Guest Author - Karen Blakeney

Capri pants, toreador pants, clam diggers, pedal pushers, pirate pants, calypso pants, motor scooter slacks are all names for a style of mid calf pants that be popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Capri pants were introduced by Emilio Pucci di Barsento in 1949 in his boutique on the Isle of Capri, Italy and the world had to have them. The Isle of Capri was the playground of the rich and famous. Everyone that was anyone started wearing his Capri’s. Not only were Capri’s comfortable, but the worlds most stylish and sexy woman were wearing them. Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and teen Idols Annette Funicello, and Sandra Dee all had publicity photos taken in Capri’s.

Capri’s were a slim line pant that ended just below the knee most had a small v at the hem so you could move easier

Pedal pushers and motor scooter slacks fit a little looser and usually ended at the calf. These were designed to keep the pants legs to keep from getting torn from getting caught in the spokes or the sprocket of a bicycle or a motor scooter.

Clam diggers were baggy, giving a feeling of the islands of the Caribbean and the limbo. Many times they came with a rope belt to give add a touch of a nautical look.

Pirate pants and Calypso pants were tighter fitting for the look being sun drenched and sun shrunk.

You could get Capri’s in any color you could think of, as well as stripes, plaids, checks, plain with rickrack or appliquéd and embroidered. The choice of fabric was usually a cotton or jean for casual wear. Leather and Swede wereused for motorbikes and scooters. For a more formal look Capri’s, were made in gold metallic, silk, satin, and velvet. I have seen a wonderful photograph of Sophia Loren in a beautiful Hostess top with Toreador or Capri pants. Pink was such a popular color for pedal pusher that singer and songwriter Carl Perkins wrote the song "PINK PEDAL PUSHERS."

The ease, comfort and availability of Capri pants make them the perfect alternative for the poodle skirt.

The next time you are going to a 50s party or cruising, try Capri’s or pedal pushers. You will be in good company after all who can forget Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren.

If you are interested in cruising you might want to check these links
Oklahoma's Route Sixty Six ...bellaonline.com/articles/art23526.asp
Crusing the Coast bellaonline.com/articles/art22683.asp