FROM THE HISTORY:
CAPRI PANTSalso known asthree quarter legs,capris,cropped pants are pants that are longer thanshortsbut are not as long astrousers. They typically come down to between thekneeand theankle. Sonja de Lennart is the woman who invented Capri pants in 1945 and she named her whole collection after her favourite Holiday destination - Capri Island in Italy.
Photo left: Sonja de Lennart in 1945 modelling her first Capri skirt from her Capri collection.
Photo right: A model wearing first Sonja de Lennart’s Capri pants in 1948.
In 1945, after the war, Sonja de Lennart opened her first boutique, Salon Sonja, inMunich.In 1948, after years of women wearing the typical wide and rather masculine pants, de Lennart created the sexy tight three-quarter length Capri pants with the stylish short slit on the outer-side of the pant leg. The original classic Capri Pants were designed in specific lengths for winter and summer wear. In 1949, German actress,Mady Rahl posed for Sonja de Lennart in the original summer- and winter-style Capri pant.
Style Icon Audrey Hepburn worn Sonja de Lennart’s Capri pants in 1954 for her movie “Sabrina”. Later on many celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Anita Ekberg and Grace Kelly worn her designs. { ref. wikipedia }.
Today:
Capri style pants you can find at almost every designer’s collection and high street shop like Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M, Ted Baker and others. They come in different materials, styles and colour variations to adapt to your own personal style. I think, the skinny leg cropped pants ( called also cropped Chinos ) are the most common today and also wide leg cropped jeans are back on top.
All these different styles of Capri pants will look fashionable and trendy with both - high heels and no heels, but, from my personal point of view, let’s leave the sneakers out of the classy and elegant look.
As an expert in fashion history and trends, my knowledge extends to the evolution of clothing styles, including the fascinating story behind the iconic Capri pants. My deep understanding of this topic allows me to shed light on the origin, development, and contemporary relevance of Capri pants.
The history of Capri pants traces back to the creative mind of Sonja de Lennart, a trailblazing woman who introduced this distinctive style in 1945. Sonja not only invented the Capri pants but also named her entire collection after her favorite holiday destination—Capri Island in Italy. This personal touch adds a unique charm to the creation of Capri pants, showcasing how fashion can be deeply connected to individual experiences.
In 1948, Sonja de Lennart revolutionized women's fashion by introducing the sexy, tight three-quarter length Capri pants with a stylish short slit on the outer side of the pant leg. This design departure from the typical wide and masculine pants of the time marked a significant shift in women's fashion, emphasizing a more feminine and figure-flattering silhouette.
The original classic Capri pants were designed in specific lengths for both winter and summer wear, highlighting their versatility across seasons. The influence of Capri pants extended to the world of cinema, with renowned actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Mady Rahl, Marilyn Monroe, Anita Ekberg, and Grace Kelly embracing Sonja de Lennart's designs. Audrey Hepburn, in particular, wore Sonja de Lennart's Capri pants in the 1954 film "Sabrina," solidifying their status as a fashionable choice among style icons.
The legacy of Capri pants continues to thrive in modern fashion. Today, you can find Capri-style pants in the collections of renowned designers and high street shops such as Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M, Ted Baker, and others. These pants come in various materials, styles, and color variations, allowing individuals to adapt the iconic Capri look to their personal style preferences.
In the contemporary fashion landscape, skinny-leg cropped pants, also known as cropped chinos, have become particularly popular. Additionally, wide-leg cropped jeans are making a comeback, showcasing the timeless and versatile nature of Capri-style pants. Whether paired with high heels or a more casual look, Capri pants remain a fashionable and trendy choice.
However, as an enthusiast with a keen eye for elegance, I suggest steering clear of sneakers when aiming for a classy and refined look with Capri pants. While the pants effortlessly complement both high heels and no heels, maintaining a sense of sophistication can be achieved by opting for footwear that aligns with the overall classy aesthetic.
In summary, the history of Capri pants is a captivating journey from Sonja de Lennart's innovative creation in 1945 to their enduring popularity in contemporary fashion. The evolution of this style reflects not only changes in clothing preferences but also the empowerment of women through fashion choices over the decades.
