Every so often, a fashion item comes along that sharply divides opinion, even among friends, colleagues and people with similar taste. Capri pants are one such sartorial Marmite: loved for their Audrey Hepburn elegance and offbeat charm, or dismissed as awkward and unflattering. The just-below-the-knee style returned last summer for the first time since the noughties, when the likes of JLo, Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker made capris a key component of the Y2K cool-girl wardrobe.
Last summer’s capris were largely skintight and mostly black, and their adoption was mostly restricted to influencers and fashion insiders. This summer, that’s all set to change as the capri pant has not only found its legs but has potential to become the cult item of the summer.
The spring/summer 2026 shows back in February were a sign of the capri summer we had coming. Isabel Marant did cargo pant-inspired cool-girl capris and Ralph Lauren’s white denim capris paired with a white cropped trench were ready for a day promenading the Croisette in Cannes. Versace’s ever-so-’80s lilac denim capris had night-out appeal while Proenza Schouler made the case for the office-ready capri pant suit.
Whether you’re looking for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy minimalism or multicoloured gingham or florals, store shelves are now heaving with excellent capri pant fare to suit every budget. Read on for the four key capris to know.
Classic black capris
Keen to capri but unsure where to start? Whether in Lycra or a looser fit, you can’t go wrong with classic black. Perfect styled with everything from ballet pumps and a black leather jacket to evening tops and heels, the black capri is flattering and endlessly versatile. The best stretchy silhouettes are at Mango, Arket and Reformation, and for something sturdier look to Soft Goat’s cotton and silk knit blend which are slimline without being spray-on.
Three to shop:
Arket
Staud
Soft Goat
The capri jeans
If last summer’s jorts were too baggy for you to get your head around, you might find this summer’s alternative – the denim capri – a little more appealing. Combining the durability of denim with the femininity of the fitted capri silhouette really works – just ask Hailey Bieber who included a loose-fit white pair in her recent collaboration collection with Mango.
Three to shop:
Mango
Citizens of Humanity
Reformation
The office capris
Capris have more professional potential than you might think. While offering the same comfort levels as your Lululemon leggings, a great pair of capris can deliver where leggings could never and be entirely office appropriate when styled right. Look for tailored fits in more luxurious materials and put a sophisticated spin on things with a shirt, blazer and ballet pumps or low slingback heels for a boardroom-ready look with some serious fashion credentials.
Three to shop:
Marks & Spencer
Zara
Ralph Lauren
The holiday capris
Once you’ve mastered the everyday capri, it’s worth considering injecting a little cropped leg loveliness into your holiday outfit rotation. As the name suggests, these are trousers born to sip a Campari soda in warmer climes. And why not have a little holiday romance with a cherry print pair from Australian label Posse or a flirtation with red gingham low-waist Lycra, maybe from F1 wag Alexandra Leclerc’s collab with Cali denim label Frame? Both come with matching tops to make cute sets – just add flip flops and a bashed-up raffia tote for exploring the local market, or pile on the bling and wear them with strappy heels for a night out.
Three to shop:
Frame
Posse
Saint Laurent
