Cool Off in Culottes
Kelli Conway • 08/01/2017
Photo: Closetful of Clothes
Hey, skinny jeans...we love you, but sometimes we just need a little more space. You’re perfect from September through May, but with temperatures reaching 100+ degrees, you’re just too clingy. So we’ve started seeing someone else: culottes. It’s not you, it’s us (or more specifically, our sweaty thighs).
Essentially, the culotte marries the ease of our favorite cutoffs with the breeziness of a maxi skirt.
Not only that, these airy pants exude a chic effortlessness, whether you're wearing them to work or out for drinks. They're a no-brainer foundation for the perfect take-you-anywhere ensemble.
Though culottes have become more on-trend in the past few seasons, some women are still hesitant to try out the mid-calf look. But, trust us—it can be totally flattering with the right pairings. We can't sing the praises of a high-waisted pair enough. They lend themselves to a throwback silhouette which works wonders with cropped everything, and crisp cotton poplin reads especially season-appropriate. Matching white kicks round out the French-girl-on-the-back-of-a-Vespa scenario perfectly. Or play with proportions and mix the voluminous bottoms with a fitted top or bodysuit.
Shop our top summer culotte picks for wherever the season takes you…