What top to wear with culottes - pic

[culotteNC]

I've nc for this because I don't want to be recognised by my outfit.
I've bought a few pairs of culottes but I'm struggling to find a top to go with them. Atm I'm wearing a swing cami but I don't like having my shoulders, chest and cleavage showing as I like to dress more modestly. I've tried other styles but they just look like pjs and can't I tuck in because the culottes show off my mum tum and make me look pregnant.
Any idea of what style top to wear? I'm 26 and on a bit of a budget, thanks.

I think culottes do need a more fitted top to balance the outfit. I know you say you can't tuck things in, but I really would try it and play around with it, you might be surprised..?

Perhaps a blouse with one of those tie things at the bottom, which would drape down over th tummy area?
Or v neck t shirt in a soft drapey material - Tesco have these in quite a few colours.

I've tried tucking in, but the way the culottes fall really emphasis my stomach and the material is pretty thin, perfect for summer but anything tucked in you can see through the fabric.

Those culottes aren’t right for you — look way too tight. Right way to wear a top is tucked in.

Top tucked in or very fitted top.
If you don't feel comfy doing that send them back, they don't look the most flattering to be honest.
Maybe try a stiffer cotton?

You need dresses. Ones that skim out from the waist down to just above knee level.

Thanks everyone, it's too late to return these now I'm just gona keep looking for something suitable to wear with them, I just wanted something causal loose and cool to wear in the summer day to day. I have some maxi dresses but I feel too dressed up in dresses for everyday even though they're plain T-shirt maxis, might look out for some shin length dresses though.

Love the photobombing cat!
I actually think you look great in the first pic so I'd either wear a cardigan over the vest if you don't want to show too much bare flesh or get a couple of t shirts, not too fitted, not too loose. Black or maybe navy, although you could try white or cream, or patterned if you could match the pattern to the colour of the cullottes.
You could wear some light control knickers but I probably still wouldn't tuck in with a thin material like that.
Wish I had your figure!

Tank top with a thin summer cardi

A fitted black top would look good, usually forgiving enough on the tummy, could get a ruched stomach panel - you look a bit swamped with baggy on top and bottom.

I’m planning on wearing my culottes with a Uniqlo drape crew neck T shirt. I have them in all their colours, bought over the last couple of years, and they hang beautifully, loose but fitted at the hem so you don’t get the swingy effect over a large chest. And they are only £9.90, well worth a look!

I wear mine with linen t shirts, slightly tucked at the waist so they skim over my tummy or slim cotton/linen jumpers. I also have a tum as well. Those Culottes aren’t too tight, they’re fine.H&am are good for linen T-shirt’s or Lyocell ones are also good as they don’t cling so much.

Ooo I like them uniqlo drape T-shirts, just not sure if they'd be slightly too long on me as I'm only 5ft3, I've found a similar top on H&M but they only have it in black.

What do you think about something like this with a bandeau underneath?

I bought this Warehouse top last year that worked well with culottes. Skimmed my tum but also cinched in at the waist which helped with the silhouette. Sadly not available anymore but look out for side tie tops.

I'd go with a fitted T-shirt of a similar length to the cami in your original pic. Or they could work with a looser top half-tucked in.

I think a wide cropped t-shirt with short sleeves would work best?

A cami top tucked in. Either cropped or tucked in works best with wide leg trousers. You need to give some definition around the waist or you will look shapeless with that style of trouser.

I have some trousers similar to those that I wore on holiday recently and I paired them with a pink t shirt (trousers are black) which I knotted at my belly button, so it was more fitted but not skin tight, as my problem area is my stomach.

Definitely a tucked in cami or t shirt, you could try wearing a leather jacket (etc) too, which may conceal your tummy/arms so you can feel comfortable. Personally I would just rock them regardless of your ‘mum tum’ but I also understand why you feel this way.

If you’re trying to hide your stomach, I think they are wrong trousers to go for as it means that the top HAS to be a certain length like in your OP. It cuts the trousers off at a weird point, giving the out a PJ aesthetic vs trendy and casual. Especially if the top is baggy too. The colour possibly isn’t helping.

I would recommend Topshop’s pair. Extremely versatile and trendy, will also help to conceal your stomach more. They are extremely flattering.

Agree about the TopShop ones below. I tried them on a couple of weeks ago and really liked them. Didn't buy as it was still like the depths of winter weather wise so thought I'd wait until it got warmer!

I think them topshop ones might be too long on me as I have short legs 🙈
Good idea about tying a regular T-shirt into a knot im gona try that, I did buy a boxy crop top which would have been perfect but is just slightly too short, maybe a crop top from a tall range would be better.
I think I'm going to buy a few cheap tops of different styles to see if any go. Thanks everyone.

Side tuck. Love the colour. And your cat :)

Try bravissimo something like this

www.bravissimo.com/products/emily-broderie-sleeve-top-navy-pt682nvy/

Agree that culottes need something tucked in or that sits just on the waist. Otherwise you (as in “one”, not you particularly) look like a triangle. There are lots of those plisse culottes in shops other than Topshop.

I linked the petite Topshop version! They’re shorter than the standard pair; they fall above my ankles, but I’m shorter than you.