Ivory Culottes

 CULOTTES: WHBM  |  SHIRT: 3.1 Phillip Lim (similar style here)  |  CAMISOLE: Lark & Ro  |  OXFORDS: Stuart Weitzman  |  BACKPACK: Reiss (old but similar here and here)  |  EARRINGS: Kate Spade

As you’ve seen recently in this post and on instagram, these ivory culottes have been on constant rotation as we transition into Fall.  I wore them last week again in NYC and thoroughly enjoyed when someone complimented me on the “almond milk” hue of my culottes as we walked into a fashion show.  Naturally, we then became engrossed in a conversation about teff recipes and bone broth and instantly became BESTIES.

But actually, I just thanked her, and sat down in my seat where I reflected on the irony of the on-trend NYFW compliment, choked down laughter and began writing this post, starting first with the title: IVORY culottes.

Can we just call them ivory?  Because they’re ivory.  Or cream.  I’d even be willing to concede antique white, ecru or eggshell. BUT WE’RE NOT DOING ALMOND MILK, MMK?  So get it together.

It’s worth noting that I actually really like almond milk because unlike regular milk it doesn’t make my apartment stink when I don’t clean out my refrigerator for six months which is something that happens quite a lot.

Just kidding, mom!  I totes clean it out more than that!

I absolutely do not.

Back to these IVORY culottes.  White House Black Market’s fall collection is all about living to the #BeatOfYourDrum.  For me, that harkens back to why I started Memorandum two years ago.  Regardless of whether your professional environment is casual, creative, conservative or some combination of the three, you don’t have to abandon your personal style Monday through Friday.

To me, marching to the beat of your drum means you don’t have to clean out your refrigerator more than once a year sacrifice professionalism to wear what you want at work, or, on the other end of the spectrum, ascribe to some sterile corporate uniform to get ahead professionally.  There are endless ways to look professional AND embrace your own sense of style.  And, since there’s an indisputable link between appearance and work performance, I think this topic is worth addressing so that we all look, feel and do our best both in and out of the office.

I’ve always been a big culotte fan, so wearing these today is the perfect example of taking a non-traditional workwear piece, and making it “work” in my professional life.  If you’re still not sure about diving into the culotte trend, you really should check out these suckers.  Great price point.  Fully lined.  Fitted to perfection.  Gorgeous neutral four-season hue.  Perfect for work.  What more do you need?

Your move.

Produced in collaboration with White House Black Market.