Petite, Tall, and Somewhere in Between: Culottes for 3 Heights

March 31, 2017 | Filed in: Your Closet

If finding a pair of well-fitting pants is a task in itself, then adding a culotte option to the mix probably seems like an unnecessary complication. But fear not: Our genius design team has cracked the code on a cropped, relaxed fit that flatters many heights and sizes. The key to their success? Unlike many pants, the hem isn’t designed to hit at one exact point; instead, there’s a more fluid area of workable lengths. Read on to see how three MM team members—one petite, one tall, and one in-between—wear the Pippa pant, a new culotte style from The Fine Line.

Ruth, 5’2″

Ruth wears the Pippa pant in galaxy blue and the Louisa top in glacier.

Culotte outlook: I’ve always liked the idea of culottes because they look comfortable, and I love that you can wear them year-round. In the summer, they’re cute with sandals, and in the winter, they look really chic with pumps. However, at 5’2″, I was too intimidated to try them until recently, because I was worried they’d be too short and wide for my frame. 

How to wear it: When I tried on the Pippa pant with a pair of heels, I was pleasantly surprised by how elongating the look was overall. The Louisa top works well here, because the tailored silhouette is a nice counterbalance to the boxier pant. The cropped length of the top is key, too—if it were longer, I’d definitely tuck it in to keep the proportions balanced.

Christine, 5’4″

Christine wears the Pippa pant in russet, the Shelby top in sand, and the Abingdon coat in camel.

Culotte outlook: I love culottes. I have wide hips, and high-waisted culottes are flattering because they accentuate the smallest part of my torso rather than drawing attention to the thighs. At first, I thought the cropped length of culottes would make me look shorter, but I actually think showing some ankle can make for a lengthening, slimming effect.

How to wear it: The ponte fabric of the Pippa has great stretch and a structured flare, and pairs beautifully with a form-fitting shirt—perfect for someone like me, who tends to prefer outfits that are looser on bottom and fitted on top. These culottes should sit at your natural waist; tuck in a shirt to play up an hourglass shape. I would pair these with a fitted knit, like the Gloria or Simone; for a more formal look, I’d go with a button-up like the Lagarde. Since I run around a lot in my job, I tend to wear sneakers, but I also like pairing culottes with little booties or oxfords. At 5’4″, I don’t feel like I need to wear a heel with them, but extra height never hurts.

Annabel, 6’0″

Annabel wears the Pippa pant in chalk stripe and the Crawford top in double stripe.

Culotte outlook: I like that culottes have a relaxed fit, and they’re very versatile. They can be dressed up if you tuck in an elevated top, like the Lagarde shirt. On the other hand, wearing culottes with a cropped shirt that’s untucked can be very casual and cool. 

How to wear it: The Pippa is flattering because it has a thick waistband that lies flat at the waist, and the fabric has a smoothing effect. I like to mix patterns, and I’m a fan of the stripe-on-stripe combination of pairing these pants with the Crawford top. It makes for a fun but still work-appropriate outfit. As a tall person, I think you can get away with wearing a looser top with culottes, because there isn’t a risk of shortening your proportions.