The Most Flattering Capri Pants For Women Over 50

There is something about Capri Pants that can make them a classic staple of any woman’s over 50 Summer wardrobe. Whether you’re going to a summer wedding or a weekend brunch, they are often the perfect choice for a comfortable and fashionable outfit. 

Created in 1948 by the fashion designer Sonja De Lennart, these elegant, chic and sporty, timeless pants come in different materials, styles and colours to adapt to your own personal style and have lived on beyond their heyday in the 1950s and 1960s to almost attain the status of a lifestyle.

Even today, you can see Capri pants in almost every designer’s collection and high street shops like Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M, Ted Baker and others.

However, finding the right pair can be a challenge. That’s why we have created this basic guide to help you get the right capri pants for you. From classic denim to vibrant prints, there’s a capri pant style for everyone. So, get ready to elevate your fashion game and make a statement with them, no matter where you’re headed.

Are Capri Pants really flattering?

Considered a sort of compromise between shorts and pants, they are great for those seeking fashion alternatives but not compromising too much. 

A pair of Capri pants is any length between the knee and the ankle with a slim fit. They end in the mid-calf region, so unless you have the silhouette of Audrey Hepburn, who used to pair them with ballet flats, they might be unflattering for most women as they can make their legs look thicker. 

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid wearing Capri pants as they can be very comfortable and match countless looks.

Celebrities from the past like Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe, including style icons like Jackie Kennedy, regardless of their age and body type showed us a universal style secret: it’s all about proportions.

Wearing Capri Pants According To Your Body Type

As a rule of thumb, a woman’s style is not determined by the size of her clothes but by how well she knows her style, her body, and the situation at hand.

So, when choosing Capri pants, it is important to consider where you’re heading but also what is your body shape to ensure that you find a pair that flatters your figure and the event or situation you’ll attend.

In general, sleek versions – made in linen, stretch cotton or gabardine –  are often considered a classic solution for many of us as they usually elongate our bodies. Alternatively, flared legs work well in case you prefer a more relaxed feel.

But what if you are petite? According to Jennifer Connolly, a personal stylist and image consultant who has a passion to help women over 50 dress with confidence, in this case, you should “look for high-rise versions that make the garment look longer, so you look taller”, she advises. “No matter the length of your capris, they’re most flattering when hemmed at a spot where your leg narrows“.

The best style trick for a petite lady would be sticking to straight-leg versions, free of cuffs, bulky pockets, and other bells and whistles. Make sure to pair your Capri pants with wedges or slingback heels, a blouse that falls below the waist and a long necklace to emphasize the vertical line, et voilà you’ll look effortlessly chic.

On the other hand, if you are curvy with generous hips chances are capri pants slightly arched at the waist, and wide at the hips, which fall straight on the leg, without applied pockets or fringes would be the best option for you. 

Above all, no matter what your body type, “the cut of your capris should enhance the balance of your figure“, recommends style experts at Land’s End.  “For example, if you have the muscular shoulders of a swimmer, you might like the look of a wide-leg Capri that equalizes the volume at both ends of your body and avoids the ice cream cone effect“.

Can you still wear Capri Pants in Autumn?

Capri pants are so versatile that transition well into the cooler autumn months. All you have to do is focus on Summer sale deals and choose Capri pants with neutrals or richer shades as they have a much longer shelf life.

“As summer becomes more of a distant memory, a pair of crop pants can still work if styled well – explains stylist Bridgette Raes, author of Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want-. Scarves are undoubtedly the best way to add some transitional style to your summer pieces. It may not be jacket weather just yet, but a scarf will add just enough warmth and can easily make your capri pants more autumnal“. 

Opt for grey, dark green, blue, burgundy or brown colours or invest in a pair of relaxed Capri jeans. They are easy to mix and match with a nice blouse and a cardigan for an office-ready look that’s sophisticated and chic. 

To complete your look use accessories to add pops of colour, avoiding bulky socks or sneakers. These shoes might be comfortable, but unless you go out for a stroll in the park, when paired with Capri Pants they scream frumpy.

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