At the prestigious Venice Film Festival, Cate Blanchett showcased a must-have item for fall fashion: culottes. Her outfit combined the comfort of pants with the stylish flow of a skirt, demonstrating why culottes are a versatile choice for autumn wardrobes. This look arrives as many prepare to transition their clothing for the cooler season, offering a fresh and practical alternative for the tricky in-between weather.
Blanchett’s off-red-carpet ensemble caught attention due to its effortless blend of styles. She wore an asymmetrical, long-sleeve top with black-and-white culottes that resemble a skirt at first glance, perfectly embodying the essence of fall fashion—functional yet elegant.
The Appeal of Culottes for Cooler Weather
Culottes strike a balance between pants and skirts, making them ideal for fall. Unlike traditional skirts, culottes offer practical features like pockets, which are often absent in skirts, lending utility to their breezy design. Their roomy legs create a flowy silhouette that brings the femininity of skirts while providing warmth and coverage useful during cooler days.
This dual nature is what makes culottes such an intelligent fashion choice. Rather than choosing between form and function, culottes deliver both, allowing wearers to enjoy their favorite skirt looks without surrendering to the chill of fall. Blanchett’s choice is especially inspiring because it demonstrates how culottes can be styled in a timeless black-and-white palette, accentuated with simple accessories like loafers, round sunglasses, and a minimalist black bag.

How Culottes Fit into Your Fall Wardrobe
As the season shifts, many hesitate to abandon summer classics like skirts, yet the autumn breeze calls for warmer options. Culottes serve as the perfect transitional garment that blends airy comfort with practicality. Their versatility means they can be dressed up or down through basic styling choices, making them suitable for a broad range of occasions, from casual outings to more formal events.
Blanchett’s appearance serves as a style blueprint, showing that culottes are far from merely trendy—they are a fall fashion essential that bridges seasonal gaps effortlessly.
Recommended Culottes to Update Your Look
For those inspired by Blanchett’s style, here are several curated culottes options to explore this fall:
- Anthropologie Pleated Wrapped Culotte Pants: Elegant and structured, priced at $158, these pants offer a polished look suitable for various occasions.
- COS Voluminous Culottes: Priced at $99, these provide a roomy fit ideal for comfort and style.
- Damson Madder Tatianna Belted Organic Cotton Ankle Wide-Leg Pants: For $128, these pants combine sustainability with a chic silhouette.
- Free-est Menorca Slouchy Capris: Affordable at $50, these offer a casual, relaxed take on the culotte trend.
- Maeve Skirty Culotte Shorts: At $118, these shorts bring a playful element to culottes with their skirt-like appearance.
- Petal & Pup Cher High-Waist Pleat Wide-Leg Pants: These $69 culottes are an excellent choice for high-waisted styling with pleats that add sophistication.
With many retailers embracing fall styles, including culottes, now is the time to integrate this hybrid garment into your wardrobe. Embracing culottes means enjoying the best of both skirts and pants, making the autumn transition smoother and more stylish.
