Culottes! Thoughts on Length? (ETA, a little longer...)

I voted "Yay" to culottes and think they look cool styled for the office (inspiration pins #2 and #3).

I ordered a pair from Dorothy Perkins that just arrived today. They were an inexpensive gamble and for the price it makes no sense to ship them back, but at this point I'm leaning hem and keep...

#4-5: With my (new!) Club Monaco tipped blouse and French Connection kitten heels
#6-7: With my fossil bear print blouse and Ivanka Trump pointy flats. I pinned one leg shorter to reduce stumpification

The rise is just right and I like the pleating detail at the waistband, and the wide-swishy legs. I think I will shorten to a more conventionally flattering length, though (as pinned in the pics). Thoughts on the length? I am leaning to just below the knee rather than mid-calf.

ETA: Tried a longer length in #9-10. Thinking I may go a hair longer than that still. These are really light weight, so I don't know that I will be wearing them in winter, but we'll see. I think I have a poison eye for culottes over boots, makes me think of #12...

This post has 12 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

9 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

So cute! I prefer the look of them longer (like your second pin) but maybe that's just me. LOVE those pointy flats on you.

unfrumped

wow, I think those look great.
Did you re-read Cocolion's post?
I think the length you pinned IS the easiest to style. The longer length, or a longer length, may be more trendy, or more dramatic--(need fashion oracles to chime in here).
Also, a longer length may work best with a short top, with shorter or rolled sleeves--the long-sleeved shirts and long culottes are a bit overwhelming and need more structure. The shorter ones may be more forgiving of various tops and of flatter shoes.
So you could go different ways depending on whether you want to use them for more mainstream wear or more drama.
Not much help, but I'm glad you're working with them!

annagybe

(website)

I like them longer. Pinned they just look like long shorts, not as cool IMO.

Aida

I'm with Anna, the longer length is best; otherwise they just look like wide long shorts. If it helps, here's how long mine are (I'm actually wearing them today, was just getting ready to post ^^). They hit just before my calf starts to really curve out.

(EDIT: Gah, shoulda ironed. Please pardon the "these are clearly brand new" wrinkles -_-)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

Beth

I also like the longer, swishier length.

Gaylene

I agree with Anna and Aida--short culottes just look like wide-legged shorts to me. I'm probably an outlier here but I'm not a fan of culottes worn with bare legs unless they are really wide and swishy, like the ones Aida is wearing. To my eye, the narrower versions are more flattering when worn with tall boots or matching tights to keep the line long and avoid stumpification.

rachylou

They are fantastic. No need to take up at all.

Gigi

Hmm, I like the shorter version. I think that the longer version is too stumpifying.

Would you ever wear them with knee-high boots? I wonder what the longer length would look like with knee-high boots, like Gaylene is recommending.

deb

I vote the longer length.

Suz

Oh, I am so excited for you! These are great. I love them longer. Especially for winter with boots/ tights.

Sveta

I would shorten them but not as mush as you pinned - just 2": I feel they would fit your petite frame better at this length and will be easier to style with flats.
They look great!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Gorgeous. Definitely longer. Fine as is with heels. If you want to wear flats - shorten 2 inches.

Transcona Shannon

These look amazing on you! I'm another vote for the longer length.

Jaime

So happy to see this! Love them longer as explained above! (Love your pointy flats too!)

Emily

Thanks so much everyone for chiming in. I am really surprised at all the love for the long length! But you're right, long shorts are not the look I was going for. I think I will still shorten, but not as much, per #9-11...

I like the length in 9-11 and you can go maybe 1" longer here. It is really splitting hairs. Try the length with the lowest heel you want to wear them with.

Anonymous

What Sveta said. I like a longer culotte.

Neel

Another vote for long! I think you rock them!

CocoLion

Def prefer the longer length in 9.

Eliza

Love these on you. Agree with longer length, proportional to the height of your preferred shoes. Gorgeous!

OK, I'm really on board with your new length in the pics you added. They're still clearly culottes, but they're not as overwhelming as the original length was.

The Star Trek pic was hilarious!

I like the longer lengths in 9/10! See how in pic 11 on the leg that's extended you can see your calf curvature a bit? I'd say hem them so that the hem falls just to that point (no curve visible when you're standing stick straight). So optically, like how they appear in #4.

EDIT: They would look fab with boots, just don't tuck the hems in

Category