Spring 2009 Fashion Trend: Cropped Pants
From left: Rag and Bone, Alberta Ferretti, Calvin Klein, Versace, Temperley London
Even though it’s Fall Fashion Week right now, Spring is fast approaching, and all those looks we saw on the runways back in September are about to become the hottest trends for Spring 2009.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be breaking down all of the hottest trends for spring 2009 from the runways, including lots of photos and details on how to wear all the looks without spending a fortune.
One of the trends we saw on the Spring runways was cropped pants – trousers cut slightly above the ankle. This is a new take on the skinny jeans that have been so popular for the past few seasons, and it’s definitely perfect for spring. Find out more about this spring trend below.
What are Cropped Pants?
For those of you who are wondering what exactly cropped pants are, and the difference between cropped pants, capri pants, and other types of shorts, here’s a mini fashion vocab lesson:
Cropped pants is a catchall term for straight-leg pants that are hemmed to anywhere from just above the ankle to just below the knee. This includes capri pants, clam diggers, walking shorts and all other types of shorter pants.
So basically, they’re any pants that are cropped. Simple enough, right?
How to Wear Cropped Pants
This is one of those trends that’s so versatile – one piece can be worn many ways and for many different occasions. Here are some tips:
Wear them with heels! Cropped pants with heels was the look of choice for all the designers this season, because the length of the pants puts your footwear front and center. Cropped pants can also shorten your legs, so heels will help counteract this. Throw on your favorite pair of peep toes or strappy heels and strut your stuff!
Choose neutral colors. These pants look best in black, grey, and the occasional white or off-white. Black is the most forgiving and will go with the most items in your closet, so if you’re in doubt, it’s the shade to pick.
Try cropped jeans as well. This trend doesn’t only apply to trousers, and cropped jeans are going to be hot this season too. I love dark wash jeans for all occasions, but if you love ripped jeans or lighter washes, those will be in as well this spring.
Wear them to work or on the weekends. One of the best things about cropped pants is that they can be dressed up or down. If you have a black pair of cropped trousers, you can wear them to work with classic pumps, or out for a fun date night with strappy sandals. Dress them down with ankle boots or simple wedge sandals for daytime.
DIY a pair. If you have a pair of super-skinny jeans that you want to convert into cropped pants, hem them yourself if you’re crafty, or simply cuff them and roll them up a bit. Easy and inexpensive!
Your Thoughts?
What do you think of cropped pants? Would you wear them, or are you sticking to regular-length pants? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Posted on on February 17, 2009 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Alberta Ferretti, Calvin Klein, Cropped Pants, Jeans, Pants, Rag and Bone, Spring 2009, Temperley London, Trends, Versace
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Aileen
How adorable–another trend reminiscent of sth classic:)
Obviously, this would look great on someone whose legs can already pull of the skinny jean look–the basic colors they look the best in can complement all sorts of wardrobe pieces.
But no, I can’t pull this off :P Exposing my calves–not a pleasant thought. I shudder.
Lauren
Aww these look so cute!! A word of warning though, cropped pants tend to make you look shorter; at 5″1 I can’t pull them off :(
Gabby
They DO look really good on the runway, but I’m not so sure about pulling them off on the street. You’d need a nice, tall physique and killer shoes! For me, though, anything between bermuda shorts length and full-length pants is reminiscient of my childhood pastel-colored capri days. And those, thank god, are over. =]
Sherrie
My problem is I’m 5′4″ and cropped pants just look like too short pants on me! I will probably just roll up my skinny jeans. They look good on tall slender girls.
Lyd
cropped pants…since in pretty short, they don’t work for me
Ana Ines
Mmm… Cropped pants look really good, specially the champagne satin ones. But I prefer pants that elongate my legs. And I also have big ankles so this is a no-go for me.
A simple question that has nothing to do with this: what was the “It” color of 2008 fall? Because here, fall is about to come (I live in Uruguay, Southamerica) and it would help me A LOT to know the color of next season…
Sherin
I think these’ll be a great trend this summer. I have a few just below the knew trousers and I love wearing them. Although I am fairly short, I reckon if I put them together with a pair of heels, I won’t look as short.
Bahar
Great! I have always loved capri pants so I’m definitely loving this trend.
k
They remind me of my sparkling green cropped pants in the 5th grade.
Zephyr
Some of your responses are cracking me up! I remember when capri pants were cool in elementary school too, but these aren’t like those at all!
Personally I’m still a little on the fence about this trend for me, but I can see it looking great on a lot of other people. And yes, wearing heels will really help make your legs look longer when you wear these!
Becca
those models look hot but i think you’d have to be pretty tall to get their look. heels might help, of course :)
Michelle
i want these! But i’m 5′2…i’ll just have to get sum killer heels and be good to go! lol i’m determined to buy these, they’re just too cute!
katrinagee
i actually have a pair of cropped pants and i always end up taking them off and wearing something else, cuz im 5′2 and it makes me look 4′ =(
heels arent really comfy at school. and that’s where i get to dress up.
maybe ill try wearing them in clubs??? lol
Chinny
Funny that while I’m reading this articly I’m actually wearing cropped trousers (pants) right now! I love, love, love this trend! I think it’s perfect for people who have jeans where the bottom looks a bit tatty so you can just cut them off and…voila! You’re band on trend =) At the moment, I’m wearing mine with wooden-wedges. I agree that they do make you legs look a tad bit shorter but not necessarily with the comment that only slender girls can pull them off. I think curvy girls can too.
Oh, I’m not sure but i think pink and navy blue are hot colours right now.
Great post
x
punky
Are you coming to the clothing swap, It would be great to meet you!
Alycia
I’m pretty sure I’ll be leaving my pants as pants, and my shorts as shorts.
I can’t wear high heels because I have really bad knees, and even though I’m 5′7″, anything that’s going to make my legs look short, is not something I’m good with.
These cropped pants are a cute idea, (my friend’s boyfriend has taken to calling them “Shants” – which is an amalgamation of the word “short” and “pants”) but I don’t think they’re really geared at your average girl.
Angie Marie
I love this blog so much, but I just don’t understand all the buzz that this article is getting…cropped pants are in style every year from late spring through early fall. I see ppl in capris and even gauchos (which are, of course, several years outdated right now) are worn all the time. I can’t see how they are being described as a new trend.
…On that note, however, I adore this blog and always enjoy the readers comments…sorry if I sounded obnoxious just now haha
Ariel
I just have to wonder when “floods” (aka “highwaters”) turned into fashionable cropped pants…
??
Fashion Deals
Actually, I have a pair of crop jeans pants that I haven’t worn for a quite awhile. I would have no problem hauling it out of my closet to wear this spring. It looks as brand new as ever. The time that I got it, crop pants was already ‘out of style’ so I just put it away knowing that the style must return someday :)
-cleona-
vanessa anne
yeeeah.. I would think that this would only shorten the look of my already short legs, and I need whatever extra inches of height I can get! My petite Asian self will be sticking to long tights, skinny jeans, or skirts this spring.
Liz
I actually think this trend is spurring off the legging trend. The cropped pants in the photos have the same streamlined look that has been very popular. They even remind me of new version of skinny jeans. They also allow ankle strap shoes to be shown off. Overall, I think it is just a new way of wearing the full length legging look. Same proportions, same effect, different way.
Mary
I have grown a few inches this year and my skinny jeans are now too short. When it is warmer outside, I just cuff these skinny jeans for a new look.
Tara
Harem pants make women look like overgrown ice cream cones.
My mother wore cropped pants in the early sixties and I hate them. Dated.
carolyn cruse
I personaly think theMan who thougt of crop pants hate women. The only person i have seen who look good in them are ladies on the runway i have tried wearing them but i look like a clown because i am short
valerie
i like them
my favorites were
i think they look
so good in gray
i have to buy a pair
of them
alen
i think the trendes are so cool and we should like after them to wear good i think is so good feeling i have not another wprd only SO FASHION
bexkee
Personally I think everyone can wear a cropped pant. It’s all about getting the proportion right.
Hayley
I like them but i dont know if i can pull it off.Im 5″8 but i have curves ,i suppose with heels and a blazer it wouldnt look half bad but i hate my ankles!!!grrrr….great trend though,glad to be moving away from the skinny jean at last
=]
Kathleen
I love copped pant.I will wear them!x)