Culottes

We could talk about culottes all day but there’s one dressing problem they solve better than anything else and it goes like this: The day that starts off in an air conditioned office and ends at a rooftop happy hour where your trousers are too stuffy and your skirt is too flimsy. Culottes fill that specific need. They’re wide enough to swish around like a skirt, but structured enough to pass as trousers. They’re relaxed but not thrown together. It’s rare to find a silhouette that can strike that balance. Because of that specificity we’ve been really picky about which culottes make the cut around here. There’s a bad culotte out there and they do nothing for anyone. They cut the leg off too short. They bunch up at the hip. They look liked you forgot what you were doing midway through shopping and decided to go home. These don't. Each and every pair we’ve selected actually lengthens the line of your leg by hitting at the proper spot (usually right below the knee or mid calf) and sits neatly at your hip without adding extra bulk. We’ve also paid special attention to fabric. Again, you want something that actually holds its shape, so no stiff tablecloth fabric culottes. But at the same time something with a bit of weight to it. Speaking of weight, we were surprised at how many occasions these bad boys could work. We’ve got pairs that are perfect for the office worn with a tucked in blouse and low heel. We’ve also got pairs that feel more linen, more cotton, more Saturday. And plenty that can go both ways. You can thank us later. Another reason we gravitate towards them? They work with pretty much every body type. The wide leg is liberating because it skims over the thigh rather than clinging to it. The structured hem creates a slender line. And they almost never need hemming, which is both great for you and your bank account. We’ve split our favorites into fabric and occasion because let’s be honest, that’s probably how you’re shopping anyway. Do you need work culottes? Weekend culottes? We’ve got you. Finding the right pair that fits is half the battle. Once you do, trust us, they’ll more than earn their keep.