Capri or not capri?

That is the question.

Never have I seen an item of clothing elicit such strong reactions. I boycotted them for years, thinking they were silly. I felt like I was wearing something that had shrunk in the wash. And if the rise wasn’t right, it only magnified the effect.

One would think chopping a few inches off the bottom of a pair of pants wouldn’t change the overall look that much. And yet capris have the power to add bumps and bulges where they don’t even exist.

Last week I shopped with a friend for whom bumps and bulges are not a problem. She’s a wisp of a gal, but she had never considered capris. When I asked her why, she replied that she was too short for them. I disagreed. With capris, width is often more of a problem than length.

But since I dropped my boycott, I firmly maintain that there is a capri out there for everyone – big, small, short and tall.

I urged my friend to try on a few pairs. One was too big in the hips. The others, which were casual, loose, and not too short, looked wonderful. I had found myself another convert.

The allure of the capri is simple – they’re fun. Cooler than pants. Great with summery shoes. Easy to dress up or down. They’re pure Jackie O: simple, casual, elegant and effortless. Still, so many people avoid them. They think short pants will make them look fat. They won’t, but the key is to find the right fit.

Many women think that baggy capris will camouflage their hips. Not true. My advice to women with curves is to find fitted – not tight – capris. They look tailored and accentuate the positive. The “boot cut” version also is flattering, though it seems a bit of an oxymoron. Beware of tight, short styles (aka “pedal pushers”) unless you spend two hours a day on a bicycle. Even then, you may want to think twice about it.

Length is an issue. Too long and they look like you left them in a hot dryer for an extra hour. Too short and they start to curl up at the bottom where your calf meets your knee. “Culottes,” as these long shorts are often called, also make you look like you’re digging for clams. Unless you are, skip them. There’s an in-between length that’s sure to suit, about two inches from the top of the foot seems like a safe distance.

I have had great luck with the capris at Old Navy in Augusta, and my friend found hers – a just-right pair by Jones New York among them – at T.J. Maxx ‘n More in Bangor. T.J.’s has a great selection of prints and solids, including a sporty model in bold colors by Ralph Lauren.

The Grasshopper Shop in Ellsworth had the most adorable capris I’ve seen this season, printed with very stylish girls (sort of like wearing a mirror, when you think about it). Eddie Bauer and the Gap are great for wardrobe staples, including the indispensable khakis. If you’re looking for something on the stylish-yet-conservative side, check out the capris at Talbot’s. Heck, I even found a great, Pucci-esque pair at Kmart.

Some of the most appealing capris come in prints you just don’t find in long pants. There are preppy plaids and bold, ’60s-style florals, awning stripes and polka dots. They’re a cute, low-risk way to show your more colorful side without people looking at you funny. And if they do, who cares? You’ve got style. You can pull it off. So what if they can’t?

Let them wear long pants.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

I would like to find a store that sells a ladies thin wallet. It should be no larger than 31/2-by-41/2 inches.

I have checked Filene’s, and also J.C. Penney, and been unable to find one. I would appreciate it if you could help me with this.

Sincerely,

Barbara Ward

Dear Barbara,

Finding a slim women’s wallet is a tall order – most wallets are large enough to hold 30 credit cards, a checkbook, $25 worth of quarters, a year’s worth of fortune-cookie fortunes and photographs of your entire family.

I did, however, find a few that fit the billfold. Sorry, I had to do it.

The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor had only one wallet that matched your description. It was made of brown leather and cost $12.95. Wilson’s Suede and Leather in the Bangor Mall had a variety of small, slim leather wallets in several colors. These cost between $19.99 and $29.99.

I hope this helps!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you. Send questions, comments or suggestions by mail to: Kristen Andresen, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329; by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net or by fax to 941-9476.