Why Wide-Leg Pants Are Still Trending

Unless you have been living under a rock recently, you have surely spotted the wide-leg pant trend everywhere. From street style influencers like Bella Hadid to the runways of dozens of designers, wide-leg pants have been a huge trend for the past few seasons. While some trends tend to be short-lived, the wide-leg pants have key factors going for them that indicate they are a classic in the making. Check out why wide-leg pants are the staple you should be buying right now.

1—They balance classic with modern. Although recent designers are certainly putting a modern spin on the wide-leg pant, this style is nothing new. Throwing it back to the ’70s with elephant pants, the wide-leg style has reinvented itself time and time again. Current wide-leg pant styles are both trendy and practical and are sure to have your friends deeming you the “stylish one.” Try a black wide-leg pant for a classic look, or spice it up with a patterned fabric.

2—They work well with other current trends. While there are dozens of ways to style wide-leg pants, one of their biggest assets is their versatility with other trends. Cropped wide-leg pants work wonderfully with this season’s trendy sock boot. Pairing wide-leg pants with a wide corset belt is a match made in style heaven while opting for a trendy crop top adds a chic and practical element to the pant.

3—They can be dressed up or down. Whether you need a professional outfit for your internship or just want to look on-trend, wide-leg pants have a varied fit for any style need. For a business casual look, pair a simple wide-leg pant with a tucked-in white blouse and heels. If you are feeling a more casual ensemble, pair a wide-leg jeans with a T-shirt-style cropped top and mules.

Whether you are dressing to impress for that internship or simply want to rock the street style look that all of your favorite models seem to be donning, adding a wide-leg pant to your wardrobe this season is a practical and classic way to be versatile.

How are you rocking the wide-leg pant trend? Comment below or tag @CFashionista on social media!

3 Ways to Style One Versatile Piece

This summer was one of growth for myself both personally and professionally. I didn’t plan for more than just simply splashing in the waves with my friends I hadn’t seen since Christmas.

This past semester, I studied abroad in Prague, and the experiences I lived there will be ones I never forget. However, after four months, I couldn’t wait to be home in Florida soaking up the sun central Europe had just begun to see. That’s when everything changed: I got an email congratulating me on landing my dream internship… in New York City. I knew I would be back in the fall for my senior year, which is partly why this summer was so important, and now it was being stripped away. Flash forward two months: summer is almost over and I have spent it learning so much about my craft and meeting people who will shape my future. Sometimes, the unexpected things in life end up being the most important or best moments, and I do not regret any of them this summer.

However, with only a couple of days to pack up my entire summer wardrobe and 50 pounds to limit it to… let’s just say Kate from Lizzie McGuire would be judging me so hard as I have definitely been an outfit repeater. So, with limited options and a little creativity, here are five outfits that use one piece to take you stylish in and out of the office.

Culottes are completely in right now, but why not get double duty from them in jumpsuit form? Wear them with some cute slides and a crossbody for an effortless weekend look or dress them up heels and a clutch for a night on the town. I opted to go a step further and found three ways to make my culotte jumpsuit completely unrecognizable but completely fashionable.

1—For the office. Pair with a white, embellished button-down shirt (no jewelry, thank you), a sharp blazer, and kitten heels. Smart, sneaky, and stylish!

2—For the weekend. Wear your favorite lived-in embellished T-shirt with a small knot tucked in for brunch with friends.

3—For a night on the town. Tuck the top of the jumpsuit down and wear an off-the-shoulder black velvet top to add a luxe factor. Belted with a crystal-beaded sash, it’s the perfect outfit for the perfect night out.

What ways do you repurpose pieces in your closet? Share your looks with us on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

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Why You Need a Culotte Jumpsuit in Your Life

Yes, those bell-bottomed stretch pants you wore in middle school (remember gaucho pants?) are back and better than ever as culotte jumpsuits. I know Gaucho pants will forever be etched into our brains in memory of the cringy years. Don’t worry, though—this upgrade will leave you wanting a million pairs! Thankfully, with this cropped upgrade, not many people refer to them as Gauchos anymore. Let’s be honest, the “culottes” just sounds better.

This isn’t middle school any more, it’s college. This look has had time to revamp itself. Culottes aren’t only available in pants, but also multiple styles of jumpsuits like this one.

The best part about this culotte jumpsuit is that it has the flared pants, which makes it look like a dress (which is exactly why we all loved those gaucho pants when we were younger!). Also, since they’re pants, there’s no need to worry about having to change your outfit for activities or weather. This piece can handle anything.

Since it’s a jumpsuit that looks like a dress, it’s super easy to dress the look up or down. This can all be done while still looking chic and on-trend, no matter the time of day!

Dress It Down

If you want to keep your look simple and casual, pair your jumpsuit with some strappy sandals, jewelry, and metal framed shades. No need to put all your focus on accessories because the jumpsuit is the main attraction.

Dress It Up

If you want to go out with this look, throw on some ankle strap heels and shiny layered necklaces. You’ve got yourself a head-turning outfit that took no time at all. Make the look super sleek by throwing your hair up into a high pony.

Culotte Style Tip

Since summer is sadly coming to an end, that means the weather will be getting cooler. Luckily, all that needs to be added to this outfit for the next season is a jacket. In this case, a fitted jean jacket is perfect. It’s not only cute, but it makes the outfit last year-round. Choosing a more fitted jacket instead of one that’s oversized allows the jumpsuit to show off your silhouette. An oversized jacket would create a more boxy look.

How do you wear your culottes? Let me know in the comments below, or share on social media. Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista in your post!

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“Cool”ottes are the Pants of the Summer

If you’re the type of person who searches for the best way to fashionably stand out in a crowd, then read on to find out how you can add that wow factor to your summer look. We all know that the go-to piece for the summer is a nice pair of shorts that allow you to keep semi-cool and show off your legs. However, there are some people who may be looking for an alternative option. Although a pair of high-waisted cut-off shorts or daisy dukes are an automatic choice for many in the hot temperatures, there is another option that I think adds a unique touch to your summer wardrobe. Allow me to introduce culottes to you!

What are culottes?

The newest and most on-trend item I have personally fallen in love with in the past year is a pair of trousers called culottes, or as I like to say: “cool”ottes. Even though these are pants, they can still keep your legs nice and cool in the stickiness of the summer. These pants are my favorite piece to wear in the warmer months because of their breeziness and flowing fabric. I don’t feel restricted like I would in a pair of jeans, and the cropped hem allows you to show off part of your legs and really accentuate any shoes you choose to wear.

The best part about these pants is that they literally look good with any and every pair of shoes. I love to wear them with sneakers, but they look equally as great with sandals, mules, booties, you name it. Another perk of this style pant is that they look good on any body type. Wear them with a more form-fitting top to allow the silhouette of the whole look to really focus on the pants. I’d say culottes are truly heaven-sent.

Your time to shine!

If you’re looking to grab yourself a nice pair that won’t break the budget, you can find them at almost any fast-fashion retail store. I personally think the best pairs are at Zara because you can really get a nice quality fabric for a good price.

If you do end up finding a good pair of culottes for yourself, feel free to share an OOTD picture on your social media and tag @Cfashionista so we can see your trendy summer look!

Dare to Step Out of Your Fashion Comfort Zone

When following fashion bloggers on social media, it is hard not to see posts of outfits you wish you had, but never thought you could actually wear. In reality, all it takes is some creativity, a little of your own personal flare and most importantly you have to remember to have fun with it!

Changing up your day-to-day fashion trends can often feel like a daunting task. You never know how other people will react to your clothing statements. That can be the most intimidating aspect, in my opinion, when choosing what to wear.

So, to take on the challenge of stepping out of my fashion comfort zone, I searched through my favorite Style Gurus to find some top 2017 trends. When taking on a new trend, I always try to dress for myself. The most important thing for me is to love my outfit which leads to a natural confidence while wearing it. If you keep this in mind, the following trends won’t seem as scary.

1—Denim on Denim. I paired my acid wash denim overall dress with a black tube top underneath to keep it simple. A distressed denim jacket is thrown on over it to tie the jean on jean look together. For accessories, one gold and one black choker are layered with round gold rimmed sunnies. For shoes, I wore my black cut-out booties. The black and blue provide a nice contrast for a chic denim look!

2—Lace-Up. These lace-up pants are quite the statement piece. An oversized band T-shirt pairs perfectly, making the pants a little more casual and classy. I finished the outfit off by adding a subtly layered gold necklace along with these simple black heels, making this the perfect G.N.O. outfit!

3—Culottes. These culottes are the perfect transition piece that can go from day to night. Here we styled these flattering high-rise wide-leg pants with a white graphic T-shirt and plain white canvas sneakers. For jewelry, a simple silver medallion necklace is added. The use of black and white makes this a very classic, casual outfit.

4—Mix and Match. Permission has been granted by the fashion gurus and mismatching is in style! By utilizing pastel colors above, we were able to create a trendy, Instagram-worthy outfit. Pictured above we have a forest green sparkle mesh ruffle top layered with a black silk camisole and a maroon bralette underneath. This is paired with a pastel pink corduroy skirt, a light blue suede baseball cap, faux leather black maroon oxfords, and a simple thin black choker!

What is your favorite 2017 statement trend? Show us your personal style and how you dare to step out of your fashion comfort zone!

Getting the Most Out of Your Wardrobe When Dressing for Work

When it comes to picking out an outfit for work, each day I find myself aimlessly staring at my closet thinking that I have nothing to wear. I always feel as though I am constantly repeating outfits and that all my coworkers will notice. I tend to invest more in my purchases, which makes it feel as though I have less to wear. While still keeping up with the current fashion trends, I like to make sure I have staple pieces throughout my wardrobe. To create this look, I mixed basic pieces with trendier pieces.

For this outfit, I chose a pair of black pants and a white top. This alone could be considered basic. However, the style of these two pieces is very trendy. The black pants are culottes which are on-trend for spring and summer. These pants can be worn with many different tops. I feel that they are going to be a staple item in my wardrobe this summer, especially for work. The fullness and layered effect on the sleeves add detail to the top. They are the key factor in turning a basic white T-shirt into a trendy top. This top fits boxy and was a little too long in proportion to the culottes, so I decided to tuck the shirt in which helped to defined my waist.

The silver sandals are perfect for summer. The combination of the white platform soles and the bright silver make them pop against the black culottes. Metallic colors are also on-trend for spring and summer. Incorporating this into shoes or accessories is the perfect way to do it. These sandals are also very versatile. They would look great with a pair of jeans as well.

I chose to keep my accessories minimal since I had a lot going on with the detailing of the sleeves and my shoes. All of the pieces in my outfit I can wear separately and style to make three different looks for work. This will help me to expand my wardrobe possibilities while still staying on-trend.

This look I styled would be perfect not only for work but for brunch with friends or a day out in the city. All of these pieces could be individually worn for day or night and dressed up or down. The pieces in this look are all trendy yet staple items in my wardrobe that will help to expand my possibilities for my work outfits.

Does anyone else feel as though they are stuck in a clothing rut when it comes to dressing for work? Let me know in the comments below.

3 Fresh Ways to Style Denim Culottes

Culottes take the place as one of my favorite trends. They can be dressed up or down and they can add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to your look. However, when I first bought my denim culottes I had absolutely no idea how to style them. I had a few hits and misses before I finally figured out my favorite ways to wear them. Follow these tips and you’ll be strutting around looking perfectly Parisian in your denim culottes. Don’t forget to snap those artsy selfies!

For my first look, I stuck to the basics: all black and white with simple shapes and patterns. I paired a ribbed black top with my culottes and added the interesting bits on the top and bottom for some cohesion. I sported some frilly socks with my (well-loved) chunky shoes to provide some contrast. A simple black and white striped knotted headband completed this flattering, simple look.

For my second look, I ventured into what I know best: band T-shirts. This cut up Led Zeppelin top helped edge up my look. Pro tip: buy vintage T-shirts from second-hand shops and DIY them! Your finished shirts will be inexpensive and unique. To finish off this carefree look, add some fun sunglasses to the mix. These round colored lens sunglasses add so much personality to any outfit!

For my final look, I paired my culottes with an off-the-shoulder top, another hot trend. This casual and bohemian look is perfect for a breezy summer day. Wear wedges to add some height, as culottes can make one look much shorter than they really are.

Show us how you wear culottes on social media and tag @CFashionista!

Beat the Heat this Summer

Summer is right around the corner which means beach days, bonfires, traveling, and lots of sun. As the weather gets warmer, attempting to make a fashion statement while simultaneously dressing modest can be tricky. It is not necessary for you to beat the heat with an ordinary T-shirt and shorts, or a casual dress. So instead of wearing the basics, spice things up with your outfits.

A trend I have been seeing lately are culottes. Culottes are the perfect essentials for your summer closets because they are airy, comfortable, and most importantly very stylish. Culottes can be dressed up with a pair of heels for a formal occasion or dressed down with some tennis shoes for a casual outing.

Now, one of the most important things to remember when dressing for the summer time is wearing the right proportion of clothing so you are not sweating to death. Having the perfect balance allows your outfit to have dimensions instead of it looking awkward and off. This can be styled to your desire and to which best suits you. There may be parts of your body that you may want to cover and parts that you may want to define.

On this warm day, I wore gold culottes as my statement piece where it cinches at the waist. Because my culottes were bright and bold, I wanted to pair it with a subtle top. A lace top is the perfect match because it is elegant and complements the culottes. I paired a crocheted cardigan along with the lace top to add a different texture to the look. To top off my outfit, I wore a pair of nude stilettos. I love to wear heels with culottes because not only do they extend your legs, but they also make you look ten times better!

Little touches to make your outfit stand out more are accessories! I love accessories because a little ring or a bracelet can really bring an outfit together. With this outfit, I wore a rose gold watch to accommodate the gold culottes. My favorite part of this entire outfit are the clear glasses which have recently become a trend all over social media. Now I don’t wear prescribed glasses because I was blessed with perfect vision but pretending to wear glasses to feel trendy never hurt anyone! These round gold glasses have been my go-to accessary this season as it goes with every outfit and never disappoints.

Summer is just around the corner and I could not be more excited to share more summer styling tips with you all. I hope you all stay cool and fashion forward.

What is your favorite summer trend? Comment below and let’s be friends!

Styling Culottes for Summer

Isn’t it funny how fashion comes full circle? I remember when culottes and gaucho pants were popular. Well, look at what’s back and trending for the summer! Culottes have been seen everywhere this spring and summer, being worn by celebrities ranging from Rihanna to Kendall Jenner.

In the 1700s, culottes were worn by the French upper class. It derives from the French word “culot,” which means “the lower half of.”

The thing I love about culottes is that they come in all kinds of lengths and patterns. There are some that come right to your knee and some that even reach your ankles. Knowing this helps you to find out what you are comfortable with wearing, depending on what season it is.

As with any wide-leg trend, it can be hard to imagine what they would look like on your body. Culottes can be difficult and intimidating at first. They are an awkward length and have a wide-leg silhouette. When I am styling my culottes, I like to picture them as a midi skirt. Once I do this, it is very easy to mix and match with whatever I have in my wardrobe. Culottes are perfect for summer because they are easy to move in and they are super light!

Below I give suggestions on how to slay culottes for the summer!

1—Play with different prints and materials.
2—Add a form fitting top. Doing this helps cinch your waist and also helps to offset the volume of the pants.
3—Focus on footwear. Some types of footwear which complement culottes are ankle boots and lace-up heels.
4—Add some fun accessories.

What do you think about culottes coming back? If you are a culotte lover like myself, don’t forget to show us on social media and tag @CFashionista.

How to Dress Office Chic in the Summer

Nothing can beat the summer heat other than a nice cold drink and some A/C. However, when you have to run errands around the city, those two can only cool you down so much. To help you feel comfortable, cool, and still looking office chic here are tips on how to dress for the office in the summer!

Culottes are fun, comfortable, and cute—the perfect pants to wear in the office. Walking around, especially in the Davis heat, the polyester fabric material keeps me cool because of its moisture-trapping characteristic. Plus, the small slit at the bottom is so fun to walk around in. For wider or longer culottes the best shoes to wear are thin heels. A pair of ankle-strap heels keeps your look simple and clean.

The wide leg style also allows you to keep your top fitted, and prevents creating a bulky shape. It’s important to keep the shape of your outfit in mind. For this look, I decided to pair it with a deep V-neck crop top with a big gold necklace. Keeping it a simple look, I put the focus on the shoes—it’s the highlight of the look. Overall, this attire is cute, comfortable, and appropriate for the office. You will look professional in the board room, but still feel cool when you’re running errands.

Of course, feel free to add more accessories to this look and have fun combining different colors! Since most culottes come in solid colors, add some fun in your outfit by pairing it with a printed top.

How do you dress for the office in the summer? Show us by tagging @CFashionista!