Hey Gorgeous People.

Happy Monday!! Am here with a Style Trend Talk. Today lets dive in on How to Wear Culottes. It’s a trend that has made a comeback from early 70’s and took the street fashion by storm. In all Honesty, I was definitely not one to dip my toes into this!! And when this Short-Pants-Hybrid were the It-Thing of the summer Street Style. I raised my Nose, Because I was sure no one could actually Pull them off. Period! Boy have I been missing out. One thing you need to know about me is that, I am a very loyal person when it comes to my “skinny-everything”. So the idea of some bagging outfit was a NO-NO for me.

Until a couple Months ago, when I learnt the right way on How To Style Wide Legged Pants. Its one of those “Uh-huh” Fashion moments for me. I don’t know why it took me too long to jump ahead of this. But ever since I have become like a kid in a candy store; “Overwhelmed and pushing my limits.” So its no surprise that am Here I am with yet another post: How to Wear Culottes: Street Fashion Edition. Styling culottes can be tricky, but I’ve got your back. So whether you’re wearing your culottes on a date, out for brunch on the weekend, or to work (yes, it’s possible.)

I will walk you through on How to Wear Culottes: Street Fashion Edition from uptown chic to downtown cool. But First What are culottes? Well, I am glad you asked. Culottes have been around forever – they were originally worn by upper-class European men in the middle ages, and used to be tight with closures around the knee. Somewhere along the way, culottes became more loose and flowy pants that typically hang right below the knee, but can sometimes be shorter like shorts or longer in a midi length. When worn, culottes usually hang and look like a skirt – except their pants, which is kind of awesome.

If you think for a second,How to Wear Culottes is intimidating to style. Well honey you aren’t the first. Been there, went through that and, Yup! Am Over it. Let me tell you why majority (Including me at one point) find this intimidating. One, They aren’t the most popular pieces in street fashion, they have an awkward shin-grazing length and wide-leg silhouette. And God help me, they come off as high-end its insane! Psst! I actually love that about them, (a major reason why you need to have them.) That and the fact that they are chic and breezy. If you didn’t pick the hint am sending? Allow me to spell it out loud. Honey! they are a summer must-have.

How to Wear Culottes: Street Fashion Edition

1. Choice of Shoes actually matters:

Going back to the basic styling tips. However we are giving it an extra mile on How to Wear Culottes. Depending on what look you want your culottes to portray, be extra picky with your shoes. Pair them with hills for a classy, elegant and chic look. Go with ankle boots that meet your culottes for a well composed look. For a laid back look, pair them with slip ons, a plus for ones with a platform heel. By any chance, you end up opting for flats, gravitate towards the ones with a pointy toe such include, Mules.

PS: Remember that culottes highlight your ankles and feet, so have some fun and go a little wild with your shoes.

2. Play With Proportions:

It goes without saying A form-fitting top that clenches at the waist helps to offset the culottes’ volume. However, you can still wear a baggy top. The key is to accentuate the waist. Opt for a cropped sweater or top, or better yet BELT IT! or Wear a pair of culottes that ties at the waist.

3. Go Monochromatic

My all time favorite way to wear anything. You can never go wrong with a monochromatic look. Take it to the next level with an all black or all white monochromatic outfit. You will definitely be turning heads and making a fashion headlines.

4. Tuck it In your shirt

Like most high-rise pants, culottes look best when your shirt is tucked in. Because the pant has a loose fit and a high waist, leaving your shirt undone can look messy (still works though, see next point). Tuck in your shirt to help define your waist and keep the look streamlined. Shirts that look best tucked in are classic tees, button-downs, loose blouses, and light sweaters. Avoid shirts with complicated silhouettes, like empire waists, peplums, or an A-line shape. You want to only choose tops that can easily tuck into your pants.

5. Tuck It Out

For Ladies with a bit of tummy insecurities (Which you don’t need, Because you are a dang Gorgeous QUEEN!) Try a sweater tucked out that stops at the top of the hipbone. – I call it the happy medium.

Some women can go longer, but it is tricky. If you are slim and your sweater is more streamlined, not big and baggy, this could work for you. You just have to be careful you don’t create that wide on the top, wide on the bottom silhouette that makes you look like a big box or even Sponge Bob Square Pants!

6. Keep It Simple.

It might sound like obvious advice, but sticking to neutral tones and low-key accessories when wearing a bold item like culottes is one of the easiest ways to wear them with style. Go for a color palette of black, navy, cream and brown to let the shape of the trousers shine. Be sure however to throw in a pop of colors. Could be like the turquoise Red bottoms like the ones am wearing or a bold red lipstick. It’s still chic, simple and high-end as F!

7. Go for Full, but not Bulky Culottes

Soft folds or pleats in the legs are a lovely detail, but watch out when they creep north to your waist. Too much detail or bulky material at the waist adds pounds, which is exactly what you don’t want if you are already battling a midlife middle. Heavily pleated culottes will make you look heavier than you are. These black culottes are very slimming because they have a flat front, no pleats or vertical zipper up the middle.

8. Style Pro Tip For all Body Sizes and Shape

The genius trick I discovered? Ensure your outfit is always matching. It’s as simple as that. Whether that’s by pairing your top with your boots or your jacket with your trainers. Essentially, some part of your outfit has to match when you’re wearing culottes, otherwise, you’ll look a bit of shambles.

• For All Petite Babes:

– If you are petite, try going with a slimmer culottes and make sure your culottes pant legs are not so long they drowns your legs. However If you are worried about getting swallowed up generally Heels are your best friends! But not any kind of heels, stay away from chunky heels with this look it will make your legs look off. Gravitate towards the nude shade, to elongate your legs hence “go long” on the heel selection. PS: don’t be afraid to show off some skin!

• Fall all Tall Ladies:

– Slide into some mules, because you don’t necessarily need the height. Play around with patterns because you have extra room space between your shoes and the end of culottes.

• For All Curvy Babes:

– Carter to your curves. Naturally, the culottes will flow gracefully from your curves. Make sure to accentuate your waist.Lastly, Play with proportions. Same as the petite babes, you want to keep things tighter up top so you don’t get overwhelmed with fabric. A form-fitting crop top would be so chic and I love the shoulder cap styles. They look great on anyone, but if you’re curvy that sleeve fabric takes the silhouette out a little bit at the shoulders, then comes back in at the waist, and then the look flows out again with the pants laying over your curves and creates an hourglass shape that is to DIE for.

SHOP THE LOOK