Timeless Trends: Culottes

I thought I would begin my first 'Timeless Trends' post with a look at something I have rediscovered my love for recently- culottes!

For anyone who hasn't come across them before, culottes are basically half skirt, half trousers, and it's a weird but wonderful hybrid. I, for one, know the panic that sets in when wearing a skirt on a windy UK summer's day, and sometimes I have had to hold onto the hem for dear life! 

Culottes, on the other hand, give the comfort and flattering effect of a skirt, but with some of the added security that trousers and shorts provide. As much as I will always love skirts, it is nice not to worry about flashing passers-by!

As I'm a bit of a nerd, I fancied having a look into the history of culottes and found that their origins are quite empowering. Culottes were first worn by women in Victorian times when they started to become more active, as they allowed more free movement than dresses for activities like cycling and horse-riding (you go girls!). They also managed to get by under the radar of what was considered 'appropriate' for women at the time, as from the outside they just looked like floor-length dresses- genius!

Culottes then went from practical to fashionable in the 1930s, after Lili de Alvarez wore a visibly split skirt designed by Elsa Shiaparelli at Wimbledon in 1931. The outrage and condemnation that followed brought this rebellious piece to the world's attention. Thankfully society did get a grip, and over time came to see trousers as an acceptable fashion option for women. 

Back in the present day, culottes are still a fantastic and timeless option, particularly in the warmer weather if you fancy something different. 

Just like skirts you can find them in a variety of lengths, fabrics and styles, so there is something for everyone- I'm currently loving this floral pair from H&M as they are above the knee but not too short, and I'm a big fan of anything high-waisted! Also, if you are a fan of buying second-hand, culottes are a great piece to keep an eye-out for as there will be lots out there and they don't date. 

All in all, I think that culottes are stylish, practical and comfortable, and they are definitely here to stay!

If you fancy some further reading, I've linked the websites that I visited below:

https://www.vogue.com/article/the-ups-and-downs-of-culottes-a-brief-history-from-paul-poiret-to-hedi-slimane

https://navitique.com/a-short-history-of-the-culottes-skirt-pants/

https://startupfashion.com/fashion-archives-history-of-culottes/