Timeless Wardrobe Classics: Culottes for Women

Culottes are another form of women’s bottom wear that has seen revival from the glorious past, similar to palazzos. These once-revolutionary outfits have brought back nostalgia and elegance, along with their unique appeal that somehow disappeared in the course of history. Now, women’s culottes are again in the fashion limelight despite polarizing opinions from various fashion experts. Some have hailed culottes for their incredibly bold and smart appeal, whereas others have tagged these outfits as “outdated.”

If we go by the French word “culot,” it is a pair of pants, panties, trousers, shorts, knickers, or breeches. The term itself denotes the lower half of something, which is the lower garment in this case.

The modern version of women’s culottes pants are comfortable, versatile, and ideal summer staple to take on the scorching heat.

History   
Culottes have had a long and rebellious history, which went through many changes over the years. While these days, the term culottes refer to women’s bottom wear, but historically they were men’s pants.

During the Renaissance period, men from the upper class used to wear breeches, which were referred to as “culottes,” which was a translation from English into French. That early versions of these outfits were completely different from the ones that women wear in the modern era. Back then, culottes were often cut from fine silk and fitted a little below the knee using a fastener, similar to a button or buckle.

During the French revolution in the late 1700s, wealthy men frequently donned these outfits, which symbolized their higher social standing. The outfits seemed so divisive during that era that revolutionaries were categorized as “sans-culottes” or “without culottes,” considering their opposition to aristocratic ideas. Instead of culottes, revolutionaries wore trousers, which created a stark visual disparity between social classes and their values.

The prominence of culottes did not end with the French Revolution. In fact, more events unfolded and intensified around culottes as they went through the transition from a symbol of male chauvinism and wealth into carefree and feminist outfits for women. This updated version looked like a skirt split into pants, which resembles the culottes that we see today.

Later, during the Victorian era, women became more active compared to previous generations, where they began participating in activities such as tennis, bicycling, and horseback riding. For these activities, culottes turned out to be women’s go-to attire as they were comfortable and easy to carry around.

In the early 1980s, culottes became more popular because of Lady Diana Spencer. The outfits looked similar to the knickers in the US, except that the latter are relatively loose in fit. 

How Culottes Have Fared in India

Despite various opinions on culottes being “outdated” or “unattractive,” women in India have embraced these outfits due to their comfort and carefree style.

Fortunately, today’s societies and the fashion world are more liberal and inclusive than before. These days, there are no fashion directives to wear or not to wear outfits based on personal discretion. Even after many decades, culottes still personify boldness in modern women, who unequivocally claim equality. As a result, culottes are visible in parties and social gatherings, pairing up with all kinds of tops, including strap sleeves, plunging necklines, and tight-fitting jackets. It seems that the status of quo of culottes has changed for better.

Before We Go
The most noticeable aspect of culottes is that these clothes are equally vintage and modern at the same time. The loose-fitting and bold appeal of these outfits carries a certain mystique, which often makes women indecisive about wearing them. Despite all this, the popularity of culottes is soaring than ever before, and have made their way to women’s wardrobe. Particularly, for the Indian summers, culottes are ideal attire to wear for their breathability. In addition, many women love to don these outfits to carry the legacy of such a high vintage fashion.

If you are looking for some unique and comfortable bottom wear, designer culottes, especially block printed culottes can give you plenty of options. Check out the rich collections of culottes pants online in breathtaking designs, patterns, and colours without having to step out from the comfort of your home.

Designers Kurtis for Women: Simple yet Spectacular

Women’s wardrobe reflects their personality, individuality, and versatility. Especially, intricately designed and colourful Indian ethnic kurtis can showcase the spectacular range of these indigenous outfits that are rooted in the soil of this country. Available in various styles, patterns, and prints, there is something unique about ethnic kurtis that women of all age groups love.  

Designer kurtis for women are ideal for special occasions such as festivals, social gatherings, and celebrations, where these outfits stand out with their colourful presence. Usually, kurtis come in cotton fabric, which is ideal for the humid summer seasons in India for their breathability and lightweight to carry around. In addition, women can easily pair up kurtis with various accessories to enhance their style that is easy on the eyes.

A Little More Insight into Classy Kurtis
Fashions always change with times, and the same applies to kurtis. Over the years, these ethnic Indian outfits have become more creative and customized for the modern era. Women can wear kurtis with churidar or salwar and dupatta. Basically, there are two types of kurtis: the knee-length kurtis or long top, and long kurtis.

Similar to any Indian ethnic wear, kurtis are classy, stylish, and artisans pay a lot of attention to every minor detail. Historically, the term kurti is believed to have originated from waistcoats, jackets, and blouses, which stay above the waist and do not have side slits. These outfits have been the modified versions of the tunic that people wore during the Shunga period in the 2nd century B.C. Kurtis are different from the cholis as the latter expose the midriff.

Over the years, kurtis have been common outfits in the northern part of India. Later, it spread across other parts of the nation and available in more refined and modern versions. This Indian ethnic wear has now become globally popular, and even many Hollywood celebrities were spotted donning them at various red-carpet events. This classic Indian outfit has created its niche in the global fashion arena and is gaining momentum at a fast pace. These days, many women love to wear block print kurtis or hand block printed kurtis and accessorize them with minimal jewelry and a purse bag to feel light and confident. 

Attention to Detail While Making
Just like any Indian ethnic wear, the process of making kurtis is meticulous. Professional artisans in rural India stitch the outfits through a rigorous process and carry out strict quality checks. Usually, kurtis come with plenty of embroidery, designs, patterns, and mirror work. The finished products are the results of many painstaking hours of work and years of accumulated skills. The skills of rural artisans have been passed on through generations, and that is evident in every outfit.

Ethnic dresses like kurtis are a reminder of India’s rich cultural history and can elevate women’s appearance to an all-new level. Also, these outfits personify elegance and subtle style that make them stand out from the crowd. Generally, kurtis come in comfortable cotton fabric with various colours and shades. The outfits are suitable for every body type and can enhance women’s features and display their sense of style. 

Traditional Outfits Are a Way of Life
Modern fashion designers are making kurtis with various creative blends of Indian and Western styles, keeping in mind women’s persona and fashion. In this process, designers are also going back to the grass-root and culturally rich traditions that are prevalent for ages. Considering the artistic legacy associated with kurtis, an increasing number of women are making them part of their wardrobe. If you wish to enhance your look and own a piece Indian’s cultural heritage, explore the collections of designer kurtis online here.