Apparently wide legged pants are not a petite’s best friend, given that they can make us look smaller… However I have been digging this piece of clothing lately and can see my wardrobe quickly filling up with several of them culottes and I will explain why!
As you know, I love a bit of sartorial history here on She talks Glam, so while doing my research, I found out that culottes were originally worn by upper-class French gentlemen in Renaissance Europe and they were basically what we call “breeches” in English.
They embodied the aristocracy and their values, to such an extent that during the French Revolution, the working class revolutionaries were called “les sans-culottes” (who wore trousers instead of breeches), pretty much to signify the difference in status quo that this garment represented in society.
The concept of female culottes didn’t appear until the Victorian times, when women sneakily wore floor-length skirts with a discreet slit that allowed them freedom of movement to do gardening and also typically male activities such as bike or back horse riding, without actually looking like men’s clothes.
The first woman to ever wear a divided skirt or culotte in public was the amazing Elsa Schiaparelli in London (1931), creating a lot of controversy amongst the British press (!)
I can’t help but picture the image of scandalised passers-by seeing a woman wearing pants in a world of female modesty and decorum 😀
For this week’s outfit, I decided to style these light chambray culottes with some basic black pieces to let the bottoms do the talking 😉 My uber-worn Zara raffia bag and a vintage silk headscarf with a top knot complete the ensemble for a look 100% summer-approved.
So why are culottes a girl’s best friend in summer? For all these reasons:
1. They are light and don’t take up much space in your suitcase, perfect for your holidays!
2. They are comfortable and allow you to move freely while keeping you breezy and fashionable
3. They have a lot of styling possibilities: think of a silky blouse & ballerinas for a French classy look or boxy tee & white sneakers for a street style punch.
4. Petites can also wear them: go for high-waisted culottes with a rather straight cut and add a pair of heels for a bit of extra leg length.
5. They symbolise women’s liberation in a way and they are not your average tight pants, so you will be adding something original to your wardrobe without much effort, really.
Only way I can get Mr. Vet to appear on a photo
In above pictures, you can see me twirling around in my breezy baby blue culottes, enjoying a hot & windy summer day in Cambridge’s neighbouring village of Fen Ditton –first mentioned on the blog here–, where all the houses have flowers at the front and beautiful pink cottages with thatched roofs simply make for the cutest backdrop.
What are your thoughts on culottes, glamistas? Yay or Nay?
Let me know how you would style them in the comments down below and have an amazing Sunday & week ahead!
Peace&Love
Saida
{Primark Baby blue Culottes} {H&M black top} {Orelia London necklace} {ZARA raffia pomp-pom bag}
{TKMaxx chunky sandals} {Vintage headscarf}
Varuna Jithesh
5th May 2018 at 5:24 amNice and Perfect looking outfit..
http://www.varunajithesh.com
Varuna jithesh
9th January 2018 at 1:42 pmNice and perfect looking outfit..
Tales of Two
13th August 2017 at 8:37 amCompletely love cullottes! I’ve also heard they aren’t the best choice for petitie girls but I think if you rock it, you rock it! Looks great on you girl! x
http://talesoftwoblog.blogspot.com.au
d
6th August 2017 at 4:23 amI love how you style your outfit with that pom-pom bag! You look very ready for a summer party!
http://reveriends.com
Kristine M
3rd August 2017 at 4:24 pmThey really are a good look for summer. Enough shade from the sun and enough air to flow through so you dont need to feel like everything is skin tight. I love them.
http://www.seenaskristine.com
theluxilook
23rd July 2017 at 2:51 amThey really are!! I hate tight bottoms in the summer, culottes are the answer!
xx, Amy
http://www.theluxilook.com
Saida
23rd July 2017 at 8:56 amYes, totally agree Amy, they are the perfect answer to hot sticky days and stylish as well. Win-win! Thanks for reading, beauty!
paula mcclelland
23rd July 2017 at 2:07 amDefinitely a YAY on the culottes! I never knew they had such a rich history plus they’re summer in trouser form.
♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.nz/
Saida
23rd July 2017 at 8:55 amAgreed Paula, such a beautiful way to put it ♥ I find culottes much more practical than skirts to be honest, so #teamculottes all the way in!
blesmagazine
22nd July 2017 at 9:53 pmnow thats a look! gorgeous♥
xx
BLES Magazine: Beauty, Life, Entertainment & Style
Saida
23rd July 2017 at 8:54 amThank you for stopping by!
The Style Contour
22nd July 2017 at 7:00 pmOh wow! I had no idea that culottes had such a rich history, what a great fact to know! I love the way you’ve styled yours her, the fabric looks so light and airy, perfect for summer! Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you’re having a great weekend so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Saida
23rd July 2017 at 8:54 amThank you sweetie, so happy you enjoyed the little history and the styling. This pair is really nice for the season because of the light blue colour, but my black culottes can be worn all year round, so I am saved! hahaha
Rach
22nd July 2017 at 3:12 pmI have an obsession with anything wide-leg! So those culottes are right up my alley!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Saida
23rd July 2017 at 8:52 amAhh, glad to know that Rachel, I am pretty much wearing culottes every warmish day here. Happy Sunday dear!
VivaciousWish
21st July 2017 at 10:52 pmYou look gorgeous and your backdrops are fab.
Love them.
Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:16 pmThank you so much Vaishali, you are the sweetest
Vanessa
21st July 2017 at 6:09 pmLOVE the culotte trend! I need to find a cute pair! So cute how you paired them with the sandals and straw bag!
xoxo,
Vanessa
http://www.whatwouldvwear.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:17 pmSo breezy for the hot days, right? Thanks for stopping by, my dearest
therealpinkblogger
21st July 2017 at 8:56 amI love your outfit!!
Have an amazing day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:18 pmSo glad to read that Kris, have a great day you too! Xx
Shannon
21st July 2017 at 5:31 amLove the little history lesson! It’s funny how much fashion has changed & evolved! These culottes look awesome on you! I love how comfortable they are. I don’t wear them enough.
TFM Life & Style blog
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:19 pmThey are definitely my go to bottoms in summer because of how comfy they are, Shannon! And yes, I love to research on fashion history and get surprised by how things have changed over the years 😀 Thanks for reading, babe
Missy May
20th July 2017 at 10:21 pmCulottes are so relaxing and I love how comfortable you look. Pretty!
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:20 pmThank you dear!
DEMELER
20th July 2017 at 9:35 pmlove culottes for summer! such a cute look babe
xx
http://thedemeler.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:20 pmSo happy you liked the post, gorgeous ♥
violettedaily
20th July 2017 at 6:51 pmI’ve never worn culottes but I agree, they look perfect to wear during summer! I love this hairstyle!
http://violettedaily.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:21 pmYou are so tall that I think they would look amazing on you Violette! Thanks for visiting, belle
nisthasaraf
20th July 2017 at 5:34 pmThey look so cool, I have something very similar in the form of pants.
Nistha
https://www.fashionistha.com/workwear-essential-pencil-skirt/
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:21 pmYou should wear them this summer Nistha, they are the best and easy to throw on 🙂
Rachel
20th July 2017 at 3:31 pmPerfect summer look! Amazing!
http://chicglamstyle.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:22 pmThank you so much, beautiful Rachel!
miri
20th July 2017 at 2:09 pmI love wearing culottes and yours look so chic!
Hugs,
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:22 pmMiri, dear, thanks for your kind comment, sending you hugs back!
Vivian
20th July 2017 at 12:14 pmYES to culottes! I live in culottes, they are comfy yet stylish! A must-have in the summer I’d say 🙂 And you look gorgeous in those culottes 🙂 xo, Vivian
http://www.viviantse.net
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:23 pmCouldn’t agree more Vivian, thank you so much for visiting. I love your blog!!
Andreea Birsan
19th July 2017 at 9:38 pmIf choosing the right top and shoes, they can work for any body type :). And btw, I almost forgot about my culottes! Can’t believe I ignored them, used to wear them a lot last summer. Anyways, back to your post, you styled the wide leg cropped pants in such a cute and laid back way ;). Teach me how to tie a scarf like that :D. Wishing you a great day. xx
Andreea,
http://couturezilla.com/
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:25 pmHahahha, love to read your comments so much Andreea! Give those forgotten culottes some love, girl 🙂 And a few attempts were necessary before achieving the perfect scarf top knot 😉
lenajuice
19th July 2017 at 8:12 pmLove your look! These culottes look so pretty on you 😉
The White Ocean
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:25 pmThank you lovely, I am sure they would look awesome on you too!
Patricia
19th July 2017 at 11:26 amYes!!
Culloutes really are a summer essential 😀
Love your pictures!
Kiss
xx
https://thathappymess.com/
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:26 pmThey really are for me, stocking up like crazy this summer tbh! Thanks for reading, Patricia :*
didieryhc
18th July 2017 at 3:27 pmI think culottes look fantastic on you! There’s something very chic and effortless about then, I find.
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:35 pmMany thanks for the compliment, sweet Didier, I also find culottes effortlessly stylish and have become my go-to bottoms this year!
Yvonne
18th July 2017 at 10:41 amLovely summer look and beautiful details! Love the beautiful blooms in the back!
xo Yvonne
http://www.aproposh.com
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:33 pmThis little town was full of flowers, so we had so much fun while shooting! Thanks for stopping by Yvonne ♥
Maria | Short Girl Long Jacket
18th July 2017 at 1:12 amThose culottes look amazing on you! And love the photos, the location is so cute. I recently got a pair of pants that I’m not sure are wide enough to be culottes but I’m obsessed with them, they’re so comfy! And I love their history. They’re like the original man repelling pants haha.
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:32 pmHahaaha, totally true Maria, I thought of it when writing this up! And Yay to comfy wide legged pants this summer!!
amely rose
17th July 2017 at 8:37 pmThey (culottes) definetly are,
this type of pants is so comfy and yet it Looks amazing. Nice casual combination hun 😀
really like your style.
with love your AMELY ROSE
Saida
22nd July 2017 at 12:27 pmAwww, what a beautiful comment Amely Rose, thanks so much for visiting and hope you are having the greatest day!
The Fashion Folks
17th July 2017 at 8:11 pmOh yes to this post! Love culottes in the summer, they just add the perfect summer vibe! Love yours too, that bright color is so cute and love how you styled it with the scarf and bag. Just so chic babe! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Alyssa
17th July 2017 at 6:22 pmYou look amazing! I wish I could rock culottes, unfortunately I’m too petite for it
xx Alyssa // STYLE VANITY
Demilade Aina
17th July 2017 at 12:15 pmLoved the mini history lesson, how cool! Culottes are really cute, I like them particularly because they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. You look so cute in yours and the the pink cottage looks so pretty! xx
Coco Bella Blog
Milena ☁️
17th July 2017 at 10:32 amIt’s really interesting to read about the history of culottes! They are such a perfect item for summer and a great alternative to skirts. Your pair is so lovely!
http://milenawears.com
x
imogenmillard
17th July 2017 at 10:22 amI absolutely love my pair! I am petite and I love to style mine with high heels- and I completely agree with the high-waisted part, it makes such a difference and elongates the legs. Your photos are beautiful as always xx
Imogen x http://www.faux-silk.com
Jessica
17th July 2017 at 5:32 amOh yes they are! I love how they are so easy to style too!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Amy Arnold
17th July 2017 at 2:24 amI LOVE culottes especially in the summer. These look so great on you!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
carmitive
16th July 2017 at 2:54 pmOh I love culottes in summer and you styled it lovely! You look gorgeous <3
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
Koral • Fábrica de Imaginación
16th July 2017 at 10:49 amMe encanta este tipo de posts! Donde acompañas la moda de si historia de una manera tan didáctica! Love u