https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:19:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-663088 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 05:20:40 +0000 Kari 663088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, I have learned a lot from you, Steph, Aida and other more analytical forum members that if I'm struggling with a look, or if my style is evolving, it's very helpful to break it down and try to pinpoint the specifics. In the past I feel like I floundered a lot more in my journey, but lately I feel like I have a nice balance between playful experimentation and purposeful thought about what I choose to wear or buy, and I'd be remiss not to give credit to those who have helped and inspired me to become more flexible over the past several years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-663050 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:25:27 +0000 rae 663050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love when we have "studies" on YLF! You've broken this concept down really well and explicated each photo perfectly. Stuff like this makes me feel way more in control and focused when creating outfits - like... I finally feel like it's not magic; you just have to know what you're looking for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662956 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:14:52 +0000 Kari 662956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christy, you definitely are. I'm still itching to try something akin to your awesome look here, which I have on my inspiration board: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/upload/images/2e8bac67b3a99dc7d40fd1c0841b657e489_image.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg</a><br /> This is another good example of keeping the color tones similar to achieve a long line but still playing around a lot with texture and pattern, and the result is just delicious. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662953 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:12:20 +0000 christy 662953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great silhouette for you Kari! I'm loving the slouchy top and fitted bottom for myself also. I especially love the first combo you have on here - those blues and greens are so pretty together. And I really like those sandals! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662949 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:07:29 +0000 Kari 662949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginny, that's exactly why I'm so jazzed about this look. It's just something different and it gives me more flexibility! Thank you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662687 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:58:30 +0000 Ginny 662687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great colors I adore the poladots and the green. This silhoutte looks awesome on you. It is nice to change things up alittle and try something different. Great job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662632 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:05:17 +0000 Kari 662632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Any time! I hope you find one that you love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662485 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:51:42 +0000 kimana517 662485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the links! I don't mind faux leather jackets. Sometimes I almost prefer them. =o) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662385 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:47:09 +0000 Kari 662385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Mandipa!</p> <p>Another relevant post I stumbled upon during my daily trawl is <a href="http://www.alreadypretty.com/2012/07/a-crash-course-in-the-golden-ratio.html">Sally McGraw's post on the golden ratio and figure-flattery</a>. It's not the first time I've heard about this theory, but analyzing the proportions in my successful and unsuccessful outfits helps me make more sense of why the combinations with the longer skirt work better.</p> <p>To use some of the examples I pointed out above, <a href="http://cdn0.youlookfab.com/upload/images/Picture-1399b_image.jpg">this outfit</a> chops the middle section of the skirt into too small a slice. My torso looks every bit as long as it really is. The exposure of my kneecaps is also difficult because even with heels I can't fudge my lower leg line, giving the illusion that my legs are longer than they are.</p> <p>The balance with <a href="http://cdn2.youlookfab.com/upload/images/3b069c3891530b39802b2dfbddbf36c3777_image.jpg">this outfit</a> is much closer to thirds. It's not exact because of the length of the blouse, but the curved hem and the V neck are particularly helpful in visually breaking up the expanse of my upper body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662368 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:34:27 +0000 ManidipaM 662368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Kari! Not just two fabulous outfits but also a lesson in how to show off your waistline while surrendering it! ::applause:: </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662276 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 06:07:41 +0000 goldenpig 662276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Kari, I will try creating hyperlinks next time. And I do think the floral blouse looks like Monet too--gorgeous spring blouse on you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662255 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:14:22 +0000 Kari 662255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kiwichik, I love that the blouse reminded you of Monet, because part of the reason I was drawn to it when I first saw it in the store is that it reminded me of being bowled over by the stunning colors in Claude Monet's garden as a teen during my family's visit to Giverney, and looking at pictures of his water lily paintings with my grandma when I was growing up. I'm happy that you saw the same thing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662246 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:07:26 +0000 Kiwichik 662246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love you in this green pencil skirt. The blouse in the first photos reminds me of a Monet water colour and is very flattering and feminine as is the polka dot top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662230 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:47:40 +0000 Kari 662230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Natalie, this is one of the few bits of HTML coding that I know how to do, but it's actually quite easy. Check out the first section <a href="http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/tutorials/html/html_tag_tutorial_creating_hyperlinks_on_web_pages.php3">here.</a></p> <p>Thanks so much for linking to your post! You're right, I missed this one entirely, and I'll comment directly on it. But I think the blouse is the best of the bunch!</p> <p>Una, thank you! While I am over the top flattered by your compliment, I have to confess I've had many a whiny tantrum myself: "Volume doesn't work on my body." "I haaaaaate pants shopping!" etc. The thoughtful analysis doesn't come until I get the visceral first reaction way, way out of my system. But maybe my habits are improving over time, too. I've learned from experience not to say "Oh, I'll NEVER wear that!" because I've had to eat crow too many times on YLF when I found a way to make a trend I initially despised work for me (skinny jeans, leggings, unstructured blouses, etc.)</p> <p>Kimana, I wish that brown jacket was real leather! I like the idea of it but don't like the tightness in the arms (my arms are not slim.)<br /> This is an inexpensive Gabriella Rocha pleather jacket. While the specific style is gone, these are VERY similar:<br /> <a href="http://www.6pm.com/gabriella-rocha-sobrina-jacket-chestnut" rel="nofollow">http://www.6pm.com/gabriella-r.....t-chestnut</a><br /> <a href="http://www.6pm.com/gabriella-rocha-rinnah-jacket-chestnut" rel="nofollow">http://www.6pm.com/gabriella-r.....t-chestnut</a><br /> Runs on the small side! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662213 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:06:52 +0000 catgirl 662213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, I love the first outfit. Your analysis is fascinating. I have to say, I think you're a YLF star not just for your style, but for your attitude! Unlike me, who leaps in with both feet and then runs screaming in a tantrum, you thoughtfully and patiently solved this puzzle for yourself. Well done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662179 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:01:41 +0000 kimana517 662179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I like it a lot, especially with the first top. And can I just say that I'd kill for the brown leather jacket in one of the pics you linked to? Goodness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662166 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:41:37 +0000 Jaime 662166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two gorgeous outfits! Wow! It was also very interesting to read about your "process"! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662150 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:01:42 +0000 Transcona Shannon 662150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari - fabulous observations and two fabulous outfits! I adore you in that green skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662124 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:37:36 +0000 goldenpig 662124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here it is Kari:<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kr-dress-and-skirts" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....and-skirts</a><br /> It was a keep or return post (I don't usually post those to my blog) so it's not styled and doesn't look the greatest when I was lifting up the blouse to show how tight the skirt was. I ordered a size up on the skirt and a size down on the blouse, so hopefully the XS top and M skirt will look better when they arrive (should be soon).</p> <p>Also you can check out your coral dress and see what you think! I have to admit after seeing how great both those outfits look on you it's a little bit frustrating for me, because I think those styles don't work quite as well on my apple shape compared to your busty hourglass. But most of the people that would see me in it don't know you, so they haven't seen the gold standard! :)</p> <p>I'm waiting on wearing them IRL for now till I decide whether I'm going to keep them or not. I'm glad you don't mind if I copy you--I think it's fun to see outfit twins on YLF! And our styles do seem to be evolving on a similar pathway, don't they!</p> <p>PS, how do you get those pink clickable links into your text? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662093 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:52:26 +0000 Anonymous 662093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These to fabulous looks are so different that few would notice that it's the same green skirt. Both are gorgeous on you but I especially like the first look. Aren't you glad that you tried something different? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662088 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:47:17 +0000 Aida 662088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These both look fabulous Kari! Your observations are spot on; I am not too surprised that you're coming around to this look, it will be a fab way to mix things up This is my favorite way to wear pencil skirts, though I usually go with a bit more slouch because that's more my style. One of the amazing things about this is that you still do have enough of the bombshell in these outfits because the tops fit you so perfectly and aren't overly boxy you know? And actually I think they work even better with the midi length pencil skirt because the proportions on the bottom are a bit longer than they would be with a shorter skirt which is very vertically lengthening. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662085 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:44:15 +0000 Kari 662085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right on! Natalie, I love that you and I are so much on the same page in this aspect of our style evolution. I've been so inspired when you try these looks out too - and yet our figures, sizes, coloring, etc. are totally different, which makes me even more tickled when we both nail the same look.</p> <p>Have you posted your emerald pencil skirt &amp; polka dot blouse look yet? I thought you said you had but last time I looked I didn't see it in your recent posts (or I may have missed it.) Would you mind linking to it here? </p> <p>Another "aha" moment for me was realizing that just because I could successfully de-bombshell a pencil skirt didn't mean that I COULDN'T wear traditional outfits with a pencil skirt and body-hugging structured top or blazer. It just means I'm able to stretch my style muscles a little further than I could a year ago! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662069 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:31:00 +0000 goldenpig 662069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, I love you in both of these outfits! It works so well with your figure. I am right there with you in exploring waist surrender--as a die-hard demure bombshell I had the same reaction to Angie's post--why would you want to "de-bombshell" a pencil skirt? Funny that now I am trying out the same kind of loose on top looks as you. In fact I have the same polka dot top and green skirt combo too! Isn't it funny how we can adapt? You look great both ways--fitted/tucked and loose/untucked. Love having more options! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/studies-in-de-bombshelling-a-pencil-skirt#post-662060 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:21:15 +0000 Kari 662060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wasn't so sure about the concept of <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/02/01/take-the-bombshell-out-of-a-pencil-skirt/">taking the bombshell factor out of a pencil skirt</a> when Angie first brought up the idea.</p> <p>(Am I *ever* totally into a trend at first, though? Noooo. The internal skeptic in me always assumes that a new silhouette will be murder on my curvy frame, transforming my generously-sized shape into a blocky, bulbous mess. Plus, with my love of body-conscious 1960's pencil skirted looks, I have a bit of a *tasteful* bombshell style persona anyway. I figured, why mess around trying to wear pencil skirts differently when they work on my body the way they are?)</p> <p>But the idea has stayed on on the back burner for a while. I remebered how last year, I was absolutely adamant that unstructured blouses would NEVER work on me, and that I could NOT rock a 1970's-inspired look - until <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/ask-angie-and-forum-floaty-70s-glam-tops">I started playing</a> and <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/floaty-anthro-top-bootcuts-more-70s-experiments">eventually found the right blouse</a> to make this look work. </p> <p>I initially tucked my voluminous blouses into <a href="http://youlookfab.com/upload/images/Picture-2308b_image.jpg">jeans</a> or cinched them close to my body with <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/wiw-colorful-in-the-fall">waistcoats</a>, but <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/wiw-last-week-7">flirted with the idea of leaving a blouse, although still body-skimming, untucked over a pencil skirt.</a> However, even with these excellent, soft blouses, the look never felt quite right without adding a belt, tucking the top into the skirt, or adding a waistcoat over the top.</p> <p>So why do I feel that <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/i-surrender">this outfit</a> works with the Vince Camuto knit pencil skirt and silk blouse? Sure, it's low contrast and that helps (as with the black skirt and the same blouse <a href="http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.com/post/surrendering-at-work-and-at-play">here</a>), which gives me a longer vertical column, but I also think it's a matter of proportion - the skirt is longer, and my knees are covered. That aspect alone makes me feel like I'm not this huge expanse of torso from shoulders to hips when I'm looking at the photos. The slightly higher hem of the banded blouse helps in this way as well.</p> <p>So again, to learn more about what looks I prefer, I decided to take the Vince Camuto emerald skirt out for some play.</p> <p>#1-3: With a blue floral bell-sleeved V-neck top, slightly longer than the first top as it covers the hips. In this case, the color of the blouse is very low-contrast to the shade of the skirt, and again I've got that nice long vertical line. The thin material and close fit of the pencil skirt also mean that under the floaty, semi-sheer blouse, you can see the hint of my shape even though there's no actual waist definition. I wore nude wedge sandals to enhance the illusion of a lower leg line, and I also feel like the heavy silver pendant on the black cord helps to draw the eye into that vertical pattern too.</p> <p>#4-7: With a white, black polka-dotted Vince Camuto silk banded blouse, black beaded necklace, and nude wedge sandals and yellow Fidji slingbacks. (I wore the outfit in #6-7 to work today.)<br /> I feel like the length of the skirt and the higher length of the blouse work to balance out my proportions. This outfit was largely inspired by an outfit from the style blog <a href="http://perfectionpossibilities.blogspot.co.uk/">Perfection Possibilities</a>, via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/102949541452481986/">Pinterest.</a></p> <p>Two different concepts with the same skirt, but both feel flattering when I'm wearing them or looking at these photographs. And another step forward in my style journey this year. Are you as shocked as I am that I've come to embrace this look?</p> <p>(P.S. I'm trying out my new long Second Base camis under both outfits - one nude, and one in black - and they are utterly comfortable. I don't know why, but somehow they are staying put rather than rolling up the way my regular long camis do, and I forget that I have them on. Love that!) </p>