When I started to notice culottes in stores, it didn’t surprise me.  It was easy to see them coming down the pike.  Pants have been trending wide for a while, and, in many cases, pleated, and full midi skirts have been making a strong comeback, even though skirts are enemy #1 to most women.  As we head into hot weather, it’s only natural that for summer, when most of us look to bare a little ankle—because it’s amazing how 2” of ankle can make all the difference in terms of looking summer-y— culottes splashed onto the scene this year.

WHAT MAKES A CULOTTE PANT A CULOTTE PANT

Despite their differences, at a certain point, the distinction between culottes, wide-leg crop pants, and gauchos really just becomes an issue of semantics.  But technically speaking,  culottes, sometimes called a split skirt, are cut to resemble a skirt but are divided into separate sections.  They are knee or calf-length and offer the flexibility and comfort of pants.  

So how does this differ from wide-leg cropped pants?  The only real difference between them is the amount of volume, with culottes being fuller and more “skirt-like” compared to wide-leg cropped pants, which tend to be straighter and a little longer.  Gauchos and wide-leg cropped pants are very close to being exactly the same with gauchos typically being shorter than wide-leg cropped pants, but not as full as culottes.

So, again, semantics.  Nobody will balk if you use these terms interchangeably.

WHY CULOTTES CAN BE NICE ADDITIONS TO YOUR WARDROBE, EVEN PROFESSIONALLY

Culottes solve quite a few issues.  For one, no thigh chafing.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  From a technical design standpoint, the wider the legs of pants are, the lower the inseam (longer the rise) is, which means that the bulbous top of the thighs that so many women have might chafe.  But don’t worry; throw a little Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-gel on that small spot, and you’ll be fine.  Obviously, pants offer way more movement and mobility, plus you won’t have to worry about your skirt blowing up over your head, ala Marilyn Monroe style, at a strong gust of wind.  For even the skirt-averse, culottes can be tremendously appealing.  They offer breezy temperature regulation with modesty and built-in comfort.

STYLING CULOTTES FOR WORK

To give you some ideas on how to wear culottes, I have styled five different looks for work, some business-casual enough that you can even wear them on the weekend.

Before I do, here are some tips about wearing them.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENGTH

When it comes to culottes, length matters. If the hem hits at the widest part of your calf, it can make your legs appear wider than they are. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to solve. Look for styles that hit either slightly above or below the fullest part of your calf, or have a tailor shorten them if needed. A small adjustment in length can make a surprisingly big difference in how flattering culottes look on your body.

IF YOU ARE PETITE

Many petite women have been told to avoid wide-leg pants, full skirts, and anything that creates visual width because it can make them appear shorter. While there is some truth to that, I don’t believe in writing off entire categories of clothing based on a rule.

Will culottes create a slightly shortening effect? Yes. Is it so dramatic that you should avoid them altogether? Not in my opinion.

If you’re petite and want to minimize that effect, choose culottes with a more moderate leg width, pair them with shoes that create some visual lift, and avoid strong horizontal interruptions like dark shoes paired with bare legs or ankle straps that visually cut the leg line. The goal isn’t to eliminate every shortening element; it’s simply to make informed choices that help you achieve the look you want.

PAY ATTENTION TO PROPORTION

Because culottes create volume on the bottom half of the body, they often look best paired with tops that are more fitted, tucked, or at least intentionally shaped. This doesn’t mean skin-tight; it simply means creating some definition so the outfit doesn’t feel boxy.

LET THE CULOTTES BE THE STATEMENT

Culottes already bring visual interest through their shape. Often, the most successful outfits pair them with relatively simple tops and accessories, allowing the silhouette itself to do the heavy lifting.

LOOK #1: THE EXECUTIVE CULOTTE

If these culottes look familiar, they should. They’re the cropped counterpart to the full-length L’Agence trousers I packed for Mrs. Starling’s vacation (post here). While the original style proved its versatility for travel, this shorter version demonstrates just how easily the silhouette can be adapted for a professional wardrobe.

This is the dressiest look of the five and one that could easily take you from an important client meeting to dinner afterward. The ivory L’Agence culottes are paired with a simple silk tank from Me+Em and topped with a beautifully tailored navy blazer from TWP. The blazer is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. Its shaped silhouette and slightly shorter length create definition through the waist and help balance the volume of the culottes without overwhelming the frame.

The tan slingback pumps from M.Gemi are another smart choice. Because they’re light-colored and lack an ankle strap, they create less visual interruption and help elongate the leg line, something many women appreciate when wearing a wider cropped silhouette.

To finish the look, I added a bold silver link necklace from Alexis Bittar. The modern jewelry gives the outfit a bit of personality while maintaining the clean, sophisticated feel of the overall look.

The result is polished, professional, and thoroughly modern—proof that culottes can be every bit as elegant and work-appropriate as traditional trousers.

LOOK #2: BUSINESS CASUAL WITH PERSONALITY

One of the reasons I like culottes so much is their ability to bridge the gap between polished and relaxed, and this outfit demonstrates that balance perfectly.

The navy culottes from Me+Em provide the foundation, while a striped button-down from Alex Mill keeps the look feeling classic and professional. Layered over the shirt is one of Alex Mill’s cotton cardigans, a piece I know many of my clients love for its easy fit and versatility. The bright red color injects energy into the outfit and prevents the navy-and-white palette from feeling predictable.

To keep the look from becoming too traditional, I swapped dress shoes for navy sneakers from Vince. The result is approachable and modern without sacrificing polish. A slim navy suede belt from Veronica Beard adds a subtle finishing touch, while simple gold hoops from Mejuri provide just enough shine without competing with the bold cardigan.

This outfit is a great example of how culottes can work in business-casual environments where you want to look professional but not overly formal. The combination of tailoring, color, and comfortable footwear strikes that sweet spot between put-together and effortless.

LOOK #3: CASUAL CULOTTES WITH CHARACTER

One of the easiest ways to wear culottes is to lean into their inherently relaxed nature while balancing them with pieces that add structure. That’s exactly what’s happening in this outfit.

The striped culottes from Anthropologie have a playful, almost skirt-like quality thanks to their volume and movement. To ground them, I paired them with a simple navy ribbed tee from J.Crew. The fitted shape of the top creates balance against the fullness of the culottes and keeps the silhouette from feeling overwhelming.

The cropped collarless denim jacket from Reiss is what pulls the outfit together. Its shorter length helps define the waist and prevents the proportions from becoming too long and loose. The clean, collarless design also feels a bit more polished than a traditional denim jacket, making it a great choice for business-casual environments.

For footwear, I added platform sandals from Charlotte Stone. The substantial heel gives a little height to offset the cropped length of the culottes, while the unexpected pop of red adds personality and keeps the outfit from feeling too predictable. It’s a small detail, but often it’s these unexpected touches that make an outfit memorable.

This look is a great example of how culottes can feel creative and approachable without sacrificing polish. It’s relaxed enough for a casual workplace or weekend plans, but still intentional enough to look like you put some thought into getting dressed.

LOOK #4: USING COLOR TO CREATE INTEREST

If you’ve ever worried that culottes might feel too casual or too voluminous, color can be one of the easiest ways to make the silhouette feel intentional and stylish.

The foundation of this look is a pair of khaki culottes from Uniqlo, a versatile neutral that works with far more colors than many people realize. Instead of pairing them with another neutral, I added a rust-colored sweater from Varley. The rich, earthy tone creates warmth and contrast against the khaki while still feeling sophisticated enough for work.

The real magic, however, is in the accessories. Rather than reaching for expected brown or tan shoes, I finished the outfit with ocean-blue flats from Margaux. Blue and rust are complementary colors, meaning they naturally enhance one another, while the cool tone of the shoes provides an unexpected contrast against the warmth of the sweater. The result is colorful without feeling loud.

A sculptural bracelet from Sézane and delicate drop earrings add a polished finishing touch while maintaining the relaxed elegance of the outfit.

This look is a great reminder that interesting outfits aren’t always built through complicated styling. Sometimes all it takes is combining colors you might not normally think to put together. The culottes provide the canvas, while the color palette does the talking.

LOOK #5: CASUAL, CREATIVE, AND COMPLETELY WORK APPROPRIATE

If your workplace leans more casual, culottes can be a fantastic alternative to jeans. This outfit has a relaxed feel, but every piece has enough personality to keep it looking intentional.

The blue culottes from Meg, one of my favorite boutiques, are the star of the look. Their dramatic volume and oversized patch pockets create visual interest all on their own, proving that sometimes a single statement piece can do much of the styling work for you.

To complement the bold silhouette, I paired them with a striped sweater tee from Boden. The green and cream stripes add energy and a playful touch, while the fitted shape balances the volume of the culottes. The combination of blue and green feels fresh and unexpected without being difficult to wear.

Rather than dress the look up, I leaned into its casual nature with retro-inspired sneakers from Puma. The yellow detail picks up the playful spirit of the outfit and adds another layer of color without overwhelming the palette. Simple drop earrings from J.Crew finish the look with just enough polish.

What I love most about this outfit is that it demonstrates how culottes can function much like jeans. Pair them with a striped knit and sneakers, and you have an outfit that feels comfortable, creative, and perfectly appropriate for a casual office, a client coffee meeting, or even a weekend outing.

CULOTTES CAN BE VERSATILE

If there’s one thing I hope these outfits demonstrate, it’s that culottes are far more versatile than they are often given credit for. From a tailored blazer and heels to sneakers and a striped sweater, they’re capable of adapting to a wide range of workplaces and personal styles.

Like any silhouette, success comes down to thoughtful styling. Pay attention to proportion, choose the right length, and build outfits that feel authentic to the way you dress. Do that, and culottes stop feeling like a challenging trend piece and start functioning exactly as they should: as another useful option in your wardrobe.

Whether your office dress code is polished and professional or relaxed and creative, there’s likely a place for culottes in your wardrobe. The five outfits above aren’t meant to be copied exactly, but rather to show the possibilities. Once you stop thinking of culottes as a special category of clothing and start treating them like any other pair of pants, getting dressed becomes a whole lot easier.

Still need help crafting your summer look? Schedule a complimentary Image & Style Assessment with me here so we can discuss how I can best help.