The Capri Pants Outfits Trend I Didn’t Expect to Love this Summer

If you’ve been wondering how to put together capri pants outfits, you’re in the perfect place.

Capri pants are officially having their moment, and for good reason. I don’t remember the last time I wore capris–or even anything cropped, but I’ve been seeing so many people look so good wearing them. I saw my bestie wearing capris and then immediately stumbled across a Pinterest post of Hailey Bieber wearing them, and they both made the capris look so chic and effortless that I was convinced to try them myself.

Are Capris in Style

Capris have definitely made a comeback. Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski have been flooding my Pinterest feed with the most effortless capri pants outfits. These style icons made them look so good. Their looks were simple, minimal, and gave off that “model off-duty” vibe, which I love. But to be fair, I think they can wear a garbage bag and still look stunning. So at first, I was a little intimidated. I’m 5’5″ and I wasn’t sure if they’d throw off my proportions or feel awkward to style. But I decided to try them for myself because it just looked too good not to.

Where to Buy Capri Pants

If you’re unsure about the trend, try thrifting a pair first. That’s usually what I do whenever I’m on the fence about a trend. It’s an affordable way to experiment without fully committing. I love shopping on the RealReal, Poshmark, and Depop, especially if you like shopping in the comfort of your own home. Plus, shopping secondhand is better for both the planet and your wallet–it’s a win-win.

But if second-hand shopping isn’t for you or you want to treat yourself to something new, that’s totally fine. Abercrombie, Gap, and Revolve have some affordable options.

I was lucky enough to find my capris at my local thrift store for just $12 and I ended up loving the look. It was high-waisted, stretchy knit capris in a slim fit.

What to Consider When Buying Capri Pants

I specifically looked for high-rise because, with cropped pants, I wanted to elongate my legs. Otherwise, they can easily make your frame look shorter. It really depends on your proportions. If you have longer legs, maybe opt for mid-rise or low-rise capris.

Fabric is also an important factor. I really wanted my capris to be breathable and flexible so they could move with me. Comfort is a top priority. If something isn’t comfortable, I’m probably not going to reach for it when putting an outfit together. A stretchy knit feels so good on the body. I could eat, drink, and move around all day without feeling restricted or uncomfortable.

Now, let’s talk length–it really comes down to personal preference. You can go for shin-length or knee-length capris. I think both are cute, but consider your proportions and how each length might look on you. If you want to visually shorten your legs, try a mid-rise, knee-length pair. If you like the knee-length style but have a shorter frame, high-rise knee-length capris can help elongate your silhouette. My pair is high-rise and shin-length. I didn’t have much of a choice since I thrifted them, but I ended up loving how they fit.

How to Style Capri Pants

For my sister’s birthday, we visited Del Dotto Vineyard, truly the prettiest vineyard I’ve ever been to. It felt like I had been transported to Italy. I’ve never actually been, but everything at Del Dotto is imported from Italy, and the atmosphere made it easy to forget we were still in California.

Since it was sunny and hot, I wanted to style my capris for the occasion. I paired them with an off-the-shoulder bodysuit from Abercrombie that featured a wrap detail. It instantly elevated the look and gave me the perfect excuse to wear my glimmering body oil and spray–basically an accessory in itself, it’s like the finishing touch to a going out look.

To keep things polished and chic, I wore strappy kitten heels and, of course, brought my Fendi bag. She comes with me almost everywhere. I’ve been inseparable from her since I picked her up from The RealReal in Brooklyn.

If you’ve been wondering how to style capris, my go-to tip is to focus on balance. Pair a fitted, feminine top with tailored capris, and add statement accessories that enhance the look without overpowering it. It’s an easy, elevated formula you can repeat all season. You’ll want to avoid wearing loose or oversized tops with capris, as they can overwhelm your frame and make the outfit feel unbalanced.

If you’ve been wondering how to style capris, I’ve put together a few capri pants outfit ideas. It’s a summer trend I can get behind because there’s something so effortlessly chic about capris. 100% percent, it’s here to stay.

Casual Capri Outfits for Summer

To keep it casual, pair your capris with a simple neutral tank, tee, or lightweight cardigan. For shoes, go with ballet flats or sandals, just avoid anything too bulky, as it can throw off the balance of the outfit. A sleek pair of loafers can definitely work if you want something closed-toe. I have the Prada loafers, and I think they’d look so cute with ankle socks.

Earrings // Sunglasses // Purse // T-Shirt // Capri Pants // Socks // Loafers

Sunglasses // Purse // Cardigan (Similar) // Capri Pants // Ballet Flats (Similar)

Since the base of the outfit is simple, you can have fun with accessories. Add a pop of color with a bag, playful earrings, or even a statement scrunchie. And if it’s a little breezy out, a trench coat layers perfectly and adds an extra touch of polish. H&M has some really cute trenches, but they sellout fast. Def always check the site for new drops.

Trench // Tank Top // Capri Pants // Sunglasses // Earrings // Purse // Ballet Flats (Similar)

If you’re looking for more summer style inspiration beyond capri pants outfits, check out my blog post on building a capsule wardrobe with 11 timeless essentials.

Dressy Capri Outfits for Summer

If you want to dress up your capri pants, just swap in a fancier top and a pair of kitten sandal heels. It’s such an easy formula, but it always looks put together. An oversized blazer would elevate the look even more.

Top // Capri Pants // Sandals // Sunglasses // Purse // Earrings

Top // Capri Pants // Sandals // Purse // Earrings // Sunglasses

Top // Capri Pants // Sandals // Purse // Earrings // Sunglasses

Blazer // Tank Top // Capri Pants // Sandals // Purse // Earrings // Sunglasses

Capri Jumpsuits and Sets

If you want a one-and-done outfit, capri pant jumpsuits are so effortlessly cute. I’ve also seen capri sets. There’s no need to worry about matching a top and bottom. You can just throw on the capri jumpsuit or set, add shoes and accessories, and head out the door. It’s perfect if you love elevated basics and want to try something different.

Shop here for some of my favorite capri jumpsuits and sets from Revolve.

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If you enjoyed these capri pants outfit ideas and style tips, check out my blog post where I help you curate a summer capsule wardrobe with 11 timeless pieces that never go out of style.