PPL on J. Crew Glen Plaid culottes (and bonus new booties)

My J. Crew glen plaid culottes came. Can you tell I plan to keep them? As Angie and others have said, they are beautifully made! Maybe not on the same level as Approprio's bespoke trousers, but so nicely finished and with such lovely drape. I think -- finally -- after three years of waiting -- these might be *my* culottes! 

(I do have two other culottes -- one denim higher waist, and one black sequin mid-rise -- but those have different purposes in the closet.) 

What I'm hoping for, from these -- an alternative to the ubiquitous skinnies and boots look that = winter fashion in my neck of the woods. If these work with tall boots and silk long johns, we are in business! :) 

These come right to my natural waist. They are obviously too long for short me. The question is, how high to hem them? 

And what footwear?  Can I wear booties (which shaft heights?) Tall boots? Any other types of footwear that could work in slightly warmer than deep winter weather? (The only thing that works here in deep winter is tall boots.) 

Please forgive lack of makeup.  

1-2) Full length. 

3-4). One leg pinned about the hem's wide (around 2 inches) and the other pinned about 3 inches higher. Do you think one length is better than another? 

5-6) Trying to get side views of both lengths but it was hard to do. 

7-8) With a tucked shirt and my knee high black boots. 

9-10) Trying different toppers.

11)  With an ancient (pre YLF!!) pair of Franco Sarto stretch square toed boots that I saved because they are waterproof and fit the ankle so well and are so comfy. Are they too dated? They have a slight flare heel but to toe is a slanted square, not the rounded square. 

12-15). New Ecco snakeskin booties! Hard to see here, I know, but super comfy and gorgeous!

I also tried the cropped blue sweater from J. Crew. It's now on sale for even less than I bought it so I might take or send it back and re-order at the new price. It's a very substantial merino that could be good in winter and a great colour with the pants. 

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33 Comments

  • LaPed replied 7 years ago

    I think I prefer the longer of the two hemmed lengths, but I'm no expert.

    I think J Crew does price adjustments, no? Maybe within a 7-day window or something? You should give them a call. That sweater is a gorgeous blue -- looks really great on you.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thanks, La Pedestrienne. On the website they say they only price adjust full price merchandise and I bought on sale but now it is half what I paid a week ago -- so I really feel like it is crazy to keep. Only trouble is that I have to pay for returns so maybe it evens out! Oh well. 

  • Roxanna replied 7 years ago

    Oh I soooo love these and am so jealous as tese would not work on pear-shaped me for the exact reasons that the Club Monaco ones did not! But they look lovely on you (and I think how you plan to wear them is so smart - I was thinking the same way.) I like the shorter length, but I am into more conventionally figure flattering silhouettes so maybe that's why.

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    Very nice!  I think I also slightly prefer them shorter. Love the sweater, very pretty bold blue. And those booties look fantastic! So glad to hear they are comfortable too.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Texstyle, they also come in a taupey snakeskin. I was going to order that colourway but it looked a bit browner than I wanted so I went with the blue. But either could work for you....

    Thanks, Roxanna. It could be that neither length is ideal but I really had no idea how far to pin. It all depends on footwear, I guess. 

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    Hmm, I think these work so beautifully on you and am trying to parse out what makes them look so different on different bodies.  I have a slight preference for slightly shorter, but I'm not quite as picky about this as others so it all looks good.

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    And thanks to you, I just spied these which I DO NOT NEED. 

    http://www.zappos.com/ecco-sha.....l_2_sims_v

  • chouette22 replied 7 years ago

    They suit you so well - I love the look! The longer length may be preferable? Not sure. Also LOVE your new ECCO booties, what a find!

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    Looking good! Wasn't sure what Glen Plaid was but now I see it's the same as a Prince of Wales check, so I can say I'm very partial to a Glen Plaid. I'm a great believer in waiting out for the right piece.

    Not sure what to say about the hem. I think I like them at the longer length. Maybe try them out with lots of shoes? 

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    Oh, those are great on you!  I like the longer hemmed length for the booties, and the shorter for the tall boots.  (I'm so helpful, huh?)  But honestly both lengths look good so I don't think you can go wrong with either.

  • Beth Ann replied 7 years ago

    Sweet dreams are made of these!

    I love, love, love them -- and you look terrific in the cropped sweater and duster too!  I slightly prefer the longer length, I think.

    And I really, really, really want those boots!

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    These look great. I love them with the moto. And those snakeskin boots - love! I think the old boots look just fine, I actually quite like them. 

  • citygirldc replied 7 years ago

    Hmmm...I prefer the longer length with boots, but I'd like to see you in flats of some kind too.  

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    They were made for you.  I like them longer.  I had those Franco Sarto boots!  We were boot twins pre YLF days.  My friend had them too.
    Love that sweater on you.  J. Crew is really amazing this year.  Okay I am going to T.O. soon.  This is killing me.

  • deb replied 7 years ago

    I need those booties!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Wooohoooo. SO glad you’re keeping them, Suz. The gentle plaid in your favourite palette could not be more perfect. They look Killer Sensational. On trend, fashion forward, and fresh. THIS is your avant-garde moment. Right here. With our gilet.

    To answer your questions:

    • The longer shortened length is best. 2 inches off the hem. 
    • Our ink booties look fab with them.
    • LOVE the new Ecco snake skin booties. 
    • Keep the Franco Sartos too. Not dated. 
    • Knee-high black boots look great here. 
    Love ALL the outfits. Very nicely done.

    (I'm sooo pleased you're going short and wide with your bottoms, Suz. First the denim culottes and now these. SO FUN). 

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thanks all for your input! 

    Angie, thanks especially for weighing in on all details. 

    GREAT about the length. It makes sense -- I'm probably 2 inches shorter than the fit model (and much shorter than the real life model!). They would fit perfectly on you so a few inches shorter on me. It's an easy hem job -- I just tell her to take it up as much as the current hem. 

    Liz, I know -- in Canada we often call this Prince of Wales, too. I think maybe Glen Plaid is a US term? I wonder...

    These ink Zara booties have had such longevity!! Such a surprise from Zara (I sense a blog post here). I just had mine re-heeled because I wore the heels into the ground but otherwise in terms of both style and durability they are holding up amazingly well!

    Aren't the Eccos great??? They are SOOOOO comfy. They come in a taupe colour also. Angie, do check them out for clients -- I think they will be a winner. They are lightweight, flexible, lined with a soft fabric, and come up quite high on the shaft. 

    So excited that the Franco Sartos are okay -- they are super comfy!! And Style Fan -- that is cool that we were pre-YLF boot twins!! 

    And glad I can also wear my knee high La Canadiennes (which are  warmer than the Sartos). 

    Yay!! I have found my culottes. 

    This is actually a super easy silhouette for me to adapt to. Why? Well, I grew up with it, I guess. 

    But...I love tucking. I like showing a bit of ankle (either in actual fact or in a snug boot or bootie). The higher waist gives me a longer leg line. 

    They work with my Reiss jacket, too, because it is so sharply tailored. Its length would seem to work against it but it doesn't seem to matter since the shoulders are sharp and the waist nips in. 

  • lpr200 replied 7 years ago

    Suz, your style inspo is killing me (meaning now I'm considering the culottes!), you look fantastic in all the combos!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Haha! I tried on those snakeskin booties in the store a few weeks ago.
    They are awesome, and I think the bluish colour will work well in your wardrobe (I think I would have gone for the blue too, even though it is less classic).

    Also really like the culottes and like it with the simple top. The sweater is a great colour. If it's blue, it'll be a workhorse :) --that's how I feel about it.

    Here's to a new winter silhouette!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Smittie, I think we are secret sisters. It's amazing how many of the same things we gravitate towards. And you are a culotte inspiration to me. You did it last winter and I figured, if she can do it, so can I!! 

    Thanks for the kind words, all. Really looking forward to wearing these. 

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    I'm starting to like the new wide leg pants and I think it's because it looks Smart Casual to me if I'm understanding what that means. The plaid culottes should be a real workhorse for you. You look fab in them. 

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    So fabulous Suz! I won't say anything about the length because that seems to be sorted and honestly it is hard to tell. But the fit is excellent and they are so bold and so you! The new boots look great and you know I like the old ones! Looking forward to an ode to Zara post - let me know if you need any material :) !

  • chadya replied 7 years ago

    those pants are really nice, was going to try them on
    but passed

  • lyn67 replied 7 years ago

    This thread is so educational, thanks for posting it-this detailed, Suz. It's a perfect fit on you so, yes, they are YOURS! I like the longer but pinned up version for a matter, seems to go better with all the  shoes!:-) I'm so happy for you, score!

  • Tanya replied 7 years ago

    These are your culottes, Suz, so glad you got them.  Love all the stylings and it looks like the length ha been taken care of.  I especially like them with the gilet.

  • Mirjana replied 7 years ago

    Culottes look perfect on you, Love, love love....so much, All outfits are great but I especially like #9.

  • Traci replied 7 years ago

    With the leather jacket?  *plonk*

    You're convincing me that I do, in fact, need to hem the wide leg crops I got that are more like wide leg ankle pants right now.  Those couple of inches make such a difference!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    (Phew, Suz. I'm very busy with clients, prepping them at the height of shopping season - my apologies for the delay in reply). 

    An easy alteration indeed. Isn't the fabric luscious. 

    Our ink blue Zara booties have been Killer Sensational. I still wear them a lot. They are my "black" booties. The quality and comfort have been exceptional.

    I've also ordered the Eccos in the warm snake skin because I need to test them on my fussy low volume feet. Thanks for the suggestion. Will keep you posted. 

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Oooh! I hope they work, Angie. I tried mine out today for the first time with a thin wool sock. I only walked about a mile but they passed muster so far. They are more narrow in the toe box than Eccos sometimes are. (This works for my normal-to-slightly-narrow foot but would not work for a wide forefoot.)  The ankle opening is a tiny bit wider than I might wish but you don't see it visually. (Hard to explain but I think you know what I am saying -- there's room inside in the shaft, but it looks sleek from outside -- and it doesn't hurt when I walk.) 

    I was really looking for something to update/ replace my Sam Edelman Pettys which I loved but which didn't have quite the right footbed for me -- I felt almost slung backwards in the shoe (as opposed to the Okalas which fit me perfectly). And I wanted a higher shaft as well. 

    I chose the blue because I wear blue denim so much, but am wondering if I should have gone for the taupe instead or as well! I love printed/ two-tone footwear and still want a lighter bootie this year. Am also considering the CK ones that you got. AND still debating the silver Topshop ones, and I've had my eye on those same Topshop red ones you featured for months but did not spring yet for them. I mean, how many new booties does a girl need? (I should not ask that question). 

    And thence endeth my threadjack of my own thread.  :) 

    Looking forward to hearing if they work for you or clients! 

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Thanks for the details. Good to know. I will get mine next week and share my thoughts.

    I am about to head out to work with a client Suz, but wanted to say that my cream CK Narlas are dressy WORKHORSES. I am wearing them again today. They took a few times to really wear in, but they have become 8 hr shopping shoes - and I walk fast. 

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thank you, Angie! That helps! I think I'll give them a try...

  • Karie replied 7 years ago

    Oh I love, love, love these! Longer of the two hemmed lengths for sure. J Crew will do a price adjustment on your sweater (for 30 days). I've done it before with no problems. I've also emailed them and they get right back to you, so you might try that before calling and waiting on the phone.

    Is it wrong for me to want to run right out to my J Crew store and try/buy these for myself? I love culottes, and I'm probably tall enough that I wouldn't have to hem them. Oh the magnetic pull towards the mall.....

    Such a lemming am I....

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thank you so much, Karie -- I am going to ask them for the price adjustment because it is just a crazy difference in price on the sweater!

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