Wanted: Pair of Capris (that Fit)

Alright, in the interest of full disclosure, I tend to wear size 10 or 12. Levis tend to fit me really well. I generally don't bother trying anything else on. Much of the time, the measurements in the waist and hip areas don't jive.

I would really like to find a pair of capris, but cannot find a pair that look good on me. On the mannequin at the store, they look adorable. But the manequin have very thin legs. I've tried on lots of pairs, but they just make my legs look fat, instead of mildly athletic (granted I am not a Williams sister).

I tried again this past weekend to find a pair of capris. I even tried capris made by Levi's. A size 10-12 in a capris is like 2 sizes too small. And, near as I can tell, they would not have been flattering even if they fit.

Today I tried on a couple pairs at Wal - Mart. Faded Glory were the closest to adequate. At least were fitted more through the thigh and to the knee (plus they make their pants with a bit of stretchy inthem)... though they still didn't flatter the behind. Husband says, "Eh, they still look boxy and kind of make your calves look fat... but you don't have fat calves." I say, "Exactly!!!

I think that I need a pair that is a bit fitted all the way through to the end. I like my calves.

:D Sorry for the long frustrated post. :-) I thought that I would come to some other active ladies who might have similar obstacles. Where do you go shopping???

How tall are you? At 5'3" I'd already given up on capris before I read that they really look best on tall, long-legged women.

Well, I'm a bit embarrassed that I even know this*, but I've read that snug sleeves and pants ends tend to exaggerate the area, i.e. short sleeves will make your upper arms look bigger, pants that end at your calves will make them look bigger. Maybe it's because it's harder to see the curve above and below. If I wear capris I prefer very loose ones. Oh, and in general shorter-than-long pants make your legs look a bit shorter.

*Ok, so I'm a bit of a closet WNTW-watcher :D But I like their almost scientific idea of analyzing why some things look good and some don't.

I am so short, I like 'capris' because then I don't have to hem the pants:p:p:p

I'm 5' 9". The ones that I tried on yesterday I rolled up to end at my knees and be more like grape stompers (my term, not sure if I've picked it up anywhere else).

I don't know what the answer is really. I have a hard time finding shorts that fit me adequately too. But that's just a butt/waist/hips measurement inconsistancy, or I don't like the inseam.

Thanks for the input. I'm glad to know that others are frustrated too. :D Perhaps I too will just look back at the capris fad and say, "Well at least I tried."

Another short person here - who can't find casual pants to fit, and resents having to have dress slacks taylored - capris made me look even dumpier. I wear skirts or sundresses in the summer, or if I want more casual, good old elastic waist knit pants.

Capris are an evil invention unless you're tall with skinny legs.

Tall person, big hips, little waist. Very hard to fit. The only capris I've really been happy with were at REI from Royal Robbins. Got them years ago.

I don't see them on REI's website anymore.

Tried on some Isis shorts at one point, and their waist didn't gap. Last resort is always the drawstring waisted ones, like by Horny Toad and Prana.

(LL Bean has fit me well waist-to-hips for the most part, maybe check some of their stuff?)

Overall, capris are not flattering to at least half the people. They hit your leg in the spot most likely to point out any flaws. Even if your legs are muscled, capris just make them look big.

I have one pair that I knock around in, but can't remember where they came from. Oddly I have noticed that my Shebeest knickers are flattering and wish they made similar pants.

Hi, Im 5'4" not short not tall, but no way will I wear Capris cause they just don't suit me or make me look good. I will wear a board short however. They come to just above the knee or at the knee so they are more flattering if you ask me.

spoke

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Tall person, big hips, little waist. Very hard to fit. The only capris I've really been happy with were at REI from Royal Robbins. Got them years ago.

I don't see them on REI's website anymore.

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Knot - are these by chance the capris you referred to?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...s_-_(For_Women)

These are the old version of the canyon capri. I am embarrassed to say how many colors (and sizes) I have them in. (They have changed the capri this year - have not tried the new version yet.) Sounds like we're similar - I am tall, big of hip and (relatively) small of waist so finding pants can be a challenge.

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Originally Posted by lph

*Ok, so I'm a bit of a closet WNTW-watcher

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No closet about it for me. I wish someone would nominate me!

I found a pair of "cycling" capris at Lands End. I bought them for commuting (since I prefer to commute "incognito" :D) and they fit really well. I don't know how well they'll work for riding, but the price was right. I *did* get the petites even though I have long legs. I wanted them to end just below the knee instead of halfway down my calf- more flattering on me IMHO.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/WovenBike...&origin=search

Not sure if you are looking for regular capris or ones for cycling. But, that said, I am a short person (5' 1") and I love wearing capris. You have to buy petite sized capris for them to hit you in the right spot. And petite sizes doesn't mean teeny. They go up to size 14-16 in most brands.
You should look at Ann Taylor Loft. Their clothes have been getting size creep like crazy. They are running almost 2 sizes bigger than the size would indicate.

I buy some regular, non-petite athletic type capris in my size, but they are more like cropped pants on me. I like those for just hanging around the house.
Athleta has lots of capris, and they fit true to size. I love their clothes.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Athleta has lots of capris, and they fit true to size. I love their clothes.

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I'm glad to hear someone mention them:) I just received a catalogue, and I'm intrigued by their under wire extra support tanks.

CA

I have one!
Too bad they don't make them for A cups. I bought a bigger size, just because I need the molded cup or everything :eek: shows through. Although I don't need the support, I need the coverage.

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Originally Posted by Starfish

No closet about it for me. I wish someone would nominate me!

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My mom and sisters sometimes threaten to nominate me for that show! My "problem" is that I refuse to compromise practicality for the sake of fashion, and it can be very hard to have both, so my style tends not to be all that exciting and I have a hard time when I have to dress up for some special occasion. Personally, I think it's the fashion "establishment" that has the problem--why can't they pay more attention to function?

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Originally Posted by Jolt

My mom and sisters sometimes threaten to nominate me for that show! My "problem" is that I refuse to compromise practicality for the sake of fashion, and it can be very hard to have both, so my style tends not to be all that exciting and I have a hard time when I have to dress up for some special occasion. Personally, I think it's the fashion "establishment" that has the problem--why can't they pay more attention to function?

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Amen sista! I refuse to wear 4 inch heels just so my athletic calves will look slimmer. They may look slimmer, but what good is that when my feet hurt so bad I can't walk? Stupid!

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Originally Posted by cyclinnewbie

Amen sista! I refuse to wear 4 inch heels just so my athletic calves will look slimmer. They may look slimmer, but what good is that when my feet hurt so bad I can't walk? Stupid!

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Exactly...the shoe issue is by FAR my biggest pet peeve! Despite the number of choices you find in the shoe stores, it's pretty hard to find comfortable, practical shoes to wear with skirts (other than in the summer when one can wear sandals)--I don't have a problem with wearing a skirt per se, provided it's a good length and doesn't restrict movement, but the SHOES tend to be a problem. I don't like having to restrict my activity level because of shoes that hurt, or having to walk slower, or tripping over myself, or feeling like I'd have a hard time moving fast if I needed to get out of a situation. Not cool. Finally this year I found some (Mary-Jane style flats) that look decent, don't slip off my skinny feet when I walk, and are sufficiently comfortable to walk from South Station to my school (about a 35-minute walk) in without regretting it. Other things that bug me about women's clothing are nylons (ugh--they feel icky, and they usually rip in two seconds anyway), things that are tight and make it hard to move, dry-clean-only stuff and the lack of decent pockets in most pants/skirts. Obviously there are more people who are OK with the not-so-functional stuff that looks good, to make it hard for the rest of us to find things that are more practical but still look good (even if not as flashy).

I just ordered some PI Versa capris from TE to go incognito as I cycle around Paris in a few weeks. I'll give a report on them when I get back from the trip.

Others who agree with me about Capris. I think the post that said they don't look good on 50% of the population under estimated. Since they've become popular I've seen maybe one person that I thought looked good in them. You're right. They hit in exactly the wrong spot in you legs. If you have any issues: large ankles or calves, these just exaggerate it, and they make them look bigger even if they aren't! The shorts that hit right above the knees look good. It's a flattering place for a skirt or short to hit. (Because of how your leg curves there). Yeah, I was brought up with this information, but then again, I have a hard time wearing white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day!