So You Bought Some Culottes, Now How Do You Style Them?
Photo: Franey Miller
Maybe you were not an early adopter of the culotte trend, but through repeated exposure and soul-searching, you’ve been worn down to the point of purchasing a pair. Now what? Can you make these pants with feminist origins work for a day at the office? Can you style them for a dressy night out? The Cut found four women in New York City to try them out and prove that not only are culottes comfortable and easy to wear but also happen to look pretty great.
Photographer: Franey Miller; Styling by Diana Tsui; Makeup by William Scott; Hair by Takashi Ashizawa using Oribe Hair Care; Photo Editor: Emily Shornick; Fashion Assistant: Stephanie Eckardt.
Treat Them Like a Sundress Match your top to your bottom and it's no different from your favorite midi dress. Since this pair hits just below the...
Treat Them Like a Sundress Match your top to your bottom and it's no different from your favorite midi dress. Since this pair hits just below the calf, wear them with flatforms — they're chunky enough to balance all the volume while adding height. (Pictured: Emily Réjouis, 29, Global Director of Marketing.)
Photo: Franey Miller
Going for all white feels appropriately light for the summer, so the accessories should stick to a similar palette like these dangly pale-green earrin...
Going for all white feels appropriately light for the summer, so the accessories should stick to a similar palette like these dangly pale-green earrings.
Photo: Franey Miller
Play off against the gold tone of the earrings with a big gold bracelet. And then skip a heavy black or brown bag; a blush bucket bag looks less harsh...
Play off against the gold tone of the earrings with a big gold bracelet. And then skip a heavy black or brown bag; a blush bucket bag looks less harsh.
Photo: Franey Miller
Wear Them Instead of Your Sweatpants These have a stretchy waistband just like your favorite pair of sweats, except with more structure. Treat th...
Wear Them Instead of Your Sweatpants These have a stretchy waistband just like your favorite pair of sweats, except with more structure. Treat them the same way and add slip-on sneakers for an easy weekend look. (Pictured: Nathalie Torres, 29, Director of Analytics.)
Photo: Franey Miller
Macramé mixed with chambray can come off like you spend all weekend bent over your own personal weaving loom, so add a sleek tote and simple st...
Macramé mixed with chambray can come off like you spend all weekend bent over your own personal weaving loom, so add a sleek tote and simple stack of gold bracelets to pull it together.
Photo: Franey Miller
Pretend They're a Midi Skirt With a wrap front, this pair is very similar to something you probably already have in your closet. The pattern here...
Pretend They're a Midi Skirt With a wrap front, this pair is very similar to something you probably already have in your closet. The pattern here is the focal point, so go simple on top with a plain silk tank. (Pictured: DaMonica Boone, 25, Writer and Digital Producer.)
Photo: Franey Miller
Swap Them for Your Work Pants Depending on your dress code, a faux-leather pair can be appropriate, especially if the other pieces are just as sl...
Swap Them for Your Work Pants Depending on your dress code, a faux-leather pair can be appropriate, especially if the other pieces are just as sleek, like this long green linen vest and low, stacked-heel pump. Add a sweater to ward off aggressive air-conditioning.
Treat Them Like Jeans They're made of denim, so why not wear them with a classic white T-shirt? You can also experiment with proportion — a long ...
Treat Them Like Jeans They're made of denim, so why not wear them with a classic white T-shirt? You can also experiment with proportion — a long vest sharpens the entire outfit. (Pictured: Maggie Gould, 25, Freelance Violinist.)
Wear Them to a Fancy Party If you're heading somewhere that has copious amounts of Champagne and you'd rather be comfortable, silky culottes worn...
Wear Them to a Fancy Party If you're heading somewhere that has copious amounts of Champagne and you'd rather be comfortable, silky culottes worn with a nice top is not only just as good as any dress, but way more creative.
Photo: Franey Miller
You'd wear special heels with a dress, so do the same for these pants.
Photo: Franey Miller
Other details to make a chic outfit: an artsy clutch that matches your stacked chunky bracelets.
Photo: Franey Miller
Try a Slimmer Pair Most culottes are voluminous, but if that's too overwhelming, this Zara pair has a more tailored fit. But don't go tight on to...
Try a Slimmer Pair Most culottes are voluminous, but if that's too overwhelming, this Zara pair has a more tailored fit. But don't go tight on top; it's more interesting to play with contrasts like this roomy top with interesting details.
Dusty '70s-inspired tones: an easy way to transition your culottes to fall.
Photo: Franey Miller
Wear Them Instead of a Going-Out Top Not into taking style cues from a Khaleesi? With a strapless top and crisscross back detail, this culot...
Wear Them Instead of a Going-Out Top Not into taking style cues from a Khaleesi? With a strapless top and crisscross back detail, this culotte jumpsuit works just as well for a night out, especially with a minimal, spiky sandal.
Don't bother going overboard with accessories: A slinky cross-body bag and big geometric jewelry are all you need.
Photo: Franey Miller
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