culottes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Fashion
Quick answer
What does “culottes” mean?
A type of women's trousers cut to resemble a skirt, typically ending just below the knee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of women's trousers cut to resemble a skirt, typically ending just below the knee.
Historically, knee‑length breeches worn by men in the 18th century; in modern usage, exclusively a women's garment that combines the appearance of a skirt with the practicality of trousers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used in both varieties, though it may be slightly more common in UK fashion writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, can connote a retro, vintage, or deliberately feminine professional style. May also carry connotations of practicality or modesty.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. Primarily encountered in fashion, retail, and historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “culottes” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wear + a pair of culottes[Subject] + be + dressed in + culottesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “culottes” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A culottes suit was popular in the 1980s.
American English
- She prefers a culotte style for summer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail, marketing, and design descriptions.
Academic
Appears in historical costume studies and fashion history texts.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used when discussing specific clothing items.
Technical
A precise term in pattern‑making and garment construction.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “culottes”
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a culotte' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'capri pants' or 'cropped trousers', which are not designed to look like a skirt.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is plural in form (like 'trousers') but refers to a single garment. Use plural verbs: 'These culottes are stylish.'
A skort is a skirt with a concealed shorts panel underneath. Culottes are trousers cut full and wide to mimic the drape and appearance of a skirt.
Historically, 'culottes' referred to knee‑breeches worn by men. In modern English, the term is almost exclusively used for women's fashion. Similar garments for men might be called 'cropped trousers' or 'shorts'.
They experience periodic revivals in fashion cycles, particularly in spring/summer collections and smart‑casual or professional wear contexts.
A type of women's trousers cut to resemble a skirt, typically ending just below the knee.
Culottes is usually formal/fashion in register.
Culottes: in British English it is pronounced /kjuːˈlɒts/, and in American English it is pronounced /kuːˈlɑːts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CULottes are COOL and look like a skirt but are actually trousers.' The 'CUL' sounds like 'cool' and they keep you cool and comfortable.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A HYBRID (combining skirt and trousers).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of culottes?