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Volume on volume

skylurker

Veteran

So, these wide cropped trousers, or culottes, have gone viral this summer. I see several on the streets every day and I own two myself.
From my streetstyle sighting, and my own struggle styling, I've come to the conclusion that they're just like skirts.
1- I like them better on women who fill them out
2- I like them better on long waisted women

I don't like skirts on me, always feel schoolmarmish in them.
I tried wearing the culottes with welted top, with tucked tops, and it felt exactly like wearing a skirt.

So now I'm trying volume on volume - sounds desperate, right
Already posted that I wear the blush cut-offs with a tunic #4-5-6
And I'm thinking of wearing the linen culottes with voluminous top too #1-2-3.

What do you think : can I get away with this?

#7 : WIW today. Basically, linen pajamas
Found a pair of dark open shoes I like at last #8.
Now summer shopping is over and I can turn my thoughts to wool suits and boots

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30 replies

Latest reply was from skylurker

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I like the volume on volume. It's an artsy look, but I think you can pull it off.

My thoughts are turning to wool trousers too. School is starting early here this year due to some ongoing construction, and the preparation has led me to be prematurely ready for autumn.

Dianna

Veteran

I love volume on volume on you. As Jenn says, it's not for everybody, but it works really well for you. Your new dark shoes are really pretty and they look very you.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think you can pull-off this look--but only because you appear to be so tall and slim *said with utmost envy!* Have you tried a longer, slim fitting (like long sleeve fitted tee or tunic) untucked over the culottes? I agree that at this length and width, I'd style them as I would a skirt. Have you tried your Breton tee with the culottes? I remember that it is not quite fitted, but you could try gathering it behind you to see if you like the shape, at least.

Mirjana

Veteran

I like volume on volume on you, you are tall and it works for you.

Anonymous

I like everything, the clothes, the styling, the shoes, etc.
These outfits are simple but dramatic, elegant, and with a little androgyny adding mystery. I don't know how essential your particular physique is to wearing these looks but you look great and also completely at ease.
I think the slight sheerness of the top steers the look away from being too block-y or heavy and also adds a little sweetness.
Love it all.

binkle

Veteran

You can definitely carry volume on volume. I would suggest, with the full culottes. a boxy cropped blouse with straight hem, in a stiff fabric - that stops at your waist - to break the volume into two shapes - top and bottom. In cooler weather, a chunky cropped sweater. Think angular cubism, not droopy louche. And chunkier shoes or flatforms if you like them. To me, more substantial shoes keep a volume outfit from sinking into the ground.

tulle

Veteran

I love these, and have been experimenting with widths, lengths, and volume in similar ways this Summer, so it's interesting to see how you do it. It occurs to me that the sheerness of that beautiful shirt makes the look airy and delicate, rather than blocky. It's my favorite because of that contrast of dark solid volume below with the still-strict, but light and translucent top. Very fresh and modern.

tulle

Veteran

Now I see that Isabel & I had the exact same reaction! Great minds...

lozz_oz

Veteran

Love how you've simplified the culottes to being just like skirts. Exactly how I need to think of them and then I know how to best wear them for my height + style. Yes, you can do volume with volume. Love the black shoes too!

amiable

Veteran

I love both the volume on volume and today's look!

KnittingGene

If you are wearing linen pajamas, you are winning at life. Well done!

I love the volume on volume look on you! You look arty and cool and like someone with whom it would be great to discuss foreign cinema or modern art.

Julie

I agree with you about the comparison to skirts (which I've all but given up on due to short waisted-ness.) But, these all look good. I like 4-6 best.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yes, definitely! I like both outfits. I especially love the easy look of #1. And I like both versions of the blush short pants outfit; the first is so fresh looking, dressing up the short pants for work with the blouse, blazer, bag, and pretty shoes. And the second one with just the top, pants, and animal-print shoes is super cool-looking casual.
I love your "linen pajama" outfit. What a trick--sounds like it felt really comfy, and It looks nothing like pajamas!
I like your chelsea boots and suit picks. I went through an exhaustive search for the perfect black chelsea boot, in the off-season (this past spring). I finally landed on a pair, and I'm looking forward to wearing them a lot this fall. Yours look very chic and sophisticated.

Dune London 'Peppie' Chelsea Boot

View Info

Top Pick

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Joy

Veteran

Yes! You must be the envy of those who know you and cannot pull off this look. I think tulle is on to something. The sheerness of the shirt allows volume while still showing some body shape. Love your flats.

skylurker

Veteran

@Joy : you're the one who inspired these looks. I loved your outfit with white culottes and EF asymetric black top and I thought, why not try a LONGER top with my culottes.
Yes, I'm the envy of my co-workers (men). I've worn the second outfit twice at work and each time they moaned how unfair it was that I was allowed to wear bermudas and they weren't

@Firecracker : about shoes : the green ballet flats I keep in my office drawer in case of summer storms, and I was sooo glad I had them that morning. If you ever spent a whole working day with wet feet in drenched shoes, YKWIM. The cow hide slippers I didn't keep. I've not pulled the trigger on the boots yet, they're on sale but still expensive
http://www.sarenza.com/santoni.....0000125343

@Julie : I don't own a single skirt, too complicated for a short waist.
That said, look up Ryce and Joy posts lately : they wear a long top over a straight denim skirt and I think that could work for short waisted.

@Binkle : I love angular cubism on others, avant garde wearers, but droopy feels more like me.

@Amiable : hi, nice to see you!

skylurker

Veteran

@Jenn : I think it's NAS that turn my thought prematurely to fall

@Emily : did try the longer breton top untucked and it looks better than anything tucked, but it hikes up and won't stay put.

@Isabel : very perceptive and interesting comment, thank you.
Yes, the sheerness makes the look less blocky, I agree.
"A little androgyny"..."I don't know how essential your particular physique is to wearing these looks" : with the longer tops, the culottes look like boardshorts rather than skirts : more mannish, and I feel better.
It's funny because I've always loved menswear - don't know why, I'm not even gay - and I don't know if my physique has influenced this taste, or just enabled it.

Gigi

Veteran

I think all of these renditions look fantastic. The choice of pieces comes across as very intentional and artistic. You look like a model, IMO! Very well done.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love 1/2 on you. Are the new shoes Arche? I also like 4/5 - green shoes! Actually everything is excellent. I saw a lot of wide crops in London too.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with Gigi. You can definitely pull off volume on volume. And I love your pose and smile in no 2. The second outfit is really interesting. Although you say it's just bermudas, the jacket really elevates the look. Looks great! I am thinking this is a look I could wear in summer as I really can't stand wearing longer pants during the day in summer. Of course, I would slather on the jewellery

always trying

Veteran

On you it works. Looks great. Inspiration for me.

julesegr

Yes, you can pull it off! You have great style and vision. I particularly like the light-colored looks.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

lol wool suits and boots. Ah fall/winter I know thee well. I love that you look like the Burberry store in Downtown Chicago. I should get another picture if I am close I will but they change the store front so often. I saw that exact look last Friday. You are ahead of the trend and i think it looks better in real life.

skylurker

Veteran

@Ledonna : lol, so funny that I look like a Burberry store in downtown Chicago!

@Brooklyn : wide cropped are worth a try for summer. Very comfy - probably why they're popular - and why I was determined to make them work. In linen, they're super breezy, and more covered than shorts - I've felt too old for my shorts this year.

@Jaime : green shoes are spare shoes I keep in my office drawer.
New shoes are from Gabor - a German comfort brand that make shoes for narrow feet (while most comfort shoes are wide).
I have a pair of Arche but they have heels, sooo...only worn once this summer.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You not only pull off the combination - but wear it with fashion forward poise and elegance. You ARE an innately elegant lady, Isabelle. Killer all round. NICELY DONE.

And I want those boots in Cognac.

skylurker

Veteran

Thank you for chiming in Angie...aren't you supposed to rest?
I'm glad I've found a way to style these culottes at last, they're so comfy.

Boots come in charcoal and navy. I think I need heavier boots anyway, for foul weather. Dunno. Work in progress...

I bought my cognac boots in fall 2014, following your lead, thankfully mine are still in good condition.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No rest for the wicked.

Coming to steal the cognac boots with Super Sam.

Anonymous

Superbe look j'aime beaucoup la photo no1
Superb look I like the photo No. 1

Laura G

Veteran

From the title, I was expecting a "what not to do" photo. But these looks really work on you!

Bijou

Veteran

You look fantasic in these. With your slim build and height, you wear this look so very well. Culottes look more fashion forward than skirts to me.

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