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The kilt, first invented in the 1890s to help women ride a bicycle, experienced a resurgence in the 20th century.
Over the past few years, we have seen the return of many of the 90s and 10s trends – thanks in large part to Gen Z and TikTok. From crop tops to low-rise jeans, these youngsters are making 2000 fashion trendy again, and we’re all backing it.
Now, another trend that has been popular over the years is the skirt that Gen Z is using in their entire sporty version. But it was actually invented in the 1890s to help women ride a bike, and certainly not the clothing we know and love today.
We’ve had to wear culottes as part of our hockey gear for years and we’ve been big fans of their design: they protect your thighs from chafing, you don’t have to worry about any Marilyn Monroe moments, and you can go wherever you want Sidi without condemnation.
Culottes are no longer meant just to cover up your butt while exercising – they are a fashion item in their own right. They come in two different styles, one looks like a dress in the front and shorts in the back, and the other looks like a dress but has shorts underneath.
So now that those short skirts are back in style, we’ve added this summer’s must-haves. But with so many options on offer, we tested them all to see which one made the shortlist.
We measure between UK size 12 and 14 or medium and large, so all the culottes we tried were either one or the other, depending on how well they fit. We’ve dabbled in luxury brands, staples, and affordable shopping so we have something for everyone.
We’re also looking for culottes for all occasions, from outdoor adventures and workouts to brunch with the girls and office styles. We include regular shorts, sports shorts and – a category we were not familiar with before – dresses.
As we know, taste is very individual, so we tried to include many different styles and colors in this review. These are the ones that impressed us the most.
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We know it’s luxury, but we just can’t help but fall in love with the design. This pattern brings summer vibes to our hearts, and we’re big fans of the flowy skirt, while the shorts underneath are surprisingly comfortable. It’s also made from a linen blend (60% EcoVero and 40% linen), making it lightweight, breathable and a great choice for hot days.
We tried on UK size 12 and it fit perfectly. Our only complaint is the price, but you know what they say, “Love makes you blind.” There’s also a great matching upper (£99, Allsaints.com) if you’re in the “go big or go home” mentality.
Like we said, we didn’t even know the skirt-skirt existed until we started looking, but gosh, we’re so glad we found them. This Abercrombie & Fitch Gilly Hicks underwear is probably the most comfortable piece we’ve ever worn – a bold statement, we know. We lived in it during the heatwave because its athletic fabric absorbs moisture and keeps us dry while the apartment boils.
Its shoulder straps can be adjusted for a better fit, and there is padding on the chest that can be removed so if you feel uncomfortable, you can simply take it off. This tutu dress has serious shades of Sporty Spice and Baby Spice and we’re all for it.
The jacquard skirt looks chic despite being a really budget buy (usually a bit cheaper but currently on sale). Admittedly, we didn’t think it was for us when we first saw it, but once we tried it on, we were really hooked. Because we know this fabric doesn’t really stretch, we went up a size (UK size 14) for this fabric and it fit like a glove.
It is also very versatile. Paired with a shirt and heels, you can wear it for formal occasions, but with a crop top and sandals, it suddenly becomes a casual look. While the rough fabric means we’re not keen on wearing this dress during the heat, the upside is that you can continue to wear it in the fall with a cream sweater, nude leggings, and knee high boots.
We promise that we are not only generous with our ratings – this dress really changed our game. We tried it at a hockey game and we usually pulled on our shorts after every sprint because the shorts tend to stick out. However, the dress remained flawless for the entire 70 minutes. In fact, it makes us regret that we chose the cheaper option in the past instead of investing in the right sports shorts.
The fabric is breathable, lightweight, and we felt it dries quickly – even when playing in very wet and sticky weather. We thought the skirt and shorts were the right length so we didn’t have to worry about showing our butts when we squatted. Since they are actually running shorts, they also have a small back pocket for your essentials and a drawstring waistband for easy adjustment for a better fit.
The small label was founded in London by two sisters after their sabbatical scheme was ruined by the lockdown. Their goal is to create affordable, high-quality and stylish clothes for the home, and we can say that this is exactly what they are doing.
The velor skirt feels like a towel and is perfect for swimming, which is why we take it with us to every beach holiday. It’s relatively short and low at the waist, which we don’t usually do, but if you’re at the beach, who really cares?
Available in light yellow and other muted colors – blue, pink, lemon green and black. It is also possible to sew a top from the same fabric.
The design is a bit different from your traditional shorts as it has flaps on the sides instead of the front and looks more like a pair of shorts than others we have tried.
We really like the gray color and design – the added white stripes give it a sporty look, especially when paired with sneakers and a t-shirt. However, her trouser cut also makes this skirt a casual, chic look that you can easily style with an oversized white blazer and heels.
The Los Angeles-based label is committed to a sustainable and ethical value chain, using low-impact materials, recycled fabrics and recycled vintage garments to create its apparel. No wonder this skirt is made from 100% organic cotton. Also available in vintage white, we prefer the denim look.
We can confirm that it wasn’t easy to put it on in hot and sticky weather – we had to move a bit to get it to cover our butts. So maybe you should think twice before wearing it at night when multiple trips to the bathroom are required. However, the skirt dress with V-neckline, tie-back spaghetti straps, buttons down the front, fitted waist and, of course, hemline fits like a glove.
From the front it looks like a regular dress, but from the back it’s clearly shorts. In fact, the only thing we don’t like about this skirt is the price tag. However, its fitted waist makes it perhaps the most flattering style in this review.
These lightweight, moisture-wicking shorts feel so breathable that we don’t think they’ll let you down on your hike. Built-in liner has edge grip meaning it stays on during outdoor activities, while mesh panels add extra ventilation.
There’s also a handy pocket for small items, but instead of being located at the back of the waistband like most sports shorts, it’s hidden in the lining of the shorts – in fact, we didn’t even notice it was there at first. relatively loose at the waist, but you can use the drawstring inside the waistband to tighten it to your liking.
While the one we tried is available in black, navy blue, burgundy and white, there is also a longer version of the same design (£39, lululemon.co.uk) in various fancy colors.
We love the sunny orange color of this dress. It’s relatively short compared to others we’ve tried, so if you’re wearing short skirts to prevent chafing on your thighs, this isn’t the option for you as it’s not long enough to prevent this from happening. However, we understand that for some people, less time is better. So if you’re looking for extreme hip-length culottes, look no further.
The fabric is thin and slightly sheer, so you’ll want to wear it with nude-colored underwear. However, the fabric feels quick-drying and breathable, so we think it’s safe to take it with you for the summer. This vibrant color made our legs look tanned, which is always a nice side effect.
Another one from AllSaints? Well, what can I say, it seems wrong to leave this very beautiful skirt. Cozy shorts tuck under this flowy 3-layer skirt. The floral print and loose, loose fit are perfect for park parties. You can also wear it to a wedding if you pair it with a nice top and a pair of heels.
Looking forward to fall and beyond, we think a black knit sweater and a pair of crew-neck ankle boots or Chelsea boots will keep you enjoying this tutu long after summer is over.
Abercrombie & Fitch has undergone a massive rebrand not only to be more inclusive in terms of sizing (even now, it offers jeans with comfortable curves) and styles, but also to ditch the preppy vibe. To be honest, if you are not too fond of showing your flesh, this is probably not for you, as it shows off a rather deep cleavage.
Crafted from a linen blend, this tutu skirt is perfect for warm summer days and we love the pattern in gorgeous pastel colors. The skirt is a little short for us, so we really like the shorts under it. We can already imagine ourselves walking along the promenade somewhere on the Cote d’Azur in this flowing dress and straw hat. Anyone want a one way ticket to France?
The skirt’s seamless front and high waist make it less sporty than some of the other sports dresses we’ve tried, so we think you can wear it in everyday life too, especially with one of the matching tops (£35, Thesportsedit.com) . We love how versatile the brand’s sizes are, from XXS to 6XL.
The skirt itself is longer, which we love because nothing is more distracting during a workout than worrying about showing your butt – trust us, we know. We think the shorts underneath are a bit short and wish they were the same length as the skirt. But they stay in place when moved, so you don’t need to pull them.
Though extravagant, Frida Amanzi’s linen-blend culottes from AllSaints are everything we need this summer: lightweight, breathable, flowy and with a fun pattern.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive option that can be worn long after summer is over, we recommend the Miss Selfridge floral print jacquard skirt.
For comfort, we recommend the Gilly Hicks go energize cross-back skirt, while the Sweaty Betty Fast Running skirt is perfect for those looking to upgrade their gear.
After shopping for hot weather? Read our roundup of the best summer dresses, from denim dresses to flowy maxi skirts.
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Post time: Mar-15-2023