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“Those are darling,” an older woman browsing the otherwise empty thrift store remarked as I stepped out of the changing room in a pair of black pinstripe culottes. “Very smart.” I had found these billowy pants nestled on a rack with other 2000s-era castaways—rhinestone-embellished T-shirts; skinny scarves—in a second-hand shop in northern Ontario, and I wasn’t yet convinced of their merit. But after receiving this stranger’s unprovoked seal of approval, I took it as a sign to try them. Culottes are, after all, making something of a triumphant comeback. The flowy early-aughts pantaloons have been all over high-profile runways as of late, specifically at Dior. The brand’s Fall 2025 collection was brimming with just-below-the-knee bottoms in leather, rich velvet and metallic hues. This enthusiasm only continued with the Spring 2026 season—from sheer polka-dot pants at Kenzo to tan pleats at Celine. Derived from the French word “culot”, which translates loosely to lower half, culottes are cropped trousers with voluminous silhouettes that resemble a skirt. These days, they’re often used interchangeably with other airy retro bottoms (gauchos; parachute pants), though this design is distinct for its slight under-the-knee cut and flared silhouette. Still, as they’ve re-entered the zeitgeist in recent months, their definition has become more fluid and free-flowing, like the pants themselves.
Lemaire SS26, via Launchmetrics/Spotlight
And while they’re certainly designer-approved, I understand why one might be hesitant to take them for a spin in the real world. Similar to the capri, they’re infused with nostalgic contention. They’ve been called outdated and unflattering. Their half-baked length is awkward to some, causing fear over a leg-shortening effect. But when done right, I’d argue the culotte is chicer than any of its cropped counterparts. For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing out my culottes at every turn. I wore them to the FASHION office for an event with designer-decked influencers. I styled them with kitten heels for a scene-y night of restaurant-hopping. I’ve even worn them on a first date—which turned into a second. Can I thank the pants? Perhaps. Before I knew it, my culottes were the most reliable pants I reached for. Recently, I wore them paired with two other naughties-inspired style staples: flip-flops from Aldo and a cowl neck top from Aritzia. Dare I say I did feel smart, as that wise shopping passerby predicted. Now that I consider myself an expert on the topic, I firmly believe that everyone should try culottes for themselves. So, below, I’ve listed my top picks in the category—whether you want to dip your toe into flared capri territory or dive head first into skirt-like trousers.
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