Whether we like it or not, culottes have emerged upon the fashion realm and have no plans of going away any time soon. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Derek Lam have experimented with these “not quite shorts but not yet pants” and even The Wall Street Journal titled them the “silhouette of the season.” Just like any good ugly-pretty trend, these mid-cropped flare pants were likely a style you had buried away years ago in the depths of your closet, right alongside memories of the awkward middle schools days.
Although if you’re not necessarily one to dabble in “throwback” trends, you might try a pair in solid black like this Fashionista did. They’re pretty versatile as far as culottes go: dress them down with a tee and sneakers or wear them as a funky alternative to trousers with a fitted blazer. I personally love a swingy chiffon or soft satin pair, which look great paired with a cropped top and strappy heels for a night out.
I love how this Fashionista made culottes work for class or just getting coffee with friends. She wore a cozy knit turtleneck and cute little booties—way trendier than anything your sixth grade self could have come up with. As far as I can tell from the runways, fashion is definitely putting the “cool” back in culottes.
What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Sometimes wearing controversial pieces can be intimidating, but I think that if you like an article of clothing, wear it. Who’s to say that you shouldn’t?”
