Capri Diem!

CEBU, Philippines - At the onset, I’ll have to say that 2011 will be a fine year for the tall ladies with trends popping up that are especially for this breed of beauties. For the rest of us who are a little bit vertically challenged, there is no need to worry as there are a jillion other fashion pieces right at the fringes of the fashion universe from which we can rock and definitely pull off.

With skinny jeans being the jeans du jour for some time now, stylistas have become restless. Too restless in fact that this supposed deviation from the boot cut has become all too common. Hence, as we bid goodbye to the colder months and say, “Hello, Sunshine!” as we herald the next season after the chilly winds of the holiday months, we also bid farewell to the skinny jeans and herald the slim-cut Capri pants as the chic alternative towards a spring/summer state of mind.

Capri pants will emerge as a chic and cool alternative to the skinny jeans and cigarette cuts that we have grown quite accustomed to in 2010. With the upsurge of 70s fashion revivals seen to come to an all-time high this 2011, consider the Capri pants as your Knight in Shining Armor, your Messiah, if the wide-legged cuts and the bell bottoms just won’t work for you (in which case, bell bottoms really do not work for everyone).

The last time Capri pants were a hit was somewhere between 2000 to 2003 after which they died down and gave way to the sexier skinny jeans and cigarette cuts. For 2011, it’s safe to say that although your favorite capris are back, they won’t be looking the same way they did back in the last decade.

For 2011, Capri pants will be cropped just a little slightly such that they’ll hit just a tad bit above the ankle and not an inch more. If my memory serves me right, the traditional capris usually cut at three-fourths of the traditional length for pants. Notice that in 2011, they will cut lower, and by lower I do mean below the calves. If you do not wish to spend on a new pair of capris, you can simply roll up your skinnis to a length that’s just a little above the ankles and voila, you’ve capped the look down pat.

There are three ways to rock the Capri pant revival of 2011. the first one is to go all Betty Draper vintage by pairing a crisp pair of white capris with ballet flats or kitten heels and a tie-front shirt. You can also go nautical-vintage with classic nautical stripes and espadrilles—think 50s pin up girl.

Another interpretation is to go grungy and highlight on the punk and biker babe overtones that are hot on the Balmain and Balenciaga runways. Pair your Capri pants with biker boots or combat boots for an instant take on grunge carelessness. 

Finally, go modern-minimalist with sharply tailored capris and structured silhouettes that can take you from boardroom to boardwalk in a flash.  (FREEMAN)