Like Ummlila, I would like to see these with your OTK boots. What I like about boots 2/3 vs 1 is that 2/3 are more refined. Your OTK boots as I recall are even more refined? Closer to the leg? I think what I would love to see is a boot like that is more narrow, as a contrast to the wide leg of the culotte. I'm not sure the heel needs to be high.

But then again, I may have no idea what I am talking about.

And just a comment on this whole "trying on" or "outfit lab" process -- it's just so not in my nature. I can still hear my mother's voice, strongly encouraging me to try on my entire prom (or wedding!) ensemble before the big day. I am just not a big trier-on-er once I have added something to my wardrobe. I prefer to assemble all the pieces and then just wing it. I don't know why.

Fear it won't work all together? Eternal optimism? Dislike of trying things on? Love/hate relationship with fashion? Preference for having everything fresh the first time out? I don't know. I almost passed out when I saw Sarah the White's recent photo display of the many iterations of her new dress. It was absolutely amazing and also something I could never survive doing.

Viva, I'm exactly the same, but I fear it's why my wardrobe can be non-cohesive. A little more work-to-play proportion in my efforts wouldn't be a bad thing. I just don't enjoy the effort of testing out different looks. Maybe it's part of being RATE and thinking "Oh heck, I'll just live with it." And partly because I'm lazy to the bone; given free time, I'd rather stand in the kitchen reading and eating cereal. Finishing this little exercise nearly did me in!

I often wonder of doing this kind of exercise but never get around to actually do it.
I am glad you did it and that you got an idea of the best proportions, which were the ones you instinctively liked more . All is well that ends well...

Yeah, I can never bring myself to do this kind of exercise either, and when I do it's in a rather half-assed way (like here they are with a lot of tops and no shoes, or a lot of shoes and the same ugly loungewear top. I figure I do the trying on when I'm actually getting dressed, which sometimes works and sometimes... really doesn't. But that's what we have FFBOs for, right?

Back to your culottes. I agree with everyone that the Rag and Bones are best here. But I think higher shaft boots could work too, so long as the ankle is streamlined. Do you have lace ups that you could lace up tightly at the ankle?

Or this might sound crazy, but how do they look with your Gidigios? I vaguely remember those being stompy but fairly fitted at the ankle. Or am I mixing them up with something else?

You know, I have Shannon's Dr. Marten Marcy boots, which are a mid-calf lace-up. They might be just right... The Gidigios are pretty clunky.

I saw this from work but didn't have time to log in and see pics. I just zipped past the responses so I would be honest and in case no one else picked what I picked. I am such a chicken sh*t.

I like the third pic with the gap between the boot and the pant and the longer top with the asymmetrical hem. I find the proportions are the most appealing in this combination.

Now I will go and read the others but promise not to delete if I am off my rocker.

Oh yes. I think it's actually laziness. At least in large part. Cereal and reading? I can SO relate.

Agree with Diana on the taller boots with a more fitted ankle working. I like the R&B best, but also think that the blue booties paired with dark hosiery would also work nicely (will make the gap look smaller since it's low contrast).

Doesn't everyone hate doing the try ons? I do. Or, more truthfully -- I like the idea of doing them, and like trying on the first version....but by version three, I'm toast. Burnt toast. Still.l I have to confess I've learned a huge amount from doing them and snapping the photos, which is why I force myself to do it occasionally.

And I thank you for this, because you've just saved a bunch of the rest of us some time by offering your efforts so generously to the forum!!

I liked #3 best, too, but I'm hoping a taller boot that is fitted will also serve. And I'm also hoping I can find my own perfect culottes so I can try this.

Seems like #3 is the people's choice! Same for me too!