Capris and Ankle Lengthed Pants: Who, How and With What?

I don't think I've ever gone into a client's closet and NOT seen a pair of capris or ankle length pants.  And if I have to break the bad news that this silhouette isn't the most flattering for their figures I get this look from them like I'm speaking pig latin.  I mean how could capris NOT be flattering! They are everywhere, sold in every store that offers women's clothing.

My response: Just because the store carries it, doesn't mean it's right for you.

Here are some tips on who should wear a cropped pant and how to wear them.


Who:

Listen. You ARE what you WEAR so if you wear a cropped pant your legs will look...what?...CROPPED.  That's not to say that they look bad on everyone but they DO look unflattering on those that already have a shorter leg. 

Short Legs Long Torso

When you have the imbalance of a long torso and shorter leg, the way to create balance is to visually shorten the torso and lengthen the leg. You want to do this by:

• Wearing pants that hit at least at the top of your foot but most preferably your pant should hit where your to toe meets your foot in the shoe that you're wearing.
• IF you need to wear a cooler option..choose a short instead of a capri and try to show as much leg as you feel comfortable with (while still being appropriate for your age and occasion)

So if your body type is balanced top/bottom or you've got long legs and short torso then a capri or ankle length pant could be a flattering option for you.

How:
 

Capri that hits at widest part of calf

AVOID your pant hitting you at the widest part of your calf.  It cuts you in a thick area...which will make you look...you got it..THICK.

Ok..your capri isn't hitting at the widest part of your calf but if you're curvy and you don't want to exploit your curves.  AVOID high contrast shading or distressing at the middle of your thigh and center of the butt.  This shading visually excentuates any and all the curves you're rock'n.  There is a way to compliment your curves and still rock a capri.

Dark and Uniform in color: Old Navy

Uniform in color and dark in saturation are the most flattering for anyone but especially those of you have curvy figures. It creates a long uninterrupted line.

TIP: Remember that pockets on your denim should hit in the middle of your palms when you grab your own butt.  Any higher..not good, wider not good, a lot lower, not good.

Talbots

If you choose a longer version or an ankle pant then you want to make sure your pant sits on top of your ankle and it's hitting it or below the ankle or you'll look like you shrunk your pants.

The rule I tell my clients is, the pant should hit no longer than one finger width above your ankle bone and not higher than two fingers.

If you have longer legs but thick ankles...this length is not right for you. 

TIP: You never want anything to hit you where you don't want attention.

   

Boxy Wide NOT CUTE!

Boxy wide capris...don't look good on anyone. Goes back to that same rule I talked about first: You ARE what you WEAR! Boxy, wide...not exactly what you want to look like right?















Wear with:

Trotters Felice Open Toe Slip On Flat $52.22

Nine West Blanca Wedge $99

High Ankle Gladiator

AVOID: Pairing high ankle wrapped sandals with your capris or ankle length pants, unless you have legs to your eyeballs.  This style can cut up the lower leg proportions too much.

Joie Shasta Stripe Top $148

 Since you should be wearing a straight cut or skinny silhouette when rock'n a capri you can juxtapose the skinny with a fuller top.

TIP: Make sure whatever to you choose it doesn't swamp your proportion. 










Where to buy them:

Curvy figures: www.annetaylorloft.com 
Straight body types:  www.jcrew.com
Best Deals for the fit: www.oldnavy.com
Mature Body Types: www.talbots.com
Best Denim for Curvy: Joe's or James Jean
Best Denim for Straight: Paige Premium
Best Denim capris for mature figures: Not Your Daughters Jeans