If there is one trouser that divides a room, it is the capri. Half the internet spent years insisting they belonged in 2005 alongside Von Dutch hats and low-rise everything — and they were wrong, tbh. Capri trousers are back, they look genuinely good, and the evidence is currently selling out at Zara for £27.99.
The capri trouser — or capri pants, if you prefer, both are climbing fast on Google Trends — has been all over the feeds for the past few seasons, and in 2026 it has officially tipped from trend into staple.
You will find them on the street style circuit in every configuration: black capri trousers with a crisp white vest, denim capri trousers with a blazer, cargo capri trousers with an oversized shirt. The silhouette, for the record, is the point — cropped below the knee, fitted or wide-leg, it is the trouser that makes sandals and ballet flats work harder than they have any right to.
Gabbriette — model, chef, tastemaker and fiancée of The 1975 frontman Matty Healy — has been spotted in the exact Zara pair that is currently flying off the virtual shelves. Her go-to? All black, naturally: the capri trouser paired with a fitted cami, a quilted chain bag and black ballet flats. It is the most efficient version of this outfit and the one I would start with — no colour matching, no styling anxiety, just a silhouette that does the work.
Below, six more ways to wear capri trousers this summer, with outfit inspiration for every occasion.
Knitted capri pants with a cotton top
The fastest way to update the capri for 2026 is to find one in a fabric with genuine presence — a ribbed knit, a crinkle cotton, a bouclé. When the trouser is doing the textural work, the top can be relatively simple: a fitted blouse with an interesting neckline, a cotton shirt with voluminous sleeves.
The Frolic Cotton Knitted Capri Trouser
Pull & Bear Crochet Ballerina Shoes
Damson Madder Anke Blouse
Cargo capri pants and a tied scarf
A good button-up shirt is a necessity. And it works great with these cargo-style capri pants. Scarves tied around the waist have slowly become a staple fashion trend, and this styling elevates what can sometimes feel like a simple outfit.
Stradivarius Poplin Bermuda Shorts
Mango Pocket Linen Shirt
Free People Essential Triangle Bandana
Denim jacket and a plain white tee
I, for one, will always believe in the power of a denim jacket. It adds a bit of edge to any look. Pairing it with a pair of polka dot capri pants is a fashion-forward way into the popular style.
Zara Polka Dot Capri Pants
COS Slim Cotton T-Shirt
GAP White Oversized Icon Denim Jacket
Denim capri trousers matching set
When struggling to put together an outfit, the one thing I can always reach for in my closet is a matching set. If you are going to try out capri pants and don’t know where to start, look no further. It’s simple and easy, and you can throw on any pair of heels or sandals that you have.
Reformation Zoee Stretch Mid Rise Capri Jeans
Reformation Tilly Stretch Denim Top
&other Stories Low-profile Leather Shoulder Bag
Sheer capri trousers with a cropped jacket
Now, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, then I have the look for you. Sheer is all the rage, so combining two popular trends together is sure to turn heads. Pairing it with a zipped-up leather jacket brings the whole thing together (and turns it into a tonal work of art).
Sandy Liang Barlow Capris
Free People Chelsea Funnel-Neck Jacket
Mango Strappy heeled sandals
Cropped top with a belt
Summer is here, so don’t be afraid to lean into a good crop top. Finding one with puffed sleeves adds to the look, and pairing it with this gold chain is a perfect addition.
Meshki Blanca Stretch Crepe Capri Pants - Mahogany
Free People Candydrip Chain Belt
Mango Puff-sleeved Cropped Blouse
Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).
Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
