You gotta love me for trying..

...no this isn't about those blasted OTK boots. 

Culottes. 

Or.... a midi skirt.  As actually I can't really see the difference between the two.  Well, let me rephrase that.  Yes because actually I'm talking a whole lot of tripe, there are midi skirts and there are midi skirts...  I'm talking about an A-line flat fronted, no waistband midi skirt, ie my leather one that I have from Whistles.  That basically looks like a pair of culottes. (ish....) 

So the reason that these have come to mind today, is because I'm still in New York mode.  Packing on the brain.  Whilst luggage allowance is clearly not a problem (the novelty of not flying Ryanair - will I know I'm born?!) clearly I need to pack cleverly as the excess room in my suitcase could then be filled with... oh I don't know... loads of Hershey bars for the kids?  (chocolate that smells of vomit - I don't think so....)  Or maybe I may just have to raid JCrew.... Little bit of Club Monaco thrown in.  And I'm sure I can find some other bargains too. 

However I can't rely on buying things out there to wear.  That is a very risky plan indeed (and we've all done it in the past haven't we?  And then ended up wearing the same pair of scabby jeans for three days as you can't find anything else for love nor money that you want to buy.. .. oh only me then...) 

I need to pack very cleverly.   Let's assume it's not going to snow (we all know what assume makes, don't we?  Moving swiftly on).  So we're going black.  Check.  I'm not going to be taking loads of shoes with me (I'm not taking any shoes actually - only boots)  At the moment (ignoring the Lowland's that I don't own.. and the practical ones I will have to take - probably my Seven Boot Lane Caitlyn's as they have a track sole, are flat and are warm, oh and I'm not planning on hiking through any snow drifts, parks or fields) I'm thinking my Toga Pullas and my wedge leopard print boots.  And maybe my M&S shoe boots.....

These all work really well with my leather midi skirt.  (ok so the TP boots not so much - they look better with a shorter skirt and skinnies - watch this space for the latter) 

And I think they'd also work really well with... a pair of culottes.  So I'm going in.  Well, I'm going on a hunt.  I made the mistake of seeing these Whistles ones below in a magazine, obviously they then went into the sale - in fact they went down to £35 at John Lewis and Whistles themselves, yet they are £108 at ASOS.  Of course the only place that has them left in stock.  *cue irritated much face*

I love the idea of these - now for the Winter with a black polo neck, I think they are such a fantastic alternative night out look.  Not sure I love it with the white sleeveless polo neck, I think I would definitely prefer a black one.  Instant Spring outfit.   Or I love the idea of a black crisp fitted shirt tucked in.  Smart and serious on top, sexy (god I hate that word) lace on the bottom - great juxtaposition of fabrics and looks. 

Whistles Culottes were £155 now £108



I did also manage to find some at Coast though.. and cheaper.... Will they be long enough for me?  I'm going to see if I can try them on on Thursday and I'll report back.  I fear they may be too short for a tallie like me.

Black Rylene Lace Culottes were £75 now £39






Now - another idea and this maybe wouldn't work for NY as, as much as I love navy and black together, I think I might do a whole European black chic thing when I'm there (I appreciate I sound like a slight tool here....) - but I keep being drawn to the navy culottes (NOTHING to do with my new navy shoe boots from Dorothy Perkins - nada, zilch, squat.  Total coincidence.)  

I may have just remembered a rather large Birthday Lunch I have coming up in London - ooh that'll be next week.  I'm thinking maybe a navy ensemble....

ASOS culottes with tuxedo detail in navy £35 (pockets and everything)






ASOS culottes in navy were £30 now £15





However back to things that go with black and camel and hey ho... these in grey.  Oh these with a black polo neck and all those black knee high pointy stiletto boots that I threw away years ago as I thought I'd never wear them again (DARN IT) - perfection in an outfit.  The ideal NY lunch gig, no?

ASOS Premium Bonded Culotte in check £45





These ones look slightly more tailored - again in black.  Swoon. (remember that black off the shoulder number from Reiss that I had on a week or so ago? - yes please.  Not cropped though.  Dear Lord, not cropped)

Bardot Culottes £50



Again more tailored and again in grey - a bargain (model is 5ft9.5 by the way..) 

ASOS Casual Culottes were £45 now £27



These are ones that, following my new Resolution, I definitely can't buy.  A leather pair.  Far too similar to my black leather midi skirt but these with knee high boots, or a pair of sneakers for warmer days - gorgeous.  

Leather-look culottes from Topshop £35



This post has also given me some ideas for footwear.  I think we need to look at shoes that will take us from now into Spring.  Nothing to do with me seeing a perfect perfect pair today that would seamlessly with every single pair of culottes above and every single pair of jeans I can think of.  Not to mention a whole host of other wardrobe staples.  We all need this shoe, believe me.  Coming soon..... 

In the meantime, I have come to the conclusion that I need a pair of Camel culottes.  The one thing I couldn't find.  The one thing I Nearly ordered from Mango about five times but never did as they didn't go with my Winter wardrobe.   However now they will.  Oh yes, there is nothing that haunts us like those things that we didn't buy. 

I'm not going to make the same mistake with the navy ones though.  They are a must for the next couple of months, I think. 

How is everyone else getting on with culottes?  Are you ahead of the game and have you been wearing them for months and months?  Or, like me (slowwwwwwwww) just getting your head round them and gearing up for a new addition to your 2015 wardrobe?

Finishing with my outfit from yesterday.  All super old bar my Caitlyn boots and yes, another sneaky sales purchase which I'll report back on tomorrow...


Untitled

Grey jumper - Zara
Grey poncho - Simply Be
Black coated jeggings - Dorothy Perkins
Grey crocheted beret - Primark
Black Caitlyn boots - Seven Boot Lane
Black quilted bag - Zara

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the kind messages I've received with regards to my Aunt.   I'm delighted to report that she is still stable and has improved slightly - she's managing to walk and talk (despite speech being slurred).  She's still a bit confused but we've all got our fingers' crossed and are saying our prayers. 

Thank you very much for all your support xxx

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47 comentarios:

  1. Love culottes on other people but not sure I could pull it off. I love the navy ones but what would you wear on your legs if you wear shoes or shoeboots? Jury's still out for me.

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    1. Nude tights for me. DONE!

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    2. But my legs are super white (pale Scottish redhead!). What tights do you recommend?

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  2. I adore the picture of the silver shoes you have posted on Instagram...could you possibly tell me where they are from please? They might just solve an outfit dilemma for me! Thank you

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    1. Office! Not sure if they're in stock yet. I'm putting a post together on the perfect shoes and I think they may be them! x

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  3. Nice to hear the good news about your Aunt. Hope she continues to improve. Love the navy and grey culottes. No I haven't got any but I used to have a beautiful navy pair years ago which I loved. Could I do them again I wonder? Marie

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  4. I just posted me wearing my leather ones! Check ot the EBay store they made them for me - a copy of the Paul & Joes (?) that were on NAP - they are fabulous!

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    1. They are too fabulous! You look amazing darling xxx

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  5. Glad to hear your aunt's showing positive signs. Got my fingers crossed for you and yours.

    I thought culottes might be a bit of a flash in the pan, but they don't seem to be going out of fashion any time soon, do they? They are something I really want to try, but I think at this time of year it's too much of an investment as I would need to buy suitable tall boots to keep me warm.I really fancy a lightweight denim pair for the summer, with either white trainers or a wedge sandal, so I'm holding out a little longer. Better late than never!

    Becky x

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    1. I think they might be quite big for the S/S.......

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  6. Loving the boots packing. I am in same mode! Last time I was booked for New York it snowed so bad every flight, the entire weekend, was cancelled ... As was my trip! Now I'm ignoring the fact the last trip was canned because of snow and now concentrating on boots to wear SHOULD it snow (assumption being that I make it there BEFORE snow cancels flights!). I will have nothing but footwear. I have done the thing of packing little planning to get the perfect outfit when I arrive, and then lived in some scabby old jeans. Do I will not be doing that either. But I'm spending longer planning than my actual trip duration. Looking forward to seeing what you go with , European black or not I'm sure it will be fab! Incidentally what jacket would you wear with the culottes? Love the idea of them (I'm very short mind you) but stumped on suitable jacket/coat to meet weather challenges! Great blog as usual!

    Ps. Glad your Aunt is in better health. X

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    1. Oooh great minds - well I will be whittering on and on about these! And hell yes, half the joy is in the planning. Right - jacket wise, I think either a nipped in blazer, biker jacket (if this is your look - I can't pull them off) or my fave which is a wrap around coat.... Works really well with a midi skirt so I think it would also look great with culottes. HTH! x

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  7. Please consider acupuncture for your aunty. If done as soon as possible after the stroke, and intensively, of course by an experienced acupuncturist, the patient can make a full recovery. PS bought some Ghost culottes in the summer sales from JL. Amazing, great weight, but prob too short for you x

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    1. This is a great tip thank you - and those Ghose culottes sound amazing. I love my Ghost dress!

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  8. glad to here things are moving in the right direction for your Aunt. x

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  9. Can't do it !!!!!!!! (Culottes, that is ) remember them firsts time round, wasn't a good look on me then so definitely nothing would have changed ( except my waist line!!!!)....
    .....it's nice to hear that your aunt is improving xx

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  10. Loving culottes, actually ordered a fabulous pair at the start of winter but returned them as I couldn't figure out what coat/jacket you could wear with them and then the shoe dilemma please help Kat! Perhaps they are more suited to Spring. I would love to buy nearly all of the above, think it's the pocket thing I fall in love with anything with a pocket me!

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    1. Oh the pocket thing - so with you on that! Right, like I said about, either a fitted shorter jacket (or wrap around) or a longer wrap around coat..... I think that works really well. Shoe wise - knee high boots are a great 70's vibe - other than that, I think treat them like midi skirts. So ankle boots work, pointy flats look great and a heel shoe also works. I'd also wear with sneakers for the summmer xxx

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  11. Glad to hear that your Aunt is improving...such a worrying time x. I saw these midnight navy Ash Jude wedge boots from Mush Clothing website but they are cheaper via their ebay shop at £150 which is a 25% reduction...can just see you wearing these! Jury is out on the culottes, I may take a bit longer to warm up to the idea and interested to see how you style them x

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    1. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ash-Women-Jude-Leather-Wedge-Boots-Midnight-Navy-/261612792208?pt=UK_Women_s_Shoes&var=560487148794&hash=item3ce9566990

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    2. Oh I LOVE these but have you seen them in real life? They are so so high. SOB. Other than that, they are the most gorgeous boots ever. LUSH!

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  12. Thank god your Aunt is improving - so stressful for you all. The H&M Fairisle jumper - what size are you wearing? Also regarding H&M layering T Shirts they have in at the moment - do you wear them, what size do you think of the fit etc?

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    1. Oh thank you xxx The jumper, I did come back to you the other day, so sorry you didn't see it, but I have the SMall (it comes up huge!) At the moment, I haven't seen any layering tees in H&M - they are like rocking horse poo. Some are fab but some are really really rubbish. It's a case of when you see them, nab 'em. x

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  13. haha Cat too funny. Check out my Blog from earlier this week: www.likeyourstyletoday@blogspot.co.uk
    Im wearing the freakin things! x

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  14. You would look fantastic in cullottes with your slender figure and height. Are you planning on doing some serious shopping in New York? aurely you will need a bum bag and Nike trainers to fit in?

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    1. Oh yes, I've definitely got my fanny pack and Nikes packed... (not.... Hmm not sure about the shopping - I'm going to try and be good. I should so start a wishlist... )

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  15. The lace ones remind me too much of knickerbockers but I do like the more tailored styles - ASOS casual and Premium Bonded pairs both look good. Saying that I'm not sure where I'd wear them, since most of my life is working from home or out & about with kids?! Current wardrobe dilemma right there - torn between the desire to be stylish and why bother?! :-/

    Nic x

    StrawberryBlondeBeauty

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    1. No I still like the lace ones but I don't think they're going to be right for me -too short. I do think these are a luxury as I think they're hard to wear casually.. although maybe when the weather is warmer - with a little blazer and sneakers no?

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  16. Hi Kat, glad to hear your aunt is on the mend! This comes with our age, I'm afraid, above 40..our elders are rapidly getting older and frail. I lost one of my favorite aunts and my godfather last year and that made me realize I'm am very much not ready for this phase in life. But i'll have to at 44! Culottes: no. I won't even try. I'm short-ish (5'5'') with broad hips, I'd look ridiculous in them I know for sure. And what do wear with them now? Tights? Yuk! But you are tall and skinny, you could very well carry them of! Good luck with the packing!

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    1. Yes tights!!! Go on.... ! We can't all wear everything though, that's for sure. I'm so sorry about your losses last year, hope this year holds better luck for you and yours xx

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  17. Just say no to Culottes!! Though if anyone can pull them off you can. I live in the US and am an hour south of NYC in central New Jersey!! I am excited that you will be able to come to NYC. You will have a blast. You'll have to go to Piperlime downtown. They just opened a store there. Also, Banana Republic would be worth a peek. I love Madewell and Artiza too. There are a bunch of great shops downtown near Houston St. There is also a fab restaurant called Balthazar that my friends and I always go to from brunch when we are in for the weekend. Sometimes we stay right through lunch. Need any suggestions for restaurants like me know!! I go in about 6-8 times a year. The buildings are always very hot in the winter so be sure to layer or you'll roast inside.

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    1. Oh thank you so so much for all the advice! Yes, deffo want to see Piperlime, Madewell and I can't wait to go to Artiza - we have BR here so I can swerve that but JCrew is deffo on my list as it's just so much offensively cheaper over there!

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  18. We had snow on our trip in late Jan a couple of years ago and the pavements were totally clear by breakfast time ! I can confirm that a hat is a must and very warm layers ! Shoe wise you won't have a problem as the NY efficiency will have removed any snow from where you will be walking ! Sure you will look amazing as always ! Enjoy your trip !

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    1. This is excellent news, than you very much for sharing! xxxxxx

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  19. Culottes are a definite no from me - too much bunching material at the crotch for my liking! Now over-the-knee boots, I'm with you there. In fact I just bought a pair of navy blue suede ones from Faith at Debenhams - originally £135, down to £40, so with the £20 gift card I got for Xmas, only cost me 20 quid! They're fab too, little heel and pointed toe. Stretchy bit down the back so the fit on the calf is perfect. My best bargain of the sales! They look gorgeous over skinny jeans, can't wait to wear them.

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    1. Oh my lord they sound amazing! Lucky lucky you xx

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  20. Tempted by culottes but so short that normal ones just look like ankle swingers on me! Cant wait for your shoe post and glad to hear about your aunt

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    1. oh no that's a shame. And yes, it was bags that I did today but I'm on it like a rocket with the shoes xxxx

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  21. Read above for jackets love - I'm loving my wrap coat with them - perfect. And YES the Trish are an amazing version of the 50/50's for a fraction of the cost. Go for it. I'm jealous as they're under my knee. Harumph.

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  22. Love culottes. Have a navy scuba pair, those Top Shop pleather ones, tan real leather ones from H&M (which I got half price in the sale), grey wool Mango ones, checked Warehouse ones and a brown Top Shop number which is more like a divided skirt. I think I may have a problem - but they suit me way better than skinny trousers so I am taking full advantage!

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  23. Hi All, Ok my favourite of the culottes were the ASOS tuxedo in navy. Didn't consider the lace options and I am not keen on lace (think its ageing). Anyway, I ordered the ASOS tuxedo, and they arrived today (ordered Size 8, 10 and 12 as ASOS are never consistent in size). I am a size 8/10 and the Size 10 fit nicely, Size 12 also wasn't too bad if you want that low slung on your hip look. I would have taken the 10 as it was comfortable fit. The navy is a midnight blue, the material is OK. BUT, it doesn't matter what top you wear with it, they make you look wider than normal...............and who wants that look!?!? They do look like a skirt unless you sashay like a runway model at all times. All in all culottes are a no no for me, so I am going to stick to the crop trouser which I think is very slimming especially worn with a heel.

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  24. Kat, whats with the caster spells on here?!?!? Anyway back to clothes etc, you may have responded to question before, but I haven't seen it. Re Mint Velvet jeans - could you give me you opinion on sizes/lengths. Have a blast in NY - you are going to go spending MAD!

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  25. I love them & almost purchased the Dotty P ones last season but didn't! Why oh why?! I think Ill be joining you in pair this Spring that's for sure! I just need a pair of Stans now to go with them! x

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  26. Love the Asos culottes - very flattering with a tucked in shirt and heels, they just look slightly more interesting than a midi.

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