How to Wear Culottes in Winter

Co-authored by Alison Deyette and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: February 14, 2022 References

If you like the practicality of pants and the breezy elegance of a skirt, culottes offer the best of both worlds. These versatile bottoms can be either casual or dressy, depending on how you accessorize them. Pulling off culottes in winter can be a little challenging, but it’s totally doable. Choose culottes that are flattering and winter-friendly. Bundle up your top half with some comfy layers and stylish accessories. Complete your look with some nice, warm tights or stockings and the perfect pair of shoes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selecting a Style and Fit

1
Choose winter-friendly fabrics. When you’re looking for culottes to wear in the winter, opt for warm, sturdy materials. Thick fabrics like wool, corduroy, and flannel are great options for cold weather wear.
- Avoid lighter fabrics like cotton, rayon, linen, or chambray.
2
Go for winter neutral colors. There’s no need for winter clothing to be drab. Neutral colors are great for winter bottoms, however, because they are so versatile. Select culottes in a classic color like black, brown, beige, navy, white, or grey. You can also get patterned culottes in neutral shades (e.g., grey plaid or stripes in different shades of brown). These colors will give you limitless mixing and matching possibilities, and will look good with just about anything else in your winter wardrobe.^{[1]
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- If you wear culottes in a neutral color, try pairing them with winter-friendly non-neutral colors, such as deep jewel tones. For example, try a dark teal top with brown culottes.
- Alternatively, pair non-neutral culottes with a neutral top. For example, you might pair a grey shirt with red or burgundy culottes.
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3
Pick more structured styles for a professional look. Culottes with a sharp silhouette and crisp pleats make a great alternative to suit skirts during the winter months. A pair of pleated wool dress culottes in a neutral shade is a great addition to your winter office wardrobe.
4
Select casual styles for your leisure time. Look for culottes that are fun, cozy, or glamorous for your evenings and days off. Denim culottes are versatile and classic, and they go well with just about everything. Flowing velvet culottes are warm, cozy, and perfect for dramatic evening outfits or just comfy lounge wear.
- Fun patterns and bold colors can add excitement to casual outfits. Look for culottes in winter-friendly jewel tones and season-appropriate patterns like plaid or Fair Isle print.
5
Find a fit that flatters you. Culottes can work for all kinds of figures, but different cuts tend to flatter different shapes. When you’re wearing heavy winter fabrics, choosing tailored styles can help you avoid a bulky or shapeless look. Take some time to figure out which cut works best for you. For example, if you:^{[2]
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- Are short and curvy: Choose culottes that end just below the knee and flatter your figure with a high-rise waist.
- Have short legs: Pick high-waisted, calf-length culottes to add length. Vertical stripes can also make your legs appear longer.
- Have a slim, athletic figure: Wear swingy, ankle-length culottes to add width and volume to your lower half. A high waist can also help define your curves.
- Are tall and curvy: Go for extra-long, wide legged culottes that skim your hips and thighs. Vertical stripes can create a sharp, slimming effect.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing Your Layers

1
Pick a top that complements your culottes. Just about any kind of top can look good with culottes. Grab a slouchy sweater, a long-sleeved tee, or a turtleneck bodysuit for a casual look, or pair them with a fitted button-up blouse for a more professional style.
- If your figure looks best with a well-defined waist, choose a top that you can tuck in or belt at the waist.
- If your culottes are patterned, go with a solid top. If your culottes are solid, choose a patterned or contrasting top (e.g., a black-and-white striped blouse with solid beige culottes).
2
Add a blazer for a professional look. For a style that’s both warm and office-friendly, top off your outfit with a stylish blazer. Wear a blazer that matches your culottes for a coordinated, formal look. For a more business smart or casual style, pick a blazer in a contrasting color, or pair solid culottes with a patterned blazer.
- For example, wear a matching grey wool blazer and culottes with a solid jewel-toned blouse for a formal style.
- Throw a maroon blazer on over a grey turtleneck and taupe culottes for a more casual vibe.
3
Get a chic look with a stylish jacket. For weekend wear or a casual evening out, try pairing your culottes with a casual jacket. Match black or tan culottes with a denim jacket, or create a dramatic effect by pairing more colorful culottes with a black leather jacket.
4
Wear a heavier coat on extra cold days. When a blazer or light jacket just won’t cut it, pair your culottes with a more heavy-duty winter coat. Dressy culottes can look fabulous with a long trenchcoat or a heavy peacoat in a matching or contrasting color. More casual culottes work well with cozy puffer jackets.
- If you’re unsure of how to balance the length of your coat with a pair of skirt-like culottes, you’re not alone. There are as many opinions on this subject as there are fashion experts. If your culottes are really swingy and flowy, try following the traditional “rule” of wearing a coat the same length or longer. For longer, more pants-like culottes, any length of coat should look fine.
5
Choose hose that will keep you warm. One of the biggest challenges of wearing culottes in winter is keeping your lower half warm enough. Depending on how long your culottes are, you may have your ankles or even your entire calves out in the open! Pick some hosiery that will at least provide a little extra skin coverage, especially on super cold days.
- If you’re going for a dressy vibe, or if you’re just really committed to the bare-legged look, try sheer hose or nude stockings.^{[3]
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- Add fun and color to your look with some pretty sweater-knit tights.
- For a sleek and put-together look, match the tights with your culottes. For a more fun and casual vibe, pick tights that contrast with your culottes. For example, pair solid fawn culottes and navy tights with white polka dots.
6
Put on some thick socks for a warm and casual look. Chunky socks can pair well with culottes, especially on blustery winter days. Let a pair of colorful socks peek out over the top of your boots, or keep your legs nice and warm with some cozy thigh-highs.
- Try matching the color of your socks with another part of your outfit, like your top. Or, if your top and culottes are in similar shades, pick socks in a complementary color. For example, pair a top and culottes in neutral colors with jewel-toned socks.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Picking Your Shoes and Accessories

1
Choose shoes with heels to lengthen your legs. The cropped length of most culottes draws attention to the ankle. While culottes can look fabulous with a pair of casual sneakers or flats, wearing shoes with a little lift can accentuate the shape and length of your legs.^{[4]
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- In winter, closed-toed heels are usually a good bet. If it’s snowy or icy out, choose shoes with thicker heels for more stability.
2
Pair your culottes with stylish but practical ankle boots. On snowy days, try wearing your culottes with short boots that have chunky, treaded heels and soles. That way you can get the fashion benefits of heels with less danger of slipping on ice and slush.
3
Wear high-leg boots for extra warmth. Make up for the extra exposure on cold days by pairing your culottes with boots that are higher than ankle-length. Culottes can look fantastic with tall boots, especially if they have a bit of heel.^{[5]
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- Try boots that are tall enough so the tops are hidden by the hems of your culottes.
4
Wear your favorite flats or sneakers for a casual look. You don’t have to wear flashy heels or fashionable boots to look great in culottes. Go casual by pairing your culottes with winter-friendly sneakers or loafers.
- If you’re worried about your legs looking too short, pair your flat-soled shoes with calf-length, high-waisted culottes.
- Shoes with thick soles, like platform loafers or sneakers, can also add to your height and create a more flattering look.^{[6]
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5
Have fun with color and texture. Wearing culottes at any season gives you a great opportunity to wear flashy shoes. If the rest of your outfit is in solid, muted colors, wear shoes that are patterned or brightly colored to add flair to your look. For a more sleek and minimalist vibe, wear shoes that match the colors or color values of the rest of your outfit.
- For example, if your culottes and the rest of your ensemble are in shades of brown, white and taupe, put on a pair of blue boots or shoes for a pretty flash of color.
- If you’re going for a more conservative effect, go with black or neutral-colored shoes.
6
Layer on some fun and cozy accessories. Since culottes expose your legs a bit, it’s important to keep the rest of you warm. Add both warmth and flair to your outfit with a pretty scarf, gloves, and a stylish hat.
- If the rest of your outfit is dark, muted, or monochrome, brightly-colored accessories can make your look more exciting.
- For example, try wearing black culottes, a grey coat, and a bright red scarf.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you stay warm in culottes?

Alison Deyette
Professional Stylist
Alison Deyette is a Style Expert and TV Host with over 20 years of experience in fashion, style, and television. She has styled and directed photoshoots around the world for a variety of magazines, including Good Housekeeping, People StyleWatch, and Mode. Alison was also named one of the top stylists in Los Angeles by Variety magazine.

Alison Deyette

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

The right pair of stylish Culottes can be season-less. When you want to extend their wear into fall and winter just cover up your exposed legs with opaque tights or knee high boots and voilà, you’ve got a pair of culottes that can be worn year round.