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This trend is for all of my daring fashion friends. Culottes are the “trend to try” for Spring 2015. Make your excuses now. “They hit at such an awkward place,” you’ll say. But you’d be surprised! Culottes can actually be flattering when you find the right pair for you. And now that the trend has taken off over the last year, you’ll see more and more iterations of the silhouette in stores. Need more convincing? Check out our culottes Pinterest board and keep reading for pictures of Kyle in her culottes!
These are the three types of culottes to look for while shopping:
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1. Classic Culottes
Pair with heels and you’ll look 6 feet tall. Pair with a crisp blazer and you’ll look like you just got off a plane from Paris. I promise these pants are not the same gauchos from the 80s!
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Dagmar Jadyn Woven Culottes, $280
Topshop Faux Leather Culottes, $68
3.1 Phillip Lim Ponte Culottes, $350
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2. The Bermuda Short
Bermuda shorts get a bad rap. Try to take the image of Hawaiian-floral printed shorts out of your mind. The new bermuda short is tailored and classy. Look for the culotte styling on a shorter silhouette.
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J.Crew Pleated Crepe Shorts, $98
Carven Bermuda Shorts, $276.91
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3. Is it a Skirt? Or Is it Pants?
This is the question your friend will ask when you’re wearing pleated culottes. The extra fabric and volume on the pants will flow around like a fun and feminine skirt while you’re walking.
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Tibi Simone Pleated Silk Culottes, $425
Rebecca Taylor Splashy Flower Culotte, $149
Thakoon Addition Pleated Crepe Culottes, $390
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Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging. We told you where to buy culottes, now we’ll teach you how to style them. Kyle bought her culottes when she saw them on sale for $45 at ASOS last year. These are her thoughts about the trend:
When I first tried on my random online purchase, I seriously stared at myself in the mirror for 30 minutes thinking “these are so weird…but I kind of like them.” I thought of Leandra Medine, who defines herself as a “Man Repeller,” or “she who outfits herself in a sartorially offensive mode that may result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls, shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.” Well, she lives in New York, where fashion risks are more accepted and expected. Living in DC, I knew I’d get some stares. But I love a challenge!
For day, I paired my ASOS culottes with my drapey Peter Pilotto for Target top and my Report gladiator sandals. Because my culottes are in that midi-length category, I have to wear at least somewhat of a heel to keep my legs looking long.
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For night, I wear my culottes with my Zara basic t-shirt, Halogen leather jacket and Cole Haan heels. With this look, I decided to go full on spring ’15 and wear my J.Crew daisy statement necklace that I stole from my mom right after she bought it last year. Thanks again, Mom!
You can find another version of the daisy necklace at Majestical.
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Lani and I came up with this conclusion: Culottes are such an awesome statement piece that a great t-shirt and necklace combo is all you need to make a put-together outfit. We dare you to try to it!
Love,
Lani Inlander is a personal stylist, working with women who want to feel their best and look put-together every day. You can find her in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and New York areas.
