Last weekend’s No Pants Subway Ride convinced many a San Franciscan to drop trou and hit the streets (for evidence, just check out the cheeky results over at Muni Diaries). Commuting sans pants may be getting hype these days, but there’s at least one major reason to embrace pants anew right now: the return of local label Chaiken and Capone, a much-loved San Francisco brand that will resurface this spring after several years off the fashion map.

Originally founded in 1994, the label from Julie Chaiken and Pamela Capone became popular for the flattering, professional cut of its pants and was sold internationally at approximately 400 stores, including Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, Women’s Wear Dailyreports. Later the company changed its name to Chaiken and branched out into sportswear, maternity, swimwear and eveningwear. 

Intended to be more casual than Chaiken and carrying a lower price point to match, Chaiken and Capone aims to attract shoppers with pieces polished enough for work, but with enough easygoing and fashion-forward aplomb to convince everyday denim wearers to once again reconsider the allure of a smartly-tailored pair of slacks. Along with pants, offerings for spring range from versatile dresses to skirts and streamlined shorts.

While the brand will reportedly be sold at Cusp by Neiman Marcus, we hear you’ll also find it available locally at Sacramento Street boutique Sarah Shaw.

See more images of the Chaiken and Capone Spring 2011 collection on SF Indie Fashion and check out the brand’s latest news on its Facebook page.

Photography courtesy of Chaiken and Capone