The start of the wish list

And so it begins.  Today, not looking at a specific retailer (so few of them have actually got loads of A/W stuff in yet - gits.  Tempting us with their new season Summer stuff that no one wants.  That'll serve them right for starting their sales before Summer's even started) but a new item of clothing that I have high hopes for - the wide legged cropped trouser. (no I didn't make this up - apparently also known as the "awkward length" trouser - I kid you not.)

I clearly say this with a gazillion disclaimers as I've been here before.  In my head, something definitely works - you get to try it on and yeahhhhhh, it doesn't quite pan out like you thought it would.  Where shall I start with the list of not so suitable things that I've wanted to love that haven't quite panned out.....full skirts, boho dresses, leather jackets, I'm sure there are more - oh and of course, culottes.

Now I appreciate there is a fine line between a wide legged cropped trouser and a pair of culottes.  One could argue that the main difference is merely semantics but I'm going to stick my neck out and say I think there is a difference. 

To my mind, culottes are a fullish skirt that is divided into two.  So a more flared shape to them as opposed to a straight leg - ie a cropped wide leg trouser... clear as mud?  Oh and they're shorter.  Culottes seem to finish just below the knee.  Whereas a wide legged cropped trouser is just that - a cropped trouser so finishes at midi length.  It's cropped not hacked off to the knee.  Sorted?  No, me neither - essentially whatever these darn things are called, I like them.

And I think they're much easier to master in the A/W than in the S/S.  To my mind, they lend themselves to jumpers, shirts and layering.  Boots and long flowing coats and cardigans.  Bring it on. 

I even let myself loose on Pinterest to see if they would work with boots.  Well that was a mistake as I now have a massive knee high boot hole in my wardrobe.  Kicking myself thinking of all those kitten heel pointed LK Bennett boots I threw away years ago.  FOOL.  (but they wouldn't have worked now would they... would they??  Racks brain and thinks did I actually just sling them into the attic somewhere....?)

Totally in love with all of these looks.  Inspiration a plenty.

And possibly my favourite (although the pic above had me literally weeping)...... so the outfit is perfect but that cape cardigan thingymajig - OMG it's utterly sublime. (and yes, I appreciate these are definitely culottes)




It was the pictures of the Whistles ones that I first though - yes, I could have me some of them....

Whistles Renee Wide Leg Cropped Trouser £95



But actually I think these might be more of what I have in mind.  Although they're possibly too high waisted and I think I might want them a tad more voluminous.  I am officially the Goldilocks of trousers.

ASOS Midi Flare Trousers £38



And then I saw these and thought - no actually these are right. 

Mango wide leg ankle length trousers were £44.99 now £13.50



But then I came across the Sportmax ones - a brand which I love and I know would be amazing quality and are possibly longer than some of the other more reasonably priced ones.  So more cropped trouser than culotte?
Sportmax Code Trousers in Awkward Length £125 (although are they tapered... they can't be tapered.... this is going to be a cinch isn't it, finding a pair of these that work?!)



A very very slight variation on a theme.... I could give these a go too.  I love the 70s style tone of the camel here - stunning with the bold black and white check jacket (which yes, is also gorgeous)

ASOS Cropped Kickflare in Camel was £35 now £14



And in black was £35 now £24.50



Ok so I may now have to include some culottes as - I'm not going to lie, I may be ever so slightly confused as to if there is in fact any different between a wide legged trouser and a culotte but regardless of what they're called - these would work (think Pinterest pic above.  Oh please God of Trouser Length - let these be long enough)

Had these on the blog yesterday but they look so fab, I have to include them again.  I liked them then, I NEED them now.

Dark red leather look culottes from River Island £38 (even though I am going to put it out there and say I think these are more trousers than culottes..... and I'll get back in my box)



Another pair at Atterley Road which they call culottes but to me again.... oh I can't even be bothered to say it.  Either way, I think these are great. 

Atterley Road Navy Cotton Twill Culotte £45


More culottes again at Finery.  So maybe I'm thinking that I should also add Midi Culottes to the list of possible options.  Whatever you want to call them (boring myself now), these are another great pair to add to the list.

Harley Matelot Button Detail Culotte £49



And finishing with these from Topshop which I shouldn't love as they'd probably look like a bag of spanners on me.  But I have to say I quite like this outfit - it's grown on me over the day.  I love the fact it's a ready made set that you could also split to put with existing things in your wardrobe.  Adore the shape of the jumper, love the colour, the texture and the casual fluidity of the outfit that could easily be dressed up with heels for a smarter look.  I'm thinking of tan knee high boots and a camel loose wrap coat for Autumnal days.  Or for more dressed down with a pair of sneakers and a long cardigan (yes, I absolutely am all over these like a fat kid on cake)  It is very like a version Zara had last year in grey but I have to say this is much more a me colour.  LOVE.

Contrast Space Dye Jumper and Culottes - £72 for outfit although you can buy them separately.


So am I the only one who's going to be tackling these this Autumn?  I am on it like a rocket and shall be seeing if I can try some on this week.  Only problem is that there aren't that many around yet and being tall, I may have an issue that they look like culottes and not cropped trousers (even though we have established they are pretty much the exact same thing - just pass the wine and let's be done with this)

Outfit from yesterday when the weather was glorious.  Absolutely stunning.  Fantastic hour long walk in our local park with the small things and dog and then all the class at McD's and the Minions. 


White tee - Eileen Fisher 
Chino shorts - Boden
Black tuxedo jacket - hush
Black gladiator sandals - Forever21
Black Harker hands free bag - Anya Hindmarch

Today though was a totally different story.  Oh hello rain.  It really is yawnarama now.  Not only was it rain, it was biblical rain.  So I didn't get changed today.  Well, I threw on a harems and a sweatshirt as my sister in law came over for a cuppa with the kids but other than that, we played board games, had a big family lunch and drank wine.  Definitely worse ways to spend a Sunday. 

Second full day of the holidays tomorrow and the boys are at football camp so I would prefer it wasn't raining.... (not that they won't go if it is!)  

Hit me with your wide leg cropped trouser/culottes theories. (no doubt to some they will merely be mingerama whatever they're called!) 

Confused.com signing off xx