How to Style Culottes for SS16 | The Archive by Alexa Range

SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, neck scarf, snakeskin boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

You may have seen that I pondered my purchases from the Archive by Alexa range from M&S last week (Do I want to wear something so hyped?) – having bought the Harry blouse in pink and white and the Ada trousers and blazer, I’d already decided to keep the latter.

The jury is still out on the blouses…!

So – culottes! M&S describe these as trousers, but although they’re strictly wide-leg cropped trousers I’m going with culottes for the purposes of this post (less of a mouthful). I’d had a few requests from readers asking that I try styling culottes, but I’d resisted till now… In the end resistance was effectively futile.

I’M STARTING TO FEEL LESS AND LESS LOVE FOR SKINNIES AND TOTALLY FALLING FOR CULOTTES INSTEAD. PAIRED WITH HIGH ANKLE BOOTS THEY DO SOMETHING TO YOUR PROPORTIONS THAT MAKES YOU LOOK INCREDIBLY LEGGY.

To get to the point: I’m a total convert. Whether it’s because I’ve seen so many fashionistas rocking them in street style photos I don’t know, but I’m starting to feel less and less love for skinnies and totally falling for culottes instead. Paired with high ankle boots they do something to your proportions that makes you look incredibly leggy… Perfect for long-waisted ladies like myself.

This only works with a high-waisted pair (these are perfect, especially as they have two sets of buttons to allow for expansion) and a tucked-in top.

SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, neck scarf, snakeskin boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

 

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

I still find my longline blazer (a good couple of years old now) incredibly versatile, and I also added a classic white tee (this Union T white t-shirt is a marvel of white tee perfection) and the same paisley scarf that I wore as a belt last week on the blog. The orange tote has turned out to be a fantastic addition to my tote collection – how does orange go with everything…?

I actually wore this outfit to London last week – I did more walking than I’d intended so the boots were not such a great idea by mid-afternoon. (Next time I shall pack my pair of fold-away flats like I do for evenings out in heels.) My photographer [husband] couldn’t accompany me so we shot the pictures locally – I’m aware the location doesn’t look very London-like… the suburban streets of Devon had to make do this time.

HAVE YOU TRIED CULOTTES – OR WIDE LEG CROPPED TROUSERS – YET? (LET ME KNOW IF YOU’RE CONTEMPLATING THEM BY COMMENTING BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, snakeskin boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, neck scarf, snakeskin boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, neck scarf, snakeskin boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Smart style: Longline blazer with M&S Archive by Alexa culottes, neck scarf, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 Smart style: Camel blazer, neck scarf, cat eye sunglasses | Not Dressed As Lamb
ASOS blazer (I like this drape-front long coat) | M&S Archive by Alexa Ada trousers | Union T classic white t-shirt c/o | ASOS paisley scarf | Hobbs Adlington tote bag c/o | Mango boots (these snakeskin ankle boots are similar) | Lulus sunglasses c/o (these black cat eye sunglasses are a dupe) | Barry M ‘Blueberry’ Gelly nail polish

 

Catherine

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P.S. LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ THE ARCHIVE BY ALEXA COLLECTION: DO I WANT TO WEAR SOMETHING SO HYPED?

Linking up to: Style StoriesiwillwearwhatilikeVisible Monday, Shoe and TellMonday MingleStyle Sessions, Turning Heads TuesdayTrend Spin Link-UpWhat I Wore WednesdayBrilliant Blog PostsThrowback Thursday, My Refined Style, Passion for Fashion FridayFriday’s Fab Favourites, Fun Fashion Friday

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20 Comments

  1. 4 May 2016 / 5:46 pm

    Catherine, this is one of my favourite looks recently. So trendy, so classy and so your individual style! Absolutely brilliant!!

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

  2. 4 May 2016 / 12:38 am

    I used to wear cullotes but had not tried them yet. I love how they look on you, those sexy block snakeskin boots rock this look and love the colors of the bold red bag and your scarf, pretty!!
    Thanks for linking up with Turning heads tuesday
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

  3. 2 May 2016 / 1:02 pm

    You have styled these very well, I can remember last wearing some about 25 years ago and they didn't look right on me then so I don't think I would wear then again.

  4. 1 May 2016 / 11:43 am

    Love this look, C! The boots are awesome as well. I haven't (re)tried culottes yet (they were all the rage in 1969 when I was in Middle School!) xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  5. 30 April 2016 / 8:13 pm

    Great outfit, Catherine. I'm still not convinced on the culottes for myself. I'm afraid they would make me look like an "oompa, loompa". You look fabulous and maybe your right about them making you look longer. The way you styled them with your boots is perfect. – Amy
    http://www.stylingrannymama.com

  6. 30 April 2016 / 7:11 pm

    Culottes Catherine??
    {insert smug grin}
    Hahaha…I knew it!
    I knew you would (eventually) realise that you can wear culottes, and look bloody gorgeous in them!!
    I love this look.
    Simple, clean lines. Perfect hints of strong colour, and genius long-waisted styling.
    Brilliant.
    XXX
    Samantha
    fakefabulous.com

  7. 29 April 2016 / 10:46 pm

    You styled these culottes so brilliantly! I have those very boots and will definitely be taking cues from you on how to style them! And I really hope you wear the blouses on the blog, I'd love to see how they look at you!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  8. 29 April 2016 / 6:29 am

    The cropped trousers with those reptilian ankle boots?? SOOO chic, dearest Catherine!! And of course you've added your signature pops of colour and (even more!) pattern with the neck-tied scarf and that yummy orange tote!! Truly – what's not to love?! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  9. 29 April 2016 / 6:26 am

    Lean, long and leggy is what this look says today Catherine. You're totally rocking it! My height (just under 5ft5in) is what holds me back with this length of trouser/culottes. But it does look seriously tempting, and I do have similar boots already… Love your complete outfit x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  10. 29 April 2016 / 2:51 am

    With my height challenge, this look does not flatter me at all. I love the look and wished I could rock at as well as you do!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you for TBT Fashion link up.

  11. 29 April 2016 / 12:50 am

    When culottes first appeared I never thought I would even try them. But the more I see them, the more I am intrigued and plan to definitely try some soon!

    I really like this outfit! The boots are perfect with the culottes. And I love the neutral colors of the outfit with the pops of color of your bag and scarf!

  12. 28 April 2016 / 5:10 pm

    I like the way you have styled your culottes. I wore mine for travelling they were very comfortable and smart.

    • 28 April 2016 / 10:06 pm

      Good point, Josephine – MUCH better than skinnies which are always comfortable for travelling…! Thanks sweetie x

  13. 28 April 2016 / 4:37 pm

    These look fabulous on you! I've been hesitant to go with a wider leg because I'm so short, but may have to try some on.

    • 28 April 2016 / 10:06 pm

      thanks Susan – although I'm reasonably tall (5'7") I'm very long waisted as I mentioned, but these seem to do the trick for me. But the length may be a problem for you being petite, so petite ranges may work better? As I always say: Try some, photograph them and let the pictures tell you!! x

  14. 28 April 2016 / 2:56 pm

    I bought a pair of culottes within the last year and love them too!! However I feel like they are a dressier option? Maybe this is because I feel the need to wear heels with them?
    Thus I still love my skinnies especially for casual days!
    Great look—those boots add such great interest to the entire outfit!!
    Question? Is your scarf a square or a rectangle? It looks like you rolled it up and then tied it?
    Thanks!! jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 28 April 2016 / 3:21 pm

      Good point about them being dressier, Jodie – though I'm going to try them with Stan Smiths or something flat… that'll be the true test!

      The scarf is a large square – rolled up and tied as you said! Thanks sweetie x

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