How To Wear Culottes – Tips And Tricks

Level up your fashion quotient with these fashionable pants and master the art of pairing for a trendy look

Last updated on June 4, 2023
how to wear culottes

They’re not a skirt; they’re not pants, they’re something in between. Culottes, the fashionable garment that seamlessly blends style and comfort, have emerged as a beloved staple in contemporary wardrobes. With their wide-legged silhouette, culottes have captured the hearts of fashion enthusiasts, transcending time and trends. Originating from the rebellious spirit of the Victorian era, culottes have evolved into a versatile piece that effortlessly combines elegance and practicality. Whether strutting down city streets or embracing a casual day out, culottes empower individuals to make a statement with their distinctive flair. Are you a fan of Culottes and want to try them out, you are definitely in the right place because below are some styling ideas that are so worth trying. So go ahead and check them out.

Trivia

The term “culottes” is derived from the French word “cul,” which means “buttocks.” The name refers to the garment’s characteristic wide-leg design that resembles a skirt, giving the appearance of a skirt from the front and pants from the back.

How To Wear Culottes – 20 Styling Ideas

1. Pleated Culottes With A Shirt

Style pleated culottes with a shirt

This fabulous pairing effortlessly merges sophistication and comfort, allowing you to make a fashion statement without sacrificing comfort. The crisp pleats of the culottes beautifully contrast with the tailored charm of the shirt, resulting in a polished yet relaxed ensemble that suits a variety of occasions. Whether you’re heading to the office or enjoying a casual outing, this chic outfit radiates confidence and contemporary flair, making it a must-have for any fashion-forward individual.

2. Black Striped Culottes With A Bold Colored Top

Style black striped culottes with a bold colored top

Monsoons can be quite tricky because it’s easy to step on puddles and wet the bottom of your pants. So, how do you deal with it? You guessed it right, a pair of striped culottes with a cold shoulder top or an off-shoulder one can keep it functional, chic and airy.

3. With A Loose Checkered Shirt And Sneakers

Style your culotte pants with a white shirt

For a sunny afternoon brunch, throw in a pair of bright culotte pants. Team it up with a loose checkered shirt and striped bellies. You can just keep the pants plain and play around with other details.

4. With A Leather Jacket And Plain Top

Style your culotte pants with a leather jacket and floral top

When you first imagine a culotte, it’s hard to visualize and put things together in your head. But, sometimes it’s just a mix of clothes from your wardrobe and marry it all together. Wear a white tank, a vibrant pair of culotte pants and throw in a leather jacket. You could wear wedges or just sneakers too.

Did You Know

Culottes were originally worn by men in the 16th century as part of their traditional military uniforms? Over time, culottes transitioned into a popular garment for women, symbolizing freedom and breaking away from traditional gender norms.

5. With A Captioned T-Shirt

Wear your culottes with a captioned t-shirt

Of course, a captioned T-shirt, something we all practically live in these days. Instead of your regular denim, wear it with a funky pair of culotte pants. Comfortable and trendy!

6. With A Turtleneck Sweater And Suede Boots

Style your culottes with a sweater, scarf and stockings

Who says winters should only be about pants and boots? I think we should try and avoid them as long as we can. Next time around, try a formal pair of culotte pants and wear it with an elegant turtleneck sweater and suede boots if you can pull it off. Don’t forget to carry a black bag for that uber chic look.

7. Floral Culotte Pants With A Plain White Top

Style your floral culotte pants with a simple white top

Reverse your floral top, and plain culotte looks like this one. There’s something about this that makes you look like someone who knows her fashion game. If you look at it, there’s hardly anything here, but it’s just the outfit that works like magic.

8. Sequin Culotte Pants And A Silk Top

Pair your sequin culotte pants with a silk top

We know what you are thinking. Yes, who would have thought of this? Stand out in the crowd with these sequin culotte pants and an elegant silk top while keeping everything else simple. You don’t need to wear anything extraordinary to get attention, an attractive attire like this is enough to get heads turning.

9. With A Plain Shirt

Pair your culottes with a plain shirt

You think blending dull white pants with a plain shirt is not such a great idea? I thought so too. But have another close look at it. An easy, yet classy way to style those culottes, isn’t it? The midi-length, flared culottes look absolutely stunning when paired with the humble shirt to creat a crisp and clean look.

10. With A Sweater Tucked In

Wear your culotte pants with a tucked in sweater

Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons. Everything around you is vibrant, colorful and it’s best just before winter enters making it all gloomy. Enjoy your last few days of manageable weather with a pair of culottes and a warm yellow sweater tucked in. Team it up with a choker or preppy accessories.

11. With A Trench Coat Or Jacket

Wear your culottes with a trench coat or jacket

Culotte pants are definitely not the first thing that comes to your mind when you want to wear a trench coat or a long jacket. But, it’s the next big thing right now. So, you should try this too, it looks uber chic and is functional too!

12. With An Oversized Sweater And Sneakers

Culottes with an oversized sweater and sneakers

Oversized sweaters, shirts, and T-shirts are like comfort food to most of us. Plus, it is a rage now and considered kind of cool if you can pull it off. I’m sure we all can do it in style. That and a pair of those big white sneakers that are all over the place right now. You are all set to go take on the world girl!

13. With A Crop Top And Boots

Culottes with a crop top and boots

Let’s face it, we don’t need a reason to wear crop tops, just more ideas to pair them up with will do, right? So, here’s yet another set of pants that will look just as dapper with crop tops. Complete this look with a pair of ankle length boots!

14. With A Top And Shrug

Culottes with a hip-length top and shrug

If you have been assuming that only short tops go with your culotte pants, you are mistaken. Pair those striped culotte pants with a plain top that goes beyond your hips and layer it up with a shrug of the same size. You could add a thick waist belt if you want to take it to the next level. A contrast pair of heels will make this interesting.

15. With A Cold-Shoulder Sweater

Culottes with an off-shoulder bell sleeves sweater

If you have used the regular culotte pants, try the slit pants and team it up with a cold-shoulder sweater. Pair it up with pumps and a side body bag to get you party ready.

16. Get The Monochrome Look With Black Culotte Pants

Black culottes with black cold shoulder top

Monochromes are so in right now. So, here’s another way to try this look. A simple way would be to team up culotte pants with a black T-shirt or spruce up the look with a cold shoulder, tank or off-shoulder. Follow it up with black pumps or change gears with red shoes, accessories and smoking hot lipstick.

17. Camel Colored Culotte Pants With A Sleeveless Top

Camel-colored culottes with a lace bodysuit

If you’ve been living under the rock and had no clue about the bodysuits yet, these are fitted shirts that are to be worn like onesies. They give you a great fit and sit like a perfectly tucked in shirt. Wear a high-waisted pair of camel culottes with a sleeveless black top.

18. Leather Culotte Pants With A Well Fitted Top

Leather culotte pants with a well fitted top

Okay, we’ve done a lot of talking and styling ideas with regular and striped culotte pants. If you are someone who likes to explore it further, try the leather culotte pants and pair it with a well-fitted top. It makes you look stylish instantly and effortlessly!

19. Striped Culotte Pants With A Blazer

Striped culotte pants with blazer

Yes. Of course, you can wear it with a blazer! And, your pants do not necessarily have to be prim. You can still wear loose culottes, a plain tank and blazer with stilettos still look ravishing.

20. Culotte Style Jumpsuits

Culotte style jumpsuits

It is established by now that jumpsuits are not going anywhere, plus we welcome them in any form they come back to us in. The culotte style jumpsuits are taking over right now, and we could not have been thankful. For women like me who are conscious about wearing tight fitted bottoms, this is a blessing.

We cannot deny that culottes are crowd favorites and in trend nowadays. But even then, fashion faux pas can happen to the best of fashionistas, and everyone needs to have multiple pairing options with culottes. Long gone are the days when you would spend ages thinking about different ways to wear culottes and how to pair them up. The versatile garment complements all looks and can be donned in all seasons, be it scorching summer, breezy autumn and spring, or chill winters. You can easily elevate the look with accessories like handbags, clutch, or minimalist jewelry. Go with a leather jacket, humble sweater vest, or with a block top — they do the trick just perfectly. Remember this; if you are unsure of what to wear to the party, culottes are there to save you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are culottes slimming?
    It depends on the fabric and the stitch. If your culottes are heavily pleated, they can make you look curvier than you are. However, the ones with no pleats and a vertical zipper can be slimming.
  2. What is the difference between palazzo and culottes?
    Palazzo and culottes differ in their lengths. Palazzos are full-length, wide-legged pants, while culottes always end above the ankles.
  3. Where should culottes fall on the leg?
    It depends on your height. If you are short and curvy, your culottes shouldn’t be lower than 2-4 inches from your knees to look flattering. Taller people can wear slightly longer culottes that fall on the lower half of their calves.

Key Takeaways

  • For a revamped office look, wear pleated culottes with a shirt that exudes formal elegance, while also being stylish and trendy.
  • Pair solid color culottes with floral tank tops and a leather jacket for the perfect fall season outfit style that oozes endless oomph.
  • Level up your classic T-shirt by ditching the denims and pairing it with a pair of stylish culottes.
  • Go beyond the boring by styling sequin culottes with a chic silk blouse and bring the spotlight on you.