• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
more than just pants
June 14, 2015

So You Bought Some Culottes, Now How Do You Style Them?

By the Cut

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Franey Miller

Maybe you were not an early adopter of the culotte trend, but through repeated exposure and soul-searching, you’ve been worn down to the point of purchasing a pair. Now what? Can you make these pants with feminist origins work for a day at the office? Can you style them for a dressy night out? The Cut found four women in New York City to try them out and prove that not only are culottes comfortable and easy to wear but also happen to look pretty great.

Photographer: Franey Miller; Styling by Diana Tsui; Makeup by William Scott; Hair by Takashi Ashizawa using Oribe Hair Care; Photo Editor: Emily Shornick; Fashion Assistant: Stephanie Eckardt.

View
1 / 15 Photos
Treat Them Like a Sundress Match your top to your bottom and it's no different from your favorite midi dress. Since this pair hits just below the... Treat Them Like a Sundress Match your top to your bottom and it's no different from your favorite midi dress. Since this pair hits just below the calf, wear them with flatforms — they're chunky enough to balance all the volume while adding height. (Pictured: Emily Réjouis, 29, Global Director of Marketing.) Photo: Franey Miller
Going for all white feels appropriately light for the summer, so the accessories should stick to a similar palette like these dangly pale-green earrin... Going for all white feels appropriately light for the summer, so the accessories should stick to a similar palette like these dangly pale-green earrings. Photo: Franey Miller
Play off against the gold tone of the earrings with a big gold bracelet. And then skip a heavy black or brown bag; a blush bucket bag looks less harsh... Play off against the gold tone of the earrings with a big gold bracelet. And then skip a heavy black or brown bag; a blush bucket bag looks less harsh. Photo: Franey Miller
Wear Them Instead of Your Sweatpants These have a stretchy waistband just like your favorite pair of sweats, except with more structure. Treat th... Wear Them Instead of Your Sweatpants These have a stretchy waistband just like your favorite pair of sweats, except with more structure. Treat them the same way and add slip-on sneakers for an easy weekend look. (Pictured: Nathalie Torres, 29, Director of Analytics.) Photo: Franey Miller
Macramé mixed with chambray can come off like you spend all weekend bent over your own personal weaving loom, so add a sleek tote and simple st... Macramé mixed with chambray can come off like you spend all weekend bent over your own personal weaving loom, so add a sleek tote and simple stack of gold bracelets to pull it together. Photo: Franey Miller
Pretend They're a Midi Skirt With a wrap front, this pair is very similar to something you probably already have in your closet. The pattern here... Pretend They're a Midi Skirt With a wrap front, this pair is very similar to something you probably already have in your closet. The pattern here is the focal point, so go simple on top with a plain silk tank. (Pictured: DaMonica Boone, 25, Writer and Digital Producer.) Photo: Franey Miller
Swap Them for Your Work Pants Depending on your dress code, a faux-leather pair can be appropriate, especially if the other pieces are just as sl... Swap Them for Your Work Pants Depending on your dress code, a faux-leather pair can be appropriate, especially if the other pieces are just as sleek, like this long green linen vest and low, stacked-heel pump. Add a sweater to ward off aggressive air-conditioning.
Treat Them Like Jeans They're made of denim, so why not wear them with a classic white T-shirt? You can also experiment with proportion — a long ... Treat Them Like Jeans They're made of denim, so why not wear them with a classic white T-shirt? You can also experiment with proportion — a long vest sharpens the entire outfit. (Pictured: Maggie Gould, 25, Freelance Violinist.)
Wear Them to a Fancy Party If you're heading somewhere that has copious amounts of Champagne and you'd rather be comfortable, silky culottes worn... Wear Them to a Fancy Party If you're heading somewhere that has copious amounts of Champagne and you'd rather be comfortable, silky culottes worn with a nice top is not only just as good as any dress, but way more creative. Photo: Franey Miller
You'd wear special heels with a dress, so do the same for these pants. Photo: Franey Miller
Other details to make a chic outfit: an artsy clutch that matches your stacked chunky bracelets. Photo: Franey Miller
Try a Slimmer Pair Most culottes are voluminous, but if that's too overwhelming, this Zara pair has a more tailored fit. But don't go tight on to... Try a Slimmer Pair Most culottes are voluminous, but if that's too overwhelming, this Zara pair has a more tailored fit. But don't go tight on top; it's more interesting to play with contrasts like this roomy top with interesting details.
Dusty '70s-inspired tones: an easy way to transition your culottes to fall. Photo: Franey Miller
Wear Them Instead of a Going-Out Top Not into taking style cues from a Khaleesi? With a strapless top and crisscross back detail, this culot... Wear Them Instead of a Going-Out Top Not into taking style cues from a Khaleesi? With a strapless top and crisscross back detail, this culotte jumpsuit works just as well for a night out, especially with a minimal, spiky sandal.
Don't bother going overboard with accessories: A slinky cross-body bag and big geometric jewelry are all you need. Photo: Franey Miller
1 / 15

Tags:

  • culottes
  • more than just pants
  • goods
  • shoes
  • styling tips
  • styling ideas
  • More

More Galleries

in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files June 26, 2020
A Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art  The flowers were specially treated to protect the masterpieces. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.