Modern Ways To Style Capri and Cropped Pants
Let’s talk about capri pants today. Are they still in style? The answer is that they absolutely are for the women who love them and the many brands who make them. In addition, they’re hugely popular with many midlife women, so I’m updating this popular post with some styling ideas for how to wear capris and cropped pants over 50.
What’s the difference between capri and cropped pants?
Capri Pants
A capri pant is any length between the knee and the ankle with a slim fit. They end in the mid-calf region, which is an unappealing length for most women and can make your legs look thick. Choose capris that don’t end at the broadest part of your calf, or have them altered. Capri’s are more of a challenge for the petite woman because she’s already vertically challenged, and these make her look even shorter.
Straight-leg capri pants are the most modern-looking option and are plentiful this summer. Ignore the name a brand puts on them and look for the silhouette you like. For example, these are called skimmers, but they could also be called clam diggers, crops, or capris. These have a button detail at the hem, which looks best in colors that blend with the fabric. I chose a substantial but lightweight shoe to balance the dark carpi pants.
Some of the best retailers for capri pants are Talbots, J. Jill, Chico’s, Ann Taylor, and Loft.
Cropped Pants
Cropped pants are more versatile than capris and can be dressed up or down. The cropped pant length is from right below your knee to several inches above your ankle. They can be hemmed to any length that is the most flattering for your leg.
best proportions with Capri and cropped pants
- Unless you’re tall, avoid cuffs of any kind because they visually shorten the leg even more.
- Look for high-rise versions that make the garment look longer, so you look taller.
- No matter the length of your capris, pants, or shorts, they’re most flattering when hemmed at a spot where your leg narrows.
- If your legs are very short, you might reconsider wearing capris. Petite women may find crop and capri pants in the regular sizing are full length on them.
Best footwear for capri and cropped pants
- A wedge or heel looks excellent with both capris and crops.
- Sandals of all types are a good option with crops and capri pants, either flat or with a small heel.
- Avoid ankle straps that visually chop the leg.
- A pale or nude shoe elongates the look of your legs and looks great with both.
- Shoes with a lower vamp expose more of the top of your foot which extends the look of your leg.
Best tops to wear with Capri and cropped pants
Wide leg crop pants look best with a closer fitting top that stops at the waist or high hip. Wearing a shorter top with either will ensure your legs look their longest. Capris can also look great with a looser tunic-length top or cardigan.
Are you a fan of capris or cropped pants?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
The definitions supplied indicate that the difference between crops and capris is width of leg, since both say below knee to above ankle. IMO, the wider ones are trickier to style…..too many unstylish women wear them with heavy sneakers…..a sight I can’t seem to admire.
I wore those mid-calf capris until 2017 when I realized how unflattering they were on my petite 5’4″ frame (can you believe we are called petite now when average height through the mid 2000s?). I now go for ankle length (or slightly above) straight or wide leg pants. Anything shorter and I look “stunted.”
I’m 5’4″ too. Funny how times and sizing changes
Do like my crop and capri pants.
Cropped pants are so versatile. You can dress them up or down. Great to be ready for anything on my schedule. Capris I feel are a little bit casual but comfortable and cute.
Thanks for all the info.
Appreciate your wisdom.
I think all these names are really just a sales gimmick. I am loving the wider pants in most lengths but not as a Capri even tho I have longish thin legs.
Thanks for the shoe suggestions.
This was a super helpful post. I am tall, and I like that many different lengths are in style.
Skimmers is the term that is used a lot now for shorts that cover the knee.
Love your look Jennifer. Have a great 4th. God bless the United States of America.
Thank you, Nicole. Have a great weekend.
I wear shorts so crops are not something I gravitate to. I have one pair of just below knee light-weight denim crops — great for gardening or anywhere I have to sit on grass, but otherwise I don’t wear them. I also wear athletic crops for workouts and hiking. I know I’m the odd girl out, but I don’t think pedal pushers enhance anyone older than 10 or 11. The one exception is wide-leg crops: for some reason these “culottes” appeal to me.
I love culottes! I’ve seen the occasional wider leg version around. I hope they come back in style because they can be very flattering.
Thanks for all the info. Since I’m very petite capris can be very tricky. As long as they are just below the knee and slim I will wear them. But they can be difficult to find.
Chicos and Talbots had a few of those this year.
I am 5’2′, average weight, and proportion. I wear mostly crops, a few cool, maxi, simple dresses, not very wide leg linen pants when going out. I like workout capris and t shirts in the house, or going to the gym. Most of the young people, and some older women wear athletic wear to run around to do errands here in North Texas. We have had endless 100 plus days here, so we run from ac car, to ac store, back to ac home. Thank goodness for all the nice stores in our large ac malls.
I have shorts, but they are worn if I have to work in the yard, go on vacation to walk on a beach, hike, sit outside for a picnic, concert in the high eat etc. I wear the shorts to my upper knee, as my thighs are not smooth anymore.
Those temps are brutal! It’s not so funny, but nothing is smooth on me anymore 🙂
Yes to crops – a big NO to capris!
TOTALLY a fan, since capri and crop styles have given this 6 ft. woman so many more options. It’s still challenging to find stylish long slacks, but I can wear any and all capris or crops!
That’s awesome and you have the legs to carry them off beautifully!
I remember we called them pedal pushers years ago. I buy them very selectively. I am glad you included what shoes to wear with them. If you have large feet, it can be a proportional problem. You look great in your outfits.
Footwear can be tricky. I prefer footwear to add some balance and grounding but overly clunky ones are hard to style.
I wish more companies would make shorter capris. Maybe they aren’t called capris if they’re shorter (?) but pants that hit just below the knee. About the same place a skirt or dress might end. It still gives coverage, but doesn’t look so chopped. They are hard to find, but look better, especially with flat shoes. I have had some altered to this length, but that is expensive, and then they aren’t tapered at the right spot. I’ve had my best luck with the Tommy Bahama 15” inseam shorts.
I call those pedal pushers and agree, they’re a very flattering length. Good to know about Tommy Bahama, thanks.
I love them, but have been hesitant to wearing them as so many people are critical of them. They are better looking than shorts on my old legs and cooler than pants.
I have to say, that a slimmer leg and dark shoe would really make that outfit uber stylish.
Hem them or roll them up. That’s what I do so they hit below the knee.
Crops are my “go-to” choice from March/April through October here in sunny Florida. My favorites for the past 2 years are Chico’s Brigitte crops which offer a flattering fit and neutral colors that can be dressed up or down. Since I carry my weight (too much) from my midriff to upper thighs, I always wear long tops or lightweight toppers with them. I also like to wear Brigitte shorts in 13″ length. At 5’7″ the shorts go to the top of my knee. They are my preference to wear for golf. During this shutdown, I am wearing them also for walking the neighborhood (exercise) and hanging out in the house.
I like capris and cropped pant on other people. The draw back for me is that I have skinny legs and the pants just look wrong.
Down here in the sunny South, I live in Capri pants for 7 out of 12 months…. sandals, flats, wedges… I love them all! EXCEPT….I absolutely cannot abide chunky white tennis shoes with capri/crop pants like the ones on the Banana Republic picture in the slideshow! For me – at 5’10 – I really think that is the most unflattering look there is….and of course, everyone is different and everyone looks great in different things! I know that, of course…..I’m just talking my personal preference! It reminds me of high school and what we used to call “high waters” – or pants that have shrunk or are too short to be the correct length! Again, ladies – talking personal preference here! Bring on the capri/crops!!!
Everyone has an issue…. My legs are long in proportion to my body. For years and years I could never wear woman’s slacks because they were short (crop length) I still feel like I’m wearing high waters when I wear cropped pants. For summer I wear shorts. I don’t have to look at my knees…(haha)
LOVE the capris and crops here in Alabama!
I don’t wear cropped or capris. Where I live they would only be practical 3 months of the year and they seem too casual for office wear. I own one pair of ankle pants and I can’t get used to that length either. They make me feel short.
Remember when they were “pedal pushers”?
Yes, I do!
I remember pedal pushers too!
Also called clam diggers