Cullottes are a runway trend that I've shyed away from. It's a tricky look to carry off, especially the wide and wondrous varieties in street style blogs and magazines.
Let's face it, front pleats and overly wide legs aren't likely to be worn successfully by an woman who is only 156cms tall, with a 100cm hip circumference!
But after seeing a particular pair by Sir the Label I was keen to try out the type of cullottes I wore in the 70s. These pants were flattering, fitted through the hips without a pleat in sight, roomy pockets without adding bulk and wide floaty legs.
Having committed to try it out, next came finding a pattern with that 70s feel. A relic from my history, Vogue 9873 to the rescue, the most perfect cullotte pattern on the planet. Unfortunately the pattern was more suited to my 70s body and needed 10cms extra in the hips - an adjustment not for the feint-hearted.
I made them up in a polyester, that has the look of distressed silk on the outside and a satin finish on the inside. Loving the results, pants that do equally well for weekend laziness and glammed up with heeled sandals and a shirt. They've gone to work on casual Friday with chunky heels and been worn twice on the weekend in the first week of their life.
