Black Crane Linen culottes | size medium – still available at La Garconne, and selling out fast other places*
James Perse cap-sleeve t-shirt
Robert Clergerie Pepo sandals | mine are a couple years old – white version,
As with all things Black Crane, I knew I needed to order these ASAP before they sold out. I actually thought about them for 24 hours before taking the plunge (that’s my rule…if I’m still obsessed after 24 hours, I order), maybe even longer, but I was pretty sure from the moment I saw these culottes that I at least needed to try them.
Guys. They are amazing. As you can see, they’re more gray than black, which is okay, and probably the best you can get with linen. I sort of wanted them to be black black, but now I’m glad they’re not so dark.
On me, they’re nearly full-length pants, not really culottes (which is good, in my opinion!) and if I wear them lower on my waist, they really are. But I like them this way, where you can just see a bit of my ankle, and with a fitted top. Any shorter, and they would accentuate my wider calves in a way that I don’t like. If you’re not paying attention, these could pass as a skirt, honestly. It took my husband a second before he asked me “what happened to your…” – and I knew he was going to say “skirt” – like it had ripped or something – and then he caught himself, knowing my unconventional style as he does, and just finished with “nevermind.” ha.
Anyway, flattering or not, I’m keeping these, and hopefully I’ll end up wearing them as much as I’d like to. I’ve been wanting a pair of wide leg linen pants for a very long time, never finding a pair I loved. These are REALLY wide leg, but you probably know how I love an exaggerated silhouette, so I’m perfectly pleased with them. I also love to support smaller designers that produce in the US, and I’m glad to have finally gotten another item from Black Crane. Next up, this dress. Maybe.
Now that I’ve got these, I’ve finally decided – after much deliberation – to part with my Black Crane navy carpenter pants (seen on me here, more details here). I did wear them quite a bit, but as I’ve mentioned many times, they’re flannel cotton, very cozy, but not appropriate for very long here in Texas. So now, I’m ready to pass them on to someone else. Mine are navy, size medium. If you’re interested email me (grechen-at-grechenmedia.com).
I’ll write more about this in a more cohesive way, but as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll cycle through things in my wardrobe. Seems like 2 years is sort of the limit with things that are not necessarily “my style” right at the outset, if that makes sense. At this point, I’m simply trading out one pair of Black Crane pants with another. And that’s okay. These linen pants though, seem so much more me than the carpenter pants ever did though. This outfit, this look, feels so good, so natural on me, that I think it will have staying power, but you never know. As I say, personal style is fickle, no matter what you’ve heard…
*
The culottes are also available at
Totokaelo
Need Supply
bird
Mohawk General Store
Steven Alan (currently sold out)
I am the same way in that I THINK,THINK.THINK about a particular item and if I am still thinking after a few days, I act. Drives my impulsive mother batty when we shop together.
Love the way you chose to style the culottes! While I would not be inclined to order them as shown on the website, I would totally consider them with you as the model.
I just took the plunge and ordered the Eileen Fisher linen overalls after much thought and deliberation. I can’t seem to get past the mental block that they are not girly, feminine or sexy {not sure where that mindset comes from} and that I should not be wearing them. Maybe I need to save my clothing budget for therapy!
I continue to love your unapologetic clothing choices and will also continue to think of you as a fashion role model.
I have to say, I also like the way you styled them much better than the online catalog picture. Wide pants + baggy shirt = sloppy in my mind. Wide pants + fiited shirt = interesting contrast. I think they look great on you, and so comfy. 🙂
thanks heather! sometimes i try and do all oversized, or all “big” like totokaelo, or la garconne does, but it’s much to avant garde for me, and overwhelms my frame. i think on me, this is the best way to do wide pants; balanced out a little bit!!
Plus, those Totokaelo models are scary skinny! That disproportion between the billowy clothes and their narrow frames bothers me.
i’m not going to lie, sometimes i know i think TOO much, but most often, i’m glad i do. my self-imposed 24 hour waiting period has served me very well. it’s frustrating if i’m shopping in person, but i get over it…
yay for ordering the linen overalls!! i understand that mindset – i don’t have it, but my husband sure does. he really hates nearly everything i wear because it’s not conventionally feminine or sexy. or even “normal” in a texas suburbs kind of way. but like i’ve said before, that’s never been my main concern when i get dressed. i want to feel “free” – happy – comfortable – interesting – and most of all, like “me”. all else is secondary.
i won’t advocate against therapy – goodness knows we can all benefit from it – but maybe just starting to test your limits, going outside of your comfort zone a bit with your sartorial choices, you’ll get better at getting past that mental block. if you want to, that is…
I do want to… I would rather put my energies into who I want to be versus who I THINK I should be.
yes…me too…so strange, because with my clothes, my personal style, i can do it, i really don’t care how others perceive my style, or about dressing like i “should”, but when i think about my LIFE, i still get stuck. i still feel pressure to BE someone else. i don’t consider myself a “normal” 40-something-year-old woman. like that’s something i’m striving for. it’s not, but that idea gets a hold of me sometimes and won’t let go.
I love these on you and this whole look! Would love more recommendations on good linen pants as I am in the market for some. I think actual shorter culottes would work on me but have no idea where to look for any. I heard Everlane is coming out with some but for summer would rather not do black unless it’s linen and even then…..But yes, this is adorable and I think flattering! Also love the shoes!
They look lovely on you. I’m tall so even if they were in my size I’d have to wear them around my hips to cover my ankles-not my best body part though I appreciate the hard work they do.
You look better in them than in anything else !! They are so flattering, trendy and chic ! great buy
I’m obsessed with Black Crane, too…the overalls, the cocoon dress, the long gathered dress, and I hadn’t even noticed the culottes!! I thought they were a skirt! (So, apparently Leo isn’t the only unobservant one!) I feel like the brand is kind of “The Yoji Yamamoto” of the slightly less affluent. Cool, architectural shapes, colors found in nature, real works of art vs, “HS art teacher.”
I love your Black Crane carpenter pants, too, but they don’t seem very Texas. (Maybe Austin?!? 😉
Well, yeah…whatever that is! I convince myself that other people are happier if they’re richer, thinner, more educated, prettier….you name it…the list could go on. Or that somehow, those things make someone more “normal” than me. I have a pretty oddball sense of humor, but you know? I love it! And I feel free and authentic. Not that my spontaneous weirdness doesn’t irk my kids sometimes, but I do it for ME! A big thank you to individuality!
I think the company’s choice of shirt makes the silhouette look more architectural. Scoop neck and short sleeves take the eye to skin, and away from the totality of the shape. Same with the straps on the ankles of your sandals. But tastes vary, and that’s what matters.
This outfit is stunning! 🙂
thank you lydia! i like it, but turns out the pants just aren’t “me”…i don’t feel like myself in them!