Can We Talk About Denim Skirts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can We Talk About Denim Skirts?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

In my K/R thread today I discovered that the denim skirt is an opinion divider. I've experienced negative comments on that particular piece from friends, too. This puzzles me, because the fabric in itself is everywhere else - in jeans, obviously, but in also shirts, dresses, jackets and jumpsuits. Why is the denim skirt so difficult to like? Is int only this particular shape, (A-line with buttons), or the whole lot?

I'm not very fond of the denim pencil skirt, but I have a sugar eye for the A-line shape in denim. Recently I saw this one from AG by Alexa Chung, and loved it. But, being 46 and not 23 AND a high school teacher, I prefer a midi version, so that's what I've been tracking down.

Over to you: Do you like denim skirts? If you do, which style do you prefer? If you don't, why?

Dressing

70 replies

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Aziraphale

Veteran

I like denim skirts, both A-line and pencil, if the styling is right. I have an A-line one at the moment, but the A shape is a little narrower than yours, and the front is flat, with no buttons. It has a front vent, which is a bit different than the norm.

I have no idea why people might dislike denim skirts. All I can think of is that perhaps they are a little down-home, country bumpkin sometimes? But I don't think they have to be. Mine isn't. It has a bit of a 70s vibe, perhaps.

Gennifyr

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and then made the mistake of googling it. Man, women hate it when other women wear things that are perceived as young.

Mine is short (but not as short as my shorts are) and tight. It's cute and comfortable and I will wear it happily this summer. Here's a picture from last week. I was trying to decide whether or not to keep the cork sandals.

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always trying

Veteran

In a recent polyvore email denim skirts, all lengths, were on The 5 Essentials for spring. AND you look great in yours on the other post. I do not wear them. Only because they don't fit into my lifestyle. But if I had a place in my daily activities I would like one just like yours.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ha! It's funny, I have a bit of a poison eye for the A-line denim skirts and prefer denim pencil skirts, so we have opposite preferences there. I actually still own one denim pencil skirt that I haven't worn since last summer. I didn't feel completely fab when I wore it, but I think I need to be really careful styling it and amp up the distinctive factor of the other pieces so I don't feel so…generic, I suppose. I find skirts problematic in general, so I might be a bit hard to please in this department.

I feel like the A-line skirts (especially in certain washes, and with button fronts and high waists) can come across a bit 70s, but not in a glam way, perhaps a bit mumsy. I know that's part of the current normcore appeal, and I can understand going with the trend, but *for me* it would feel too frumptastic. Part of that is because I'm turning 50 and have a more matronly figure than most of the women who would actually look good in these cuts (my short waist and big bust don't help -- these skirts ride up my waist and the waistband ends up right under my bra strap, so definitely NOT a good look!). I also have an association with this style of skirt in this kind of fabrication being a bit on the stiff side.

However, once I separate my feelings about the A-line denim skirts from my own flattery concerns, I can see how they might appeal. For one thing, a swingy, looser fit in the hips and thighs (if the fabric is not too heavy and stiff) would be totally appealing for warm summer weather! And I think the cut can be great for showcasing and hourglass silhouette, with that defined waist and the subtle flare. I just think the styling needs to be really current to keep the look from skewing a bit conservative for my taste.

That AG skirt is pretty cute, but way too short for me to ever consider. I definitely see why you are trying the longer one in your other thread.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gennifyr -- nothin' wrong with you skirt. It's cute. But you ARE young, with smooth lovely legs. It might not look so good on a wrinkly-kneed granny.

It's true that women can be a little...unforgiving when they see something that shouts 'young!' on a woman whom they deem too old to be wearing it. This is a shame. Cattiness and self-righteousness are annoying. And this is somewhat subjective anyway. I do think there is something to the whole idea of 'age-appropriate dressing', but I would be very hesitant to voice any hard-and-fast rules about what an 'older' woman can and can't wear -- because there's almost always a woman who defies the rule and pulls it off.

ETA Plus, I don't know about you, but I get tired of hearing about what I can and can't do. I think I have pretty good judgment, and if I'm not sure, I can always ask the forum!

Also, back to your A-line skirt, Ingunn -- it doesn't skew 'young' at all. Is it possible that some people don't like it because it skews too 'old'? I'm not saying I think it does. I'm just making guesses about why people don't like it.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Here is my most recent denim skirt experience.

I purchased a denim skirt for my past vacation to Hawaii. When I tried it on at home I loved it. But as a shorter skirt without a vent in back, it has a tendency to ride up to my high waist position as I walk, and then becomes too short. I may have to purge it and keep looking for a denim skirt that is longer and sits higher on my waist. Then, do a sit AND a stride test. As always, the devil is in the details.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oh. I just clicked, belatedly, on the Alexa Chung skirt. Good grief. Yah, that one's too short. I can almost see the model's cooter. (The issue isn't that it's too young, but simply too short to adequately cover the parts it's supposed to cover!)

Gennifyr

Lol am I young? I'm 34 with three kids. I feel old, or rather tired!

Ingunn- i went and looked at your skirt. I normally wouldn't like that skirt style, regardless of the denim but I actually quite liked the way you styled it.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gennifyr -- yes, you are young! And even if you don't think of 34 as young, your legs are.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It's funny, as much as I like/wear denim, I'm not a fan of denim skirts for the most part. The exception is the one that was sort of quilted in design from jcrew (suz has it) and that one I did really like. My personal feeling about them is that they seem to be just sort of average in style - veering on frumpy - or they are trying too hard to be edgy with zippers, short hemlines and such. It's hard to find "the" denim skirt that offers style without a lot of embellishment. That said, I think if they are styled right and are a solid basic in design that fits well, they can work and look good. I just don't wear skirts in general so when I tried one it felt totally wrong for me.

AviaMariah

Veteran

It seems like Angie did a post awhile back about love/hate for denim skirts and there was quite a discussion on it in the comments. I grew up in a religion that didn't allow girls to wear pants so denim skirts were our "jeans". In theory I still like the look of many denim skirts but wouldn't touch one for myself because of my experience. Many people commented (in Angie's post) that they associated denim skirts with frumpiness and religious groups so I think that's where a lot of the negativity comes from. It's either that or the other side which were the ultra mini denim skirts of the late 80's. I think you can rock one though and can't wait to see what you find.

KikiG

Veteran

In my area of the US, knee length or longer jean skirts are currently primarily worn by women who dress very conservatively as part of their deeply conservative social and religious denomination. Since I do not belong to that group, I don't care to wear their uniform, if that makes sense.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

This is a fun thread already. I love hearing about your experiences, thoughts, preferences etc about this generic piece.

Gennifyr, you are definitely young, and look that way, too. But I've been 34 with three kids,too, and I remember feeling a lot older back then than I do now

Aziraphale, I couldn't agree more. Both on the AG skirt length, and with the annoying habits of self-righteousness and cattiness. Your denim skirt sounds very nice. I also think that many think of the A-line denim skirt as frumpy, which it definitely can be.

Janet, I had the 70's trend in mind with this skirt. I will try it with a cropped sweater next time, I think.

Denise, I hate it when skirts do that. I find that most skirts need to hit me at my natural waist - anything lower and they will ride up inevitably.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Ah, that makes sense, AviaMariah and KikiG. I don't have those connotations to the denim skirt.

I think you are saying more or less the same, Tex, and I agree, they can be boring indeed. I actually had the most fabulous denim skirt for the longest time. It was very structured, simple, high waisted, A-line and midi. No frump at all. But unfortunately it became too tight around my waist and very uncomfortable. Age does that to you, alas.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I commented negatively on lngunn's other thread not because the skirt looked too young but because it looked aging. To me, the button front and the A line send it right into frumpy territory - and I haven't seen that particular silhouette being reclaimed yet, like mom jeans have.

I posted a k/r with a thrifted button front denim skirt once and I think it was annagybe that said it was too frumpy homeschooling mom, which was my fear as well. Maybe the resonance is different in Europe, more hippie Scandinavian 70s with clogs and less practical mom who hasn't bought new clothes since her kids were born?

I quite like denim pencil skirts and straight skirts - I've got two Old Navy ones I wear a lot in the warm months instead of jeans. But I do find there are some structural challenges. If they're actual denim (as opposed to chambray or something), they need to be a bit loose or otherwise the thick fabric will ride up as you move and cause a lot of bulk around the waist, and unfortunately the jeans style fly in denim adds a lot of bulk to the stomach as well. My perfect jeans skirt would have a side or back zip but fall straight from the hip, and be a bit shorter than my usual pencil skirt length; otherwise it just looks too bulky and religious-order-ish.

ETA: sorry for repeating what others had said about the religious/social subgroup stuff, I was writing my post when they posted.

Gennifyr

The funny thing about the homeschooler connection is that none of the homeschoolers I know will wear a denim skirt for that reason! Even on homeschooling forums they joke about denim skirts and jumpers. Yet the connection persists for many.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Maybe the denim skirt aversion only happens in areas where there is a substantial religious population. Bonus points for a big religious homeschooling community. I've spent my whole life in cosmopolitan, secular, urban or suburban areas, and I had no idea about this 'frumpy denim skirt' poison eye! (Any denim skirt hate in my neck of the woods would be directed toward the super-short, frayed-hem kind).

Olivegreen

Funny about the skirt opinions. I like the A line one for you, agree that it wants a clearly current styled top or shoes to differentiate it from church lady denim. Which is a thing, and used to be almost a uniform here.
I went to my closet when Angie posted about denim skirts, took a thrifted pencil midi, and simply cut it to a good knee length, let it fray a bit rather than hem it. Good for errands and dog walking. I think it was thrifted a while ago. Looks exactly like the expensive ones, to my surprise. DIY does not always work out. Anyone else doing that?

Anonymous

The reasons I usually don't like them are:
They often don't fit well, especially the A lines with a zipper, the zipper tends to sag and stick out creating a decidedly unfeminine effect (!!), and the front and back hem often swings out so the skirt looks triangular in profile.
The fabric itself isn't an obvious choice for a skirt or dress as it's often stiff, thick , and doesn't flow well. The fading and wear that gives denim character in jeans and shirts, in a skirt, will most likely be on the butt..
Skirts and dresses are not androgynous items of clothing, why choose a work wear fabric for them? Seems kind of mixed message.
BUT I do like the one you chose and I think it look great on you, I would NOT return it if I was you.
I think the AG is the the one Annagybe has and it's very cute although so short it's not for everyone.
Re "too young" comments. Sometimes the comments are made with good intentions out of concern that people may be limiting their options by dressing inappropriately. But there's a lot of insecurity out there and the "too young" talk is often just a way to shame some of the competition off the field.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Olivegreen, so funny you mention that. I've seen a few things on Shopbop and the like that look like stuff I put in the donation bag years ago, after they'd gotten second lives as gardening wear with cut, frayed hems. I feel like an Old saying that, but it's true. There was a grey distressed sweatshirt that looked an awful lot like something I finally consigned to my rag pile. For over $200. Fashun.

Gaylene

Veteran

Wow, so a denim skirt can be too frumpy, too young, too conservative, and too risqué all at the same time? Just thinking of all the buttons I can push makes me want to pull out that denim skirt from the back of my closet and put it on this 65-year-old bod this summer just to have some fun.

deb

Veteran

The Rachel Zoe site says it is the 'must have' skirt for spring.

http://thezoereport.com/button-front-skirts/

Aziraphale

Veteran

Lol @ Gaylene

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene, it's a miracle skirt, you see.

Deb, thanks for the link. A button down skirt is on many of the lists I've seen, too. My favorite of the denim ones is the Stella McCartney version.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Can't any garment be either too frumpy or too risque depending on how it's designed and how it fits you? I'd say so.

Echo

Veteran

I have the same associations as AviaMariah and KikiG. Generally speaking, the only people seen wearing ANY style of denim skirt around here are people of the faiths that do not allow women to wear pants (or cut their hair). Knee length skirts with any sort of fading are the worst to my eye, but I would never wear a denim skirt of any kind (I genuinely AM to old - in my own mind - to wear a short one).

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Oh I love this topic!! First off Gaylene you made me literally Laugh Out Loud!
I actually grew up in the religious lifestyle referenced, and although I have zero affinity for the organization now (and actually am atheist) I'm surprised at how often I like something I would have worn growing up. With makeup and jewelry added however. Definitely went through a few phases of rebellion though haha!
I have a denim pencil skirt that wouldn't qualify as "modest" since it hits just above my knees, an A-line that would as it's almost a midi (but I can't wear it because the waist is too small), and two denim mini skirts that are quite short. I always wear those with leggings or tights underneath. One is a dark wash, and the other is a bit lighter, with a frayed hem.
Nice to hear that 34 isn't "too young" for short skirts

Gaylene

Veteran

True, Laura, but doesn't that just re-enforce the idea that those labels are more the particular mind-set of the viewer making the comment than about the garment itself? My conservative might be your risqué, your frumpy is my edgy, and so it goes... That's why it would be fun wearing the skirt--everyone would be coming out of the woodwork when they offered their judgement. A magic skirt that lets you see into others' minds.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I guess? I mean, the meanings we give clothes are cultural constructs, for sure. They don't have any inherent meaning themselves; they're just cloth and thread. But that's true of any human artifact.

I think it's a combination of the wearer and the viewer, much like language. We all mean something a little different when we wear something, but we do it within a larger cultural context that can't be shunted aside at will. Just like I can't decide to redefine the word 'potato' to mean 'cow' and expect someone else to understand what I'm talking about...

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