Picked these up in black yesterday without trying them on - so typical and what I swore I would stop doing, could have saved myself a trip back .

The pros:

• beautiful wool twill, slouchy fit, lower waist, trouser style waistband w no loops, button back welt pockets; lots of length for taller women; front slash pockets

The cons:

• single pleat front (although in the right fabric, I like this design feature, like in a cool wool for example) which didn't work with this relatively heavy weight wool, IMO
• leg width starts from the top of the pleat and from the highest roundest part of your bum and stays very, very wide down the length of the pant

I can't even post a picture here, because after giving them two chances today trying them on at different times with two different tops, they are back in the bag and ready to return.

Angie suggested I try for a "just flattering enough" look with these, but I can't even get past "not flattering at all". They are hip widening in the elliptical sense and just too wide through the leg. I am simply not confident enough to try a just flattering enough look with a $200 pair of pants that I may or may not wear again next fall.

All this is ok though - I now know what I am looking for in a culotte: clean front, straighter leg, lighter weight cool wool, lining optional.

Who will these work for? I'm not even sure. It's a lot of bulk that wasn't flowy and drapey. And trust me: they are 10 times wider through the leg than the picture would lead to you believe. I had to check twice to make sure it was even the same pant!