When I think of the culotte, the first thing that comes to mind is a fond memory of my grandmother in a vibrantly hued, polyester version, and the second thing I think of is…pass. There’s no denying that this summer we saw the rise in hemlines when it came to denim, mimicking a culotte-like frayed and abbreviated flair, and with the arrival of spring 2017, the trend gets pushed even further, popping up as the “it” length for pants of all kinds. The most essential element to pull of this look without looking too costumey or unintentionally retro is to balance it with the right footwear.
Streamlined, sturdy, and simple are the best sole mates for the look, be it in a sandal, sneaker, or even boot. A simple strap across the toe and ankles, a classic white leather or canvas sneaker, or a slick boot, slim enough to slip inside the wide pant leg will be your best footwear alliances with the look. The hardest part is re-imagining your entire silhouette, and feeling truly comfortable with it. Regardless of if you “do the culotte” or not, there is no slowing down the direction of fashion, which, for the first time in a long time, is heading in a much wider leg direction (think gaucho pants).
It is, however, worth the effort, so that you can wear the incredibly cool versions from Timo Weiland, Whit, Banana Republic, Kuho, and J.Crew!
