Pool slides aren't the only divisive trend this summer; culottes are about as polarising as bratwurst for breakfast. I, however, happen to be a superfan. And I'm on a one-woman-mission to convert you all. As seen at Ashley Williams and the mighty Topshop Unique for SS14, culottes (or bermudas) are not only incredibly flattering - skimming over the hips and flaring out over the thigh - but endlessly versatile. Yes, you heard me - versatile. They look as good with a cropped t-shirt and sneaks as they do with a pair of stilettos and a tuxedo jacket. So grab a pair of culottesand check out some Instagram styling tips, to break you in.
Keep it simple in black culottes with some breton
Fantastic work, this one. A cropped stripey short-sleeved poloneck tee is paired with some pleated black culottes. Chic, but with an edge. Boom.
Try a knitted pair
Not only is this demonstrating some excellent tonal blocking from Dutch blogger Joyce (can I drop a pun about Fifty Shades of Grey here? No?) but these knitted culottes from Acne are like the leisurewear version of the crisp cotton culotte. Wear with a fuzzy jumper and feel warm and loved from the ass in.
Combine culottes and skate shoes and be painfully trendy
We're not one to say 'stick to the trends' (wear what you goddamn want and we shall gently guide you along the way) but when two trends are this good, it's just good sense to combine them. The loose, white semi-sheer culottes are roughed up pretty nicely by blogger Romalo's leather biker and some quilted skate shoes. Monochrome's enduring for a reason, folks.
Try a culotte suit. Yes, a suit!
So my Easter weekend will be spent trying to find out the origin of this pale blue culottes suit. From the shiny gold buttons, to the matching blue shirt (mon dieu, it's basically a three piece) to the cut-out black slingbacks and even her insouciant hand-in-poche, this is a truly excellent look, as sourced for inspo by blogger Julia. If only her head wasn't chopped off, we might be able to find her, too :/
At the end of the day, it's effortlessly classic
Chic and (seemingly) effortless, wide leg culottes worn with a pair of simple black court shoes, a loose white tee and a navy trench (pretty much our favourite form of outerwear right now) is a 'culotte winner' in its most trad form. Really like the ritzy checkered pattern, too.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.