Cool culottes

Photos: Rockstar, Hansel, Whole9Yards

RED ALERT (left)

$59 from Rockstar at www.rockstar.com.sg

If you are feeling bold, these high-waisted red culottes are a fabulous choice. The clean lines of the silhouette ensure that it stays sophisticated. Paired with a crop top, the look is a modern take on eveningwear.

SHORT CUT (centre)

$129 from Hansel at 02-14 Mandarin Gallery and www.wearto.com

Most of the culottes out there today are of a longer length but short ones are fun too.

This punchy magenta pair is refreshingly youthful, and the black ribbon tie helps highlight and flatter the waist.

BORDERLINE SKIRT (right)

$89 from Whole9Yards at 02-06 Orchard Gateway or www.whole9yards.com

These culottes, with their A-line cut and length, take their skirt-resembling definition seriously.

The black piping at the hem helps define the skirt shape and keeps the light-coloured chequered fabric from disappearing.

START UP

Photo: Zara

$79.90 from Zara at 02-02 Liat Towers

These basic black culottes are a great starter version of the pants - very skirt-like and easy to match.

Free of any additional embellishment or distracting details, they provide the perfect blank silhouette to balance a crazy top.

RESORT VIBE

Photo: Topshop

$96.90 from Topshop at 01-05 Knightsbridge

Like full skirts, culottes are a good canvas for an interesting pattern.

This navy-and-white leaf print gives the pants a more resort-like feel. Wear it in place of denim shorts for a casual but more elegant look.

RETRO CHARM

Photo: Alice and Olivia

$460 from Alice and Olivia at 03-17 Ion Orchard

Culottes can veer into retro territory, especially those with a higher waist.

This cream pair is vintage-esque, but in a good, Katharine Hepburn kind of way. Top it off with a silk blouse to play up the languid feel.

STRIPED GLAM

Photo: Net-A-Porter

US$1,007 (S$1,367) from Tibi at www.net-a-porter.com

Structured culottes tend to look a bit more formal compared to loose ones.

This cream-and-tan pair is especially reminiscent of a ball gown, with its volume and length. The contrast-direction stripes add whimsy, too.

DETAILED SURVEY

Photo: Mango

$99 from Mango at 01-38 VivoCity

At first glance, these black culottes look fairly plain.

Upon closer inspection, you can see the extra details - a sash-like belt and large pockets - that elevate this pair from average to utilitarian and interesting.

CHIRPY LOOK

Photo: Net-A-Porter

US$635 (S$862) from Etro at www.net-a-porter.com

These pleated culottes are the essence of spring. Printed with abstract purple bird shapes against a pale blue sky, they would look great dressed up or down.

ROMANTIC TIMES

Photo: The OutNet

$228 from Iris & Ink at www.theoutnet.com

This straight-cut blush pair of culottes has a romantic, slightly old-fashioned feel to it. It is a tricky shape to wear, so stick to a simple blouse and heels for the rest of the outfit to keep it all looking sharp.

TIPS

1. Tuck in your tops when wearing culottes.

It is the easiest and quickest way to highlight your waist and make sure you do not get lost in all that fabric.

The high-waist nature of many culottes also makes them a perfect silhouette for tucking in shirts or pairing with a modern crop top.

2. The longer the culottes, the more necessary it is to wear high heels. Like with midi skirts, longer culottes can make you look stumpy.

Heels help you carry off the difficult length and add to a ladylike vibe.

You can also try pointy-toe flats to help lengthen the leg.

3. Culottes can lean towards casual or formal on the dressy scale, depending on the type.

Just remember that the looser the silhouette and the more printed it is, the more laid-back it will look overall.

Conversely, structured culottes in solid colours will look more dressy.

This article was first published on March 06, 2015.
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