capri pants for men

I would go with long hot weather pants or shorts. Cooton would be a good choice, if possible. My personal preference would be to wear anything, or nothing at all, rather than men's capris.

I have no idea where to buy them (buy them in Europe?) but capris on men are quite common in Europe, men of all ages. The men I was with on one summer trip to southern France said they wouldn't be caught dead in them. I say go for it. Actually this is funny because I saw a man in capris here in Indy for the first time last week, in Costco, so maybe they are finally making it to the US.

You could just go with really long shorts; knee length. Just as good as capris; about the same coverage. Yes, it is very hot in southern Europe in summer. Monte has good advice about cotton fabric. Also look for a linen/cotton blend if you can find it; linen is the coolest fabric for intense heat. Try REI online, or LLBean online. But if you find some ladies capris that are drawstring waist, without any feminine details, those might work; kind of a unisex look.

Back in '05 and on many subsequent trips, we saw boys/teenagers/men of all ages wearing capris all over Europe and thought they looked good, and very stylish. My, then 16 yo, son bought a pair in '06 in Sorrento, Italy and loved wearing them, he thought they were very comfortable. When we came home he continued wearing them here and all his friends thought they were very cool. I think teens and 20-somethings can easily wear them here now, older than that, maybe not so much. If you're older than 20-something, you might want to follow others advice above and buy comfortable long shorts, which are also very common in Europe.

Last summer, we saw dudes of all ages all over Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands wearing "man-pris." Go for it. You'll fit right in.

No, I've never been to southern Europe in the summer time. I've been to Luzon, Philippines, Hyderabad, India, Istanbul, and Odessa, Ukraine in the very warm weather. I'm 73 and wear long pants or shorts. I think mens capris look dorky, and that's all I have to say about the subject.

I am seeing more men in Capri pants all the time, try it. If you can't find them online, try when you get to Europe.

Europeon men wear "manpris" all the time , that's how you can tell they are not north American... If you wear capris you will blend in nicely . Plus you can wear capris in churches in Italy but not shorts.

So something is OK based on what - US approval? Your approval? They're OK simply because millions of people wear them not only in Europe and they seem to work. What does ABBA have to do with it? They're more than OK too - at least judged by a worldwide audience. Bjork is awesome too. So what's your point? The OP asked about where to get his pants, not a bunch of unsolicited opinions about whether Americans should wear them or not.

I love ABBA.

I love ABBA too. Who doesn't like ABBA?

I love Interpol, Broken Social Scene, and The Expendables (not the stupid movie but the reggae-rock weed band from Santa Cruz). This has nothing to do with this thread, of course, but a lot of what's posted here really doesn't either.

Hate ABBA.. Would rather have a root canal... ;)

You will see them all over Europe. Young Americans don't wear them, instead we wear regular shorts, ten sizes too big, starting about half way down our bottoms. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go for the capris. So far though, I'm not choosing either option.

No one here will even give you a second look, guys wear them all the time, it's the norm. I've never really understood the phobia American guys have about them. I've worn them occasionally over the years when gets hot and they're comfortable as hell.

Yuk!!!

Buy some for your trip. You won't be out of place, and you'll feel cooler than in pants. Whether you'll wear them after your trip probably depends on your age, your confidence, and how fashion forward your area is.

Ten reasons why men should never wear capris

..."capris are the bastard child that your pants and shorts had after a drunken bottoms party. It was never meant to be, and pants and shorts have regretted it ever since." Thanks for the link Michael.

Oh Karen, wait until they ask about wearing a kilt.

You're welcome. If they don't look good on Cristiano Ronaldo they won't look good on you!

I actually bought a pair of these way back in '06 for a July trip that included Italy. It was hotter than hell and very humid, so they were pretty comfortable. Since I had seen these all over in Germany and Switzerland on that same trip, I figured I could get away with it in Italy, and I did...they were everywhere. The end of that trip was the end of those pants, however. If you're younger and want to wear them, you won't be at all out of place, but a longer pair of cotton shorts is just as good, and you can wear them when you return home. If you want to do pants, you can find many hip brands in super lightweight cotton...slim fit...check Zara in the U.S. or Bershka when you get to Europe...both are Spanish brands. I don't have any hang-ups or insecurity issues with this stuff and would feel comfortable wearing whatever I wanted to anywhere, but there is some truth to what James is saying. Capris on men not in Europe might be viewed as somewhat effeminate. You might even get stoned for wearing these in some places (just a joke, Nigel).

Women wear slacks and do not worry it makes them less of a woman... why are some men so uptight.. so sad for them. ps "man bags" are also not uncommon in Europe.. yes, a purse for men. Why should women carry all the stuff.

They're ugly...nothing more.

My husband has what he calls a "man purse" rather than a briefcase. Really, it's just a black messenger bag. But he wouldn't be caught dead in capris. He's just a very unadventurous dresser. I can't even get him to wear plaid or stripes, though he does have a collection of ugly tees from every event in his life that has given him a tee. And he throws nothing out, be it neon yellow or two sizes too big (he's skinny). Sigh. Anyway, I think a lot of American guys don't have enough fun with clothes. I see some exceptions in the city, but on the whole I see much more male style when I visit Europe. As to where to buy, try an international chain (don't know what those are for guys, except maybe Topman, but I checked and nada) or even ebay.

American men (especially older ones) are not exactly purveyors of style. They rarely buy jeans that fit right and their waist line spills over. So take everything with a grain of salt - actually feel free to ignore peer pressure on what you should wear altogether. If you are in shape, you'll be fine in capris. Even if it doesn't turn out, you're still trying something new which is a hell of a lot more adventurous than worrying about your masculinity. Just get underwear that fits so you are not like Rafa Nadal (tennis player) who was always pulling on his capris during matches. They don't look good on Christiano Ronaldo??? What are you talking about Michael? Speak for yourself. Don't rain on a guy's parade...he's trying to be open minded. PS. Steve, you'll only be in Spain for 9 days. I don't think even the "poor quality" Amazon ones will fall apart on you in less than two weeks unless you're rock climbing or doing something crazy in them

I usually stay out of discussions like this one, because they become so inane, as this one has. However, I can't resist. In my view, this has become a Rorschach Test for the male posters. Those who find "manpris" demasculinizing have more to worry about than the length of their pants. The original poster simply asked if the manpris are worn and where to get them, not for a fashion review. And, yes Steve, men in Europe do wear them. And, no, it's not easy, maybe impossible to find them here. My husband tried a few years ago, and had to settle for those long, sort of baggy shorts, sold everywhere. What ever you do, be prepared for HOT weather. We were in Seville one year, in early June, and the temps reached well over 100 every day.

In my opinion, this is a homophobic country when it comes to male fashion. Many straight American (and Canadian?) men are afraid of looking "gay" if they wear clothes that they deem to be in any way feminine, such as capris or tight pants. When I was in Italy in 2001, men were wearing tight pants and carrying man-purses. The last couple of times I've been to Germany, in 2008 and 2010, I saw so many men wearing capris. I don't know if Europeans men are more adventurous with clothes or if they just have different ideas of what constitutes feminine-type clothing.

My stylin' 74 y.o. DH wore beige capris in Italy last year and really liked them - it helps that he's tall and slim with long legs and in great condition. However, at home he chooses longer shorts or jeans/long pants but in the heat of Tuscany/Umbria his capris were the perfect solution for walking around villages. Paired with a ss linen shirt or a fitted ss tee he looked cool
and totally presentable. The key is he's secure in his masculinity.

I don't know if Europeans men are more adventurous with clothes or if they just have different ideas of what constitutes feminine-type clothing I think in Europe they actually design (and tailor) clothes that fit the human body, as opposed to saggy and baggy. And they're not afraid to use color. Maybe it's just a cultural difference, although hip hop and other looser clothing styles are popular everywhere (long baggy shorts migrated to Europe too). If "fit" = "feminine", then so be it. I think clothes that fit well look better on anyone - male or female. If the wearer has confidence, he'll pull it off just fine.

I agree with Agnes 100%. But sometimes the lack of adventure is not due to fearing looking less masculine or whatever. My husband couldn't care less about that, and actually has a flair for things like hats and coats, but I think he just genuinely doesn't know how to put together an outfit and is afraid of his clothes categorizing him. He always tells me he doesn't want to look like a hipster, banker, or what have you. Maybe there are just more narrow boxes for how men can look.

It's obviously a cultural thing. No big deal really if American men don't want to wear them. If an individual doesn't like them, so be it. They really aren't much different from long baggy shorts. I'm just surprised at how vehement American men are at dismissing them.

Just because Euries like them doesn't make em okay. They also gave us reality television, ABBA, Bjork, Mumford & Sons, crocs, and Phil Collins....I rest my case. U-S-A U-S-A! Seriously get a sense of humor people, it was all a bunch of silly banter. When John Stewart jokes around like that he get Emmys and Peabodies.
But around here when people joke about capris they are homophobes, and close-minded?????? p.s. the link for the reasons to hate Capris was from a fashion/style site not the Westboro Baptist Church.

They should just be called "pants" and "bags" to make them gender neutral and remove the false stigma - any attempts to gender-dize them is a marketing ploy and manipulative attempt at gender signalling (that it's OK to buy this if you're a guy - of course it's OK, there's nothing inherent about it that makes it male or female. Can't a guy carry a bag, purse, or whatever contraption you want to name it?. If they weren't "feminized" in the first place, there wouldn't be any need to try to re-engineer them as "manpurses" or "mancapris". Marketing is such a bunch of crap - they spend all their time trying to "fit" people into certain roles to maximize sales. I bet women capris cost a bunch more than men capris even if cut from the same cloth.

The OP already has a set of preconceived notions about capris: "I would never do this in America but do dudes in Europe wear them?" (I.e. not okay in the U.S. but when in Rome...or Spain...)

@Michael from Des Moines, "This has nothing to do with this thread, of course, but a lot of what's posted here really doesn't either." (Laughing) So what else is new with some of the threads that get started on this website?? From capri pants to homophobia to ABBA in two pages. @Agnes, You are so right about marketing. I spent many years in the advertising business, so I would say, pay no attention to marketing and advertising. Wear what you want to wear. Have your own style. Look at Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall"! (That's her real name.) I notice we have run the original poster away from here.

@Michael from Iowa - Will Farrell is a very poor candidate for capri pants. His girth is spilling over his tight pants. Jimmy Fallon, on the other hand... How's the music scene and capri scene in Des Moines, by the way? Your tastes are pretty indie - are you sure you're not from CA (I grew up there myself)?

Hi all. I have not run away but have read everything with interest. I didn't realize my post would create so many responses. If I find them I will wear them. Thanks to all for their comments. Things I would never wear that lots of American dudes wear: Jean shorts (didn't they go out in the 80's?) And mandles (horrible). Give me a pair of flipflops any day!!
And for the record I love ABBA!!

@Steve - what's a mandle? I checked urban dictionary and it says it's a man-candle of sorts (Austin Powers style romance enhancer) http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mandle

I believe mandles (mandals?) are man-sandals.

Man-sandles? Will the madness stop? Sandles go back to ancient times (Rome, Greece, Egypt) - they started as men's shoes

Sorry agnes! You all got me started after reading all themselves posts! Lol! )

Steve-put on some capris, a pastel sweater with a scarf wrapped tight around your neck, and a man bag.

ABBA sucks???? NOT !!!! Only one person likened ABBA to root canals - I don't know about her, but I don't even feel anything when I get a root canal. My dentist is awesome. Like ABBA. And capris and purses (male and female versions). (Except in case of Farrell - he needs to be stuffed into tight pants, it seems)

Okay, I'll bite. Who or what's an ABBA when it's at home? I'm guessing a rock group, but what's it got to do with men's pants?

ABBA is a gift from Sweden to the world. Nothing to do with capris - just a cheap shot re: things Americans aren't supposed to like. Except they do. They wore flared (often metallic) pants (it was the 70s) - much worse than capris. ABBA is my parents generation but I still like 'em. PS. Male capris are accepted in Brooklyn (USA). No one will even do a double take.

Lmao. ABBA is one of the most popular pop bands of all time. SWEDIDH
Hits include Dancing Queen..Waterloo.. Chiquitita..Supertrouper ... The Winner Takes. It All ...etc

Thanks Karen! Just ordered a pair from amazon. They look good on the msle models so i will rock them in spain! :))

Woo hoo !!! This thread has come full circle. Congrats Steve - rock those capris in Spain !!! Don't forget - speedos are OK too by European standards. Germans wear the purple ones, the Dutch wear the orange ones, and you can wear the ones with the American flag. Have a great time! PS. I'm only half kidding about the speedos. I grew up with speedos around so I really don't see them as a big deal. I know Americans can't seem to get past them.

Karen and Agnes, I am rolling on the floor laughing!! You two are hilarious. Speedos... too funny.

All I know is Rafa looks great in his capris. But he is under 30.

Oh, James, you're just trying to show us your softer side. How sweet!. If ABBA is Sweden's "gift" to the world, it reminds me of the "gift" my dog sometimes leaves on the floor. Steve-yes, you do need to get a neon Speedo if you want to be a true Euro male. You'll have your travel clothes, and can use them as your next Halloween costume.

Thanks all - after getting ABBA songs stuck in my head last night re-watching the hilarious 'Community' Halloween episode (where they turn into 'zombies'), where nothing but ABBA is playing in the background...I now have Waterloo stuck in my head...sigh...it's going to be a long day...oh, it's a mash-up of Waterloo and Mamma Mia now...~going to lobotomize myself...~
:)

Thanks everyone - for weaving ABBA into a travel thread - I played You Tube ABBA videos half the night. I bid you farewell with a ditty... "So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me"
- ABBA

"Steve-put on some capris, a pastel sweater with a scarf wrapped tight around your neck, and a man bag." And also wear a beret to complete the outfit. Go to a disco and dance to ABBA with this outfit on while on your vacation.

Apparently bulls aren't fond of capris on men or short shorts for women (scroll further down). Or maybe the bull liked the capris so much, he wanted them for himself. See this from Pamplona: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2361753/Running-Bulls-2013-Horrific-scenes-Pamplona-3-men-brutally-gored.html An American was one of the gored (scroll for photos), but notice how he holds on to his cell phone!

"....ABBA was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night. I thought Neil Young said rock and roll would never die..."

I enjoyed the thread! Very enjoyable! Thanks everyone for the comments, suggestions and input. I gotten far more from it than I expected.
from fashion advice to rediscovering ABBA, I had a lot of laughs. All of you were great! And thanks Brad from Gainesville. Even though what happened in pamplona was not funny, your comment about the bull and the capri pants was friggin hysterical!!!!!!!!

I did not see men wearing them in France this summer. a couple years ago, I saw a lot in Italy and Switzerland. Of course it was hot in Italy and people this year in France in June were still wearing coats.
What I did notice in France, both on men and in the stores, was BRIGHTLY colored pants, like neon lime green and orange.

So it would be acceptable to wear bright colors too?

Yes, all colors are acceptable. Lots of red trousers/pants for the past year or 2. Not my choice of clothing item to wear, but I see them a lot on those who are a lot younger than me. I do hope this makes "Question of the Month". Rick, are you reading this thread?

Can we have a prize for the first Rick Steves in capris sighting? Don't you wish we could have a "Photos" category? We could have a Men in Capris thread, Manly Manbags, Do These Shoes Look Good Enough for Paris? and Money Belt Adaptations. But, please, no Men in Speedos!

I just saw a 60+ year old man in capris at the local Trader Joes. They weren't red or neon but I say if you're going for it, go all the way. Red. Yellow. Orange..whatever...Just own it!!! PS. Rick needs to attract a younger audience - if he had one, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. Not that I think there should be age parameters on clothing (within limits)...it's about the attitude and comfort level.

I know it isn't the south of Spain, but just to say that capris for men isn't limited to continental Europe. I was in our local LIDL, which is equivalent to ALDI and just down the road from it, and they were having a special on capris for both men and women. They were going like hotcakes.

Just to get it straight....some fashion trends in Europe for male tourists should be followed (colorful capris) but not not all (Speedos). If in doubt, post the question here. Yes?

I rem back in Spring here at places like Amer Eagle and places where the 'young folks' shop - they had men's pants in royal blues and Kelly green, even some orange and yellow (and these were on male mannequins - the women's pants were just as colourful)...All I could think was 'Wow...that's bright' (and I'm being polite here...lol) - and I have some some young adult males wearing them...they look pretty spiffy (I say, showing my age...teehee)

Seems like I posted a hot topic! My manpris should be delivered in a couple of days. I will post what I think after trying them on. Just came back from Kohl's and bought 2 pairs of regular shorts. They come a little below the knees so I am happy. One is red and white plaid though! Hahhhhhhhhhhhhaahhha!

Karen, Would you consider a Speedo photo thread if it included a photo of Ed? Agnes, just because people have different opinions than yours doesn't make them backward or unbearable.

Steve, Don't just try them on, wear them around the house some. Sit down in them, climb stairs if you have them. This goes for the below the knees shorts, too. Shorts/capris that hit below the knee and above the ankle can sometimes bind if you're doing anything more than walking or standing. Several years ago a friend of mine bought some below the knee shorts that looked great in the dressing room but were way too tight around the knee when she sat down.
And just for the record, I saw a guy wearing capris on campus yesterday. I probably wouldn't have even noticed if it weren't for this thread. My younger son attended the arts high school for 3 years. Once you see kids going to school in top hats, clown shoes, and/or fairy wings, clothes have to be really out there to catch your eye. Do tone down those plaid shorts with a white or navy shirt though. :-)

As the saying goes: The whole world is watching: http://youtu.be/isyKVL5dRpc

Michael, those aren't the stylin' capris I've seen all over Europe... I don't know what those were... Leslie, I was thinking more along the lines of a Hawaiian shirt with those plaid shorts... ;)

Michael, are you serious with that video? Talking about what other people are wearing and making fun of them is pretty lame...that's got to be one of the weakest youtube videos I've seen...it's borderline bullying if the person in question can hear it. Sad.

Hey guys I am trying to blend in with the locals. Maybe plaid doesn't scream Spanish. Lol. No Hawaiian shirts for me...never been to Hawaii.
Mike from New Paltz...I am in the Albany area....take a 1.5 hour drive and model your wardrobe for me..JK...LOL

Now I feel like listening to ABBA. A big thanks to whoever invented YouTube!

steve, plaid shorts are totally fine, you'll look great. No Tommy Bahamas for you... ;)

1.5 hours to drive to Troy! That's for old-lady's. I can do that run in just an hour. Also be aware that according to Snowden's NSA leaks, governments around the world are compiling Capri data. American's caught wearing them will have it noted in their "permanent record". So watch out it could have negative tax implications when you retire.

Michael or do you prefer Mike....? You got this run that quickly? Maybe I should travel to Europe with you. We are practically neighbours bro!!!!

Steve, we're all coming over to your house to see Michael model his travel wardrobe! Don't forget to wear your money belt under your capris.

My mom is visiting so we were out doing the tourist thing, and I saw a tourist man in capris! But he had his socks pulled up. It ruined the look!

I can honestly say I had no idea what capri pants were before reading this thread. Now, after Googling "manpris" I see that I have a few pairs and never even realized it. I bought them at Jack Wolfskin specifically for warm weather hiking and yard work, but found them comfortable enough to wear walking around cities on hot days. And I'm far from the only man wearing such pants. So, let me ask the red-blooded Americans out there? What exactly is the problem with these types of pants? I really don't understand the objection. Given the choice of between being... um... well ventilated down there versus walking around with a sweaty crotch, guess which one I'll take?

To complete the oh so fashionable ensemble, wear a bowling shirt.

There seemed to be some interest in seeing Rick in capris, but I found the closest thing to it. Rick in a skirt:
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/1307/hi.htm Yes, I know this is a kilt, but it is still a skirt. Now you can all admire Ricks' legs.

If you're watching the Tour de France on TV, you may have noticed numerous male spectators in capris. Mostly loose fitting, in light colors like khaki.

Oh, Tom, I thought you were so rugged!

Hard to take fashion advice from a guy who still wears tighty whities, right Michael? ;) Sadly Google has updated their database. My Hanes are no longer a part of the public record:( http://goo.gl/maps/TaCpk You'll also notice that the deer are devouring my shrubs. ...and fun fact about my Ford Escape. According to the saleslady a couple days before I took delivery one of the members of Blue Oyster Cult took it for a test drive. More cowbell, less capris!

Karen, I do in fact, enjoy buttered scones for tea, although hanging around in bars is not something I regularly do.

This was an enjoyable read, although it looked like some posts were deleted?! Nonetheless, I love ABBA.
Funny enough, I had this almost same discussion with my female coworkers regarding harem pants for women. Saw them all over Italy when was there a few weeks ago and thought they looked nice and cool, so picked up a couple. Although I was told that I was pulling them off (should I trust that?), big discussion about how American women in general cannot pull them off. I think that MCHammer ruined it for us!

Thank you Steve for starting this thread, I just read the whole thing and laughed all the way through it, soooo funny. Congrats on your purchase.

I watched the climb up Mt. Ventoux yesterday. I noted not one in twenty men wore long pants, mostly shorts of various lengths - including capris (plus an assortment in bike shorts and even speedos). I saw lots of European flags, only one American flag. The lesson here is when it's hot (and it has been really hot) in the country - shorts are definitely okay.

In Spain they are called "piratas" as in pirates pants. And are very popular. The Spanish tennis great, Rafa Nadal, wore them for a least the first five years of his career. This article talks of the pressure he faced to switch to more conventional tennis short.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4088298.stm I bought two pairs of these at the street markets in the Costa del Sol for 5 Euros each.

I'm pretty sure I'll get grief on this one, but capris don't even look good on women. I know they're still super popular among women of a certain age and above, and I can walk through downtown right now and see more capris than anything else. Still, I have to believe that if women really knew had bad these look, they would cease and desist like right now. They're horrible! Des Moines is a fashion backwater compared to most places, but even some young women in their 20s are wearing these things. Stop! The only young woman who ever looked great in capris was Audrey Hepburn, but she was one of a kind and looked great in anything. BTW, if man capris in the U.S. are a sure indicator of homosexuality, what article of clothing or accessory flags a woman as a lesbian?

Capris in the U.S. aren't a sure sign of homosexuality. I have many, many gay male friends who wouldn't be caught dead in male capris. Meanwhile many heterosexual and sexy male celebs wear them. I think it's more of a matter of are you oriented towards traditional fashion or modern? My husband is fashion concious and into fashion, but not into many modern trends. People who embrace those new trends may be totally fine with capris. We're far from the last word of it. I challenge all men to embrace manbags and murses i.e. messenger bags, because I'm tired of holding your crap. And they look snazzy. I just don't think manpris look snazzy. Many european men obviously disagree. It's just as offensive to assume gay men dress one way as it is to assume lesbians dress another. This issue isn't sexuality or masculinity, it's fashion. People keep interjecting homophobia into this thread and it's a bummer.

This thread is hilarious! I was at a Bastille day picnic this weekend and pointed out that for the men we could tell who was north american and who was european - all the north american men had cargo shorts on, and all the europeans had non-cargo shorts or manpris. And then we all agreed that manpris are a sin against fashion. But hey, don't take my word for it - my husband is extremely fashion-conscious, buys shoes obsessively, has a man-purse (messenger bag) that he takes everywhere with them, reads mens' fashion blogs - all behavior that homophobes in the U.S. would deem "gay" and he doesn't care, he's just into it. He has fitted pink shirts, lavender shirts, thinks madras shorts are awesome, so by U.S. standards he's pretty adventurous with his dress. And he thinks manpris are a horrible sin against fashion. I'm just saying. It's not that they're feminine, it's just that they're not "proper". (He also thinks cargo shorts are a fashion don't, so it's not about effeminacy). This isn't to say Steve shouldn't wear them! I'm always advocating people try to fit in and in warm weather there's no better way to fit in here than wearing manpris! And I wear capri pants whenever the temp is above 20C, because they are classier than shorts but more comfortable than pants, so I'm a hypocrite too. If you like the way they look and find them comfortable, wear 'em, I won't judge too much - some of my best friends wear manpris. ;)

And next spring, they will all be wearing leisure suits. If God had wanted men to be fashion conscious, she would not have created jeans. :>)

http://ihatecapripants.blogspot.com/ Sadly the blogger admitted defeat in 2006:( Capri's may have won the battle, but they will NOT win the war.

I honestly find if baffling why so many North American men are so uptight about various accepted fashions and styles worn by men in the rest of the western world... Capris ( manpris) , and the ever effeminate ( to them ) "man bag" or "merse" .. Why are they so insecure? I understand they may find they couldn't wear what is in style in Europe in their small hometown etc.. but on holiday where its perfectly normal, why not enjoy using a merse or wearing some manpris?

Wear Speedos beneath and when it get too warm, then peel off your capris. Simple.

Maybe we are just comfortable with what we have. Why buy new clothes until the old ones wear out?

Costco/Indy..say no more.

Excuse me?

I actually agree with you...my question was sort of a rhetorical device. :)

You go Sarah!

I was just watching on TV the Open Championship golf match being played at Muirfield. This club is located in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland, overlooking the Firth of Forth, and there have been some spectacular views of the areas surrounding the golf course. I saw four young men spectators watching the game from the sidelines, dressed in bright yellow capris and kelly green golf shirts. Then I noticed several of the older male spectators were wearing capris in neutral colors, khaki or cream. Maybe it's popular with the British golfing set? But they looked good worn with a golf shirt.

Sarah in Stuttgart I am happy that I created an enjoyable thread. I am surprised it is still getting comments. Thanks for the advice! I usually shove my wallet...camera and other small items in my pockets so seriously considering the purchase of a man bag for Spain.I want to blend in and not look like a tourist. When in Spain.......lol!

I will return from Europe as a metrosexual :)

Steve, you started a "most excellent" thread. Denny, Rebecca love your verse!

a la Ogden Nash: "Capris or Shorts The choices make me snort I'd rather wear a dress
Than pants of legs of less."

I love it Steve! How about "Khakis aren't whacky
But Manpris have more breeze."

There once was a young man from Troy Traveling to Europe was his joy He bought some capris That came to his knees And the rest of his trip was a breeze When he went to Spain He was feeling no pain To ABBA he'd dance But he was taking no chance
Wore a moneybelt under those pants

Awesome!! Too funny. Thanks guys!!

Steve it started out as a simple question. I didn't realize how popular it has become. I have to credit all the people who participated. What a great bunch of people. They are the ones who made it "most excellent"!
P.S. All.....my manpris arrived by FedEx today. Haven't opened them yet:)

Hi all..i just got the 'pris and tried them on. Very comfortable. And lightweight. Seeing as we have 97 degree weather today i think it is good for spain. The only thing is that they seem a couple of inches too long. They look better when i cuff them. Should i wash first..or have them tailored. Ir just keep them cuffed?

Wash them first before you do anything else.

Agree, wash first. But, they are cuffed?

Definitely wash first (cold or warm water - not hot), then you'll see if they shrink too much, and possibly all over, before your trip. I wouldn't put them in the dryer though... since they're cotton that could make them shrink so much you can't wear them.

I'm guessing what you saw spectators wearing are called plus fours I have been watching the highly entertaining Open. I have seen plenty capris but haven't seen spectators wearing plus fours.

" You love me. You really love me! " lol Wasn't that Madonna at one of the award shows (MTV Music Awards)??? I guess Sally and Madonna have mirror egos - who would have known? Anyway, heed the advice of not letting those capris shrink too much. Remember what Rafa did all the time on the court with his capris? Not a pretty sight...and I'm a big Rafa fan too!!! And ABBA fan!!! What color are your capris by the way?

Keep the rhymes coming. What a talented group. Thanks for washing advice. Pris are khacki colored.

Steve, is this topic your first post on the helpline? If so, you really struck Rickster gold - I didn't think this was a hot topic initially (I mean, we're talking about pants!) but when it comes to clothing choices, folks get majorly fired up, notions of masculinity get challenged and have to be protected, and thread goes haywire...I bet it was fun just to sit back and enjoy the implosion

They are not cuffed and they are 97% nylon 3% spandex so jam guessing they won't shrink. Also forgot to mention in previous posts that the great Rafael Nadal is my favorite! Been following him since 2005.I had the privilege to see him practice for over an hour at the US open 2 years ago. I was 10 feet away!

They could shrink because of the spandex, but side to side so to speak, so I'd go easy on the dryer. Also, are they a wicking fabric (one that's supposed to draw sweat away from your skin and so make you cooler)? If so, then skip the fabric softener because it destroys the wicking capabilities. I visited the Zara site after Michael's suggestion and it seemed like every male model had cuffed trousers/shorts, so you will probably be fine cuffing them if you don't want to get them tailored. Hope the rest of your trip planning is less complicated (though it probably won't be anywhere near as amusing.) :-)

http://youtu.be/UA0kNGaYrtg

Capri Pants for Men and Shameful Travel Secrets are running neck and neck. Maybe they should be combined. :)

"they are 97% nylon 3% spandex" They will dry quickly just hanging up; no dryer needed. You wouldn't want them to shrink. Also, what is the fabric content of the shorts you purchased? If they are 100% cotton, they will shrink like mad, so hang them up, drip dry, then when they are slightly damp, give them about 3 minutes in the dryer on tumble dry/cool setting. You also said one pair of shorts was red and white plaid. Wash them in cold water for the first washing, so the red won't run. Some fabrics are color safe so the red dyes don't run; some are not.

Capri pants for men now has taken the lead. I feel like sally field:
" You love me. You really love me! " lol

Steve, I love Rafa too. Nigel, gee, Brits will go crazy if Westwood wins the Open. After Murray's win at Wimbledon and Froome's performance in the Tour de France, definitely an outstanding month for British sports.

Yes Agnes. First real post with a serious question. I love how it is turning out. It seems like I created the most popular thread here. That was not my intention but I accept the mantle.
Should I even ask the question about makeup for men? Just eyeliner..no lipstick of course! Hahahahahaahahahaha! Just kidding on that one! LMAO!!

Oh Michael, I have to agree with you on the crocs. Europeans hate crocs. I have to admit, I do to. I HATE seeing little kids out in a group and BOTH the girls and boys have crocs on with little charms and doo dads. C'mon Mom.

Awesome!! Are you guys making fun of me?

Me thinks you are. Agrrrrrr. Lol

Anyone serious? Can send you my cell #. Let me know!

You can also facebook me

I know that Rebecca....just seeing if you guys were still here. I lmao at your rhymes. You guys are so funny. I feel like I met some new friends. Hahahahahahahaha

I have to agree with you on the crocs. Europeans hate crocs. WRONG. Another myth that has to be shot down. It ain't true. Aldi and LIDL are two pan-European chains which regularly sell both adult and child crocs or croc equivalent. Who buys all those? Tourists? No. Europeans. Why would Europeans buy something they hate? And if that is so, why do so many Europeans wear them out in public? Most larger shopping malls have crocs shops. Why would they be there if nobody went inside? Absolute bunkum. If you don't like 'em, don't wear 'em. But for goodness sake before spouting an absolutism try to get some facts. I have 8 pairs in different colours. I wear them in England and in Europe. I went to a BBQ the other day where most people had on crocs or croc like foot clothing and most of us were in SHORTS.

Yep, lots of Crocs in Germany, and I see lots of Birkenstocks too. Best are the sandals worn with socks, seen on every German street. Heaven forbid you get cold feet, you might end up with a bladder infection. (or so I have been told) Have decided I like the term "pirate pants". It sounds dashing and dangerous. What ever happened to the term "pedal pusher", which is what this style of pants used to be called? Have never owned a pair, but my mom did.

Pedal pushers. Toreador pants. Clam diggers. Ahhhh, the 50's. I love the term pirate pants as well and now think to myself, well, I think I will wear my pirate pants today. They do look awful on me (as noted in a post above) but shorts would look worse, believe me.

Pirate Pants®™©. Now officially copyrighted/trademarked/baptized my one Michael Schneider of New Paltz NY. Use that term or wear those Crimes of Fashion®™© (hey I just copyrighted that too) and you owe me $1USD in royalties. If I can't stop them I will profit from them! ...anyone know a good patent lawyer?

Alas, Roy, this thread has won out over my Shameful Secrets. I admit defeat. Steve from Troy wants capris To wear in the Summer breeze So he asked fans of RIck Steves,
"Would you wear these?"

Oh Christina. I was not competing with you. Lol. Here is my shameful travel secret: Capri pants for men!!!! Good rhyme too!!!!

Oh, I know. I was teasing. And now the mega threads have merged! Good job, Steve!

Merci and danke to all. Throw in a little gracias as well.

Steve, we were driving thru the trendy 12South area in Nashville, and I spotted a young man in manpries today. Thought of your posting. (Note to self: do not try to explain to spouse what I read on Helpline....LOL.) While my spouse would never be caught dead in them (the look he gave me was priceless), they looked perfectly appropriate on the young man wearing them. (His were black, and he had a black t-shirt.......... beige low-cut canvas shoes.) If you need to practice wearing yours, come on down to Nashville and check out 12South, then head on in to The Gulch area (equally popular).

I've passed over the post for the past month and finally read today. In tears laughing! I won't even attempt to try to explain this thread to hubby. Although he does have have Tommy Bahama plaid shorts. And I wear capris all summer, no I won't take offense to how bad I look. But cooler than pants, and I don't wear dresses or skirts. And at my age, definitely better than shorts.
Steve, Maybe you should change the subject to "Capri pants for men, ABBA, Pamplona, and speedos". That ought to spark a bit more curiosity.