How to style pink culottes for autumn | 3 ideas for work, play and comfort

Did you know that it’s #slowfashionoctober? I could not miss out on the opportunity of dedicating the first post of this month to it and celebrating loving the things I already have, as part of my journey to a truly meaningful wardrobe.

To me, a meaningful wardrobe means making items I love, crafted with care, that fit perfectly in the context of my wardrobe and that I reach for over and over again. Well, here is a garment that embodied all of that in a way that few of my me-mades do, and it’s darn comfortable. With pockets! And it’s bright pink! Nuff said!

A meaningful wardrove is also about wearing what you have as much as possible. And so I get to play dress-up and try to style my pink culottes in different ways so I don’t get bored.

But Slow Fashion is not just for October, right? So, I am launching a new series on the blog, called ‘How 2 Three’, and each month I will style one old, beloved me-made item in three different outfits, one for work, one for play (going out with friends, dates, etc) and one for comfort or chilling out.

So let’s check out how I made pink culottes work for me in the autumn season.

Disclaimer:  I have purchased or made all items featured in this post, but it may contain affiliate links, marked with *. Please read my Reader Disclosure Policy for what that means exactly.

First, a quick intro for those that are not very familiar with my pink culottes.

Originally sewn: June 2016

Fabric: polyester, a gift from a sewing friend, originally from an Abakhan bargain bundle; pocket lining from stash

Pattern:  *Vogue 9032 (OOP, but still available on Amazon), with modifications

Since I first made them, they got a lot of wear, throughout the seasons. You can see some warm weather styling in this post.

I know they are very bright, but that never stopped me wearing them in the darker autumn or winter days either. The fabric is medium weight, so with tights, I was always warm enough, even during colder days.

So here are three outfits that might spark some ideas on how to style some bight bottoms (even if they are not pink) for colder weather.

1| Pink culottes styled for work

 

THOUGHTS:

This is a new look that came together when I was preparing to take pictures for this post. I have worn these culottes to work many times, usually as in a more casual Friday look. However, I wanted to go for a more formal look, built around a crisp white shirt. To account for the colder weather, I also added a long cardigan, tied in the back to look a bit like a trench coat. I’ve added some silver accents to match the charcoal of the cardigan, by adding the disco ball earrings and the pewter shoes.

I really fell in love with this look and I can’t wait to wear it to work soon!

I’M WEARING:

Cardigan: Me-made, pattern Simplicity 8217 in charcoal knit jersey
Shirt: RTW old
Culottes: Me-made *Vogue 9032 in pink polyester
Earrings: V&A gift shop
Shoes: New from *Marks & Spencer 

2| Pink culottes styled for play

THOUGHTS:

Ok, maybe this is not your typical clubbing outfit, but then, I’m not a clubbing kind of girl. However, I have worn this look to a cinema & dinner date with my husband. It’s comfortable, yet put together and the jacket makes me look like I made an effort. The heels don’t go amiss either. I like that the black top and jacket form a really great neutral canvas for the culottes to shine (almost literally).

I’M WEARING:

Jacket: RTW old
Top: me-made jersey turtleneck (self-drafted)
Culottes: Me-made *Vogue 9032 in pink polyester
Shoes: New from *Marks & Spencer
Earring: Marks & Spencer (more ideas *here)

3| Pink culottes styled for comfort

THOUGHTS:

Probably not the most glamorous of outfits, but I found myself reaching for this one many times last winter. The asymmetric tunic is super cosy and I like the twist on a classic jumper. The navy and pink have long been one of my favourite combinations, so no wonder I went for it yet again. As for the boots, this is comfort we’re talking about here, and these are the most comfortable boots I have. They are flat, warm (faux fur on the inside) and saw me through the snow last winter. That’s enough for me.

I’m wearing:

Top: Me-made, Vogue 9186 (hacked), in navy ribbed jersey knit
Culottes: Me-made *Vogue 9032 in pink polyester
Boots: *Gabor Stunner
Earring: Me-made
Necklace: old

Pink culottes STYLING TIPS 

The half tuck: Tucking the shirt at the front gives an air of studied casualness, which goes very well for my office atmosphere, by making a more formal shirt feel a bit more relaxed.

Cardigans as trenchcoats: If your long cardigan has ties, wear them tied in the back, like the belt of a trench coat. It will remove a bit of the volume in the front, letting the front of the shirt in the half-tuck show nicely.

Neutral canvas: Wear one colourful piece on a more neutral canvas. It will help elevate a simpler outfit and help the bright piece shine.

Find the perfect shoes for work & play: I have to give a shout out to these V front pumps from M&S. They are seriously the most comfortable heels I’ve worn in years, so much so that I actually walked to work in the black ones the other day. I spent the entire day in them and absolutely no sore feet at all. They need to loosen up a bit on my left foot for some reason, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem as the leather is so soft! Just love them so much I bought them in two colours (and so many more to choose from).

 

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Hope you enjoyed this post and the beginning of this series. What would you like to see me style in November? Have a look at my me-made wardrobe and drop some requests in the comments.

SO, WHAT WAS THE TOP COMBINATION FOR YOU? AND WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR STYLING YOUR SEWN ITEMS IN COLDER WEATHER? WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IN THE COMMENTS.

Disclaimer:  I have purchased or made all items featured in this post, but it contains affiliate links, marked with *. Please read my Reader Disclosure Policy for what that means exactly.

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