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Best Capri Pants for Summer 2025
Last week, Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Bieber both stepped out wearing capri pants, co-signing the return of the polarizing pant trend. Hailey Bieber’s capris, spotted in her Instagram post from July 16, were part of a matching set alongside a body-hugging jacket, which she wore with strappy sandals. EmRata, on the other hand, styled her pedal pusher pants in two different ways on the same day: with a graphic, long-sleeved shirt for a more casual look and with a scoop-neck, fitted blazer for a polished take on the trend.
This twinning style moment was no coincidence, though. Capri pants are emerging as one of summer 2025’s biggest trends, and the fact that they earned both Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski’s seal of approval in the same week is all the proof we need. Before taking over every style influencer’s Euro summer vacation Instagram posts this summer, the return of capri pants could first be spotted on the spring runways. Sandy Liang‘s spring 2025 show highlighted puff-sleeve jacket and capri pant ensembles redefining modern workwear; Louis Vuitton dolled up the silhouette with stripes and slouch; Carolina Herrera played with proportions by juxtaposing puffy tulle tops with cigarette-slim pedal pushers; and Tommy Hilfiger, emblematic of all things “preppy Americana,” made its spring 2025 collection’s capri pants checkered and bright.
Emily Ratajkowski on July 16, 2025, wearing Norma Kamali’s Capri Legging in two distinctly different outfit combinations.
Courtesy XNY/Star Max, Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
Beyond the runways, capri pants have been a current favorite of fashion insiders who are emulating the city-chic aesthetic of 2000s sartorial icons like Carrie Bradshaw, generating thousands of TikTok and Instagram likes for their capri pants styling equations in the process. The beloved fictional character, after all, was a fan of the pedal pushers trend that boomed during the early aughts: donning them in many “Sex and the City” scenes with striped blazers, vibrant headscarves, and other masterful matches.
The synchronized return of capri pants — recently spotted on both Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Bieber — follows a wave of A-listers embracing the calf-skimming silhouette. Bella Hadid was early to the revival, debuting a sleek Ferragamo pair in 2024 styled with a matching bomber jacket and leather mules from the brand. Since then, Hadid, like Bieber, has consistently offered fresh takes on the trend. She’s joined by a growing list of style-setters including Dua Lipa, Anne Hathaway (who swapped her 2025 Met Gala gown for a capri-powered after-party look), Kendall Jenner, and the original Carrie Bradshaw herself, Sarah Jessica Parker. Together, they’re making a strong case for the capri pant, especially for warm-weather city strolls and Euro Summer escapes — when full-length pants feel like too much, but structure is still a must.
If stepping out in capri pants was considered a crime, Hailey Bieber, like Bella Hadid, would be a repeat offender. On June 21, 2025, she was spotted in New York City wearing polka-dotted pedal pushers with flip-flops: tapping into two seasonal trends at once.
Courtesy Aeon/Getty Images
The original capri pants can be traced back to German fashion designer Sonja de Lennart during World War II. Rebelling against the notion that trousers were strictly for men, de Lennart designed a pair tailored to her petite frame, featuring chic slits and a hem that hit just below the knee. She named them “Capris” as an ode to the Italian island where her family vacationed. After debuting in 1948, the pants — also referred to as pedal pushers, a nod to the cycling-friendly length that avoided getting caught in bike wheels — quickly gained traction and made their way to the U.S., where they were embraced by Hollywood’s inner circle. Their iconic status was solidified with a breakout appearance in Roman Holiday. Once Audrey Hepburn was seen in a pair of the prototypical capri pants, everyone wanted to own them, and de Lennart’s hero product was later donned by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor: appreciated for its originally rebellious intentions and modern-woman appeal.
Audrey Hepburn poses for a publicity photo to promote the film “Sabrina,” released the year after “Roman Holiday”: making it clear that her affection for capri pants stuck around after being introduced to Sonja de Lennart’s pieces.
Courtesy Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Today, capri pants take the form of leggings, too, and come in many different materials: from denim and cotton to the canvas that makes up some cargo variations. The silhouette remains polarizing, largely because it can shorten the legs if the hemline doesn’t hit at the right length. To avoid that effect, opt for a pair that hits as close to your knee as possible and fits without cutting off your proportions. Also, opt for shoes that show the front of your feet for an added lengthening effect (kitten heel sandals are stellar).
Because of their tight-fitting nature in most cases, it’s best to style capri pants with something looser and more fluid, like a cape-sleeve top. Worried about your curves being lost in all that fabric? Go the opposite route and stick to body-skimming camisoles. For corp-core style, consider investing in high-waisted capri pants and tucking a starched button-up into them; so as to avoid excessive matchiness, stick with neutral coordinates if you’re wearing patterned capri pants or spice up a white pair with an on-trend, polka-dotted halter top. Capri pants in the leggings category can easily work with a bra-bikini hybrid under a blazer, and jean ones practically beg to be complimented by Y2K-coded bags, hairbands, and other accessories that will take you back to a simpler time. Still don’t see the vision? We’ll make it easier for you by providing some capri pants outfit ideas ahead.
Nicole Scherzinger, Bella Hadid, Elizabeth Olsen, and Julia Fox are all fans of showing some ankle.
Courtesy The Hapa Blonde, XNY/Star Max, 305pics/Getty Images
Given their current trending status, there’s no shortage of capris on the market to choose from right now, but below are the styles our editors believe have the highest payoff in terms of styling the trend this season. From capri leggings to denim and trending gingham prints, shop the best capri pants of the summer ahead.
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Top Capri Pants to Shop Now
Norma Kamali Capri Legging
Styled by Emily Ratajkowski in two distinct ways, these Norma Kamali leggings are a no-frills, go-with-everything pick for appearing put-together to the max without sacrificing comfort. Made out of a jersey fabric, they’re stretchy and shape-retaining; if you ask Ratajkowki, she’ll likely tell you that the capri pants can easily be styled with both a color-blocked, long-sleeve varsity tee plus kitten heels and a split-front blazer of the same hue. In other words, the classic black legging style is completely versatile and easy to dress up or down.
Price upon publish date of this article: $150
Alfie Capri Pant
Featuring a slight flair and a 100-percent cotton poplin composition, these capri pants (that were recently worn by Hailey Bieber) are a seamless way to add a touch of navy elegance to your wardrobe. A low-rise fit here lends itself well to all kinds of tops that fall at the hips, but, to take the guesswork out of getting dressed, allow Alfie to do it for you with the brand’s matching Alma Jacket in twill. You’ll look like a powerful and alluring female lead in a ’50s flick. All that’s missing? A smart, sleek handbag and oval sunnies for some incognito mystique. Note that the Alfie Capri pant almost fully sold out as soon as Bieber’s aspirational post went live but was just restocked, so be sure to snag a pair fast.
Price upon publish date of this article: $400
Reformation Petra Linen Low Rise Pedal Pusher Pant
According to Pinterest, it’s “rustic farmhouse” summer (which is another way of saying cottagecore hasn’t left us yet). Within that aesthetic, gingham is making waves in fashion: here to make you resemble a picnic blanket in the best of ways. Elevate your pedal pusher purchase with the help of this print in tomato-red, which opens up the possibility of utilizing your favorite white camisoles or linen vests for some much-needed contrast. The Reformation pants are made of linen, making them an easy-breezy choice for summer days spent exploring coastal towns and digging into seafood platters — no sweat or pesky chafing in sight.
Price upon publish date of this article: $148
Dôen Lula Capri Pant
Dôen’s bestselling Lula Pant ends slightly above the ankles; its capri version, though, keeps things even lighter and less conventional, offered in a white colorway that stands at the ready for all your quiet-luxury outfit creations. Crafted out of flexible cotton, the capri pants are also ultra-high rise — thereby being a match made in heaven for darker-hued bodysuits, tucked-in silk blouses, and your go-to crop top. To channel the energy of a rich widow vacationing in Positano, accessorize with a vivid scarf for your neck or a pendant necklace flaunting a bright central stone.
Price upon publish date of this article: $198
Desigual Capri Cargo Pant
Another early-aughts favorite, cargo pants remain a style go-to for cool girls. Loose-fitting, made from durable materials, and equipped with pockets (every woman’s dream, honestly), they’re the kinds of closet must-haves that take into account your day-to-day life and aren’t just impractical eye-candy. Move more freely this summer with the Desigual Capri Cargo Pants on, styling them with itty-bitty corset tops that mix something feminine into all that tomboyish edginess.
Price upon publish date of this article: $139
Levi’s Wedgie Capri
For an even heftier dose of nostalgia, let yourself be swayed by denim capri pants. This iteration goes heavy on the bohemian influences while benefitting from all the qualities Levi’s is known for: including top-tier construction, timeless designs that (clearly) never get put on the bottom shelf, and high wearability. Going out with friends? Striped, oversized button-ups and pointed-toe pumps here will be your best friends (as tempting as it may be, we advise against the calf-swallowing cowboy boots). Don’t have anything formal planned? A classic white T-shirt and retro sneakers will do the trick.
Price upon publish date of this article: $89.50
Damson Madder Anisa Capri Pant
From the emerging, editor-loved brand Damson Madder (which prides itself in small-batch production and quality to last a lifetime) come these capri pants that stand out from the crowd based on their playful, ruffled cuffs. This very detail, along with short side slits, will add more flavor and whimsy to your look — which can be extended through bauble-bedecked Mary Janes or color-happy crochet flats. Like the model in the photo above, you can choose a top that’s trimmed with subtle ruffles for a cohesive outfit through line or take advantage of the pedal pushers’ waist coverage and opt for a tube-top moment. You’ll fall in love with this pair’s 100-percent cotton stretch fabric and dainty logo embroidery below the jetted pocket: We’re sure of it.
Price upon publish date of this article: $90
Skims Signature Swim Capri
Skims‘ buzzy swim category might seem like an unlikely place for locking down a pair of capri pants you can wear out of the water, but here we are. Marked by activewear’s best attributes (elasticity, resistance to wear and tear, breathability) and a trending-right-now leopard print, the Skims Signature Swim Capri will make you the center of attention from the pool to the cabana to the bar. Simply swap out your matching bikini top for a red-hot, high-contrast wraparound top or a V-neck polo tee, and you’re off to the races.
Price upon publish date of this article: $56
How to Style Capri Pants
How to Wear the Alfie Capri Pant:
How to Wear the Norma Kamali Capri Legging:
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on celebrity style and seasonal fashion trends.