Culottes for cooler climes.

It might be mid August, and therefore you might be forgiven for thinking that here in Blighty we are swanning around in our shorts all day. But hey, mother nature isn’t quite with the programme this week, so it’s the perfect time to reach for your culottes to counteract these cooler climes.

So what’s with culottes as a fashion choice? For me even the word has connotations of evil 80’s garb. Nightmare scenarios come flooding back, where my mum thought it was totally reasonable to deck me out in polyester culottes, long stripy socks and platforms…ugh!

These days, thanks to super sleek designers like Victoria Beckham (who often works a mean look in culottes) and high street heroes like Topshop, culottes are more mainstream and a totally credible fashion choice for either the office or weekend.

Culottes … how to wear them.

The joy of culottes is that they have the same ease of wear as shorts or trousers, but they also throw a little feminine curveball into the mix. Look for culottes with pleats at the front for guaranteed extra volume – thus making you look like you have a nipped in waist. It’s a good idea to snag a pair with a hemline which hits at a flattering part of your leg – either just above or below the widest part of your calf if you’re doing a midi look.

I love these crisp white Topshop culottes, and put them together with this cute Lemlem crop top and a layered J.Crew endless shirt. With this changeable weather we’re experiencing, a little savvy layering goes a long way. A pair of pastel Supergas will see you through to autumn’s upcoming pastel crazed colour trend, whilst the Yaser Shaw shawl will ensure you are snuggled up whatever the weather.

Finally I added this crisp Rebecca Minkoff shoulder bag and Accessorize stacking ring to finish the look.