Help, the Capri pants are back!

The Capri pants are a type of trousers that reach mid-calf, between the knee and the ankle. Older generations commonly know them as fisherman pants or pinocchietti. They are generally tight-fitting, with a length that makes them suitable for both warm seasons and transitional periods, and they can be elegant or playful depending on how they are styled. The same goes for other mid-length trousers like dad shorts and jorts, which are making a comeback, covering the leg much more than what we have been used to seeing in recent years, where mini and micro reigned supreme.

The History of Capri Pants

Capri pants were popularized in the 1950s and 60s by fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn, who made them famous by wearing them in films such as Sabrina, Roman Holiday, and Funny Face, as well as in her everyday life. The eternal diva Marilyn Monroe was also a fan: at the time, they were a garment that conveyed sensuality but also showed that women could now wear pants. What’s their story? Capri pants were introduced by the German designer Sonja de Lennart in the late 1940s. Their name comes from the Italian island of Capri, where they became popular for their practicality and refined style. This model of pants, reaching mid-calf, was soon adopted by the aforementioned it-girls, and more: for example, Jackie Kennedy was often photographed wearing Capri pants during her summer vacations in the italian island. Matchy matchy!

How to Wear and Style Pinocchietti and Similar Pants

First of all, these pants come in a wide range of fabrics including cotton, linen, denim, and stretch materials, allowing them to adapt to different styles and needs. Typically, both now and then, very classic pairings are preferred, including simple tops, blouses, shirts, and light jackets, while the most common footwear ranges from ballet flats to sandals, from sneakers to low heels: the important thing is that they don’t cover the calves. In the 70s and 80s, Capri pants became tighter thanks to the use of stretch materials, becoming part of a more casual and sporty style, almost like leggings. The pinocchietti - as they are commonly called - were definitively abolished after the 2000s, yet here we are with another trend that takes a long way and then returns. Even though not everyone is ready to flaunt them, actually.

Dad Shorts and Jorts: Another Side of the Same Coin

Dad shoes aren’t the only dad item we’ll see fashion girls wearing this year; there are also dad shorts. The 90s trend seems to have come back through the coolest models and influencers, and while at first - let’s admit it - we cringed at the sight of knee-length shorts, now we’re definitely getting used to them and, in fact, we’re even starting to include them among our summer wardrobe items. Characterized by a midi length and often an oversized silhouette, finding a pair of shorts that hit the mid-thigh just right and are cinched at the waist is the key to wearing them without much hassle. Pairing them with a super feminine crop top or a tucked-in blouse can create the right contrast, while playing with different textures and prints can further elevate your look.

A Surprisingly Controversial Trend, but Not for Celebrities

It’s not for everyone, nor does it have to be. On social media, for weeks now, some girls have been lashing out against the return of Capri pants, dad shorts, and jorts. But some are starting to wear them. Think of jorts: Nelly and Lil Jon often wore them in the 2000s. They were a true staple of the hip-hop aesthetic. Now they’re being revived, but with some differences. They are often high or mid-rise, more feminine, and knee-length. The fabric is relatively unimportant: whether they are cargo models, classic denim shorts, or sweat shorts, the important thing is that they are loose, versatile, and comfortable.

Celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Justin Bieber have long discovered the modern alternative to skimpy hot pants, and even the runways are full of more relaxed baggy versions. The French brand Givenchy, for example, has relaunched Y2K pants in an elegant cargo version, while the Gucci Cruise 2023 collection featured extravagant 90s-style rhinestone embellishments.

Are Girls’ Dreams of Dressing Like Adam Sandler Coming True?

For a while now, memes and content have been circulating on TikTok questioning how girls would dress if society didn’t expect a performance of femininity from them, but only comfort and practicality. Some have come to a conclusion: could Adam Sandler be the true example of effortless style? Another option would be to copy the look of some character from Malcolm in The Middle. Easy, no?