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Which pants will take me into spring?
You should be judicious when following Gwyneth Paltrow’s life advice – see jade eggs and bee-sting therapy – but the actor/entrepreneur is clued up on culottes. At the Michael Kors spring/summer 2026 show at New York Fashion Week, Paltrow showed the simplest way to step into the latest evolution of the wide-leg silhouette that sits somewhere between billowing pants and Bermuda shorts.
The Splayd of fashion is the below-the-belt frontrunner for next season, with the cropped mid-calf length signalling the promise of warmer days ahead. Tailored versions in workwear fabrics, like those popular in the ’70s and ’80s worn by the likes of Twiggy and Princess Diana, have given the culotte a promotion from casual, summery versions in linens and light cotton.
Wear them with a white shirt and suitably paired crew-neck jumper to match Paltrow’s stealth-wealth style. A matched blazer takes culottes into the boardroom, while a bomber jacket adds urban cred. To make the most of the silhouette, tuck shirts into culottes and add a belt to define your waist.
For many people, shoes are a stumbling block for culottes, but low-line profiles like loafers, ballet flats or kitten heels are a perfect fit. If your ankles are cold, try styling culottes with knee-high boots in a complementary tone. Sleek and streamlined sneakers also pass muster but socks, like your kneecaps, should stay out of sight.
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