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Original poster

culotte trousers for petites - how do you style them?

27 replies

Mssian · 23/05/2019 17:41

So I am quite petite 5'2 and someone told me I shouldn't wear cropped trousers/culotte anything as they are not flattering for short limbs Sad

I found these really chic trousers and I want them so bad! brooksandsharpe.com/product/vallerie-trousers-white/
Any fellow petites in here with some styling advise - how would you wear these? Kinda left insecure and unsure after that comment someone made to me Sad

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 23/05/2019 17:42

Honestly, I wouldn't.
I'm short too and they'd just look ridiculous on me.

Annasgirl · 23/05/2019 17:49

I'm 5'3 and have spent too long in life wondering what to wear. Now I am late 40's I don't care anymore!!!

I have a pair just like those in Khaki. I was a little worried when I bought them but everyone loves them on me.

I wear mine with a white t-shirt (you might want to go for a different colour) and a leather jacket when it is chilly. I wear mine with white Stan Smiths or with Birkenstocks if it is really really warm (which it was when I wore them to Spain).

I would suggest your white ones would suit flat strappy sandals in a colour (tan or red or orange) to give a pop. I would also suggest for evening wear getting mules or scrappy sandals like the model in your photo.

Enjoy them.

Original poster
Mssian · 23/05/2019 17:50

ah man...short limbs suck sometimes ha

OP posts:
Floisme · 23/05/2019 17:53

I prefer them a tiny bit longer than they are on the model, so that they hit the top of my ankle (just as it starts to taper in) rather than the end of my calf. I know we're talking millimetres but I find it makes a big difference.
I also like them high waisted and skimming rather than fitted round your arse. It means you can't quite see where your legs begin.

I'm 5'3 and my legs look shortest in skinnies, whether cropped or full length.

Original poster
Mssian · 23/05/2019 17:55

aww thanks Annasgirl!
I wanted them for the summer - I had this vision of me looking all chic and relaxed in these with big sunglasses. Will try them, if they are no good can always send them back

OP posts:
Daffodil2018 · 23/05/2019 18:00

Try them, they’re cute! I don’t see why they wouldn’t look good on a petite person - I’d wear them with flatforms and a lightweight knit tucked in.

BillywigSting · 23/05/2019 18:06

By putting them very tidily away...

In the bin.

I'm tiny, under 5ft and I have never ever been able to make cropped pants of any description make me look anything other than awfully frumpy.

Gannetseatfish · 23/05/2019 18:21

I’m 4’11” and I wore linen culottes all last summer and loved them. I think they look good with a slim line (sometimes sleeveless) top and sandals or superga style shoes. I’ve also just gone for it and bought some cropped jeans I’m waiting for cooler weather to wear with longer red lace up boots. I think it’s all about proportion but I think they can work.

Gannetseatfish · 23/05/2019 18:22

Ps I don’t always think they suit taller people often just look too short iyswim.

IHaveBrilloHair · 23/05/2019 18:25

Oh, maybe they will look ok?
I just find I'm too short and thin to wear anything wide, like the cullottes, or maxi dresses etc.
They just drown me and make me look ridiculous.

birdonawire1 · 23/05/2019 18:28

I'm 4'11" and those types of clothes look hideous on me I'm better with slim trousers/jeans and a flowy top.

Gannetseatfish · 23/05/2019 19:07

How interesting, maybe I look terrible! I’m a size 12 with quite a square figure used to be athletic but now not so much!

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 23/05/2019 19:18

I think it's more to do with your proportions, rather than height. I am 5'2 and fairly in proportion, just petite, and culottes suit me. If you have short legs compared to your torso they might not be very flattering.

I tend to wear them with a tucked in t shirt/blouse and trainers (will spring for sandals once the weather is a bit better!)

Miseryisabutterfly · 23/05/2019 19:57

They are beautiful! Get them!

nooddsocksforme · 23/05/2019 20:03

I am a bit taller than you but have short legs. I have wide legged culottes ( not quite as wide as yours) and I really like them. I do wear them with a short fitted top though .

Justmuddlingalong · 23/05/2019 20:08

They're very full. I would be worried they'd swamp you.

Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 23/05/2019 21:01

I'm petite, with short legs in particular, and I really suit cropped trousers! They're the main item of clothing i get compliments for. I agree with a pp, wear them slightly longer to the top of your ankle and make sure they're fitted around the waist. They waist stops them looking like they swamp you. Also if your used to wearing skinnies or a fitted shape it can take a little while to get used to the new shape.

My dp says that I only love cropped trousers so much because i can pretend that a pair of trousers is actually too short for once! (Which might be partly true) Blush

Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 23/05/2019 21:06

With the pair you linked, I would probably wear them with a coloured or black top tucked to highlight your waist and maybe get rid of the tie if that is adding bulk to the waist. All one colour like the model hides her proportions in a way that I suspect wouldn't work for anyone short.

As a petite, you'll probably be taking them up? So leave a bit more length on to above your ankle bone and I'd probably wear them with pointed flats. Usually, I'm a chunky shoe girl with cropped trousers, but I think the flow of those needs something more delicate. They're lovely, do it!

Imnotweirdimlimitededition1 · 23/05/2019 21:18

They are lovely op I would wear them with a semi cropped bright coloured top & wedges- check out the photo - it is from Pinterest plenty of ideas there for you

culotte trousers for petites - how do you style them?
1frenchfoodie · 23/05/2019 21:44

I am 5’3 and love culottes / wide cropped trousers so I say go for it. I’m not fond of tucking in - I have a couple of crisp cotton t- shirts (shirt like material) from uniqlo that I wear untucked with mine and can dress up with a blazer as necessary.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 23/05/2019 22:14

I’m 5’2” and wear culottes and cropped wide-legged jeans. They’re both best worn with something fitted tucked in to show off my waist. I wear pointy flats or trainers with them and the jeans in particular are v flattering.

IHaveBrilloHair · 23/05/2019 23:12

See, that model looks vaguely ok in them, but not great, and of course she's standing still in a professional photo.
Walking around, sitting down for lunch when they get a bit creased etc...

Original poster
Mssian · 24/05/2019 12:47

Thank you so much for the feedback! Decided to get them and see how they fit, the website lets you try on stuff for 14 days before you pay so nothing to lose Grin
It can be daunting trying new styles when you have a petite frame and tend to stay away from midi length anything and cropped styles

OP posts:
LifeInAHamsterWheel · 24/05/2019 12:55

I agree that it's more about proportion than your actual height. I'm 5'2" and I would wear cropped trousers but the volume of material might put me off those particular ones as I think I'd feel a bit swamped in them? I would often get things like this taken up so that they hit the right point on my leg so that could be an option too.

Only one way to know how they'll look - try them on! Hopefully they'll suit, they look fab.

managedmis · 24/05/2019 12:57

Watching with interest as I have a pair exactly the same but in black.

I'm 5'4 and am planning on wearing them with heels to give me a bit of leg length.

Not sure what top to wear - something tucked in or waist length as I reckon much below bum length would look ridiculous.