How to Create a Look with Women's Culottes, Stylists' Advice

Women's fashion is regularly updated with new items, and some of them are a new vision of long-forgotten models. An example is women's culottes, which appeared on the market several years ago. These wide cropped trousers were perceived ambiguously, especially by adherents of the classic style. But knowing the simple rules of combination, it is easy to create a harmonious, attractive image.

What are they?

Culottes are a type of trousers that are slightly below the knee in length. Some more of their features:

• wide legs;
• The classic fit is at the waist, but high waists are also available.

The model looks more interesting than the usual cropped trousers that fit tightly to the figure. The variety of widths and lengths makes it possible to choose an option for almost any build. Culottes are a universal wardrobe item. They will find a place in both business and casual looks.

Modern fashion introduced culottes about 5 years ago. But it is difficult to call them a novelty, since the product has a very rich history. The ancestors were narrow trousers with a fastener under the knee, which appeared in the 16th century. They were worn exclusively by aristocratic men. The birthplace of such products was France, and culottes were introduced into fashion by King Charles X.

In the 19th century, the model became part of the uniform of soldiers in the Prussian army. In the 1930s, "gender transformation" began, and women began to flaunt men's clothing. However, the fashion for culottes was short-lived, and they were quickly forgotten. That is why in the 21st century, the product was greeted as a revolutionary fashion novelty.

Length variations

The cut of culottes, as well as other models that come from the men's wardrobe, has very specific requirements. This also applies to the length. But, at the same time, there are no strict requirements for the latter parameter. Fashion designers allow deviations in their collections both in the direction of lengthening and shortening the trousers.

If we take as a basis the models that became part of the women's wardrobe in the 30s of the 20th century, we can get a classic length to the middle of the shin. These are the outfits that girls from England once wore during a tennis tournament. Freedom of movement did not threaten reputation. Modern culottes of the classic model are 10 or 15 cm below the knee.

Fashion designers also offer two more lengths:

• shortened - to the knee or slightly above;
• elongated – reaching to the ankle.

To ensure a harmonious look, you should take into account your figure features when choosing the length. Culottes in their classic version are best suited for slim and tall women. For girls of short stature or with excess weight, a clear horizontal line cutting through the knee will highlight their striking features. High-heeled shoes will help change the external perception.

Classic culottes with narrow legs are perfect for women over 30. Shortened models can be recommended for girls of short and medium height. You can also create a wardrobe with elongated models, but here a lot depends on the height of the heel, the features of the figure. Small but slender women are recommended to pay attention to elongated trousers.

The look of culottes of different lengths is also influenced by the material they are made of. Light, airy fabric lays in beautiful folds, so even a flared model of classic length will look organic on a short woman. Heavy denim material, on the contrary, looks out of place in this case.

Materials

Culottes are universal not only because they suit girls and women without age or figure restrictions, but also because they can be worn at any time of the year and at almost all events. This is possible due to the variety of materials used. Most often, products are sewn from the following fabrics:

1. Viscose. A budget material that is not inferior in quality to expensive analogues. Often used for sewing summer, autumn, spring versions of culottes. The fabric is both soft and durable. The trousers are easy to care for, do not wrinkle, which is especially appreciated by modern women who have limited free time.
2. Denim material, its variety chambray. The fabric is dense, but at the same time light, wears well, lets air through and absorbs moisture. Perfect for a summer evening or a warm autumn day. A harmonious image can be easily created with a T-shirt or a basic blouse.
3. Gabardine. This woolen fabric can be both natural and artificial. The material is tactilely soft, very light and practically does not wrinkle. It retains heat well, so gabardine culottes are best worn, for example, in winter or autumn. The fabric does not hold folds well, and is most often used to sew narrow, straight-cut models.
4. Suit fabric. Can be made from natural and synthetic fibers. For winter options, their mixtures are preferable. In summer, culottes made of this material can be part of an office set. The products hold their shape well and do not wrinkle.
5. Chiffon. A great option for culottes, which make up an evening look. The material is very light, pleasant to the body. The model of the "skirt-pants" type made of chiffon is a real hit this summer.
6. Leather, suede. This is the choice of bold girls with a perfect figure. The density of the fabric makes items made from it an excellent option for autumn.
7. Velvet, corduroy. The fabric is dense and textured. Ideal for models with a high waist and medium width. The length of the trousers can be any. They will come in handy for walks on a warm autumn evening.
8. Cotton. Trousers made of this light, airy fabric are a good option for every day in the warm season. They look great on young girls. The natural, breathable fabric feels good on the body, it is comfortable and not hot in the summer. Culottes can be of different lengths.
9. Silk, satin. Such summer, flowing culottes will look elegant and smart. It is better to choose an elongated model in pastel shades. As a top, it would be good to choose an open top or a light blouse. In the evening, you can throw on a club jacket, a fur coat or an elegant bolero.
10. Linen. A natural material that never causes allergic skin reactions. It is tactilely very pleasant, breathable, which makes linen ideal for summer trousers. Relative disadvantages include strong wrinkling. If washing rules are violated, the product may shrink.

Linen trousers are wear-resistant and do not electrify. The material is allowed to be slightly wrinkled, which gives the product a natural look.

Current colors

Many design houses pay a lot of attention to culottes in their collections. Eudon Choi, Tibi, Armani focused on monochrome images of muted colors. But there are also other color solutions.

The classic tone is, of course, black. Many women are pretty tired of it, so experts recommend paying attention to green, blue and deep wine tones. With these colors, it is easy to create a basic wardrobe that is equally well suited for work, walks with family or friends.

For spring and summer, the entire spectrum of pastel shades is perfect. With their help, you can get romantic and very gentle images. For the brave, eager to create a bright, even a little flashy image, the following colors are good:

• blue;
• red;
• yellow.

A print will complete the look – polka dots, stripes, checks. Such models will help you stand out, but they are not suitable for everyone. If this option seems too pretentious, you can choose others. For the cold season, classic checks and stripes are recommended. Many designers suggest meeting the summer in floral prints and brightly colored clothes. Striped culottes will also look original.

At fashion shows, you can see culottes with stripes made of textured fabric. They can be replaced by flounces in the same color as the garment or fringe. In high-waisted trousers, the accent is on the belt, decorating it with lace.

Are they suitable for everyone?

Culottes are a universal model. They will suit women of almost any height and build, but it is important to pay close attention to the image. Such clothes should be avoided if you have a pear or apple body type.

Fashion experts name several common mistakes:

1. Copying someone else's style. The model is distinguished by a variety of lengths and widths of trousers. What suits one woman is contraindicated for another. It is necessary to take into account the build and height so that a universal thing does not give the image ridiculous features.
2. Incorrectly chosen top. You can't combine culottes with oversized items. Otherwise, the silhouette will become shapeless, like a hoodie. Wide legs are best combined with a narrow top.
3. Combination with long items. Blouses and maxi shirts go well with culottes, but the obligatory condition is to hide the extra length.

Ignoring the last rule visually shortens the legs and simultaneously lengthens the torso. The figure loses proportionality, and if it is naturally absent, the shortcomings are emphasized even more. Therefore, it is best to tuck the shirt in.

What to wear depending on the season

Due to the uniqueness of the model, not everyone understands what to wear culottes with, how to organize a harmonious image. Fashion experts suggest starting your acquaintance with this version of trousers with a basic composition. It assumes that the product is combined with a plain top or turtleneck. Correctly selected shoes will help complete the image. The more original the culottes are, the more conservative the top should be.

It is known that the model is suitable even for business style. To make the image look harmonious, it is better to give preference to trousers made of dark suit fabric. A classic blouse or jacket will complement it. If the office dress code allows, the bottom can be light, and the formal shirt can be replaced with a lace or ornamented one. A set of culottes with an asymmetrical fold and a light blouse is also suitable for the office. This image is universal - you can wear it in a restaurant or on a date in the evening.

Denim items, complemented by a T-shirt, blouse, jumper, regardless of the tone of the top, will be appropriate for a friendly party, a walk. You can even go shopping in this outfit. The main thing for a stylish look is a correctly chosen tone of the top.

For summer, plain culottes with a striped top or a Breton top are perfect. You can also combine white, any shades of green, brown in your clothes. If you need to create a summer evening set, culottes with a peplum made of beautiful, slightly flowing fabric are recommended. A flying blouse will serve as an addition. In such an outfit, you can go to a restaurant, theater, a friendly meeting or a date.

For autumn and spring, culottes made of thick fabric are relevant. The ensemble will be harmonious if you add a coat and vests. Just remember that wide-legged trousers cannot be combined with the same voluminous coat. Leather culottes with a jacket made of the same material will look original.

Winter models should be sewn exclusively from fabrics containing wool thread. A stylish look will be created by combining them with a fur jacket, a spacious sweater, or a sheepskin coat. Tweed models are relevant for winter. They are complemented by cardigans, jackets, long coats, and short fur coats.

In the cold season, wide trousers can be combined with tights. This will not only help keep you warm, but also allow you not to give up wearing your favorite models. They are selected to match the color of your shoes or trousers.

How to choose the right shoes

The cautious attitude towards culottes is also explained by the fact that in most cases it is difficult for women to choose shoes. To ensure a harmonious look, it is important to follow simple rules:

1. A win-win option is high-heeled shoes (stiletto or stable platform) with a maximally open toe. It suits any model of culottes. The resulting ensemble looks equally good on girls of any height and build.
2. Sandals are the perfect complement to summer looks. But it is important to remember that if your ankle is not elegant, it is better to avoid models with straps in this part of the leg.
3. Wide legs go well with mules, shoes without a back.
4. For the cold season, boots that fit tightly to the leg are suitable, while their upper edge is hidden under the legs. Owners of slender, thin legs can give preference to over-the-knee boots and culottes, the length of which is only slightly below the knee.
5. It is permissible to wear flat shoes, provided that the style and length of the trousers are chosen correctly. For example, high-waisted, loose-fitting models are suitable.

Culottes are a special type of trousers. The right top, shoes, and model will make the look original, but not devoid of harmony. Such an interesting thing can be worn by many women, regardless of height or age.

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