Best type of skirts?

Inge

I could really use some advice on what type of skirts and dresses suit me best.
I'm a 5.7 hourglass and I haven't worn much skirts or dresses in the past, but I'd like to change that.
The only ones in my closet right now are 3 pencil skirts (on the knee and just below the knee) but in darker colours, so not really suitable for the summer months and 2 empire waist dresses for warmer weather.
I'm finding it difficult to see beyond these, because whenever I try on other styles I always get the feeling that they make my hips and thighs look bigger than they are (and I really don't need that;-) But I do love fuller and more flowy skirts too, they're much lighter for summer. Maybe it's because I'm just not used to seeing myself in them, or maybe I should really stick to the above only?

I've read Angie's posts and advice on bottoms for hourglasses (I should e.g. be able to wear wrap dresses, fitted sheaths, tank dressses, bias, slinky dresses etc. and full-circle, tiered, bias and a-line skirts), but I just can't seem to find anything that looks good on me.
What do you guys suggest, based on these pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....ateposted/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....ateposted/
Both in my denim pencil skirt - I also think I can't tuck in my tops since that makes me look thick, I'm starting to suspect I'm too short-waisted for that.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....ateposted/
This is a skirt I borrowed from my sister just to have an example of a fuller skirt on me (I don't own one at the moment), so please don't take the colour into account (I know it doesn't suit me, and it's a tiny bit too big in the waist as well) or the colour combination with the top - I would never wear this, just trying to give you an idea of how this type of skirt looks on me.

All suggestions are more than welcome.

18 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Inge! I am an hourglass shape as well, and I'm a recent convert to wearing skirts more often.

I am looking at the first two pictures you posted, and I don't know for sure, but I think you may tend toward a straightish hourglass shape. I think what's wrong with that denim pencil skirt is that it's not "pencily" enough. It doesn't hug your hips and then begin to flare closer to your knees--it looks more like a straight skirt, which I've found isn't as flattering on us hourglass types. I tried a pencil skirt on like that at J. Crew the other day, and it did the same thing on me, but I have 2 other pencil skirts which are more tailored, and I think they look great, I love wearing them. The key with pencil skirts for us (even denim pencil skirts) is that they need to hug our hips below the widest part, and then have a vent that allows us movement. Yours kind of does that, but I'm thinking not enough, which is why you feel your thighs are huge (I don't really think they are). You may be able to save the skirt by having the bottom altered so that it's more fitted. Here's an example of what I mean. See how it's tapered all the way down to the bottom? And the two vertical seams balance it out and elongate the curviness of the hips nicely. I think something like this may work better for you:

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=W

Also, I like to wear longer, blousier belted shirts with pencil skirts (I think of them as the skirt equivalent to skinny jeans). Your shirt looks very short (could be because it's dark though), which may also make you feel that your waist is very short as well.

As far as other types of skirt, the shape of the A-line broomstick skirt looks okay to me. I think you may want to look for a simpler, more tailored A-line skirt as well. Have you mainly been trying on those full, printed A line/Circle skirts? Those add a lot of volume to the lower half. Hourglasses can wear them, but I don't think all of them are appropriate for every hourglass. I tend to avoid the really full ruffly ones because they stick out on me and I feel like I'm wearing a tutu. Here's an example of an A-line skirt that I think would look nice on you. See how it's not pleated or ruffly? This style won't add any volume to your hips:

http://www.bodenusa.com/col.as.....38;col=LBR

The shirt in the third picture again, looks very short to me. Wearing longer tops will help balance out your silhouette as well, and maybe you won't feel like your hips are so noticeable.

18 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

This makes sense Ana, thanks!
(also about the straightish hourglass)

Funny, after reading on YLF that skirts needed shorter tops, I decided to put on shorter ones for these pics (and also because they were a bit more form-fitting, so you could see my shape better), but when I saw the result I almost didn't have the courage to post them, because I hate the way this looks. Well, all for a good cause I guess;-).
FYI: I usually wear this skirt with blousier tops that are a bit longer, and that definitely helps.

You're right, I need to find pencil skirts that are more tapered (I could have sworn though that when I bought the denim one it did go in more towards the bottom, could it be it's stretching out?).
I also own this one in navy: http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=2259. Do you think that's better?

I've tried on both full A-line and circle skirts (with and without ruffles/prints) and I thought that even the A-line ones were going out at the bottom too much, which made me look boxy and wide from the front and back. I'm already convinced that I should stick to simpler styles, indeed less tutuesque;-) and I love the Boden skirt.

I'm just going to keep on looking, the perfect skirt for me must be out there, right.

Oh yes: about shorter tops: how long does a top need to be then to go with a pleated skirt like the one in the third picture. When they're too long (right up to or even covering the onset of the pleats) it can look rather strange don't you think?

18 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I don't think you need a longer top at all. If anything it draws more attention to your hips (I know this is SO confusing). Your body type seems kind of similar to mine, and I found that wearing a top that is very fitted is key. More fitted than you might be used to. It will show the waist better.

Here are some pictures I took a while ago that illustrate the difference:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_0955.jpg

This top is too long and not cut close enough to the body. A lot of the people here thought my waist was higher up than it really is because you can't really see my real shape underneath that shirt.

But here you can tell it's actually quite a bit below the bustline ('scuse the blurred background...my room was a mess!). I believe it has to do with the shirt being shorter and more fitted.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_0957.jpg

I know you thought the tops you chose were formfitting, and I thought the same of my red top and was a little intimidated at the idea of wearing something even more tight, but it worked. If you're self-conscious about lumps and bumps showing through, look for tops with ruching. I'll look for the thread where people gave me some great advice.

I also think the kind of skirt I'm wearing in that picture (denim A-line) would work for you too. I agree with Ana that the straight style is not working. I like skirts best when they are cut either very close or they float away, but straight down has never worked for me. Hope that helps...

18 years ago

Maya

Veteran

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....replies=29

This is the topic I started which might help you out.

18 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Thanks a million Maya! I read the other thread as well and do believe we have a similar body type (though I'm taller and not nearly so slim unfortunately).
And yes, it's not easy to determine how long tops should be, but I do always think that when they are longer and I'm wearing a skirt it does accentuate the hips/thighs even more.

It does make a world of difference when you wear that black fitted top in the second photograph, you look great and the skirt looks super too.
Funny how you can think something is fitted, and then you see a picture of a more body-hugging top and you go 'right, now I get it'.
So, more 'pencily' skirts and form-fitting tops (I do like wrap tops, and a bit of ruching can't hurt either) with the right kind of sleeves are high on my list for my next shopping trip.

And I'll try to find a good a-line skirt for my shape as well (love your denim skirt!).
Just to make sure I'm on the right track: aside from the Boden skirt and the denim skirt Ana suggested, would this kind of skirt be ok?
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=547463
(loved it when someone linked to it in another thread)
And this one?
http://www.boden.co.uk/col.asp.....asurements
I kind of like this in ivory (with the big flowers) too, but suspect that's too 'full' for me again?
http://www.bodensale.co.uk/col.....#038;gen=#

Oh Angie, any thoughts on all of the above? I would really appreciate your advice too.

18 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

The BR Denim A Line skirt is wonderful, I have that one and it's very flattering. I think it looks better in person than it does on the model online. The Boden one with the buttons might be good, because it has a slight A line shape. I would choose one of the colors that is not close to your skin color, like the Denim or Dark Denim. The Olive might be okay, but it's a very light olive, so I'd be careful. The Swishy Applique skirt might be trickier. It depends on where it begins to flare on you. If it's on your hips, then that wouldn't work. If it sits higher up and flares over your hips, then it would be better. You would just have to try that one and see.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I didn't read thru Ana or Maya's suggestions, but I'd say the skirts in those pictures are too long. I'd shorten them to show off a little knee cap.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Inge, apologies for a late response, but you have been in good hands. What Ana, Maya and Nicole have suggested about skirt silhouettes is perfect. The denim skirt is trying to be A-line but not quite. You need a more tapered denim silhouette. The skirt needs to hug your hips more, then flare our OR taper in towards the leg. Length is a little long, but I must say that the shape of the skirt is so wrong that it’s hard for me to tell. The length could be right in the correct silhouette. You have long legs and lean calves which generally means you wear your skirts a little longer (over or on the knee). This gives your calf more shape.

The shorter tops look great in length but they are not fitted enough as Maya points out. You’re quite tall, so your “longer length” as in the first photo is still quite short. Almost short enough. You are on the right track.

The third skirt is in an unflattering colour. I’d pass that one on.

The vamps of your shoes and cutting your leg line. It’s always more flattering to wear a shoe with an open vamp when you wear skirts and dresses (in other words reveal the arches of your foot). This has incredible elongation qualities. It’s not that it can’t be done. Certain people can wear mules with skirts and dresses, but open vamped shoes are a no brainer.

You’ll look wonderful in the right skirt and top combo. You are an hourglass that tends towards a rectangle as Ana rightfully concluded. A “straight” hourglass as I like to call it. Keep us posted!

18 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Inge, Ana has that BR skirt and it looks great on her. The skirt I'm wearing in that picture is also BR. It's a different skirt, but pretty similar. I think it would look great on you. The button skirt might also work but those side pockets never seem to sit properly on me. I don't know if you would have the same problem. I think the BR one is almost guaranteed to look good, so I would go for it if it's in your size.

The swishy one would have to fit and flare at all the right places to work. You would have to try it and see.

It will make so much difference when you get the right shirt and skirt combo. I hope you'll show us what you find!

18 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Thanks very much for chiming in Angie! This is very helpful, I'm taking all your advice into account and am eager to go shopping now. (and I'm also going to reread your posts on top lengths for skirts)

Nicole: I think I look best in skirts that are either on or just over my knees (phew at least I'm right about something as far as skirts are concerned, since Angie confirmed that that might look best;-), so maybe a little bit of kneecap, but not too much:-)

Maya: I'd really love to get the BR denim skirt, unfortunately they don't ship overseas (and seem to have sold out the item almost completely anyway). Bummer!

I think I'm going to try the two Boden skirts (Ana: I agree and was already contemplating the vintage denim or dark denim). Not sure yet which pattern to choose for the other skirt, I actually like three of them: the Cocoa Daisy Bed, the Navy Hawaiian Floral and the Sulphur Hawaiian Floral (but perhaps the yellow would not be so great with legs as pale as mine?).
http://www.boden.co.uk/col.asp.....38;col=LBR

Promise to post a picture if it works out.

18 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Inge, the dark denim boden skirt would be fantastic, and the dark would probably be a bit more slimming.

As for the second Boden skirt, it sort of depends on what other colors you wear a lot of. The cocoa daisy bed color has yellow, green, blue, cream, etc. in the print of the skirt. You can pull out any of those colors into a top to wear with the skirt. If you tend to wear a lot of bright solid tops (yellow, green, red, coral, white, etc) then the navy could work very well. The yellow would work if you tend to wear tops that are ink blue, cobalt, brown, white, or the right shade of red. Look through your closet and see what you have and that might help you decide which would work best for you.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super advice, Ana. Inge I like your skirt strategy! ( Notice how short the tops are on the models in the Borden catalogue).

18 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Well, I've just ordered the dark denim button skirt and the other one in Navy Hawaiian Floral. Quite dark for the summer, but I'm thinking I can wear brighter & fresher colours on top. Great advice Ana, but since I don't really have any fitted tops short enough (I did take notice Angie) for skirts in my closet right now, I could actually start from scratch and buy a few tops that will best suit whatever pattern I picked.

I have a feeling this is going to be an expensive shopping season;-)

Unfortunately both skirts are on back order and I have to wait 5/7 weeks, but I'll definitely keep you posted.

18 years ago

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