Back in August, Vogue published an article highlighting the presence of capris at the Copenhagen Fashion Week, but these trousers were once staples in the fashion industry. First created by the German designer Sonja de Lennart in 1948 as part of a Capri collection, they were popularised by Audrey Hepburn. Edith Head - the costume designer for Hepburn’s films Roman Holiday and Sabrina - chose several pieces from this collection for both films, but it was a promotional picture for Sabrina that first brought these trousers to the forefront, with Hepburn sporting ballet pumps and a pair of the now famous trousers.
Whilst many find the piece disagreeable, it cannot be denied that capris are a versatile item.
A slew of popular actresses then hopped on this trend, including Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor. Capris emerged at a time in which women were beginning to wear trousers more and more, and they served as a fashionable alternative to skirts and dresses. The trend dipped for a while before returning to the spotlight in the 90s and 00s, becoming a staple of Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe.
Whilst many find the piece disagreeable, it cannot be denied that capris are a versatile item. From Julia Fox’s bold graphic-design pair to Emily Ratajkowski’s more relaxed black pair, it’s very possible to utilise capris and tailor them to fit your personal style. The history of these trousers also intrigues me, and I like the idea of paying homage to celebrities of the past, especially such fashion trailblazers. Will the capris stick around? My predictions are that over the winter this trend will die down, but who knows what next summer will bring.
