When you think of culottes, you might imagine your mom in the 1970s or your kooky high school art teacher. Although culottes have been given a hippie-esque rep in the past, they're now being taken more seriously and there are so many ways to wear culottes. They may soon become a wardrobe staple along with LBDs, white shirts, and skinny jeans.
The origin of quirky culottes goes further back than you might realize. Fellow Bustler Jade Melise Herrin reported on the history of culottes and discovered that, according to Vogue, Elsa Schiaparelli "created the revolutionary divided skirt, a forerunner of shorts, which was worn by Lili de Alvarez at Wimbledon in 1931 and shocked the tennis world," which actually makes culottes somewhat of a revolutionary garment. Nowadays culottes seem to be having their moment in the style spotlight. In recent years Kendall Jenner wore culottes and the fashion pack went wild for her chic style. Kendall's kid sister, Kylie Jenner wore culottes too, but managed to combine her modest trews with a saucy white halter, giving these once prim pants a modern revamp. These rad pants aren't just for the Jenner sisters, Melissa McCarthy wore printed culottes in an Instagram snap promoting Ghostbusters recently.
So if you fancy being a fashion leader, rather than a follower, pick up a pair of culottes to stay stylish and keep cool this spring/summer.
1. The Stripey Style
Asos Wrap Front Stripe Culottes, $39, ASOS
Steam ahead by embracing the nautical trend with a pair of striped culottes this spring.
2. The Denim Pair
Plus Size Denim Culottes, $25, Forever 21
Kick back in a pair of cool denim culottes that'll go with everything.
3. The Monochrome Culottes
Roza Large Mono Floral Culotte, $20, Boohoo
Put a contemporary spin on the 1970s hippie vibe, with these black and white flower power pants.
4. The Lovely Lace Culottes
Lace Culottes, $57, Simplybe
Who'd have thought that culottes could be super sophisticated? With this dainty pair it's easy to be elegant in a pair of culottes.
5. The Polka Dot Culottes
Contemporary Polka Dot Print Culottes, $25, Forever 21
These cutesy polka dot culottes have nostalgia in bucket loads.
6. The Tan Style
Joanna Hope Mock-Suede Culotte, $67, Simplybe
Go for a grown up look with a pair of tan culottes, but pair them with some glam gladiator sandals to avoid entering into frumpy territory.
7. The Pleated Pair
Pleated-Front Culottes, $23, Forever 21
Exude girl boss vibes in a pair of pretty, pleated culottes worn to work.
8. The Pink Culottes
Asos Curve Longline Culotte In Crepe, $33, ASOS
Put a feminine spin on this once androgynous garment by sporting a pretty, pink pair.
9. The Satin Style
Asos White Textured Satin Wide Leg Culottes, $114, ASOS
Rock an edgy ballerina look in some satin culottes.
10. The Formal Pair
Asos Occasion Printed Culottes, $62, ASOS
Searching for an alternative outfit to wear to a wedding? Look no further than these formal, floral print culottes.
11. The Cool Printed Culottes
Alice & You Printed Culottes, $57, ASOS
These cool printed culottes would look awesome worn to a festival, a concert, a shopping trip – or basically anywhere!
12. The Casual Culottes
Loop Back Jersey Culottes Grey, $30, Missguided
A pair of jersey culottes are the perfect piece to sport on a lazy Sunday.
13. The Culotte Jumpsuit
Print Culotte Jumpsuit, $82, Simplybe
This quirky culotte jumpsuit will make a stylish statement on hot summer nights.
Stand out from the fashion flock and flaunt a pair of easy, breezy culottes this coming spring and summer!
Images: Courtesy Brands
