I had to get checked by a dermatologist last fall for melanoma. She checked everywhere especially the back of my calves. She said that they find this a problem area on women because of wearing shorts, and capris in the summer, and not thinking to wear spf back there. I stopped wearing shorts, and capris a few years ago anyway. I never liked capris for myself. I buy straight leg jeans in different shades, and in the summer I roll up a thin roll right above the ankle. I'm so bad about remembering to apply spf, except to my face. When I do lawn work, I also wear thin long sleeves. Helps alot!

I remember when capris very first showed up on my fashion radar, probably 1999 in Montreal. I thought they were the most awkward homely in between short pant and swore I would never wear them. Now they are pretty much the only thing I wear in the summer if I'm not wearing skirts or sundresses. Shorts are just a little too short for me and tighter short pants don't feel cool enough, I guess my ankles like their freedom. Plus with Nova Scotia weather the capri is a nice middle ground for hot at noon and cool in the evening. My capris hit the narrower part of my leg below my calf but a few inches above my ankle

I do think they may be on their way out or may be already out for all I know but the ones in my wardrobe will stick around for a while. I am a bit under 40 but totally ready to dress for retirement, I'm wearing a loose floral RL blouse today that I love but I'm pretty sure I would not catch most of my contemporaries in it (yes there is a bump in this picture but the loose blouse is concealing).

I'm in the south where it's pretty warm and I see ALL lengths. I mean people wear anything. I'm not even sure what a true capri is! In those pics Jerri had, I hate those pants that, at one time, were called pedal pushers. Just below the knee. YUK. Same as for shorts below the knee. An awkward length. Too long to be shorts, too short to be pants. hehe I much prefer ankle or cropped pants. I have some that are looser leg, but not too wide. Those need to fit closer through the hips, and then kind of flare as you go down the leg. Can be flattering and lengthening, IF, you choose the right top and shoes. I also love the slim pants that come above the ankle and wear a good many of those. I think it's not just the length of the pant leg, you need to consider the width/cut of the leg too.

We may have different opinions about pant lengths for women but I think we can all agree that manpris are never a good choice.

There's nothing new about capris.

http://vintagedancer.com/1950s/womens-1950s-pants-history/

I think it depends on the man who is wearing the capris. It can look rather delicious.

I think it is a given that models look good in almost anything. And best in nothing.

I do agree about the tone-on-tone. Not only do I eschew most patterns, I think most tone on tone is sophisticated and flattering.

I'm still looking for ONE pair of shorts that might look okay on me in case of emergency. At the moment, the only shorts I have are a couple pairs of workout shorts that I would never wear in public otherwise.

Capri pants make me look dumpy. I have 3 pairs of the exact same slim fitting black cropped pants -- because after I bought one pair and they fit, and looked good, I knew I'd better grab a couple more before they sold out. I also have Capri leggings that I sometimes wear with a long tunic or short dress.

I wear a lot of casual skirts and dresses in the summer.

I had no idea that capris were not in fashion in some places! Though I do understand I don't live in the Fashion Mecca of the World. :)

I have some new crop pants but I'm having a hard time wearing them. Just feels like they are too short.

I have lots of capris. But I'm looking at them in a new way now . . . .

I cant wear them. They make my legs look like tree trunks (I am 5'10" and have a slightly toned but overweight build, if that makes sense - thick around the waist, but legs are OK). I heard once that you should not have any bottom piece of clothing (skirt, dress, capris?) with a hem that ends right at the thickest part of your leg.

I recently bought ankle pants (just got the "short length" version of regular olive khaki-type pants) -- after searching forever for something longer than a crop pant (also don't hit me at the right spot) but shorter than an actual pant. They work for me! much more flattering. I also wear longer shorts (about knee length) in public and shorter shorts for gardening and around the house.

Lots of opinions here! I am not sure I have been distinguishing between crops and capris. They are kind of the same to me, although a bit of googling says that crops are longer than capris, but I would think that the length changes depending on who is wearing them.

Ankle length, to me, means pants that end just above the ankle so the round ankle bone is visible. Anything that covers that bone is full length, in my personal fashion encyclopedia.

Maybe capris hit mid calf and crops hit somewhere between capri and ankle. I have a friend who still uses the term pedal pushers. She is generally stuck in the '50s.

I swear I still don't see many capris around except yoga style. I have noticed that an awful lot of women who wear them should not. As for men, NO!

My favorite pair are straight leg white denim (Croft & Barrow). They sit at my waist, not below it like so many pants today. They're longer capris, a few inches shorter than ankle pants. Bought them at Kohl's a few years ago. I keep checking every year and they've never brought them back. Boo hoo.

I mostly wear long-ish skorts, skirts or ankle pants. I'm tall so it doesn't take much for any pants to be 'ankle pants' on me. Seriously, I do have a few pair of capris in the closet but find I haven't worn them much. I do think they are seen quite a bit here when it starts to get warm as an alternative to 'not quite shorts' but 'too warm for jeans' weather. Mostly I see them at the soccer field or for other very casual wear.

From Tim Gunn:

This is more the length I like...I guess they're long bermudas and certainly not pedal pushers. They show enough leg for me. Some of the cropped pants to me look like you pulled someone else's pants out of the basket and put them on anyway.

Annie - That's the length I wear for shorts and it seems to work style, comfort and fit wise for me.

I do wear capris.. and shorts... and ankle pants. I only buy capris if they are slim fit. Don't like the look of loose ones.

Laughing at 'pedal pushers'! My sister and I had a bunch of these in the early 60's. I haven't heard that name in a long time!

Never. On me, they simply look like i couldn't find slacks long enough.

(They look fine on others.)

I'm only 5'2 so it's slim ankle pants or shorts with a 5-7" inseam for me. If I could pull off wide linen pants, I would wear those. Increasingly, I am buying and wearing dresses in the summer. Loose tunic styles easy shirtdresses, tee styles. I find these the most comfortable and coolest in the heat and humidity. However, I see lots of women wearing capris here in Florida so they seem to be somewhat popular.

After another thread re:,what to wear, I'm back to shorts. Here I am with DH on vacation today.

it's hotter than hot.

I am deeply aware of what everyone is wearing and recognize the chic, the grunge, the apathetic, the midstream. Capri's are cooler than longer pants, no matter how thin, and cover less than youthful legs well. There's a place for them although a casual, unimportant, informal place, imo.

I work at a university in New York. I just now came across campus, and approximately 50% of the females I saw were in various forms of capris - varying lengths, from ankle to mid-calf....but lots and lots of people in capris here. And not just us old faculty and staff either - lots of the students were in capris as well. I just bought more at Eddie Bauer yesterday. So maybe they aren't the height of fashion, but they are common as all get out here.

So according to Annie's/Tim Gunn's guide, I've been wrong about capris all this time. Down here we all call capri's anything that's around below-the-knee length and fitted. Calf length qualifies too. No one I know, except maybe 'old ladies' wear what he calls culottes or gauchos but I'm sure they are seen in fashion mags.

And what do you call shorts that fall between 'regular' shorts and 'bermuda'? That's about where mine fall. About like eld's, or maybe a little longer but I'm tall. I wear shorts a lot at home and quick errands when I don't want to change into a skort or skirt. It's too hot here too for anything else. I'm about to retire too so I'm totally re-thinking my wardrobe.

smhinnb, I'd call your pants flared ankle pants or flared cropped pants, but I'm probably wrong.

Eld, if I looked as good as you in shorts, I'd wear them too.

Eld, you look great. Are you or DH pilots? My DH and DS are. Not for me!

To my knowledge, a capri is below the knee and above the ankle. Not the same as cropped pants that are at the ankle. The key is that some, but not all, of the calf is exposed. It is this dividing line on the calf that can be unattractive on some. esp if they pants are also baggy.

I take a cue from my teens, who follow this stuff --- capris are verboten. High waisted palazzos are highly desirable. I may try some, but am doubtful! I did just get some great lightweight chinos from JCrew factory, cheap too.

mtnrd, if you like JCrew stuff, get what you can while you can...they're on the 'retailer most likely to go bankrupt" list....

I did head to the outlets and did very well...found a pair of white pants! Finally! That looked nice, didn't show every bump, lump and bulge, had nude pockets so they don't show through and they fit!! Thank you talbots!!

Haha, Mtn, not pilots. Just using as transport while on vacation.

Annie, on some pants, I have my tailor remove the pockets.

eld6161, the length of your shorts is perfect and you wear them well!

Lots of capris here, too (Midwest). I wear them often. My favorite is a classic black style that dresses up or down. I also really like the long Bermuda shorts style. Around the house during the summer I wear jean shorts that hit right above the knee.

The first capris I remember were on the so-stylish and slim Laura Petrie on Dick Van Dyke. I was glad when they came back.

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Do you remember those "chic hostess pants, the kind you wear when you give smart dinner parties" that Lucy gave Ethel for her birthday?

Ethel's response: "I wanted a toaster."

Suero, you reminded me of this funny U.K vid lol.

https://youtu.be/IeS1NiMpwzQ

What we used to call capri pants like Laura Petrie wore wouldn't match my mental image of what our capri's are like today. Hers were more of an ankle pant or cropped cigarette pant. And she had such slim limbs she could certainly carry them off well!

From the Fabulous after 40 website:

"LENGTH

• Don’t wear capris if you have thick or muscular calves. You’re better off with pants cropped just above the ankle.
• Do wear capris that end just below the muscular part of your calf, where your shin starts to indent – between your calf and the ankle, is best. This is the narrowest part of your lower leg; the part you want to emphasize.
• *(This perfect length will vary depending on the woman, so it’s worth it to take your pants to the tailor and get an expert opinion before you hem)."

Good post maddielee. Funny I ran into a friend yesterday and she has thick, muscular calves and she had on capris that hit right at that mid calf point. Yikes, was I distracted, but only because I read this thread and have been in observation mode.

I have not seen many in Boston; my daughter lives in Europe said they are not often seen there. My adult daughters do not own any. This is something that I never would have contemplated had it not been for this thread. Now I am still observing.......

Bonnie, I have noticed that they are no longer offered where I shop. Loft, Ann Taylor, Gap.

I did buy a few pairs online at EDdieBauer online. They are very light weight and are scrunched at to the knee, so almost a peddle pusher. They are good for travel.

Isn't it awful? I almost crashed into a few people at Whole Foods today, I was so busy looking at the length of women;s pants. I'd say 80 percent were wearing tight yoga style pants, most mid-calf. I saw one woman wearing the pants with the strings at the side so the length is adjustable. Not a great look. For the record, I was wearing what I now know are crops.

I wear solid color knit capris at home only, in the cooler months. Not in the winter though.

There is one pair I wear all the time when I make a big haul at the grocery store, which would include a huge bag of dog food, and such. They're stretch denim, dark navy. It seems I'm constantly bending down when I grocery shop, and I hate long pants sticking to me in this heat.

That last pic above is what I wear alot of now, ankles pants, or skinnies. LOL My favorite length is a couple of inches shorter.

This time of year, I don't put on a pair of long pants. Even jeans. I also like the skinny, shorter jeans. I have some I can cuff, some I don't.

Mtn., I've been wearing palazzos for several years now and I love them! I don't wear them in public though, only to friends or family dinners where I can look good and feel comfortable at the same time. Especially at Thanksgiving because the waist has elastic, and at Christmas because it's easy to maneuver around playing toys on the floor. lol.

I always get a pretty print and wear a solid color top.

This morning was grocery day after not going to the store for two weeks. Almost $600 worth. I wore my stretch capris (my calves are fine, thank you) and boy did they do the job. My cart was full on the lower shelf, a 28 lb. box of kitty litter, huge bag of dry dog food, two cases of wet dog food, etc.

I swear by those pants!

Went out to lunch today and was paying some attention. The younger gals were in shorts or ankle length. It was the older patrons who seemed to be in capris and not many of them. Me? I wore a skirt.

Last night I was at the Phoenix airport flying home. I saw capris on people of all ages, but the majority was the older crowd. It didn't seem like anyone in their 20/30's was in capris.

I was also paying attention to all the shapes and sizes. I really have to disagree with the "cutting the leg off mid calve" theory. I honestly did not think anyone looked especially bad in them.

That said, they are difficult to find so I guess everyone is wearing them from years past. Or, maybe I don't shop where they do.

My most recent ones have come from JJill.

Lots of comments regarding seeing only "older ladies" in the capris. The reason for this is that you get to the age that yes, it is important to look nice and always be in style, but comfort is the most important.

At 57, my closet is full of them.

I was waiting outside lowe's while DH went inside to get help loading our purchase. It took awhile so I was noticing pant lengths. Most men wore the shorts to the bottom of the knee though some did to the top of the knee and one guy did mid thigh.

On women, those not in full length pants, the older ones seemed to be in capris, the younger ones in ankle pants and girls were in shorts or short shorts.

I'm almost 5' 10"...so sometimes, it's not by choice.

I can relate Elaine, only the other way...sometimes a capri on me is the length of an ankle pant!

I went shopping yesterday looking for a pair of bermuda shorts that weren't denim. I wasn't successful, but did find a pair of misses "cigarette" pants in a stretch print that fit me like a glove. They are full-length on me, which works fine, but I'm sure they're meant to be ankle length on a normal person.

Annie, that always happens to me. Even petite ankle fit like regular pants.

Loft and Ann Taylor online have nice bermuda shorts. I bought the rolled burmuda last year and had my tailor remove one cuff roll and then tack down the cuff. The rolled looked too sloppy on me.

There aren't too many choices left but maybe archive for next season.