According to Wikipedia, culottes is a French word that described the knee-length britches worn by upper-class men in the late middle ages and Renaissance to the early 19th Century. They were tighter (think George Washington) than the “split skirt” style women adopted later on.
Women’s culottes afforded women the freedom to straddle a horse, rather than having to ride side-saddle, like they did while wearing dresses and skirts.
Gauchos is a Portuguese word used to describe residents of certain South American regions. They are a type of cowboy who wear ponchos and loose-fitting pants called bombachas.
If culottes are pants and Gauchos are people, then I guess I’m wearing culottes! Some will call these Gaucho pants, in reference to the people who wear them. Now we know!
Shirt: Thrifted
Culottes: Swapped
Socks: Target
Shoes: Thrifted
Bracelets: Various places
I got my culottes at a clothing exchange. They’re loose and comfy and look utterly ridiculous–until I put on heels. When I’m flat-footed, the length and width of these pants are more Bobby from King of the Hill than woman’s wear. For some reason, heels change the proportion and make everything work.
I wore these style of pants a lot when I was a kid. I’m happy to have them in my wardrobe again. Do you have culottes or gaucho pants?
I’ve joined Style Sessions, Visible Monday and Thrifters Anonymous for blog linkups today. See what everyone else is wearing!
jeanofalltrades 
Thanks for the fashion lesson! I agree, culottes or gaucho pants have to be worn with heels or they look frumpy.
I saw you at Patti’s. 🙂
Thanks! I think midi-skirts look best with heels too. It’s all about proportions, right? Somehow I made culottes work with flats as a kid, but as an adult, I’ll always wear these with a heel.
Little girls can get away with things that look silly on grown woman. Guess there really is such a thing as age-appropriate, although I am a fan of wearing whatever I like and clothes that make me happy and suit my figure.
You look fab in these culottes/Gaucho pants – or I might even call them wide-legged cropped pants. But what’s in a name? This is a great look! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
I like “wide-legged cropped pants” it’s a good descriptive name that leaves little room for confusion! Thanks for dropping by!
See, I would call them gauchos because I think summer for cullottes – lol Stopping by from #thriftersanonymous – Happy Hump Day!
Isn’t that funny. I never thought of one being for summer. It’s interesting the associations we make. I still call them both names interchangeably 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so glad to see these back. One of my most loved outfits was a black suit with the best fitting Gauchos. With boots, it was fabulous. I like this midi look on you very much. It has a very retro feel that suits you and you pull them off well!
Enjoy your weekend, Jean
A gaucho suit would be great! You’re comment about “midi” is spot on. Midi skirts are all the rage this season and gauchos are the same length. Thanks for dropping by. Have a great weekend too!