Earlier this year, Sex and the City was picked up by Netflix Philippines. Naturally, as someone who had grown up catching it on the television every now and then, I felt compelled to do a thorough rewatch—I’m sure every fashionista felt the same urge. Admittedly, some takes are outdated (maybe even cancellable), but one thing about the show that remains relevant is its style.
One thing that stood out for me about the show's fashion is the unavoidable amount of capri OOTDs, and while we all thought that we’ve left these pedal pushers back in the early 2000s, much like most trends, it seems they’re about to have their moment again.
A Brief History of Capri Pants
Did you know that Capri is actually an island in Italy just off the Amalfi Coast? In 1948, German designer Sonja de Lennart introduced a style of women's trousers and named it after the island where she and her family often vacationed. Unlike men's trousers of the time, this pair of pants was designed to emphasize the feminine shapes, featuring a high waist and a hemline above the ankles with a small side slit.
These capri pants were actually part of a whole collection of clothing which included blouses and skirts of the same name, but it was these unique bottoms that caught the attention of fashionistas including costume designer Edith Head—the stylist behind Audrey Hepburn’s outfits in Roman Holiday (1953) and Sabrina (1954)—which not only catapulted Audrey as a Hollywood star and style icon but cemented capri pants as a summer wardrobe staple.
Capris first became popular in the '50s and '60s, then again in the '80s, and once more in the 2000s. Now, it's 2024, and if history is any indication, the capri's 20-year trend cycle is about to begin again. In fact, Heart Evangelista and Anne Curtis are already paving the path for its resurgence in the local style scene.
If you’re planning to get ahead of the curve as well, here are some ways to style capri pants:
How to Style Capri Pants
1. Chic and Tailored
Pair high-waisted capris with a crisp button-down shirt like what Heart did here. Add a belt to cinch the waist or tuck it neatly into the waistband of your pants. Finish the look off with pointed-toe heels (or flats) for a polished look–perfect for the office, BTW!
2. Athleisure ‘Fit
If you’re more of a sporty chic like Anne Curtis is, you can opt for capri leggings or athleisure capris and a fitted tank. Finish the look with sleek trainers like a pair of Adidas Sambas and then a crossbody bag (that also doubles as a handbag) for an active, on-the-go outfit.
3. Monochrome Magic
Create a streamlined look by choosing capris and a top in the same color family. The easiest way to achieve this? Go for all black! This elongates the silhouette and gives a modern, sophisticated appearance. Add minimalistic accessories to keep the focus on the sleek ensemble.
4. Bold Prints
Opt for capri pants in a bold print or pattern like this leopard-print ones and combine it with a solid-colored top. This allows the capris to be the statement piece while maintaining balance in the outfit. Bonus points if you use the sandwich method and match the color of your shoes and bag to the color palette of your outfit.
5. Paired with a voluminous top.
To complement its form-fitting silhouette, match the pedal pushers with a voluminous, structured top. Case in point: for Preview's May 2025 cover, Pia Jauncey pairs black laced capris with a striped pleated button-down, styled as an asymmetrical poncho.
SHOP: Capri Pants To Add to Your Wardrobe
Our Paraiso
Tiá Capri Pant in Abyss, P2100, OUR PARAISO, our-paraiso.com
Mango
Striped Capri Jeans, P2495, MANGO, shop.mango.com
Zara
Mid-Waist TRF Capri Denim Bermuda Shorts, P2395, ZARA, zara.com
Massimo Dutti
Linen Blend Balloon Capri Pants, P7,490, MASSIMO DUTTI, massimodutti.com
H&M
Foldover-waist Capri leggings, P599, H&M, ww2.hm.com
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
