Last summer was the summer of the anklet, and this summer it might just be the summer of showing your ankles — AKA culottes are so back! As a long-time culotte lover, they never left my wardrobe, but recently I have been seeing them popping up everywhere I go. Internet searches for culottes and ”what are culottes” are up over 100% in comparison with last year.
The wide-legged cropped pants were first made popular in the later Victorian eras, as a way to challenge style norms and introduce more pants into women’s fashion. In the 60s and 70s, they came back into fashion as a modern pant to wear with everything from suits to tees. And now they’re back in different versions and styles. I spoke with two fashion stylists about why the recent rise in culottes’ popularity has occurred and how to best style them.
The long-winded debate about whether you can wear shorts to the office is officially over because culottes can feel just as breezy as shorts and just as stylish as slacks. Many brands like Ann Taylor, Uniqlo and more are releasing new takes on the classic cropped pant style. Read on to see why everyone is obsessing over these pants that were first made popular in the 60s.
I have had them for years!$138.00$138.00
A fun take on the culotte$180.00$180.00
How to style culottes
To figure out how to best style the trendy culottes this summer, I chatted with two style experts: stylist Samantha Brown and Alexia Hill, who is the founder of Obscura Zine. When it comes to finding the right pair, Brown says that culottes can be styled on all body types and that, “the key is paying attention to proportion and playing with footwear to add some height whenever you add width, particularly on petite frames.” Hill agrees and says you can make culottes work for your frame by adding longer or shorter tops and different shoes.
Hill also comments on the trend coming back into style, “I think culottes have also come back into trend amidst the summer heat, practicality and the functionality of the free range of movement in looser-fitting bottoms.” Brown also notes that they are great for transitional weather, saying they can be, “paired with flats or sandals now and knee-high boots later.”
Both stylists say the trend can be dressed up with button-ups or off-the-shoulder tops and also dressed down with graphic tees. Hill likes to pair culottes with kitten heels or slingbacks and Brown likes, “elongated square toe flats [and] soft drivers which are very in for Fall.”
Editor-loved culottes
I [Shigo] have the black version of these pants, and I love them for workouts and hikes. I wore them upstate, and they were so handy for throwing on after swimming all day. I loved how quickly they dried.
Many of my friends have complimented me, so I have persuaded a couple of them into buying them.
If you have been following the trend of wearing fun clothes to work out in, you need to try these gaucho/culotte workout pants. I have been wearing them all summer long to go to the park, the gym or to just lounge around the house. If you want them to fit a little longer, you can even unfold the waistband to make them longer.
GU Linen Blend Cargo Half Pants
Editor Evan Siegel is a fan of these culottes for summer because they help keep him cool. He says, “These ‘half pants’ are fashioned out of a lightweight linen blend that’s breathable and has held up well after multiple washes. I appreciate the drawstrings on the waistband and legs to adjust the fit, plus the cargo pockets for all my essentials.”
Uniqlo Cotton Culottes
Cotton is another one of my favorite fabrics for the summer because it dries quickly and feels breezy. I have this pair from Uniqlo and have been wearing them to work all the time. They look great with ballet flats or heels.
Muji Lyocell Blend Skirt Pants
I remember having these culottes on my wishlist for a long time before actually getting them because they sold out so fast. I wear them all the time in the winter because they are thicker and they look really nice with a pair of boots.
They have natural pleats to them so they look like dress pants. They also have pockets that are longer to hold way more than just your phone.
By now you can tell I have a ton of culottes (they actually make up most of my pants in my wardrobe). I recently got this pair from Eileen Fisher, and I am obsessed with them. The linen is so breathable and easy to just throw on.
The brand is known for being size inclusive, and these fit me great and leave some breathing room. I recommend wearing these on super hot days to the office.
These are probably my oldest pair of culottes. I have had them for almost six years. I got them before I moved to New York, and they have never let me down.
Whenever I can’t pick an outfit, I always choose these pants because they look great with flats, boots, heels and more. I also know many other Shop TODAY editors are fans of this brand’s pants.
Just when you thought I might be done with culottes, this pair is another new pair I got. I love the cargo combo of the pants. They have so many pockets I can actually fit a whole book in the pocket.
They can be adjusted to fit tighter around the calf and they have a drawstring waist which I love.
Ruti On The Loose Work Pants
I am wearing these pants as I am typing this, and if I am being honest, I have been wearing them the past three days. They are so comfortable and fit great for those who are shorter. I wear them to workout classes and out to dinner. They are probably my favorite summer pants right now because they are so light.
More culottes to try
Many reviewers love these pants because they hit at a great length if you are on the shorter side. One reviewer says, “I’m 5’3” and these are nicely cropped while still being long enough to be dressy. Great versatility for different use cases, dress up or down.”
If you like a looser fit, try these pants that have an elastic waist. They are made with linen so you can stay cool in the summer. They also come in so many colors you can stock up for the season.
These culottes have a fun draped pleat on the pants. They would look great with a matching blazer or a white top paired with heels. I think if you are on the fence about joining in on the trend, try these out.
I have been seeing so many culottes in denim form recently too. I love this denim pair from GU that hits right at the shin. They come in some great wash combinations like black or light denim, so you can find one that matches your style.
These Ann Taylor culottes are so elegant; they are a must-buy if you need some new work clothes. I love how the brand styled them on their site. They have belt loops too, so you can add a matching belt if you like to accessorize.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Samantha Brown is a celebrity stylist and has been featured on the TODAY Show.
- Alexia Hill is the founder of Obscura Zine, retail manager at vintage boutique, Allegra Vintij and is a host for social media platform, What New York Wears.
How we choose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best culottes based on editor recommendations an customer reviews from popular retailers. We also conducted market research, spoke with style experts and filtered our searches for top-rated culottes and asked our editors for their favorite picks.
