From kick flares to midi skirts to culottes, an awkwardly cropped hemline continues to be a fashion crowd favorite this season. Culottes in particular were seen at Tibi’s spring 2016 ready-to-wear show, where all types of loose-fitting clothes dominated the catwalk. While the in-between culottes style is equally referred to as long-shorts or short-pants, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic admitted the cut might even be considered “almost tacky” if not styled correctly. By swathing her models in breezy fabrics and subdued colors, however, she proved how easy it is to make wearing culottes look chic.
The ease of culottes has everything to do with how insanely comfortable they are—the pair I’m wearing, a steal from Zara, feel practically like pajamas. I especially love wearing them to my office internship, as a trendy alternative to the stiff trousers that are often the workplace norm. I kept the look professional by sticking to a quiet color palette, as at the designer show, and a loose, yet structured, silhouette. Instead of finessing over how to make their boxy cut super feminine, I embraced the funky shape and added a squared-off top. To lengthen the leg a little, I played with tucking the top to highlight the high waist, like at Tibi. Taller black booties streamlined the look, as well.
Since designers have been pushing culottes for a few seasons now, yet they’re just making it into mainstream retailers, I’m excited to keep them in rotation for what I hope will be several months. Moving into summer, I imagine wearing them with sandals and crop tops, and in fall, with suede shoes and sweaters.
Get My Look: 1. Classy culottes. 2. A boxy top. 3. Sleek booties.
