In Fashion Challenge

Ways to Wear Culottes

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I must admit, it’s taken some practice to call these “culottes” (which sounds very chic and French) instead of “gauchos” which is what they were called back in my day.

BCBGculottes

By any name, these “pants” have made a recent resurgence and though I haven’t been chasing the trend, I have been keeping my eye out for a pair while thrifting in order to revisit the pants of my childhood.  Thrifting is the perfect approach to trends – try them out without breaking the bank.  And so it was with these BCBG Max Azria culottes I scored for $4 from Goodwill!

BCBGculottes

I must also admit, I was skeptical about these culottes.  Maybe they just inspired a trip down memory lane to awkward youth with a middle part, huge glasses and cowlicks, but I figured they would look… bad.  In fact, once I started pinning culotte outfits, I was very inspired and once I started playing dress up with them, I was convinced: culottes are awesome!  They are midi skirts with no chance of flashing!  They showcase shoes, make your hips look tiny, work with short or long tops and can be styled with anything that you’d wear with jeans.  I am so glad I scored these culottes and can’t wait to add them into regular rotation in my wardrobe!  Here are just a few ways I styled them while sorting out my past their potential.

WITH A CARDI AND TALL BOOTS

(what I actually wore to work today)

Shell and necklace B.T. (Before Thrifting), raspberry cardi $4.50, Naturalizer boots $12.60
Shell and necklace B.T. (Before Thrifting), raspberry cardi $4.50, Naturalizer boots $12.60

Cardi and culottes

WITH A SHORT BLAZER AND PLATFORM SANDALS

Black tank from my closet, olive linen cropped blazer $3.50, Robert Clergerie sandals
Black tank from my closet, olive linen cropped blazer $3.50, Robert Clergerie sandals, She Does Create build-your-own pendant
The short hem of the cropped blazer works well to balance out the wide hem of the culottes.
The short hem of the cropped blazer works well to balance out the wide hem of the culottes.

WITH A SWEATER AND ANKLE BOOTS

Charcoal Italian wool sweater $7, Clarks ankle boots $13
Charcoal Italian wool sweater $7, Chie Mahara ankle boots $7, earrings from my collection

culotteswithsweaterandankleboots

WITH A TEE AND FAB SHOES

Firefly tee $2.10, thrifted and Silpada gold and silver necklaces twisted and tied, Stuart Weitzman leather shoes $10.40
Firefly tee $2.10, thrifted and Silpada gold and silver necklaces twisted and tied, She Does Create earrings, Stuart Weitzman leather shoes $10.40

culotteswithbasictee

These shoes!!! Swoon! They were part of my birthday thrift haul (comind soon) and retail for $400-500!!
These shoes!!! Swoon! They were part of my birthday thrift haul (comind soon) and retail for $400-500!!
Look at the heels!!
Look at the heels!!

WITH A TURTLENECK AND BOOTS

Black Nicole Miller turtleneck $2, belt $3.50 plus stretchy cord boots I got in Korea circa 1996.
Black Nicole Miller turtleneck $2, belt $3.50 plus stretchy cord boots I got in Korea circa 1996.
culottesturtleneck
Designer pieces have impeccable tailoring and details!

WITH A CHAMBRAY AND ANKLE BOOTS

Chambray $4.20, Clarks boots $13, red belt $1.20
Chambray $4.20, Clarks boots $13, red belt $1.20, cuff $2

chambraywithculottes

I could have kept styling these culottes all night long but my kids/photographers had to get to bed!  If you haven’t tried gauchos culottes since the 70s recently, I recommend thrifting a pair then wearing them with anything and everything!  That’s what I’ll be doing!

Waystowearculottes

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5 Comments

  2. Pipp McCowan

    Which “section” did you find the culottes?

  3. Shannon Ebbesen

    You have the perfect
    Body type for culottes. I remember wearing them in school…I was the ONLY one who was working that latest trend. IOne thing she did was always bring the latest fashion to us in our small town U0001f496

  5. Barbara Ferguson

    I ❤️ these, but im too short!!!

  6. The Spirited Thrifter

    They were in the pants section!!