Throwing in a curve ball.

And the plan was all going so well.  For two days.... Ok.  So.  I'm going to actually think of this as being an addition to the plan, instead of a divergence away from it. 

We're talking a whole new addition to the wardrobe which, to be honest, I have discussed back in the Summer, but I ended up swerving.  For various reasons, the main one being, there was always something that could do the job better - ie a dress....  

Oh and not forgetting the dilemma - what does one wear with them?  Tops, shoes and coat - yup, this is where it all starts to get horribly complicated.  If you haven't guessed, I'm talking culottes.  

The risk is, falling into the trap of adding one thing to your wardrobe but then needing to buy the rest of the outfit to go with it.  Bad bad bad (albeit rather fun if you can find things that work) shopping. 

Now I say bad shopping but I may have just done this with the outfit below.  In my defence a) I have bought neither item yet and b) the top is another must have on my list for my A/W wardrobe - I'm just peaking early here.  

Here is the evidence of me trying them on - and thinking they work.  I have to say I also love with the boots.  I would never have in a million years thought these boots would work with them, but what do you know?


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And they are from..... good old M&S.  I was actually looking for something totally different which they didn't have (more about that another day) but then I saw a sign for "The Culottes" and hey presto, found the above. 

These are them.  

Front Zipped Wide Leg Culottes £29.50



But a word on sizing (obviously this wouldn't be easy....).  The above ones on me are a 12 - there wasn't a 10 but I did try a pair of 10 trousers on and to say they looked sprayed on wasn't even the word (they were supposed to be loose.....)   Now I haven't been to the gym recently but I didn't think I'd put on any weight particularly (gravity has been a bitch but things have only sagged downwards not outwards).  And in fact I then went into Zara and tried on a 10 which I normally am in there and perfect fit (jeans as well, which are notoriously unkind in their sizing) 

So I can only deduce that M&S have changed their sizing?  I honestly don't think I'm too delusional about my expanding waist band but you never know.  

Oh and length wise - those above are a short.  Yup, you read that right, a short.  I'm not entirely sure how long they are supposed to be but I honestly think they're an ok length as they are - I might try the Medium but I think the Long would be way too long (which is handy as they've sold out) 

I do love M&S (in fact we have a huge one opening locally next week - more excited about this than I should be - we're going to the opening.  The Husband couldn't be less excited.  Can't think why) but oh my lord they are SO frustrating.

THIS is apparently their rail of culottes - not any culottes but The Culottes.

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Two.  Pairs.  Yup TWO pairs.  In the entire shop.  Which is one of their flagship stores.  I can't imagine that they've sold oodles and oodles of them as they are in the most random part of the shop (that strange unbranded place which has a mixture of suits, workwear and old lady stuff).  So I'm guessing that they probably only ordered about 5 pairs which possibly did sell.  To be honest, I don't care what their excuse is - it's just frankly a bit rubbish (and there are also some pairs sold out online as well)

But but but but they are the most amazing quality. I honestly couldn't believe they were only £29.50 and machine washable.  They feel like a gorgeous heavy, quality wool that I would have bet a small child on being dry clean only.  I defy anyone not to be super impressed with them.  That's if you can get hold of them, of course......
They also have this navy pair which look pretty great too - I now can't decide whether I want black or navy.  

Pleated Front Wide Leg Culottes £35 in navy (they also do these in black as well)  To be honest, these in the long might look pretty amazeballs.






I also appear to have found a top I love as well - and I think goes pretty niftily with the culottes.  This would also work with an A line leather skirt and look great with boyfriend jeans or wide legged trousers (a hint of what might be coming up next week....) 

Polo Neck Top With Modal from Autograph £22.50



So at the moment, we've got two out of three sussed (and we all know that two out of three ain't bad.  Boom boom) - footwear and top to go with them.   I will also be covering more tops that I think will work, in the coming weeks - the same tops that will go with my midi skirt so we're doing double bubble here (as if we needed any justification to shop....) 

Alas, it's not such a positive story when it comes to a coat.  As you can see I'm over the moon with the look.  


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Suffice to say, a straight coat or a cocoon coat is not going to work with these.  How awful does it look exactly?  I think the same sort of coat that would go with a midi skirt is going to be the answer - something loose with a bit of fluidity to it.  Handily something like my new dressing gown camel coat.... You can see where I'm going with this, can't you?!


Interestingly I put the first photo of me wearing them on Instagram and asked people to guess where they were from as certainly I don't think they particularly look like they're from M&S.  One person guessed correctly but other guesses included Dotty P's and Next.  I did yesterday go and see if I could see them in store and nada.  Zilch.  None. 

Not one pair in Mango, not one pair in Zara and only pair of slightly randomly textured white ones in Topshop which funnily enough I didn't bother trying on. 

However on looking online, I found these beauties at DP's.  Pleated front so the same style as the M&S ones I tried on which I think are probably a lot more flattering than flat fronted ones.  Having said that, I guess it depends on whether you want the look of a skirt or a cropped wide trouser which the flat fronted pair would give you.  For me, I like the ones I tried on and so won't deviate from the theme.

Black leather look culottes from Dorothy Perkins £28




From Next, I'm not sure which ones everyone has (but everyone who has them from there does rave about them) but for me, these look great. 

Culotte Workwear Trousers £35 


There are other options I've found as opposed to black.  Check at Warehouse - I simply adore this styling.  Love love love. 

Grey Check Culottes £42 from Warehouse (you see maybe I do want them longer....) LOVE these boots. 


Whilst we're talking of gorgeous things, I have to say I am ridiculously tempted to try this.  Instead of a dress this Christmas, a Black Culotte Jumpsuit? (their singular, not mine) Divine.  (I even have shoes to go with this already so it might be silly not to *try* it..... Warehouse discount hanging around anyone?!)

Black Culotte Jumpsuit - Warehouse £70


Gorgeous in grey at Hobbs - obviously these are dry clean only.  Sob. 

Grey Darcy Culotte (apparently it's in the singular at Hobbs as well) £99.  Clearly a polo neck is the "done thing"... 




In wine at ASOS - they also do these in black as well. 

ASOS Longline culottes in wine £30


To be honest there aren't "that" many around.  Certainly in the whole of Bluewater I could only find one pair but I think they're here to stay for a while.  So will you or won't you "culotte"?! 

And here we have my pic from the other day.  I have since washed this - first time I washed it, it was fine but this time the blue has all smudged into the white. Irritated and then some.  Zara - I'm bringing it back.

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Navy and white shirt - Zara
Navy coat - H&M
Beige Kirsten jeans - Topshop
White leather tennis shoes - Zara
Tan bag - Prada 

Tomorrow I have yet more exciting dress news.  And my other favourite colour of the season. (we're back on track...) 

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CONVERSATION

37 comentarios:

  1. Hi Kat,
    Thanks again for another great post and you really make me laugh too!
    Can I just ask you a question - hope ok?!? I really like the idea of culottes but just not sure how I would wear them in the Winter. They look great with tanned legs and high heals but do you think they will look as good with black opaque tights?
    Thanks in advance!
    Alie
    P.S. M&S should employ you - pronto!

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    1. Oh you darling, thank you! Tbh I think M&S are between a rock and a hard place and I'm sure they've thought through all their options. I think the problem is they try (And need to be fair) to be all things to all men - Jack of all trades master of none. Bar food. LOVE their food. Oh and their homewares have become super super amazing as well.

      But tights - I think definitely you can wear opaques with these - I'd think of them as a skirt to be honest. Deffo. xx

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  2. Oh shucks I saw the polo heck at the top of this post and thought 'yes' Kat has done the research for me....I wanted to scroll down and down and be inundated with polos because I'm lazy like that

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    1. Fear not lovely lady, i shall be on the case shortly. xxxx

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  3. I have two pairs already! I was an early adopter in the Spring with a pair of navy scuba ones from Top Shop (very heavy fabric which hangs beautifully). And then Toppers came up trumps a couple of weeks ago with a pair of fake leather ones. I love them because they look great with tights or bare legs, heels or skaters or Birkies or ankle boots or Sam Smith-type trainers. They are also generously sized (especially for Top Shop).

    I had the same problem with the M&S leather leggings btw. Couldn't do them up in my usual size (12) which is normally quite roomy in M&S.

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    1. Ooh well done you! And I am so so pleased someone else found the same about the M&S leggings! I definitely think their sizing has got smaller x

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  4. I've wanted a pair since I saw a fantastically dressed girl wearing a pair recently, she was little too but I can't help thinking they generally suit the tall and skinny! Also I agree about M&S, the layout drives me mad. I tweeted them before in total frustration saying, my god, can't you just have a coat department? And a dress department? If you can't remember what 'brand' you're looking for, you have no chance!

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    1. It's so impossible to navigate, isn't it? They have their brands but then they have Tailored Clothing. BUT you can also buy Tailored Clothing in Autograph and Limited Collection. Coats are blooming everywhere, ditto blouses, ditto jumpers. And then their search engine doesn't even work properly when you try and come home and find something. Insane .x

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  5. Well, I would never have guessed they were m&s! I did a post on culottes this week, and I did think I might struggle to come up with ideas but actually I think I may have convinced myself to try them. Funny that there aren't many around in the shops. I wonder if it's a case of seeing how they go before sending then in to stores?

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    1. *seeing how they go online*

      I blame the wine :-D

      Becky x

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    2. Hmm maybe - I just think they're obviously a big step for most people..? But actually easier to wear than a skirt and are ideal for work purposes!

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  6. No no yuck, can't get my mind around these at all. I love your boots, but do they really 'go' with the culottes? Oh heck, what do I know?! Thank heavens, the credit card gets a day off!

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    1. Isn't it lovely when there's a trend you can smugly think - nah not for me - I shall save OODLES of money today! (me and fur coats... gilets... hmm I'm sure there are other things as well!)

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  7. I love culottes but not with the boots you have on. They are an elegant look and need elegant footwear. Love your pic though and your hair in the casual bun.

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    1. I quite like the more fashion look of them but then that's me being a total arse! Also love them with skater shoes and tennis shoes but I'm probably way too old to pull that off!

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  8. I actually don't mind the boots with the culottes. I think my issue is I just don't like culottes! I just can't see how they will look in any way flattering on me. I do love your navy H&M coat. x

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    1. Honestly - just try them and you may be surprised....! (thank you re the coat - was the best £20 I spent last year I think!)

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  9. I really like them but like another person cannot work out what tights would look like with them skirts are easy with tights ? Any suggestions are welcome!

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    1. I'd definitely wear them with tights a la skirts. Perfect.

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  10. Ha - I've tried both the black and navy culottes in Marks and went for the navy, mainly because the black ones don't have pockets (call me mad but I have a vision of sauntering around in these with one hand in pocket). Have also tried the Next ones but a bit underwhelmed. Topshop have had some lovely crepe ones in oxblood and black as well as the leather. Also love the Warehouse check ones, not to mention the jumpsuit. How many pairs of culottes is too many?

    So far only have two types of top to wear with them though, roll neck and on-the-cropped-side blouse/ top so please bring on the suggestions! (Shoe-wise btw I'm sticking to heels)

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    1. Ooh I definitely have idea for some other tops. I'll be back... (Arnie style obviously)

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  11. Oh and to everyone worrying about wearing with tights - I spent much of last winter wearing a pair of grey twill Margaret Howell culottes (sample sale purchase) with opaques. As long as the tights fit well it feels fine and looks more like wearing a skirt than trousers...

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  12. Thank God you said that about M&S sizing, I tried on a pair of cigarette pants the other week and could barely button a size 10...I thought middle aged spread had kicked in overnight!
    Not convinced by culottes yet, they look like you've outgrown your school trousers...no doubt you'll find a way to make them work and leaving me craving them in a month or two, that's usually how it goes x

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    1. Oh my god thank you! I thought I was going bonkers but their sizing definitely has changed. I'm pretty sure Zara and River Island don't cater to flattery sizing and a 10 still fits me in there but I was straining the zip to do them up. Mortified dot com. Now cross dot com. Who wants to be made to feel they've put on weight when they haven't? Honest to god M&S - sort it out!

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    2. Who knows what's going on? I tried the pleat front ones on today in my usual 12 long and they were too big and too long for culottes. No 10s in store. I envy you being a 10 in Zara. Nothing there fits me properly and I have pretty much given up.

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  13. Not a fan of the culottes either I'm afraid. I'll be passing on that particular trend.
    Love your hair in the low bun.

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    1. Isn't it lovely though to find something that you think YES - I KNOW I don't want to do that! (me and fur coats....) And thank you - hair courtesy again of my darling daughter, bless her xx

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  14. I love these and think I need the grey Hobbs ones for work. I don't think your boots look their best with them though...although I love both items. I wonder will they hang around for a while though...I fear they may be a one season wonder...

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    1. Hmm I don't know as I do think they are actually much more flattering on most people than a full skirt. Or let's talk harem pants - they've been around for ages now!

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  15. Like the culottes but as a short gal I don't think I'll be able to find a pair that look right on me. That's the second time I've seen that warehouse culotte jumpsuit mentioned and had to have a second look, h'm I am tempted, also as it has detachable straps! Will have to try on! Thanks for all of your posts and mentions, I have got so many good things from your suggestions. I'm sure that there is a grateful gang out there who have saved a LOT of shopping time, love your blog!

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    1. Yes, now I'm not a huge fan of it with the straps - it looks like underwear - which clearly it isn't and I'm an eejit but I love the strapless aspect to it. However I'm probably too old and too flat chested to do strapless but I'll try it on for the laff! And you're more than welcome - so pleased you like the blog xxxx

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  16. OH dear lord, socks and sandals? No I am officially way too old to pull that look off!

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  17. OOh I'm surprised at you, I would have thought you'd love these. And yes, you read my mind.... Wide leg trews coming up! xxx

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  18. Kat - I loved culottes the first time round more years ago than I care to remember. They were a tailored look tho not the gathered unpressed pleats at the waist. I would definitely give soft gathers a miss. Without heels and a very this season top I think the tailored ones just look 80's and would avoid anything with gathers at the waist as I am not a size 10 anymore. As always tho you will carry them off. Yes I think they will be a one season wonder. They can be quite uncomfortable with tights when sitting down and a bit hot too. Has to be freezing with proper snow to make me wear tights under trousers. I think they are a bit like Marmite. People love or hate them. Jill S

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    1. oh god gathered waist on me makes me look like a teletubby. Horrendous - I do not remotely have enough definition to be able to carry them off any more (to be fair, I don't think I ever could!) Hmm didn't think about them being uncomfortable but I don't spend that much time sitting down during the day so I could probably get away with them. I do think they're more of a skirt than trousers (even though clearly they're the shape of trousers at the crotch - duh.....!)

      I've got my next idea coming up today which may be much better for people x

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  19. I really love them & have had the Next ones bookmarked for ages! The M&S one do look great & sob about the sizing as I'm usually a 10 in their! I daren't try on now! Ax

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