The Perfect Fall Suit + How To Wear Culottes In The Winter!

Call me a broken record, but menswear-inspired pieces get me every time, and this suit is no exception.  After yesterday’s business casual take on the suit jacket, I thought I’d show you the whole business formal shebang today by pairing it with these matching glen plaid suiting pants.

Together and separately, I’ve already gotten a ton of use out of these suit separates.  As evidenced by yesterday’s look, the warm beige glen plaid with that subtle vein of deep red makes the blazer look amazing with blue jeans and other rich fall hues like burgundy, camel, or even olive.  I didn’t do a good job of capturing the back detailing of the jacket in today’s photos, but take another look at yesterday’s images, especially the shots from a side angle where you can really see the peplum flare of the back of the jacket.  My girl Olivia P. thought of everything with this puppy.

Now, if I were to design a quintessentially “me” fall pant right now, I think it would likely be a replica of these.  Cropped wide-leg silhouette, wide cuffs, that high-waisted rise with sailor-inspired accent buttons—just go ahead and call the coroner.  I’m dead.

I get a lot of questions about wearing culottes in the fall and winter, especially as the temperatures really start to drop, and want to give you my top two styling tips on how to make these puppies last all season long:  The first way to wear culottes in the winter is to basically style them exactly as I have today, but just adding in a sheer black pair of nylons under the pants.  Opaque tights work too, I just personally like the sheer look with pants.  Whether you’re wearing classic pumps or a sleek pair of flats, you get a little extra skin coverage with the nylons and I think the look is dynamite.

The second way I love to wear culottes during the winter, especially on those really cold days where a sheer pair of nylons is just not enough, is to pair them with some above-ankle booties, like these  or these.  If you’re having trouble visualizing the bootie/culotte look, check out images here, here and here for a little inspiration from my pinterest page.  Practical for cold-weather and one of my very favorite looks of the season.

SUIT JACKET: Olivia Palermo x Chelsea28  |  PANTS: Olivia Palermo x Chelsea28  |  V-NECK SWEATER: old, similar HERE  |  SHOES: Saint Laurent (similar HERE)  |  BAG: M2Malletier  |  SUNGLASSES: Smoke x Mirrors (similar HERE)  |  LIP: NARS (Rikugien)  |  NECKLACE: similar HERE  |  EARRINGS: similar HERE

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post!