Imagine a pair of knee-length trousers that look exactly like a knee-length circle skirt. Imagine wearing something that swishes and sways around your legs as you walk, but stays down on windy days. That is exactly what culottes are and every girl needs to own a pair.
Culottes are full volume, wide hem trousers. Culottes are designed to swing and sway as you walk, making them look and feel just like a wide hem circle skirt. Culottes look great on an inverted triangle and rectangle body shape as they add volume around the hips.
Why don’t we give culottes a closer look so that you can know how to style this versatile garment and can plan your next shopping trip?
What Are The Significant Features Of Culottes?
Culottes are a pair of trousers that are very full, loose-fitting and swing when you walk, almost like a skirt. In fact, that’s the whole point of culottes, they are cut to look just like a skirt! They tend to feature a waistband and each trouser leg gets wider…and wider towards the hem.
Some may say that culottes are very similar to palazzo pants, but the difference is that culottes are shorter and the hem tends to sit just past the knee or around the mid-calf area. There are longer ones around though! Culottes come in all different colors and fabrics – you can get denim ones, floral ones, pleated ones, and faux leather ones, for example. One thing is for sure, there is a pair of culottes for everyone!
What Are The Origins Of Culottes?
The word “culottes” actually comes from the French word “culot” and means…the lower half of a thing.
Now, culottes were originally trousers for men. Yes, you read that correctly! Around the late 1700s, men in the military and aristocrats wore trousers that only went as far as the knee. During the French Revolution, it was the lower classes who wore regular, full-length trousers called “sans-culottes” and they symbolized a financial and also political divide during that time.
Skip ahead to the Victorian era and this is when women claimed culottes! Women who played sport found an alternative to awkward skirts by wearing culottes that were disguised by something else like a wraparound skirt. This was so that they could do things like ride horses with ease and avoid backlash at the same time because it looked like they were wearing skirts!
Then in 1931, a designer called Elsa Schiaparelli did not want to wear culottes in disguise. So, she created a “divided” skirt which was worn by Lili de Alvarez at Wimbledon and it made waves! Wimbledon was surprised by the divided skirt, the press absolutely hated it but it was embraced by women who loved it! The divided skirt, now known as culottes, went on to become very fashionable indeed!
What Figure/Body Shape Is Best Suited To Culottes?
The good news is that culottes can be worn by all body shapes! The key is to choose the right fit, fabric, color, and pattern/style so don’t be afraid to try different culottes until you find the ones that look the best.
Basically, if you are tall then you’ll want to go for longer culottes that sit mid-calf or further down. But if you are short or curvy, then high-waisted, shorter culottes that sit around the knee will give you a better look. And if you are curvaceous, then you’ll find that darker color culottes are slimming (this does not mean you shouldn’t wear brighter colors) and lightweight, flowy fabrics will glide when you walk and hide anything you don’t want to be put on show.
Which Kinds Of Tops Can You Pair With Culottes?
There are many tops that work well with these trousers but the best ones are close-fitting as they balance out your bottom half.
Some good options are crop tops, camisoles, bodysuits, off-the-shoulder tops, and blouses (sleeveless ones look fab) but tucked in. Knit jumpers and turtle knecks also look great when it’s colder. Or you can pair a stylish jacket with a simple top and then add a statement necklace!
What Shoes Work Best With Culottes?
High heels look amazing and will elongate the leg so go for pointed stilettos, strappy heeled sandals, heeled mules, open-toe heels with an ankle strap, espadrille wedges, or heeled ankle boots
For those who prefer flats, it’s loafers, flat sandals, or flat pointed mules that will work best. Trainers are a great casual option and look great when wearing a crop top, t-shirt, or simple bodysuit. And if you’re looking for a little height then platform trainers are the way to go.
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