How to wear culottes: 7 tips for nailing the spring trend from street style stars

Date April 14, 2015

Now that it’s beginning to feel like spring, it’s about time we tackle one of the season’s hottest trends: culottes. Caught somewhere in lower-half limbo between pants and skirts, culottes are an ingenuous way to flatter your body with some free-flowing ventilation. They’ve also been trending for a solid three seasons, which is another reason to love ‘em.

Historically a style of trouser that ended just below the knee, culottes were popularized in French court during the 1500s and later adapted for women so they didn’t have to ride sidesaddle. Who knew?

Wherever historical gender ambiguity exists, Céline designer Phoebe Philo will follow. And wherever Céline goes, the rest will most certainly follow. Cue Spring 2015’s assortment of culottes on runways including Stella McCartney, Chanel, Calvin Klein and DKNY, to name only a few.

See the culottes trend on the Spring 2015 runways »

So, how to wear culottes without looking like a walking circus tent? We’ve rounded up a few pointers to ensure you’ll end up on the right side of this spring trend, straight from the streets of fashion week. Because who better to teach you then those who’ve been mastering proportions since the dawn of the crop top.

Photography by Peter Stigter

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How to wear culottes

Find the sweet spot

Culottes should hit about mid-calf, allowing the widest part of the flair to accentuate the skinniest part of your leg, thus giving you the appearance tiny little Bambi ankles regardless of their actual size.

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How to-wear culottes

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Play up your shape

Embrace your newfound baggy bottom as an excuse to bare a little skin up top. Cropped sweaters, bralettes and lingerie-inspired slips are the ideal partners for culottes.

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How to-wear culottes

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How to-wear culottes

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How to wear culottes

Play up your shape

Embrace your newfound baggy bottom as an excuse to bare a little skin up top. Cropped sweaters, bralettes and lingerie-inspired slips are the ideal partners for culottes.

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How to wear culottes

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How to wear culottes

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How to wear culottes

Less is more

Sticking to a monochrome palette will help to streamline your outfit and keep the focus on your statement silhouette.

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Borrow from the boys

Riff on classic suiting by pairing pinstriped culottes with a structured blazer and/or brogues for a modern newsboy look.

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How to wear culottes

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How to wear culottes

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How to wear culottes

Top coat

Transition your culottes into eveningwear by throwing a wool trench, satin bomber or cocoon coat over your shoulders and wearing with sky-high stilettos.

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