What’s the difference between Capri vs. Cropped?

It’s almost time to pull out cute dresses, skirts, and shorts for spring and summer. I always get questions about capri vs. cropped pants. What’s the difference, and how do we wear them?

Capri jeans/pants were created as an alternative to shorts, but they typically don’t flatter most women. If you want a pant or jean that is more flattering, cropped is a better alternative, whether it’s a wide leg or straight.

What’s the difference between Capri vs. Cropped?

The capri hits the leg right through the top to the middle of the calf, making the legs look stumpy and cutting the line of the body at an awkward point.

Even if you have skinny legs, the capri style is still not the most flattering pant. Capris chop off your leg, which can make you look frumpy.

Here are some examples of carpi pants and jeans:

As you see, capris hit the widest part of the leg, accentuating that area.

One / Two / Three

These capris are patterned, which doesn’t help the look.

Here are some examples of cropped jeans and pants:

Cropped jeans/pants hit just before the ankle and accentuate the slimmest part of the leg.

These pants are from Madewell and have a cropped length.

Here are more examples of cropped pants/jeans:

One/ Two / Three

What shoes work best with cropped jeans?

Nude/skin color shoes will always look best because they create a longer, leaner look. A slight heel also elongates our legs, but flats are a nice option. This year colorful sandals and wedge heels are trending.

Here are some crop jeans and pants I recently styled:

CeCe puff sleeve blouse (similar option here, small) • Halogen black pants (size 4) • Nordstrom Slingback heels (TTS) • Earrings • Necklace

 Draper James RSVP Long Sleeve Smocked Neck Top (Small) • Sonoma Goods For Life High-Waisted Boyfriend Jeans (Size 4, Medium Wash) • Nine West Gold Tone Textured C Hoop Earrings • Nine West Ezra Pumps

Time and Tru Oversized Shirt (small) • Sofia Jeans By Sofia Vergara boyfriend jeans (4) • Time and Tru Crochet Sneakers

What do you think about capri vs. cropped?

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Truth: Peter and John were ordinary men, but people saw a difference in them because they spent time with Jesus. Like Peter and John, our countenance changes when we spend time with Jesus.

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  1. I enjoy your posts! Thanks so much for all the time you spend! And I agree about capris/crops and stopped wearing capris years ago. But, I disagree about the second image in your 3 capri example. Those are not capri pants per se. Because of the wide leg, they are more similar to a midi-skirt and present an entirely different image than more fitted capri pants. Granted, not everyone can wear them, but to me they look very current and on-trend.

  2. I like the cropped length more,
    You look adorable!
    Love to see any organizing or homey touches you do in your camper.

  3. Thank you! I hope more women will realize that capris are just not flattering. I know some women wear them as a shorts alternative in warmer weather, but even a pedal-pusher/knee length works better – for a lighter, summery look. Crops are cute!

  4. Thank you for this information. Unfortunately, because I’m 5,4, cropped pants look like ankle pants on me. Shorter women that aren’t petite sized can find this style difficult to wear because most are made for taller women. Help. Lol

  5. Capris had their day. It took a long time for me to like the cropped pant and now I love them. By the way, I don’t see where the link is to the Tory Burch giveaway. I would like to enter, of course!!

  6. So I don’t care for capris like the examples you showed but I do own longer pants that are still a tad shorter than the cropped you showed. I think because I’m 5’7″ with a 32/33 inseam some crops are just shorter on me but definitely a no to the shorter capris you showed.

  7. I agree about capris. I used to wear them for years. Mine were above or below the calf but still not flattering. I see the pictures of me wearing them. My short legs look like stumps even though I am skinny. I like the crop length especially if it’s a wider leg. I bought cotton crops so hoping they won’t be too hot in summer. If it’s above 95 I am wearing Bermuda shorts. Last summer I forgot about my veins and wore bermudas. It was too hot to be vain.

    Cyndi I bought the Old Navy crop boyfriend shirt you are wearing in the email. Mine is white and in the petite size. I really like it because it’s not overwhelming big and long.

  8. I never have liked or wore capri’s. I think they age a person. I think cropped can be too hot if you live where you get really hot summers, so I think instead of Capri’s one should opt. for a summer dress if they don’t like wearing shorts or even flowy linen pants work.

  9. I used to love capris but that was before I realized they’re hitting me at the widest part of my calves. I prefer cropped pants and I think they look great for work or weekend wear.

  10. Even cropped pants have a certain spot that can make the leg look stumpy (I’ve seen some models who style the leg too short-somewhere between cropped and capri). My legs are already short (28” at 5’6” and weigh 134 and a size 4), For me, due to the short length in my legs, they have to hit almost halfway into my ankle. Any shorter and they look like I have no legs at all, haha. The thicker the pant/Jean, the worse the chopped off look to the leg. And yes, the shoe makes a huge difference…just depends on how fitted the leg is and what type of top we are wearing. Here in the ATL, I mostly wear shorts in spring/summer though.. Even dressed up shorts or a mini skirt.

    1. Agree with Tammie 100%. Cropped is better than capri, but still hit at an unflattering place on the leg. I think cropped looks better if hemline is not wide or flared.

  11. Thank you, Cyndi, for all of the love and hard work that you put into your blogs. I enjoyed ready them each day! 😊

  12. I hear what you’re saying, but cropped pants are just too hot for summer in Florida…and my knees are just too old to inflict that on anyone!🤣. So, capris for me. I try to find ones that hit the middle to just below my knee cap…and that helps with the frump….a little.

  13. Cute outfits! I just bought some heels for church like the Nordstrom pair you have on in the first picture and feel like I can run in them, ha! They are great. I have a time finding a 5 in the store but found those somewhere while out shopping and love the heel. I love cropped & do not like capri length . Every jean I have for summer is cropped. That blue shirt from Cece is so cute! Thanks for sharing!