The Male Capri | Are You Man Enough?
Friday, August 12th, 2011
The Male Capri. Not entirely a new concept, but boy has it evolved. Tommy Ton, international photo-blogger, helps me tell this story.
As the temperature rises, so do hems – both male and female. The Capri of today’s Man has a body fat percentage of no more than 0.83%.
It’s purposeful and well thought out; Just short enough so that it is impossible for you to take yourself too seriously, but just long enough to make a subtle, but definite statement that you mean business. No mid-calf madness, aka “three-quarter…” I’m not sure what exactly, but they sure as hell can’t be called a “pant”.<<< Shudder>>> Remember those? Made of heavy ass denim, and at least 4 sizes too big. Sheeeeeeeet. So, so wrong. There are definitely perks to being Grown.
Then Male Capris went to College. Made of lighter-weight cotton, they were still choofy, and plump around the midsection, but at least now they were khaki- coloured and not acid-washed. Only now they were sometimes tattered, and had enough pockets to pack house and land. Good times all around for sure, but couldn’t take ‘em home to mama, for certain.
Enter the twenty-first century, and I refer to the current evolution of this style of trouser loosely as a ‘Capri’. I say this because sometimes it is purposely cut to be shorter than a normal pant leg – definitely above the ankle, so typical of a capri, but sometimes it appears to be just a slim trouser/ pant that’s rolled up. Either way, Swag is at an all time high with this one.
It’s definitely one of those trends this year that boarders on the absurd on it’s own, but, when compared to the ‘Meggings’ and ‘Meotards’, which debuted Fall ’10 Fashion Week, it seems super normal. Generally, I found it, when worn in a casual setting, pretty easy to understand. It’s the Capri suit that took me a couple shots of Patron to figure out. The latter is still pretty questionable, but I suppose when you are really, really rich, run your own empire, and don’t want to look like the masses, you can do – and wear - as you damn well feel. I ain’t mad at that at all.
That said… there are some capri looks that I wouldn’t recommend
but otherwise, there’s a lot of room to work with. Lets start with:
1. Colour
.
The bold colour-block trend that’s large and in charge for Spring and Summer [SS], made it’s way well into the Male Capri. Coral and pinks were the most common colours – most flattering on all skin types, but the usual suspects for SS colours like lilac, and aqua, though they offer less of a shock value, work with the capri trend just as well. The key here is to have ONE piece of colour, so ground the look elsewhere with some sort of neutral colour, like a grey, or blue – light or dark.
This coloured-trouser trend is radical enough for most men, so even if you choose the pant at full length you’ll be well fashionable.
Oranges like that, you can take into Fall. You can opt for colour without shock value…
If pink trousers aren’t your thing, you can always work this colour trend another way…
2. Shoes
.
It goes without saying that with a pant leg this high, it is understood that your shoe game needs to be on point. Go loafer, or go home.
That’s just my preference. But you can get away with other, whole, closed, shoes.
Go all star on ‘em.
or not. Either way, if you choose to go sockless, invest in a super moisturizing cream and ensure that it befriends your ankles.
Pair with higher cut shoes/ boots shoes to dress the look up…. or keep your ankles warm.
I feel like you’d be making the wrong kind of statement if you wear this type of capri with open-toe sandals. For one your proportions, head-to-toe, will not appear balanced in the sort of way that you might look like you’re about to topple over. Then, I mean, if it’s really that hot outside, you might want to consider wearing shorts.
Just no white, gym shoes. Please and thank you.
3. Socks
.
This trend is going to go well into Fall/ Winter [FW] ’11. When the temperature dips, just add socks to the fray. The colour and fabric of the capri may sober up, but the fun isn’t lost as the colour of your socks and shoes kick into high gear. Who said there’s no fun in Male Fashion.
4. Casual
.
Casual ones
and of course the North American fabric staple, Denim.
5. The Dress Capri
Or a full on suit [or blazer/ pant option], just with a pant with a precariously shorter inseam.
Pure swag.
In summary, today’s Male Capri:
- Is slim fitting
- Possesses no bulky side pockets
- Varies in length.
As a general rule, the shorter the hemline (between the ankle and the knee) the shorter, and stumpier, your legs will look. So the taller and slimmer you are, the higher you can take your hemline without risking looking like a dwarf.
- Should be worn with whole, closed shoes, rather than open-toed sandals.
Carry on.
b Freakin’Fabulous
A contributor at GQ.com, Tommy Ton’s work can be found here.