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Mar 3, 2014

Man Culottes -- YEA or NAY?



I sewed all day yesterday and completed my culottes muslin.

You'll recall that I used Butterick 6164, View C.  I added side pockets and a zipper fly.  (I just realized the Comme des garcons culottes have inverted pleats; I think my out-facing pleats work just as well.)







My fabric is a vintage gold toile de jouy -- medium-weight cotton canvas decorated with jubilant French peasants.



Here's a tip I learned about picking thread; I can't remember which blog I saw it on (if it was yours, speak up).  Hold up the thread against the fabric.  If it basically disappears, that's the one you want to use (unless you're picking decorative topstitching thread).

Light tan works better than bright white.

The pattern fit well even though it's intended for softer, more drapey fabric than mine; even laundered, the toile is a bit stiff.  I made just a few alterations, mainly dropping the waist and shortening the rise.  The pattern instructions don't address finishing seams on the inside (aside from the hem), so the insides are a bit messy.







The instructions have you baste the pleats along their full length.  Are you then supposed to leave the basting in or remove it?  (I didn't baste but just used pins.)  Because of the stiffness of the fabric, I might want to stitch the pleats down further.  Once they unfold, they don't fall back into place without help.

Here's the barelegged version.  Michael says I look like a cheerleader.  Or Marvin the Martian from Bugs Bunny.











The drape in the back has some problems that are my fault -- I made the waist an inch too big and stupidly took it in entirely at the back center seam instead of distributing it along more seams -- sheer laziness.



Length before hemming.

Here are the culottes with black running tights.









Again, this is a muslin.  My final version would most likely be a worsted wool or a lightweight linen.  Gold toile de jouy is a little difficult to style on the fly.  I think this garment is handsome but maybe the black is too strong a contrast.

I could --

1) proceed with culottes in wool or linen;

2) make a real skirt (like the Givenchy below), which would definitely be a whole lot easier; no flies;

3) abandon androgyny and get back to pants;

4) other.



Man culottes -- YEA or NAY?

121 comments:

  1. I do like the idea of culottes, men's clothes are so boring, well the men I see. But there is something wrong with yours they seem to puffy, maybe it's the stiff fabric you used for your muslin. I would definitely try them in a more flowing fabric, a wool crepe in dark grey?

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  2. I like the concept you're going with, but I would want to make sure the final fabric you choose isn't so stiff. This fabric has a mind of it's own and in the front view particularly, it does look a wee bit cheerleader-ish. I think if your final fabric has more drape, the final product will be fantastic.

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  3. I wouldn't spend any more time on this project. I can't imagine you getting much long-term use from this type of garment.

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  4. They seem too full for your slight form. Longer, covering the kneecap but above the flare of the calf, would look better.

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  5. I agree, a fabric with more drape and just below the knee. A narrower silhouette would look more masculine...a touch of plaid wouldn't be so awful..a nice black stewart dance maybe?

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  6. I've always been a bit on the fence about this type of thing. Then again, I do like a man in a kilt, so there you go.

    When they say to baste down the pleats along their entire length, unless they'll be topstitched later, you will take out the basting once you're done. It's just to keep things in place while you work. Similar to basting a pocket closed on a garment.

    I'd say go ahead with the culottes in a nice wool. Don't go with too light a weight--I think the drapiness might drive you crazy--but not as stiff as the toile. I'd also find a way to add some "heft" to the feet and lower leg, or the proportions look a bit odd to me. Perhaps heavy socks and boots?

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  7. I'm just popping in to say that I enjoy your blog on a regular basis and this post may have just earned a vote for my favorite ever. My new goal in life is to have a garment made from fabric which features "jubilant French peasants." And FWIW, I think you did a great job styling these on the fly. As far as your questions, I think it is great to see a man who is excited to explore new directions (or maybe just renewed directions) in men's fashions though I do think that girliefrank is correct and these will look better when made with a fabric with more drape. I say, make the culottes and embrace androgyny. Thanks again for brightening my day!

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  8. I am yea for culottes, I think your fabric choice will make the difference in whether they work or not. Personally, I'd like to see them a smidge longer and not so full

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  9. I think I will love these on you if you do them in a darker solid and drop that hem to below your kneecap. Where the hem sits now you do look like a cheerleader. Dropping it will absorb the pleats if you see what I'm getting at. Sturdy boots and socks and the result will be fabulous. Alternately, if you made these up in a more airy linen with the dropped hem you could pair with leather sandals or espadrilles. Sew on!

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  10. Karen provided the thread tip on Did you make that?

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  11. First of all want to say you brighten my day!!! So Fearless! Love it!

    Secondly, your culottes remind me of a kilt, which is totally awesome! (Kilt with a center seam) :) I think with the final fabrics you have in mind this project will turn out fabulous!

    I say YEA!

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  12. Please abandon androgyny and go back to pants

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  13. I love the concept, the pleats are great. Wool or linen fabric would work better, you've already clarified that. Please forgo the running tights, it just looks weird and you have nice calves to show!

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  14. Just a little more length would be more becoming to the shape of your leg....below the kneecap and above the calf would be ideal. I agree with those who recommend a more flowy fabric, too. You are so fearless....I look forward to your next progress report....

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  15. Make them a bit longer and I think they will be great!

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  16. I like the culottes more than I expected. There is something cheerleadery about them, but also something kiltish and I think they're interesting, flattering and still pretty masculine. Keep going! I think the black is too hard a contrast, but even in black, I love the tank top, showing off skin above and below the waist. It's an appealing, summery look.

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  17. Yea for the culottes. If you do go ahead and use a softer, drapier fabric, I'd sew the pleats down 6"-8" and then edge stitch each pleat fold down to the hem to help them hold their shape.

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  18. No. Just no. I'm having horrible flashbacks to elementary school when the private Christian school I went to would not allow us to wear pants or shorts to school but during certain months we were allowed to wear culottes (or a split skirt as my grandmother called them). I had the blasted things in every color and have never quite gotten over the horror of them. *shiver*

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    Replies
    1. My thoughts exactly. I can't get over my personal issues with culottes, but if it's something your wardrobe needs, go for it!

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    2. I remember when culottes were pushed as an alternative to pants for chubby girls. Ick.

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  19. I think you should make a kilt.

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  20. Traditional leg coverings with a scottish kilt are heavy wool knee high socks with a folded top and ribbon flag tucked into the fold on the outside of each leg... and black ghilley brogue shoe that laces half way up the leg.

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    1. The ribbon flag, called flashes, are dual purpose they accessorize the look and as they are sewn to an elastic garter they hold those blooming heavy socks up. Not to mention the skein dubh (pronounced doo) or black knife worn in the right hose, as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

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  21. Defi Italy a wool crepe, a good one, a dark grey wool crepe plaid would be amazing! And I agree about dropping to below knee. If you can't get a heavy enough drape you could always slightly weight the bottom to stop flare. I like the idea of them, men's clothing is way too boring and needs a bit of a wake up. I could see these in a nice tencel linen or tencel denim - ooooh with converse or chunky boots...very cool,

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  22. I think they should be longer and a bit less fluffy. I'm still not totally sure how I feel about them as a look but you tend to wear things that are a bit more out there then the men in my life.

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  23. I'm all for trying new garments! You sew so much, one or two experimental garments is fine. Also, you'll learn things from walking around wearing them (do you feel comfortable? do people react?).

    The only issue is, I think these need to be a little longer on you, hitting just below the knee...

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  24. I'd either go for a kilt or make the culottes like a kilt -wool and knee length, if you kneel down the bottom of the kilt should just touch the floor at the front Linda

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  25. Regarding the fabric for your culottes: the more drape the better. It really needs to have lots of fluidity and no flare. Might want to experiment with the length. Just below the knee?

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  26. Culottes + bathroom = annoying.

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  27. Replies
    1. Or better yet, create your own iconic version of the UtiliKILT...

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  28. I don't like culottes, they never seem to hang right. Go for a kilt!

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  29. Longer length, slimmer cut, right kind of fabric, proper socks and shoes, pleated shirt...................and lose the pockets, they spoil the line.

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  30. I vote 3. or 4. I'm curious as to what "other" might be. :)

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  31. I vote for option 3

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  32. Very well tailored and properly done. Good job! I agree with most comments, longer and less flare will take off the 'feminine' look. I do wonder if maybe a darker fabric will give a slimmer effect? certainly a softer fabric will be a better bet. Nicely done though. Makes me wanna make one for me :-)

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  33. Yea! These are great. Better with bare legs than leggings. I'd like to see what they look like in wool.

    Re. basting the pleats: that's just to hold them in place while working. In particular, it makes pressing them correctly very easy.

    If pleats tend to misbehave, stitching along the inside fold 1/4" from the edge might help.

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  34. I think they would look nice in a dark linen, styled with dark leather sandals for summer. I don't love the Givenchy look shown with leggings. It looks very punky-rebelling-teen in my opinion, and I think a men's skirt should communicate confidence rather than teenage angst. See here: http://hiswardrobes.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/marc-jacobs-skirt.jpeg

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  35. I agree with Michael, Marbin the Martian eat your heart out! But I think that's the print. I could see them looking good in a darker colour. They have a hint of a kilt about them and remind me of 90's grunge a bit. So in summary I like but not in that fabric at all!!!!

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  36. I agree with some of the other comments-- slightly longer, less flare and drapier fabric if you want to get to that designer look.

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  37. kilts = yea! culottes = nay! (on men or women)

    -em

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  38. I can only echo what others have already said: less flare + more drape and length = winning. Rachel :-)

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  39. its the pleats. try facing them the other way or even boxing them. I think wool suiting will look and hang better but, what happens when you sit down for lunch or something. crush factor will come into play. you would then be walking around with a wrinkly backside.

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  40. Voting for option #1. Personally, I prefer the styling on the Comme de Garçon culottes more so than the Givenchy. Something about the later reminds of of the 1980s Limited Stores. The Comme de Garçon version is hemmed at the bottom edge of the kneecap, which gives a little more length and IMO, a better proportion, especially with a tucked-in or shorter top. In a drapey wool, perhaps a crepe, your man culottes would be quite nice I think.
    ~Jen

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  41. I agree with Michael. I just can't decide if it is cheerleaderly or Marvinish. I think you might want to consider practicality. A skirt or pants, but coulottes are impractical. However, I really can see you pull off just about anything.

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  42. I agree with several of Anonymous's posts, especially as to the pleating. I think a deep-ish inverted box pleat like your inspiration will give you the fullness the profile needs without the flare that you're getting due to the single, outward pleats. And yes, also longer please, with drapier fabric. Then they'll be awesome.

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  43. I think this project is amazing - since you announced it I keep checking back for updates all the time. I actually like both the culottes and the skirt and I hope that at some point we will see both of them from you.

    But for now I am voting for option #1. I think the toile muslin is too stiff and goes too A-line, which you want to stay away from, but a more drapy fabric would probably do the trick. I also noticed that on the CdG picture the pleating starts slightly above the crotch and above that it just looks like tailored pants - I guess that makes it more masculine since you dont want to accentuate the hips.

    I am really looking for updates. Good luck :)

    Tony

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  44. You look fab in pants - I think this has been a wonderful exercise in thinking outside the box, but you rock a pair of trousers - make more of those!!!!

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  45. Uh...do you actually like the culottes or are you intrigued by the idea of trying something new? You didn't wear the red leopard print (or whatever) pants. What is the chance of you actually wearing these? Nothing wrong with experimenting but I really prefer you in more classic styles and (aside from Cathy) my impression is that you tend to wear more classic garments.

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  46. I say why not. However I think a different pattern might be in order here. This looks too private school/juvenile.

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  47. A real should just touch the floor, when you kneel.

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  48. It's the cut that's wrong. These culottes look like a school uniform skirt. The concept, I like!

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  49. For one of the few occasions I'm not with you - 1/2 sorry, Peter.
    I think as well 'it's the cut' - yet: just try to add (just for a temporary different look and its judgement) some additional temporary stretch-material at the top (like maternity-patch) to aid you trying it on. This way you/we could watch, whether a different length is possibly more appealing?
    Just my 2-cents of h.o. since I admit: the real comfy things seem to be made for women only - means: culottes as well?
    Think it over, please.
    Otherwise: Michael isn't too wrong = love him to bits for his humor (you're left with the rest of him ;-) )

    LG, Gerlinde



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  50. I think I'm in the skirt camp, with the length at the pre-hemmed level. There's just something a little weird about seeing the fabric hug to the center back and then flare out so widely. It might be just the stiffness of the fabric but I don't think so. I think it would be more flattering to have the fabric fall directly from the widest place on your rear.

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  51. Peter, make a kilt, they are more manly, comfortable and practical. You can use some great tweed, or tartan wool, or heavy cotton for a more military look. The culottes are over the top. Those designer putting them out should have designer license revoked.

    You would look good in a kilt with a great sweater, and your boots and heavy socks. You could do the kilt in the tartan plaid that you used in the lining of one of your coats. Again, its your choice, but I personally think the kilt is a better way to go, I wear them since I have a scottish background, and my westie and I look great together.

    All the best, and i am enjoying reading your posts on your class at FIT would love to learn more about it. Personally would like to take the 2 yr program for menswear with a year in Italy, oh well maybe some day

    Corey

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  52. I'm afraid that, Scottish traditional dress aside, I'm rather off men's skirts - I attribute to having survived the unpleasant era in NYC life when the Chelsea muscle boys went around in shorty kilts, tight white tees, and Doc Martens.

    I don't understand how you're resisting turning that toile into a Liesel dress...

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  53. I like the coulottes better than a skirt. I did the same thing, made a stiff pair then made a very drapy pair. Quite the different look. Proceed.

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  54. I love the fit, actually. Not in that fabric, obviously, but I think they look great how you styled it with the running tights. But I think high top sneakers would work better.

    And any comparison to Marvin the Martian is a WIN for me. He's my favorite.

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  55. I like them with the running tights, but feel a little bit more length would enhance them.

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  56. I like the idea.....having a hard time with you muslin tho. The fullness and the tank top, and all I could see was Cheech Marin in 'earache my eye' from 'up in smoke' (Google it) the similarity was the same when you added leggings. I love the idea, and you have a good sense of what looks good on you, so if your into it, I say go for it....but watch the fullness.

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  57. Iguess I'm just notfashion forward enough, but I say Nay to culottes. But a kilt? Two thumbs WAY UP!

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  58. I will appreciate what ever you decide to make. Here is some more inspiration for you to peruse...
    http://galleryplus.ebayimg.com/ws/web/181215113860_1_0_1/1000x1000.jpg
    A.

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  59. Hmm. The fit probably needs to be adjusted, but I think a pair of these in black or charcoal would look fantastic. It's a bit disheartening to see the culottes getting bagged on for not being manly enough, because I'm a firm believer in wearing whatever you feel happy in.

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  60. I think they'd be great in a wool, but then again I love kilts. Think they'd actually be more comfy than a lot of the pants I see men and women in these days.

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  61. 10/10 go for it Peter :0)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  62. Option 4 - other. Perhaps the fabric change, length change and pleat change would make these work, I'm not sure. Like others, I love the kilt (I'm Scottish and my husband wears one) and it can be dressed formal or informal and made in loads of different materials, but the image of those NYC bovver boys is horrendous - and isn't, I feel, what you are aiming for.

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  63. Definitely a Yea, you have achieved a good fit with this toile but in order to pull this 'look' attention to detail is crucial: couture finishes a must. I suggest three inverted pleats, rather than two. 'Three' results in a more pleasing & balanced design aesthetic. This will also result in less flare and a more masculine 'H' silhouette, rather than the more feminine 'A' line silhouette. Hand stitch pleats down to hipline. Fabrics: recommend a black, 100% medium wool crepe, lined with silk with a generous hem to give the pleats weight which will mean they will not only hang straight but move & kick out beautifully when you walk. Lengthen hemline to just below the knee to the narrow section just above the top of the calf - the most flattering length on both men & women. Would suggest styling culottes with black, knee high leather boots with some attitude, buckles & top stitch detailing in black- think Japanese designer sensibilities. Alternatively finely textured leggings bunched up & teamed with fine leather brogues. Top: would suggest a black, box shape bomber style jacket with minimal detailing teamed with highly textured, long hand knit scarf. Black on black in order to highlight the detailed, fine pleats offset with the texture of the 'masculine' leather boots and soft hand knit accessories. Good luck

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    Replies
    1. Great reply, you styling and suggestion would make it look more masculine, the flare'd a-line look is too girly. Taking this look and macho it up with the biker styling would be great.

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  64. Gisele Bundchen couldn't pull off that look. And a kilt-y thing just reminds me of Mel Gibson in "Braveheart" or some guy playing bagpipes, both of which are annoying and kind of "macho twee." How about a sarong?

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  65. The patterned skorts with the blue sweatshirt? No. Just no.

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  66. I'm a fan of men in skirts but I see the cheerleader thing too. Its not very masculine or flattering. If they were longer (below the knee or even mid-calf) and had more swishy drape, I think they'd be fine.

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  67. Well. I’m anti-culotte for anyone. (I must have had some bad experiences when I were young in the 60s and 70s.) :-)

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  68. Yea to Man Culotess. But this menswear fashion is not new. Men wore this kind of clothes in Medieval times !!!
    You can read about how to sew it in : "The medieval tailor's assistant", a book by Sarah Thursfield (there is a free pdf in the internet).

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  69. NAY to culottes for men or women, even in the right fabric. They are never elegant or flattering.
    Yes, I wore them in the seventies when they were fashionable, my men always hated them. Now I uderstand why !
    Besides, a man will find them hard to accessorize.

    Eve

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  70. Peter, you are terrific, and fearless. The culottes, however, seem to be a bit of a gimmick, though. They are probably great around the house, but as public attire, they seem a bit too desperate. I'm all in favor of a full kilt, though! A different fabric to below the knee just starts turning them into something like saggy athletic pants; which can easily be found at a Sports Authority. Nix the running tights, too.

    Aside from current aesthetic values, the silhouette makes your ass look flat. The flair of the pant opening flattens out the center seam... hence, a flat looking ass. Just as women don't want something that makes them look flat-chested or wide-hipped, I don't think men appreciate having a flat-as-a-rock ass. You got a nice one, so show it off.

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  71. Originally, I was kind of nonplussed by the skirt/culotte idea; however, I like these. Not in that fabric, but your last photos with them styled look awesome! I like the running tights--there's something about bare legs that just look too...vulnerable? I like that the Vans and the jacket and hat add masculine notes to the whole outfit. Also: you have great legs. : )

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  72. i would love to see them in the right fashion fabric - when you threw on the running tights i could finally start to envision what they would look like, properly styled. as you say, gold toile is hard to work with! i wouldn't want you to abandon them, because i love that you are trying them out - i think they are worth going on with!

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  73. If David Beckham was photographed wearing a pair while out with his family, every fashion forward male would want them.

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    Replies
    1. True dat, but cullottes are still a blight on humanity. Everytime I hear or see them, I think of LuAnne's comments on King of the Hill:
      "AUnt Peggy, Cullottes aren't cool, even though they sound like they should be."

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  74. I would suggest wearing the muslin quite a bit to determine if the culotte is comfortable for you to wear for an extended length of time. Culottes are not known for ease of wear. I think you might find a skirt is more comfortable, easier to sew, and will have a very similar look.

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  75. I would suggest a final pressing of the pleats using a press cloth dampened with white vinegar and water. This will keep the pleat folds crisp even thru washings. Of course test with a scrap of your fabric first.
    As to how much water and vinegar; I experiment with it every time I have used this. You don't want to walk out of the house smelling like a salad! You should be able to smell the vinegar as you press but the smell should go away after it dries completely.

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  76. Nay. Kilts, yes; Roman soldier tunics, yes; but culottes, no. Even gaucho pants would look less--feminine? Not sure why but these culottes don't work for men, imho.

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  77. My first thought is it's that bit too short, and should be below the kneecaps, and I think it's the stiff fabric that says 'Marvin'. In a wool with drape I'm not against this, but maybe make a skirt as well!

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  78. Actually, on a historical level, men have worn "skirts" and other such dressing, such as kilts or fustanellas, for a long time. They are good for hilly terrain, hot climates, and places where freedom of movement and speed might also be important. We all are familiar with the kilts of Scotland, but ancient Roman soldiers sported a short, skirt-like garment, as do the current traditional costumes of many Balkan countries, called a fustanella. I don't think there is anything unmanly about them, but I do think that a certain amount of ruggedness seems necessary for a modern man to carry any one of these off. Djellabas are also manly, as well as unisex. Monks have their robes. For us in the west, I think it is a cultural thing where men wear men's clothing, and women wear women's clothing - this is also, in part, from Biblical injunctions. Whatever it is, I think it takes a bit of daring to buck an expectation of what one should wear, and Peter, you are doing it brilliantly (as are other designers). Remember when the Beatles were the bane of many conservative's existence because their hair was long, and too femme for words!

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  79. I think it's better to wear straight pants which has wrinkles under the knee.In addition, skirt should be made by simple fabric and not much flare.
    Masa

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  80. Yea! I'm charmed when you push the fashion boundaries. And you and Michael wear it so well. I might like fewer pleats, so it looks a little less like a kilt. But great otherwise!

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  81. No, No, and NO! Men need to look like MEN!

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    Replies
    1. Ridiculous! You don't get to decide that for anyone else.

      Delete
    2. All she stated was her opinion, which is what Peter has asked readers to do. Ultimately, this will be his decision. No one with a dissenting opinion will have decided it for him.

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    3. No, she stared outright that there is only one appropriate way for men to look, which is ridiculous. The notion that she is "stating an opinion" does not make her views logical or reasonable.

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  82. De-lurking to say man-culottes are so much yea! But certainly in a drapier fabric. The toile is sculptural enough that my first thought was origami. At the same time though, the pop of the toile against the leather jacket was quite something, and made me think it almost needs leather leggings to go with it too!

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  83. Nay. Cheerleader. Sorry.

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  84. you can carry almost anything off, but while I like kilts on men, so few can carry it off. And I don't see why men want to wear skirts in this day and age. Especially when you can sew jeans or pants for yourself. And the ones on the runway look awful.

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  85. if I would just have seen one of these pics without further context, I am not sure I would have noticed you were a man wearing 'women's clothes'. Just looks right.(but this print and black tights... nay)

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  86. Well, I did this backward. I read the follow up post first. With 99 other comments I'm a little worried that you won't see this but here goes.

    I think the culottes look good on you. Gender issues aside, I think culottes might actually look better on men than on most women because men have straighter hips. I went through a culottes phase in the late 80's/early 90's. I didn't care if they were fashionable or not. They were (I thought) feminine like a skirt but comfortable like pants. I loved them. My husband always said they looked tacky on me. As I gained weight I started liking them less and less and I stopped wearing them. Bulges are not flattered by culottes.

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  87. I agree, different length, color, fabric and drape and you got yourself the perfect pair.

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  88. At first I thought they flared a little too much, but after studying the pics a little more I started to like them. In a good fabric they could work. I do like a straighter cut or something along the sarong lines. Looks like your thinking of styling them a little butcher to balance out the effect and not so "kitten with a whip". As always love your blog. Your the best.

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  89. Culottes just look frumpy period. Not a good look on men or women.

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  90. I like the inspiration, but these flare too much, I know stiff fabric, but they are too full for your body. I'd like them longer, with legging that aren't running tights, and I agree with someone above who suggested deeper pleats. I also think that if you are going to wear something so avantgarde that the rest of your outfit needs to be equally avantgarde.. Throwing these on with just anything won't work. It's not like throwing on a pair of jeans, That said, I love your new direction. I envy anyone who can wear this type of clothing.

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    1. This is one of the things I find challenging about skirts; you need to assemble the whole look for it to work (for me at least).

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  91. It's the pleats...invert them and also taper out the fullness...you are getting a chopped off a-line as you have them now...too boxy and not flattering on anyone. A lighter hand fabric will also help. Have fun!

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  92. Is this a man skirt sighting?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM @ 1:48

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  93. Culottes are a no for me. For men, women or otherwise. They remind me of tofu hot dogs - trying to be too many things at once.

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  94. Culottes, on men or women, no. Kilt? Yes, please! Have you tried walking any distance in your culottes? My experience back in the day was that they wanted to bunch up in the middle and then you're always tugging at them, which is not a good look.

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  95. Yes, from me. Looks like a skirt and operates like trousers. Can sit on the floor with ease. Echoes of Samurai; cool.

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  96. Nay...except in tartan. But I'm Australian. Can you see Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman or Eric Bana in these?Sweth no!!

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  97. too many comments to wade through... I would suggest cutting down the flare and lengthening just a tad ...

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  98. At the moment they look like my school uniform skirt (not good on teenage girls, or grown men). I like the idea though. I would flatten the front and have a deep box pleat instead. Also fabric that hangs better would probably clean up the lines of the back. More elegant, less teenage girl uniform disaster. Keep at it.

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  99. culottes- nay, but do try a kilt, Black Watch tartan is my favourite, I had a duffle coat made from it as a child. I think you would look very handsome in the full regalia, you might even want to go for the lacy shirt and sporran. ;-)

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  100. If you're going to have a flouncy print, go flouncy! I would love to see these in a drapey charcoal fabric, with maybe a bright hem and seam binding as a flourish, if you'd prefer to be more androgynous

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  101. I love it! :)))

    Gil - Berlin

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  102. Box Pleated Knee Length - with back zip and button is a better idea - always wear culottes with a Slip always wear a long Leg Pantie Girdle and always wear tone in stockings and kitten heel shoes - otherwise it looks a complete dogs breakfast (make certain you wear a neat blouse )

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  103. Bold attempt, I like it but don't like it. Like others have said try a kilt, more accepted, and more comfortable, once you get rid of the inseam, you will never want to go back to trousers or shorts again

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