There's a New NYC Summer Uniform–And it Has Millennials Divided

It is HOT in New York right now, and one of my never-ending conundrums is how to look presentable without sweating it all off. The sidewalks are rife with inspiration, and that’s when I started noticing a trend. It had been popping up sporadically over the last couple of years; I’d see the outfit combo on celebrities. And then, BAM. Within the span of a week, I passed two chic-looking women wearing the exact same outfit formula: a white top (usually flowy, sometimes a button down), black cigarette capris and kitten-heeled ‘90s sandals. The capri pants gave me pause—Millennials are skeptical, too (including PureWow Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay, who says they give her the ick)—but the outfit as a whole made me think, Wow, I want to wear this.

I spotted Lily Collins in a version of the look in a warm-weather social media post this spring; since summer arrived I’ve noticed it everywhere among the influencer set. The shoe or the blouse silhouette varies, but the black-and-white color combo is undeniably classic and arresting. 

So, how does one make an outfit with such a controversial trouser crop work? Thankfully, the sleek black capris feel, according to PureWow’s Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida, “way more Audrey Hepburn in the ‘60s than Disney channel in the 2000s.” The fact that it’s already giving “‘60s starlet” vibes and not “Hannah Montana” (absolutely NO shade to Disney Channel) is already a win in your favor.

The other crucial thing to consider is fit. Candace Davison, a Millennial and PureWow’s VP of Editorial, observes, “What made them cringey in the early aughts was how they were slightly baggy and hit at the lower calf, making legs look stumpy. (‘Cankles’ were a big topic then, and I fully blame too-long, ill-fitting capris.) The sleek, just-below-the-knee fit feels more timeless.”

• Keep the shoes streamlined. I’ve seen a lot of ‘90s kitten-heel sandals, but whatever shoe you chose, stay sleek rather than opting for a chunky silhouette.
• Find capris with a tailored fit. Pick a fitted style that falls just below your knees. Avoid anything longer lest you veer in the “cankles” territory.
• Juxtapose it with a more relaxed top. Even Collins, in the photo above, has a cardigan that’s just a smidge flared. Choosing a baggier shirt helps create visual contrast. (And, let’s be honest, it’s breezier when it’s hot.)