Vintage Trousers & Capri Pants

Our vintage trousers are designed in England and made by hand in Europe, with high waists and soft stretch fabrics that are as comfortable as they are shapely. There are three styles: 1940s wide-leg trousers, 1950s capri pants and 1930s sailor slacks, in black, navy, wine, teal, red and more, plus a gingham for the capris.

Wide-leg trousers, capri pants and sailor slacks

• 1940s wide-leg trousers have a smooth high waistband, a sweeping leg and a three-button fastening at the side, in a soft poly-viscose with stretch and a 31 inch inside leg.
• 1950s capri pants are high-waisted and cropped to mid-calf with a small split at the hem, in super-stretchy bengaline. There is a gingham pair too: 1950s Capri Pants in gingham.
• 1930s sailor slacks, also known as sailor trousers, have a bib front fastened with three buttons on each side, a high waist and a wide leg, with a 31 inch inside leg.

Were capri pants worn in the 1950s?

Yes. Capri pants take their name from the Italian island of Capri and were a 1950s favourite, worn by film stars including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Ours follow the classic shape: a fitted high waist and a cropped, mid-calf leg.

Trousers through the decades

In the 1930s, wide-legged trousers were a seaside fashion for women, worn as beach pyjamas and often with a nautical look. In wartime Britain, more and more women wore trousers for work and everyday life, which is the background to our 1940s wide-leg trousers. The capri became a favourite in the 1950s.

How to wear retro trousers

Keep the top short and the waist defined: a tucked-in blouse, a tie top, a wrap top or a cropped sweater from our tops all work, and stripes from our nautical edit suit the sailor slacks. For a film-star look, see our Katharine Hepburn style edit of wide-leg trousers and blouses, or our Audrey Hepburn style edit of capri pants. Our trousers come in UK sizes 8 to 18 (see the size guide). The capri pants can be machine washed at 30 degrees but should not be tumble dried, and the other styles have their care instructions on each product page.