ARE YOU DIVIDED ON THIS ONE?

The fashion forward amongst us will have already been out and purchased their culottes! High street retailers are full of ‘divided skirts’ and are reporting strong sales.  They can be found in styles from casual to tailored, in an array of fabrics from denim to leather and in various colours and prints. For the younger fashion crowd, ASOS are doing matching bralets and culottes.

House of Fraser

It's a trend that dates back to mid nineteenth century when women needed a long split skirt so that they could ride horses astride rather than side saddle. They gained popularity because they also gave women freedom of movement to play tennis, ride a bike and work in the garden and yet still look as if they were wearing a skirt.

Can I wear them? Basically, a pair of culottes creates a similar shape to an A-line skirt so if you like that shape and it works for you, then go ahead!  They can create the illusion of a waist. 

If you are petite, keep the amount of material in proportion and avoid too much volume. If you are thinking of investing in a pair for the office, a tailored pair with a shirt tucked in would work well and if it’s an evening outfit you are planning, you can team them with a cropped top and stilettos. 

It's also worth remembering a few guidelines when it comes to choosing colour and pattern.

Vertical lines- the eye will follow an unbroken line up and down so creating the impression of length so great for petites.

Horizontal lines - cause the eye to stop and scan from side to side creating the impression of widening and shortening.

Very.co.uk

Wallis

If you have wider hips than shoulders, avoid heavily patterned culottes and instead work the colour or pattern on your top half.
Lighter colours reflect light and so make things look larger.
Shiny fabrics and finishes also reflect the light so make things look larger.
Darker colours absorb light and make things look smaller.
Matt fabrics and finishes also absorb light so things can appear smaller/slimmer.
Therefore, if you want to make parts of your body seem larger wear lighter coloured or shinier fabrics. If you want to make parts of your body seem smaller choose darker coloured, matt fabrics.

Phase Eight