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How to wear culottes like Kate Middleton: Get the royal look

See how Duchess Kate styles her culottes and check out our edit of the best cropped trousers to buy now

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The Duchess of Cambridge is one of the most-watched women in the world so it’s little wonder that she looks flawless whenever she steps out. And one of her favourite pieces to wear are culottes, which are super versatile because they can be worn in colder weather with boots and during spring and summer with flats or heels.

RELATED: Loved Kate Middleton's navy blue Wimbledon blazer? Shop these chic similar styles

The cropped trouser style, characterised by a wide leg and midi-length hem, has long been a favourite of the royal mum-of-three, who over the years has opted to wear them to all sorts of events. 

kate middleton culottes brown chelsea flower show

The Duchess demonstrated the versatility of culottes wearing a khaki pair as she checked out a treehouse at the Chelsea Flower Show

Kate has worn her culottes to both formal and sporty engagements, dressing them down with trainers or flats, or dressing them up with high heels, depending on the occasion.

kate middleton khaki beige culottes where to buy marks and spencer

GET THE LOOK: Wide Leg Cropped Trousers, more colours available, £29.50 Marks & Spencer

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What should you wear with culottes, and how should you style them?

With such popularity amongst the world’s best dressed, it’s pretty likely you want to get in on the culotte action too, right? Thought so.

kate middleton navy blue sailor culottes

Duchess Kate teamed her navy sailor culottes with a red bag and Breton striped shirt

The issue for many though is how exactly do you style them? What shoes are best to pair with them? What length should they be? How high-waisted should they be? Well, that depends on you and your style. 

kate middleton navy sailor culottes where to buy
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As a general rule, culottes tend to look best with heels as the legs are instantly lengthened but they definitely work with flats too. If opting for the latter, just make sure the trousers are cut slightly shorter so your ankles are visible as this will help with proportions.

RELATED: Kate Middleton's Boden cardigan is on sale for £30 - that's 50% off

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On a visit to London’s Natural History Museum, Duchess Kate wowed the crowds dressed in forest green culottes from Jigsaw 

As for the high-waist, it really comes down to what suits you. If you typically wear your jeans high-waisted and feel good in them, stick to that style. If you typically wear low-slung trousers and have never worn culottes before, you may want to start out with a less voluminous silhouette.

kate middleton green culottes where to buy
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RELATED: You can get a Kate MIddleton style floral shirt dress starting at £15

If you want to channel the "Kate Look", we’ve searched high and low for the best culottes to shop right now, from denim to prints and even faux leather!

Shop the best Kate Middleton style culottes

kate middleton light beige khaki culottes hm

Light beige culottes, also in black, £19.99 H&M

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kate middleton pink culottes

Pale Pink Crop Wide Leg Trousers, £19.99 New Look

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kate middleton animal print culottes

M&S COLLECTION Animal stripe culottes, £19.50, Marks & Spencer

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kate middleton sweaty betty culottes
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kate middleton floral culottes

Blue floral printed culottes, £65 & Other Stories

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kate middleton denim chambray culottes

Chambray culottes, ASOS

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kate middleton cropped trousers boden

Hampshire Ponte Culottes - Navy, were £70 now £35, Boden

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kate middleton palm print culottes

Seasalt Cornwall Pure Linen Palm Floral Print Culottes, £65, Marks & Spencer

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kate middleton polka dot culottes

Black shirred spot print culottes, £26 River Island

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kate middleton green jigsaw culottes
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kate middleton culottes embroidered

Embroidered Culottes, were £120 now £90, Karen Millen

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Celebrities love culottes, too

Despite her trend-setting ways, Duchess Kate is not the only woman in the spotlight to rock the trend. Everyone from Victoria Beckham to Cate Blanchett and Olivia Palermo have stepped out in the style as well.

culottes

Left to right: Victoria Beckham, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Palermo

So whether you're looking to celebrities or royals for inpiration on how to style your culottes, we hope we've helped you find the perfect pair!

WATCH: Your favourite royals rocking trousers

KEEP READING: Royal fashion faux pas! Style mishaps from Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more

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