Pedal Pushers
By Joanna Lynn and Hannah, Mar 06, 2025
Definition
What are Pedal Pusher Pants?
Pedal pushers are a cropped slim pant with an ultra high waist, full hips, and a tapered leg that typically ended mid calf.
Also known as “knickerbockers” or clam diggers,” or today as “capris.”
Over the years these pants have had a lot of different names, which can be very confusing, like knickerbockers and clam diggers.
In simple terms, “pedal pushers” is the 1950s slang term for capri pants.
These pants were popular for women in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Another way to describe this “3/4 style” was a pant that was “in between shorts and pants”.
The term Pedal Pushers was a nickname given to them in the 1950s because women often used them for sports or biking, hence the name “pedal pushers.”
The shorter length made them convenient for biking because they would be less likely to be caught in the bike chain.
Origin of Pedal Pushers
The German fashion designer, Sonja de Lennart, is credited with inventing them in 1948.
She actually named her first collection the “Capri” collection, which is what the pants are still called today.
Pedal Pushers in the 1950s & 1960s
Audrey Hepburn is credited with popularizing pedal pushers in the 1950s when she wore them in her films, cementing their popularity. (and her own reputation as a fashion icon!)
In Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn is famous for her Capris outfits, and she adopted them as a style essential.
For more on Audrey Hepburn’s outfits in Sabrina:
Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Dress – Your guide to Insanely Chic Fashion
Pedal pushers in the 1950s were made popular by other popular style icons like Marilyn Monroe, Mary Tyler Moore, Natalie Wood, Diana Dors and Grace Kelly.
These stars created feminine and comfortable outfits utilizing pedal pushers instead of the more common dresses of the day, and women everywhere took notice and followed suit.
Pedal Pushers Today
Pedal pushers are most similar to what we call “capri” pants today.
Although capris fall to the same length as 1950s pedal pushers, it’s often hard to find a true high-waisted capri that resembles the 1950s pedal pusher pants.