Ok, so what is a culotte exactly? According to dictionary.com, they are defined as women’s knee-length trousers, cut with very full legs to resemble a skirt. And that’s a pretty fitting definition because that’s exactly what my pants look like in today’s post. And maybe that’s why I love them so much.
You get the easy-breezy flow of a skirt without actually having to worry about a gust of wind whipping up and flashing your booty. But styling them.. how, when, why, HELP! I got you, girl! Today, it’s all about how to wear culottes for petite, or heck, even if you aren’t! So let’s go.
How To Wear Culottes When You Are Petite
Now, don’t get culottes confused with wide-leg crop jeans. Y’all know I live in my blue denim pair. My white denim pair feels a bit more culotte-y but I still classify them as WLCJ’s in my opinion. Both are heaven on my legs and I plan on wearing them well throughout fall. But like I mentioned above in the actual definition of culotte, they’re pants/shorts meant to look like a skirt.
So that means, to me, they need to be a bit flowing and, when standing with your legs together, should give the illusion of a skirt. So just keep that in mind as we talk about culottes today, ok? Glad we got that cleared up.
Shopping For Culottes When You Are Petite
If you’re petite like me, you know how tricky it can be to find wide-leg pants that are flattering on you, especially a full-on culotte. My tip is to go for a style that is a bit shorter in length. The pair I’m wearing here today are classified as shorts. Anything too long with such a wide leg would drown my small frame. But if you find a pair that you love that is a bit too long, don’t be afraid to take them to the tailor. It’s a simple alteration that can make a world of difference. So if you’re wanting to find a pair of culottes for yourself, start shopping here:
Styling Tips For Culottes
The biggest tip I can give you when styling culottes for petite is balance. The easiest way to do that is to make sure your waist is defined. Typically culottes are made with a higher waistband, and you don’t want that to get lost under a flowing top or sweater. Even if you just do a front tuck, make sure the eye can easily distinguish where your waist starts. This creates a long line for your legs and makes you appear taller. This way you’re wearing the culottes, the culottes aren’t wearing you. If that makes sense.
I did a longer culottes style a year or so back where I styled it with an oversized sweater. Even then, I did a little tuck so you could see where my waist started. I kept it a bit more casual for today’s look but the same rules apply. And given that fall is right around the corner (no joke, we had mid 60’s temps here in Atlanta the other day!) I denim jacket makes the perfect layering piece to complete the look.
