Adulting in Capri Pants

Pedal pushers are trending, but are they advisable?

I finally watched A Complete Unknown this past week. The best part of the movie, obviously, was the clothes. Monica Barbaro (who played Joan Baez) looked so freaking amazing in pedal pushers at one point. I yearn to be someone who can wear them! But alas, I just don’t have the hip width to leg length ratio to make it work. There are so many out there right now *trend alert* (and if you must I was eyeing these from Doen and these from Gap) but each time I go to click order, I remember the models pictured have AT LEAST three inches on me in height, and I have three inches on them in width. I’m not complaining, I’m just stating a cold hard fact. So, today, three very different alternates to this dreamboat 1960s gamine princess look, that still make me feel…at least kind of like a ‘60s gamine princess! There is a flowy black pair, an A-line denim pair and a sport short. They all do the thing, and there seems to be a way to style these for everyone.

The Black Flowing Capri Pant

A perfect alternate for those who want the look of the pencil pant that ends at the knee, but like…not. I sized up from my usual 4 to a 6 in this this super flowy crepe pair from Kallmeyer to make sure it would sit slouchy and really twist and turn with every step. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit lately - to Easter lunch with my in-laws, to fittings with clients, to dinner. And they proportionally work with just about everything: a billowing button down, open (the look of the season), a shrunken knit, a spring weight coat. Pumps, flats, Birkenstocks and Keds.

The beauty of these long shorts? short pants? is that I truly feel you don’t need a specific body type to pull these off. They are probably one of the must universal shapes out there. I’m ready to fight for this, come at me! :) :) :) A little ankle showing, no bulkiness on the hips, an elegant swish when you walk! What’s not to love?

All the things. Easy. Sharp. Comfortable! Simple. Dynamic. Straight forward. Thoughtful! I’ll stop. I just love how these two pieces work together. The flowy, slinky black shorts with a structured sweater vest that sits perfectly at the waist. They are soulmates. So we are starting here. High Sport sweater (also very into this look with a sleeveless tee once it hits 80, and other awesome sweater vests here and here), the Kallmeyer pants, Margaux sandals and a Giuliva Heritage belt

How these shorts were styled on their inaugural wear to Easter lunch with my in-laws. A lightweight tank tucked in and belted to create a sense of waist and a slinky button down layered over for coverage - worn open to maintain that legnth! Flat shoes that don’t cut off the ankle and a coat that hit at the same spot to ensure there weren’t too many cuts and crops and layers going on that would make it all look messy. Shoes are the Row. Necklace is Lie Studio and pin is Indress

This tunic was originally styled in the Celine Spring 2015 show over black flared pants so I thought, what if I tried it with even shorter pants!? And it worked! <3 Old Celine shift dress (but love the idea of this with a mini too like this!), Kallmeyer shorts and Phoebe Philo pumps.

How to wear them instead of the pull on silky lounge style pants we’ve been wearing all winter (and last spring and last winter and last spring and last winter) for a day of to and fro. I will happily wear this to sit at the library and write this coming week. The Kallmeyer shorts with a J.Crew jacket (I’m wearing a medium), my big Jimmy Choo laptop schlepper and Jamie Haller sandals (this seasons version here). Khaite sunnies.

While meditating on these pants, I went to my north star: What would Miuccia do!? And I knew the answer: grey cashmere polo (with crewneck underneath, duh), decadent jewelry - in my case BIG pearls (how perfect are these, and the price is right!) and Pamela Zamore button earrings, a good heel and a fun bag - pasticcino, ofc. I added the mens jacket for a bit of my own flair, but I’m confident she would approve.

How I want to wear these to a party. Who is having a birthday soon? I’m available! By Malene Birger zebra top (this would also be so chic, and very Greenwich village in the early 70s?), Kallmeyer pants, old Nili Lotan clutch, Valentino shoes

The Jean Version

These are basically just a shorter version of one of 5 Things all time favorite jeans, the Citizens of Humanity Gaucho. But extra cropped. The pair pictured is by Filippa K. I sized up again, like I did with the black pants above, to a 27 from my usual 26. I just don’t want these to feel tight or like they will hike up in any way. They sit at my waist in this size and angle out in the most flattering way.

I bought this sweater (in Milan in Feb., I had to for the VAT!) because of it’s vintage leanings. If I told you this was 40 years old you might believe me! I envisioned it with these Levi’s when I was trying it on in the store, but it’s also perfect for my “Capris". Bally sweater (also cute and wow, someone grab her! Final sale but I think worth it.) Filippa K shorts, Ancient Greek Sandals clogs which are pleasantly narrow enough for me to keep on my foot, hot tip!

For the most part, I either have been tucking in or wearing more shrunken styles with these because they require definition at the waist to accentuate their line - and not get too wide all around.

And while they are great fodder for comfortable shoes of many forms, I haven’t done a real “sneaker sneaker” with them, opting more for sandals that do not cut at the ankle or plimsoll style trainers. Just a thought.

Errands in sneakers and a sweatshirt, but make it A Complete Unknown. Suzie Kondi velour tee (me+em in terry is also good!), Filippa K shorts, Nancy Gonzalez bag (this color story also good) and old Celine plimsolls, just do these! And if you really must, I really am obsessing over the dark gum sole of this Row pair, I know. I KNOW.

How I wore these to a singalong at my son’s school on Wednesday. Literally took this picture as I was walking out the door. A good example of these pants styled with something covering the waist. This sweater still hits above mid hip, so I don’t feel swallowed. And something about the voluminous sleeves and chunky material helps make the whole thing feel a bit balanced between top/bottom. Caron Callahan sweater (I’m in a small), CDLP tee, Filipa K pants, Margaux sandals,

I know what you’re thinking…is that Joan Baez herself!? In the flesh! HEHEHE. JK but giving my best folk darling in a cropped peasant top (a new one from my favorite Japanese brand, Toujours, that is almost impossible to come by, weeee!) and cork wedges, found on TRR, but also considering my fave L’Amour des Pieds in tan this summer?

The Sport Short

In the words of Allison Bornstein, surfer nephew!! I did spend an unhealthy amount of time on the Literary Sport website prepping for last weekend’s newsletter and succumbed to these. I think these they might just be my favorite shorts of summer! Going to wear them with a Kule sleeveless tee (ordered but not here yet) and sandals mostly. But love the shape on these - they are not tight while at the same time don’t feel overly voluminous while sitting high on my natural waist. I got a medium because I am petrified of things being tight at all on my hips, but honestly could have taken a small.

The Literary Sport shorts with my Miu Miu striped tee from last summer which are a dime a dozen now so try this or this! If only I had had the patience to wait for this trend to blossom. 🤑 Ancient Greek Sandals flip flops, though your Havianas will also be perfecto.

How I did in fact wear them this past week to get from point A to point B in the neighborhood! Vans forever!

I was sure this was a one and done style, just for casual outings, and I was FINE with that. But then I saw that LMC put them in her Friday send last week too. And she paired hers with heels. Challenge accepted!!!!!

I don’t think I can pull off the itty bitty sparkly top with this look like she did, but it did feel great putting on these shorts, a pair of silver sandals and a big mens ‘pajama shirt’ - one button buttoned. The waist of the shorts is so pleasantly high that I don’t feel bare with a little belly showing. Swoon! CDLP shirt, old Prada sandals but if looking for the perfect dancing heel this summer, you know I’m HOT on any of the Khaite loop sandals. And these. And UGH! Love these!!!! Ok I’ll be done.

That’s all for me today. Just out here proving that everything can be everyone’s style…but sometimes you gotta make adjustments, and that’s OK!

Yours TRULY,

Becky