Anonymous
04/04/2014 10:29
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
1. can we establish that by law, folks by and large are allowed to wear whatever they want. therefore, all suggestions that this be worn or that not be worn are merely suggestions. you can, at the end (or the beginning) of the day, wear whatever you like.
2. if you don't care about fashion at all, then this is not the conversation for you. it's not the place to pique someone's interest in fashion - it's the place to talk about what looks good, once we've established a baseline interest in fashion.
3. i would guess that most of us here like to dress in a way that balances our desires to be comfortable, and be attractive. we each of us can decide which of those concerns is more or less important to us. but once we've established that these are the baseline concerns, i think what we are trying to do here is figure out if capris do or don't meet the attractiveness requirement. (we know, in other words, that they are comfortable - are they also attractive?)
4. so, again, if your reaction to this question is: i don't care about being attractive! then this isn't the conversation for you. if your reaction is: yes, i think they are attractive!, or no, they aren't! then this is the conversation for you - where you can debate those who are willing to engage in the central question but disagree with your aesthetic judgment.
i also hate when people say "why is this news?" in the comments section of an article.
2. if you don't care about fashion at all, then this is not the conversation for you. it's not the place to pique someone's interest in fashion - it's the place to talk about what looks good, once we've established a baseline interest in fashion.
3. i would guess that most of us here like to dress in a way that balances our desires to be comfortable, and be attractive. we each of us can decide which of those concerns is more or less important to us. but once we've established that these are the baseline concerns, i think what we are trying to do here is figure out if capris do or don't meet the attractiveness requirement. (we know, in other words, that they are comfortable - are they also attractive?)
4. so, again, if your reaction to this question is: i don't care about being attractive! then this isn't the conversation for you. if your reaction is: yes, i think they are attractive!, or no, they aren't! then this is the conversation for you - where you can debate those who are willing to engage in the central question but disagree with your aesthetic judgment.
i also hate when people say "why is this news?" in the comments section of an article.
Anonymous
04/04/2014 09:17
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:
Here's the thing. No one said non-capris will erase bottom-heaviness. The point is to wear clothes that do not accentuate it or draw attention to it. Capris do to opposite. As many have mentioned, they cut the calf in half at its widest point, and the weird proportions draw the eye towards the hips and make most people look stubby. People are suggesting linen pants because they are a cooler fabric and because they usually are cut so that the have a nice line from hip to ankle that goes to a very gradual but small flare at the ankle to balance out the hips. This makes the legs appear longer and de-emphasizes the hips because there is not an abrupt ending to the pants that draws the eyes. Linen pants on someone with hips will not disguise the hips, but they won't highlight them either. If you don't care and the goal is to be comfy in the summer appearance be damned, maybe just wear shorts. I'm not OP, but I think the point of starting this thread was to let people who are know that capri pants look awful on everyone because it does seem to me that many people think they are a more attractive alternative to shorts for people who don't think they look good in shorts. And they are not. But people can still decide to ignore this info and wear whatever they want.
but wouldn't a skirt that ended mid-calf do the same thing? The thing is: most people have awfully knees that really should be hidden. If you want to hide your knees but want some breeze on your leg, you are stuck with something that ends mid-calf, or at least upper calf. There is no alternative. And, also, I think shorts draw more attention to the but than capris. Anything that puts some color or texture near your but will draw the eye there. The more that color or texture is localized to the but area, the more attention it will draw.
First, let me say that I think mid-calf skirts are a weird and can look awkward on almost everyone but people who look good in anything. Second, I really don't understand the belief that having a third of your calf exposed to the breeze makes a real difference in dealing with the heat. Let's be real - the calf is not the part of your body that can get hot and sweaty in the summer and capris don't funnel air from the calf up to where it really needs to be. Putting all that aside, I am assuming this mid-calf skirt is not a pencil skirt. If it is, yes it will do the same thing and draw your eye to the hips and thigh region if the person wearing it is bottom heavy. That would not be a good look. If, however, the skirt has some flare to it, it can balance out the hips somewhat so that the eyes are not drawn to the hip region. The amount of flare needed in the skirt depends on the length because it has to be balanced and, again, mid-calf can be a tough length for many people. If you are concerned about knees - and I don't really get that either, I can't say I've noticed anyone's knees - just below the knee or maxi length is going to be better. However, if you really only care about comfort, just wear shorts and be done with it, but don't fool yourself that capris look better than shorts.
Anonymous
04/04/2014 09:00
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:
Honestly,
but wouldn't a skirt that ended mid-calf do the same thing? The thing is: most people have awfully knees that really should be hidden. If you want to hide your knees but want some breeze on your leg, you are stuck with something that ends mid-calf, or at least upper calf. There is no alternative. And, also, I think shorts draw more attention to the but than capris. Anything that puts some color or texture near your but will draw the eye there. The more that color or texture is localized to the but area, the more attention it will draw.
Do most people have awful knees? I cant say that ive seen many knees and thought, ewww.
Anonymous
04/04/2014 08:27
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Too bad for you. You're just going to have to put up with my capris. I'm not allowed to wear shorts at my job working with children and in the heat capris are MUCH cooler than long pants.
I like to look clean and put together but life's too short to try to look attractive all the time.
You make me sad. Life is too short to wear ugly pants.
Anonymous
04/04/2014 08:26
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh well. Don't care if you don't like my capris. I'm wearing them. Much, much better than shorts on me at this stage in the game. Much, much more comfy than long pants during the summer. Win-win for me!
They are not more comfy than a pair of long, linen summer pants or a long cotton skirt.
You just haven't tried anything else.
Honestly, if you're bottom-heavy, linen pants, which normally fit boxy and loose, or a long, cotton skirt (Hello Michelle Duggar!) aren't going to look that attractive on you either.
When you're bottom-heavy, you're not going to be able to magically fix it with a pair of pants. Sure, dark, nicely shaped jeans are great but those aren't practical in the middle of July. We know you have a bigger butt, don't worry about trying to camoflouge it. Just wear your capris and be comfy!
Here's the thing. No one said non-capris will erase bottom-heaviness. The point is to wear clothes that do not accentuate it or draw attention to it. Capris do to opposite. As many have mentioned, they cut the calf in half at its widest point, and the weird proportions draw the eye towards the hips and make most people look stubby. People are suggesting linen pants because they are a cooler fabric and because they usually are cut so that the have a nice line from hip to ankle that goes to a very gradual but small flare at the ankle to balance out the hips. This makes the legs appear longer and de-emphasizes the hips because there is not an abrupt ending to the pants that draws the eyes. Linen pants on someone with hips will not disguise the hips, but they won't highlight them either. If you don't care and the goal is to be comfy in the summer appearance be damned, maybe just wear shorts. I'm not OP, but I think the point of starting this thread was to let people who are know that capri pants look awful on everyone because it does seem to me that many people think they are a more attractive alternative to shorts for people who don't think they look good in shorts. And they are not. But people can still decide to ignore this info and wear whatever they want.
but wouldn't a skirt that ended mid-calf do the same thing? The thing is: most people have awfully knees that really should be hidden. If you want to hide your knees but want some breeze on your leg, you are stuck with something that ends mid-calf, or at least upper calf. There is no alternative. And, also, I think shorts draw more attention to the but than capris. Anything that puts some color or texture near your but will draw the eye there. The more that color or texture is localized to the but area, the more attention it will draw.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 17:27
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
So glad to see this annual dcum Psa back again.
What do we think about ankle pants? Are they better than capris?
What do we think about ankle pants? Are they better than capris?
Anonymous
04/03/2014 17:22
Subject: Re:Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
I am thrilled to read the passion on this topic on both sides. This is the first internet thread I've ever read that has made me laugh out loud.
Please, keep the snarkiness on both sides coming!
I can't wait to go home to see if the capris hiding at the back of my closet end at mid-calf or not. And I am puzzled why the Tretorn boots were praised on another thread when they were described as hitting midcalf. Wouldn't that cut you off and make you look stumpy too?
Oh, the mysterious ways in which fashion moves...
Please, keep the snarkiness on both sides coming!
I can't wait to go home to see if the capris hiding at the back of my closet end at mid-calf or not. And I am puzzled why the Tretorn boots were praised on another thread when they were described as hitting midcalf. Wouldn't that cut you off and make you look stumpy too?
Oh, the mysterious ways in which fashion moves...
Anonymous
04/03/2014 16:52
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh well. Don't care if you don't like my capris. I'm wearing them. Much, much better than shorts on me at this stage in the game. Much, much more comfy than long pants during the summer. Win-win for me!
They are not more comfy than a pair of long, linen summer pants or a long cotton skirt.
You just haven't tried anything else.
Honestly, if you're bottom-heavy, linen pants, which normally fit boxy and loose, or a long, cotton skirt (Hello Michelle Duggar!) aren't going to look that attractive on you either.
When you're bottom-heavy, you're not going to be able to magically fix it with a pair of pants. Sure, dark, nicely shaped jeans are great but those aren't practical in the middle of July. We know you have a bigger butt, don't worry about trying to camoflouge it. Just wear your capris and be comfy!
Here's the thing. No one said non-capris will erase bottom-heaviness. The point is to wear clothes that do not accentuate it or draw attention to it. Capris do to opposite. As many have mentioned, they cut the calf in half at its widest point, and the weird proportions draw the eye towards the hips and make most people look stubby. People are suggesting linen pants because they are a cooler fabric and because they usually are cut so that the have a nice line from hip to ankle that goes to a very gradual but small flare at the ankle to balance out the hips. This makes the legs appear longer and de-emphasizes the hips because there is not an abrupt ending to the pants that draws the eyes. Linen pants on someone with hips will not disguise the hips, but they won't highlight them either. If you don't care and the goal is to be comfy in the summer appearance be damned, maybe just wear shorts. I'm not OP, but I think the point of starting this thread was to let people who are know that capri pants look awful on everyone because it does seem to me that many people think they are a more attractive alternative to shorts for people who don't think they look good in shorts. And they are not. But people can still decide to ignore this info and wear whatever they want.
I can't believe people like you have given that much thought to this!
Why do you give a tinker's damn if I wear capris?
Luckily, I'm not so insecure as to care what people like you think.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 15:39
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh well. Don't care if you don't like my capris. I'm wearing them. Much, much better than shorts on me at this stage in the game. Much, much more comfy than long pants during the summer. Win-win for me!
They are not more comfy than a pair of long, linen summer pants or a long cotton skirt.
You just haven't tried anything else.
Honestly, if you're bottom-heavy, linen pants, which normally fit boxy and loose, or a long, cotton skirt (Hello Michelle Duggar!) aren't going to look that attractive on you either.
When you're bottom-heavy, you're not going to be able to magically fix it with a pair of pants. Sure, dark, nicely shaped jeans are great but those aren't practical in the middle of July. We know you have a bigger butt, don't worry about trying to camoflouge it. Just wear your capris and be comfy!
Here's the thing. No one said non-capris will erase bottom-heaviness. The point is to wear clothes that do not accentuate it or draw attention to it. Capris do to opposite. As many have mentioned, they cut the calf in half at its widest point, and the weird proportions draw the eye towards the hips and make most people look stubby. People are suggesting linen pants because they are a cooler fabric and because they usually are cut so that the have a nice line from hip to ankle that goes to a very gradual but small flare at the ankle to balance out the hips. This makes the legs appear longer and de-emphasizes the hips because there is not an abrupt ending to the pants that draws the eyes. Linen pants on someone with hips will not disguise the hips, but they won't highlight them either. If you don't care and the goal is to be comfy in the summer appearance be damned, maybe just wear shorts. I'm not OP, but I think the point of starting this thread was to let people who are know that capri pants look awful on everyone because it does seem to me that many people think they are a more attractive alternative to shorts for people who don't think they look good in shorts. And they are not. But people can still decide to ignore this info and wear whatever they want.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 15:22
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
ROFL what about men with 'shorts' that end just an inch or two above the ankle? Almost hip hop type 'shorts' ... I think it looks sooooo stupid but ignore them when I see 'em 
Anonymous
04/03/2014 14:24
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh well. Don't care if you don't like my capris. I'm wearing them. Much, much better than shorts on me at this stage in the game. Much, much more comfy than long pants during the summer. Win-win for me!
They are not more comfy than a pair of long, linen summer pants or a long cotton skirt.
You just haven't tried anything else.
Honestly, if you're bottom-heavy, linen pants, which normally fit boxy and loose, or a long, cotton skirt (Hello Michelle Duggar!) aren't going to look that attractive on you either.
When you're bottom-heavy, you're not going to be able to magically fix it with a pair of pants. Sure, dark, nicely shaped jeans are great but those aren't practical in the middle of July. We know you have a bigger butt, don't worry about trying to camoflouge it. Just wear your capris and be comfy!
My butt isn't tiny but it isn't enormous, either. I'm actually more top heavy than bottom heavy, FWIW, I'm not even 50, yet. Not that it matters, I like my capris.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 14:12
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Nothing good, that is.
I went to an event today and many men and women in their 40s and 50s were in attendance. Most of the men wore polo shirts tucked in under their pot bellies and shorts.
Nearly all the women wore capri pants. Capri pants do nothing for you. If you are short, you don't look good in capri pants. If you are fat, you don't look good in capri pants. If you are tall, you don't look good in capri pants. If you are thin, you don't look good in capri pants. No matter the body type or age, capri pants are not flattering.
I say this lovingly. Wear anything else- anything! Shorts (long shorts, if you want to; even short shorts look better than capris), a skirt, pants, anything but capri pants. They make everyone look stumpy and shapeless. No one looks good in them.
I for one am going to humbly take this advice and not wear them. I can't really tell how they look, I already had my doubts, and besides I love skirts.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 14:00
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Too bad for you. You're just going to have to put up with my capris. I'm not allowed to wear shorts at my job working with children and in the heat capris are MUCH cooler than long pants.
I like to look clean and put together but life's too short to try to look attractive all the time.
I like to look clean and put together but life's too short to try to look attractive all the time.
Anonymous
04/03/2014 13:46
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh well. Don't care if you don't like my capris. I'm wearing them. Much, much better than shorts on me at this stage in the game. Much, much more comfy than long pants during the summer. Win-win for me!
They are not more comfy than a pair of long, linen summer pants or a long cotton skirt.
You just haven't tried anything else.
Honestly, if you're bottom-heavy, linen pants, which normally fit boxy and loose, or a long, cotton skirt (Hello Michelle Duggar!) aren't going to look that attractive on you either.
When you're bottom-heavy, you're not going to be able to magically fix it with a pair of pants. Sure, dark, nicely shaped jeans are great but those aren't practical in the middle of July. We know you have a bigger butt, don't worry about trying to camoflouge it. Just wear your capris and be comfy!
Anonymous
04/03/2014 13:38
Subject: Dear middle-aged women: capri pants do nothing for you.
Anonymous wrote:
Yes. Sorry.
It not only cuts off the calf, but the taper is increasing the size of the model's butt. I can't imagine what that would look like on a normal woman with a normal size butt.