Culottes for Summer!

WRITTEN BY Debby Jett Allbright of Fashionomics
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Mary Summers

I had never, and I mean never, ever considered writing a blog. I believe that my friend Jan Hankinson was the first person who ever said, “You should write a blog.” But I pretty much told her she was crazy and that I already had too much to do. I was already writing my monthly newsletter for Fashionomics which is usually more pictures than writing but it just seemed way too overwhelming and too much of a time commitment. Then I met my friend Cathy Williamson who is a “real” blogger and she told me that I should write a blog. I told her that she was crazy too and I think I said “Never”! I really can’t remember how it happened that I decided that maybe I had something to say to women near my age who are not 20. I thought that most bloggers were really young. Cathy introduced me to Mary Summers who is a photographer and blogger extraordinaire!!! As in she has a huge following and gets asked by major brands to blog about their products. She is a “real” bonafide blogger!!! I could not produce my blog without her and I am so grateful for all that she has taught me, for her never ending patience with my ignorance, and the beautiful blogs she produces for me. I actually do write the blogs but she makes them look great!!! Thank you Mary!!!

It seems that everything I do evolves in some way. I can’t remember whose idea it was to write a blog on culottes or how this whole combined effort got started. I think actually it was Cathy Williamson’s generous offer to help me get to know more people and she suggested that we do a blog post together. I have been working with Tootsie’s recently with several clients so it was kind of a natural choice to shoot our blog at the store. What a bonus to be able to use some of their beautiful clothes and jewelry. I have to thank the store manager Nerissa von Helpenstill for allowing us to partner with Tootsie’s. Of course we asked the very talented photographer Mary Summers to shoot our Culottes Blog Post. You can find Cathy’s blog www.the-middlepage.com for another angle to our post.

I have to admit that I was a little anxious to shoot this post. I am used to modeling and having a hair and makeup artist and stylist to take care of most of the details. Cathy and Mary assured me that this was a different kind of photo shoot. So, I did my own hair and makeup and brought a couple of choices of shoes. Cathy and I had gone to Tootsie’s earlier in the week to choose our culottes. The staff at Tootsie’s is amazing and so helpful and welcoming. Cathy is one of the most engaging friends I have ever met and she has been so very generous in thinking of ways to help me with this blogging process. She has invited me to events, suggested so many ways to promote and write my blog and been such a great encourager and mentor. Mary is such a creative photographer and made the whole process seem effortless. I am so impressed with the amazing editorial shots we got and she really made us look good!! I am so picky and I hate looking at pictures of myself, but I have to say I was really pleased with the finished product. And we had so much fun working together, all three of us!!

I guess you could say that culottes have made a comeback. Years ago they might have also been called gaucho pants. InStyle magazine says “The newest way to show some leg combines the graceful movement of a midiskirt with the easy elegance of your favorite pair of trousers.” The midiskirt is definitely back and showing strong for Fall 2015 as well. I personally think that this length skirt or culotte looks better with a heel especially if you are not very tall. As I always say, fit and proportion are key to pulling off a stylish look like this. Culottes are great because they give the look of a skirt with the freedom of a pant and are comfortable and practical. You just have to find the right style and fit for your particular body type. The total look is so important when you are choosing just the right top and shoe. If you are shorter it may be better to choose a flat front culotte with not too much volume that might be overpowering and a shorter top. If you are taller you will have more options with this longer skirt. Call Fashionomics for help!!!

Cathy and I chose two different styles of culottes from Elizabeth and James. I love white for the summer and this longer layered top worked well with the culotte. I loved the flowy yet long and lean look when put together. The top has some sheer layers and gave an elegant flair to the look. I chose some white vintage Charles Jordan ankle wrap high heel sandals from my closet. I also added jewelry from Texas designer Claudia Lobao found at Tootsie’s. I really like gold and these delicate earrings really made a statement and adding the coordinating cuff gave the finishing touch. This outfit could go so many places this summer from a day time wedding, shower or tea to a cocktail event in the evening. Check out Cathy’s blog for info on her culottes.

For more information on my outfit see below!
outfit details (click to buy)
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Elizabeth and James ‘Presli’ Culottes, Elizabeth and James ‘Tashi’ Layered Top

accessory details
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Jewelry by Texas Designer Claudia Lobao, Earrings “This is surely a dream”,
Cuff Gold “Life is what it’s about”, Michael Kors watch, Vintage Charles Jordan sandals