On Trend: The Culotte

When I first heard that culottes were making a comeback, I had flashbacks to 1980's childhood fashion fights with my Mother. Before I was allowed to wear short skirts (which I was oh so desperate to do) I had to make do with a culotte. Mother professed they preserved my girlish modesty! Jump to 2015 and you can't part me from my beloved culotte collection! Practical and oh so wearable, culottes give you the elegance of a skirt but the much needed practicality of a pant. Unless you are incredibly tall, avoid wearing with flats, stick to pumps or for more comfort go for stacked sandals. To balance the often voluminous culotte try tucking in your top to show off your waistline and give your look some definition. My perfectly priced favorites can be found at Club Monaco and JCrew. CM XO

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THE REVISIT: FLARES

Now I am a proud wearer of all things pants; Audrey H cropped, Katherine H wide, and the Diane K pleated chino. However sometimes one needs to revisit that mildly controversial pant silhouette, the one that divides all pants wearers to the end, THE FLARE. I have written about flares before on this very blog, but I recently became aware of a trend setting flare wearer that has compelled me to refresh my approach. Fashion Director of Porter Magazine, Gabriele Hackworthy, has long been a devoted wearer of the subversive flare. The key to her successful relationship with them is that she keeps it simple. The pants are black, the layering light. Think a navy double breasted blazer and white tee, or a clean white shirt and solid black fringed cape (beautifully bringing in a little more bohemian influence to her look-see above). Hackworthy ALWAYS wears her black bell's with vertiginous heels and these are a must. Unless you are Karlie Kloss and 7ft tall NEVER sport a flat with a flare! I have found the perfect Gabriele-esque leg lengthening pair for only $50 here www.hm.com. They are such a bargain grab them PRONTO! x

Photo from Twitter @GabHackworthy

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DO YOU DARE TO FLARE?

I am particularly excited by the resurgence of the bell bottom but it is all too easy to get the look horribly wrong and resemble an extra from Boogie Nights! My rules when going for the flared look is keep the denim a mid blue (see Dakota Fanning in Elizabeth and James Jimi Bell Bottoms), with a high rise and wear them long with a stacked boot or a 70's inspired wedge (inspired being the operative word here ladies!). On the top half of your body you can't go wrong with a white tee but also consider a tucked in and collared silk Equipment blouse. In regards to your outer layer, flares look particularly great with a belted trench.  They are also a great denim silhouette for a curvier girl as they balance out the hips and bust, just please make sure you wear with a heel, flats and flares do not a good match make! Find at www.shopbop.com x