — apparently many retailers failed to get the memo that real women can't wear them because they are EVERYWHERE. Not a full-length pant in the bunch.
Also? Be careful with those dresses. Some of them make the manequins look pregnant!
Bermudas are my favorite.
Perhaps you've never experienced the misery of fat thighs sticking together, which is what happens when I wear dresses/skirts in the summer heat (unless I add to my layers by wearing a pantslip). Also? Short full skirts are NOT an apple-shaped girl's friend. I'm not a fan of the at-the-knee length on anyone, honestly. Plus, I always get loads of compliments when I wear my capris (which I buy in Petite length)! Without them, I'd never leave the house in the summertime.
I do sell capris on the designer line I rep. Here's my thing with capris…they must fall just below the knee – a little longer than walking shorts. Thinner cut for thinner legs and wider cut for thicker legs. All hemlines should never end in the widest part of your legs (usually calves) – it's not flattering and it's where most capris are cut to fall. Petite gals should stick to pencil capris and larger gals should go with a wider leg (If you choose to wear them) – always wear a kitten or higher heel. Never flip flops or ballet flats, you need the length to elongate the leg.
An overweight skirt wearer, here! Don't own a pair of capris, haven't even been tempted. Most of my skirts are just below the knee to mid calf, but they are all more of a bias/A-line, and I get compliments on how they look (esp the bias cuts).
I've got 5 small children, and live in OK (where its been 100+ for the last week, and will be for the foreseeable future)…and I don't have a problem with leg sticking. I make sure my skirts are lightweight cotton or linen, for the most part, and that is crucial for the air flow.
Since I'd rather be set on fire than to wear a pair of pants of any kind,esp that keeps the air next to my body in this kind of heat, well, I'm not going to make the "faux pas" of wearing capris anytime soon.
LOL
Rachel
I am not tall at all (in fact, that's in debate with my doctors' nurse!), but I do like my capris. However, I ONLY wear them with a heel – and generally, only black capris, and the heel can't have an ankle strap! Otherwise, I mostly agree with what you said.
Ooh – good advice on the heels, or anything but a flip flop, if you're going to wear capris.
And to skirt wearers with big thighs (HELLO!! ME!!) – might I point you in the direction of chaffing gel? Heaven. Seriously. (Or the Bermuda shorts)
I'm not quite ready to throw out my capris….to me, bermuda shorts look much, much worse on my frame!
Agreed! Now, deep in my heart I adore capris because they're just so darn comfortable. But I have to admit – they look ridiculous on my 5'2 frame.
I pretty much wear knee-length skirts every day during the summer. They look good on anyone, and they're cooler than shorts!
Great post.
I'm 5'2 1/2" and yeah, I'm guilty. I own the capri jeans. I know. I know. I just have a terrible time finding jeans that work with my short frame. Over here in the Netherlands, it's terrible though. Capris are all you seem to find AND to make matters worse for me, the Dutch like to wear their capri jeans with boots. WTF?? Seriously! I have purchased two little summer skirts that fall just above the knee but I'm terrified to wear them. I'm not a tiny woman…just short. So I'm afraid of looking like the Pillsbury Doughgirl. Stilettos are the only hope I have in the skirts looking well but have you ever tried to walk down European cobblestone streets in stilettos? I'm doomed!
I have to disagree. I think the at knee bermuda or walking shorts look worse on anyone who doesn't have perfectly skinny legs. I wanted a nice pair of capris this summer but couldn't find any so I am stuck wearing bermuda shorts that hit right above my knees and make my legs look huge! A nice capris with a little flare or "boot-cut" look seem to be much more flattering to legs in my opinion. I'm just sad that trend didn't last very long.
LOVE my capris. don't care if they make my already not small self look massive. pleeeeeeeeeeze don't take my crappi pants…
what is chafing gel and where do i purchase it? sounds heavenly!
5'4.5" (Yes… point 5 inches) and pretty slim all over. . .
Okay, I'm going to bite – mostly because my guy HATES capris – are they just out for now, or forever? If it's forever, I'll have have them converted to shorts. If its for now, then I'll be ok.
I love he hates 'em.