Had you asked us a year ago, we might’ve dismissed capri pants as nothing more than a horseman to spell the end of the Y2K revival. But as time has passed, these cropped bottoms have wormed their way back onto our radars—and potentially our wardrobes—with a string of celebrities and fashion figures consigning their validity.
The latest to do so was Bella Hadid. In a defining look, the model stepped out in New York City over the weekend in a snug, black pair by Tankair styled with an ab-baring white cotton blouse from Guizio, open-toed mules by Sandy Liang and classic leather shoulder bag by Coach. Though it’s not the first time she’s sported the trend, her contemporary-Bohemian take cements the capri pants as a mainstay trend.
In 2024, street style stars like Pernille Teisbaek and Imani Randolph have also seen to the proliferation of the capri pants across global fashion weeks and all over our feeds. Whether dressed up with polished accessories or dressed down with everyday wardrobe staples, the beauty of these crops are in their versatility.
Even if the slim fits aren’t your cup of tea, their wider-leg cousins will surely tap into that soft spot we all have for a comeback—just ask Emma Stone, who recently donned a preppy straight-leg pair by The Row.
As far as how to wear them without regret? We recommend pairing them with oversized outerwear and cropped knits in the cooler months, and a roomy T-shirt or a snug 90s-style tank top for the summer. Depending on your preference for height (and comfort), rotate between ballet flats, minimalist sandals, and slingback kitten heels for easy styling, and avoid ankle boots that will only shorten the legs.
With trends coming and going at breakneck speed, many headline-grabbing revivals have been short-lived, making it harder and harder to discern between the ones worth investing in from the ones that are just a fad. But if the last year has taught us anything, it’s that nothing can stop a controversial fashion silhouette from thriving, especially when the style set provides the right outfit inspiration.
See our edit of the best capri pants for 2024 below
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.