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Closet Cleanup: Skirt Frustration

Sarah

Closet Cleanup: Skirt Frustration

Since January I've been doing a closet overhaul. It's a bit of a slow process for me since I'm in college, but it's coming along. I came to a bit of a dead end when I tried to analyze my skirts though. I guess I just don't know if any of them are flattering. Some obviously don't fit; others are less obvious (to me anyway).

I have 20-something skirts, most of which are ankle length. I grew up in a private Christian high school were all the girls were required to wear skirts that came bellow the knee while sitting, hence all the long skirts. Now I'd like to have a bit more variety in my skirt collection, but not quite so many skirts. The weather is beautiful right now, so I'd love to be wearing skirts, but I don't want to look awful/dated/frumpy while keeping cool either.

My personal style is still evolving, but it seems to be a strange cross between artsy and romantic. I love flowing skirts and some funky ones too.

I've taken pictures of all of the skirts in my closet with a white tank top and tan character shoes (so as not to distract from analyzing the skirts by giving you all a whole outfit too look at). There are a few that are missing (in the laundry, still in boxes under the bed, etc.) And I will post those later. A few have already been discussed on other topics.

I apologize for the frizzy hair, the bra that shows because my tank top has straps that are too long, and the red-eye in almost every picture. There was no way I was photo-shopping all of these pictures. Please feel free to give any comments, positive or negative. I don't want to get rid of all my skirts, but I think a good portion of them will have to go. Thanks in advance.

http://s301.photobucket.com/al.....%20skirts/

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

Nicole

Veteran

I think the majority of your skirts are too long and big. Some might be salvagable with a good hemming. The ones that might work if you shortened them are:

#8 Black Skirt w/Small floral Pattern

#10 Long Black Straight Skirt

#14 Short Blue Pencil Skirt (length is good, but it needs to be taken in considerably)

I don't know if the alterations are going to be worth it. You might be better off starting from scratch. You need to move away from the long skirts, patch pockets, large floral patterns and gathers. You have such a great figure, I can't understand why you hide it behind so much fabric. I wish I could wear the stuff you could wear.

nancy

Hi Sarah-You are very pretty with a lovely smile and look very cute in your outfits. I have to say that I think you could find skirts that are more stylish and modern. iI that is an option both in your school enviornment (is there a dress code if its a Christian school?) and budget. It might be really fun to start over, beginning with a few basics and some new accessories. If that isn't an option maybe pick out your favorites that are also most flattering and have them altered. They will feel new and have a very diff. look. Good luck, have fun!

Maya

Veteran

I'm sorry Sarah but I think all the floor length ones have got to go. They are frumpy and unflattering. Anything below the knee is too long for your stature. You're too petite and the print of the skirts looks dated and old. Florals are great, but they need to be updated.

The solid skirts might work if hemmed, but not as they are. My best friend, also petite, used to love long flowy skirts but not anymore. In general I don't find long skirts flattering on anyone, even super tall girls. The longest flattering length is calf length, and for that you need height.

The pleated red one is pretty. The gray wool one certainly gives you curves on the bottom half, but it needs to be hemmed. All your pencil skirts are not quite right, I think. They need to be fitted closer and not just straight down. I think Inge had this problem too. They all might also be too big, which is why they won't sit correctly.

The knee length denim one fits...perhaps a touch long, but certainly not bad. I think that one and the red one are my favorites as far as fit goes.

Nicole

Veteran

Sarah, have you shopped for skirts recently? Have you tried shopping in the junior department? I'd be curious to know what size most of those skirts are, because they all are just so big on you. If they are size 0 and 2's then you will probably need to hit the junior dept.

Becky

Veteran

I think the long black straight skirt could be hemmed to knee length and be very versatile. It looks like it might not be quite so big on you as some of the others. I agree with the assessment that most of these skirts are just too big on you, and I agree that anything longer than just below knee length or top of the calf isn't terribly flattering on you. You seem to be kind of a "skirt girl," so maybe a few great-fitting skirts should be on your shopping list? I know, it's frustrating when your list is growing faster than your clothing budget can keep up!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Just below the knee is an extremely flattering length for you. I know you love long skirts--I just think they really overwhelm you and in my opinion tend to make you seem much older than you really are.

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Sarah, I agree with with everything said above. Most of the skirts are too big, and ankle length does not look good on anyone. You have such a pretty figure and you should show it off!
I'd keep the first denim one ( for now) and maybe try to shorten the straight black one (#10) and take in the pencil one (#14). I'd get rid of everything else!
I think you'd look great in something like this:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564619

Sarah

Well, it's good to hear that some of my skirts can be salvaged. I'm curious to hear what people think of the short green one. It was ankle length and I hacked off a bunch of material and hemmed it. In fact, it's the same skirt as one of the khaki skirts and the long dark blue skirt. Would it be worth it for me to hem the khaki skirt as well, or should I just look for a new one? I know I won't bother with the blue ankle length one, because it's very worn out and ready to be retired.

Here are the brands and sizes for anyone who's curious and a few random comments. Keep in mind that a lot of these are old sizes before vanity sizing changed.

#1 tiered denim with lace: "Clio" size 8. I've had a hard time paring this one up with tops. It always looked very cowgirlish to me.
#2 long teal floral: Jaclyn Smith size small. I really love the color of this one, but it's too big and has an elastic waist.
#3 red wool pleated: Saks Fith Avenue "The Works" size 4. It's a garage sale special I got for only $2, but I've only worn it like twice. It actually fits me, but I can't seem to pair it with anything without looking like I'm in a school uniform.
#4 knee-length plaid skirt: Eddie Bauer size 4. Too big and it looks funny because it just hangs straight down and doesn't have a waist at all.
#5 knee length grey wool skirt: Norton McNauchton, size 6, from some department store years ago. I used to get in trouble with this one at school because it crawled up above my knees when I sat down and had *gasp* a slit that went above my knees. I think it fits pretty well, but it's a winter only skirt.
#6 big denim skirt with flowers: Blair size Medium. My sister gave it to me when she stoped wearing ankle lenght skirts. I should have taken the hint. It's many sizes too big for me and falls off if I'm not careful. The flowers are starting to unravel and it has an elastic waist, so I won't really miss this one.
#7 Coldwater Creek skirt: New skirt I got this winter from Coldwater Creek. PXS. It fits very well. I bought it with the raglan sleve sweater I wore last Friday (for those of you who looked at my what I wore post), but the top is to volumious to go well with the skirt.
#8 black skirt with small floral print: I've had this one for about as long as I can remember, since 8th grade I think, so about 8 years. It's a Jaclyn Smith size 3 and fits fine.
#9 black skirt with large floral patter: A high school friend gave it to me when she outgrew it. Another Jaclyn Smith, size 6 and too big.
#10 long black straight skrit: Katie Lee size small, fits pretty well.
#11 black tiered skirt: J.C.Penney purchase from a few years back, size small. Fits fine.
#12 black uneven hem skirt: Thrift store buy, size Medium. Fits OK but not great. Elastic waist.
#13 Black hankerchief hem skirt: Khols kids department size XL. I could have gotten a large because it's just a little big. I have one top that I love this skirt with, but it doesn't seem to go with anything else.
#14 short blue pencil skirt: Wal-Mart size 4. My absolute favorite skirt. It's too big and needs to be taken in though. In the past I've just covered it up with a long top.
#15 Long blue skirt: Old skirt from Walmart, size 6. Big, boxy, and generaly unflatering.
#16 a-line grey skirt: This one actually fits. It's a 6 petie.
#17 Straight grey skirt: Size 6, Walmart skirt.
#18 Short green skirt: Old Walmart skirt I hemmed last year. Size 6, a little big.
#19 Long green skirt: Old Walmart skirt. Size 6. Very worn.
#20 khaki skit from Chadwicks: Sive 4. Fits in the waist, but I never wear it because it wrinkles like crazy.
#21 Khaki skirt with flowers at hem: same as #17.
#22 Khaki skirt: same as #15, but not so worn out.
#23 Closeup of #18

shiny

Veteran

Sarah, what are your waist and hip measurements?

Maya

Veteran

Ooh Shiny, I just thought of it now: I think you and Sarah have similar waist/hip measurements. You might be a good fashion role model!

Nicole

Veteran

The one thing I noticed is that the best fitting skirt (according to your last post) is a junior size. (That was #8, the black skirt you've had since 8th grade). I think all the skirts are too wide for you. They poof out at the hip and are not working. I am also not keen on the big patch pockets on the green on you shortened yourself. I think the khaki one has the same big pockets.

Junior clothes are cheap. I think you should take one months budget (you said it was $50 right?) and hit the junior stores at your local mall. For $50, you can probably get 2 maybe 3 skirts--more if you shop clearance. Focus only on skirts. Personally, my favorite length on you was the blue #14. Some of girls liked you in skirts a little below the knee. So why don't you measure those skirts that fall just above, at and just below your knee. That way when you're shopping and tempted to buy that long flowing skirt, you'll catch yourself.

Sarah

Ok, now that I've posted that really long coment without my computer crashing or anthing I'll answer other comments. Please forgive my spelling. Microsoft Word has crashed on my computer and I always use it's spell check, but I can't now. My husband (who is the all-wise computer man) looked at it and said we need to start saving to get me a new laptop.

Yes Nicole, as usual for me most everything is too big. Thanks for the suggestions on skirts to have altered. That's just the kind of advice I'm looking for. Thanks for mentioning the patch pockets; I wasn't sure if I could get away with that or not; they will go on the "to give away" pile. And thanks so much for saying I have a great figure. I'm flattered. I'm learning that what I was taught to call "tight" when I was growing up is acutally just "fitted" and that it looks great, not sleezy. I posted all the sizes just for you. *points to comment above* But no, I haven't doen any skirt shopping recently. I thought skirts were the last thing I needed with all the skirts I have. Now I can weed out the bad ones and get some new skirts.

Nancy, yes I can wear more stylish skirts at school now. My school's dress code is basically "dress modestly" and the meaning of modest is left up to the students not defined in minute details for us like it was in high school. My budget makes things a little trickier though. I can't just go out and buy 10 new skirts at $60-100 a piece. I do have an a-line denim skirt and pencil denim skirt on my shopping list though. What other basics do I need?

Maya, I really did expect to hear that the floor length ones need to go. I'll probably keep 3 or so of them, because I love some of them and so does my husband. I think he likes them so much because they were what I was wearing when we first meant. I think the only reason the pleated one is pretty is that it actually fits me. I might keep it, but I probably won't wear it much. I like the grey wool one and probably will hem it.

Becky, another vote for the black straight skirt. I'll have to get it hemmed. You're right; it will be versatile that way. It's not so big because it has an elastic waist. Yep, the shopping list is growing.

Ana, I think I've found my knee lenght. Thank you. How is the blue pencil skirt length-wise? It's a bit shorter than the rest, but I think it makes my legs look long. Actually a friend told me I looked tall when I wore it Monday. Is that good?

Tanya, I actualy looked at that skirt when I was at BR Saturday. Unfortuantely they only had them in size 14 and up. I'll keep my eye out for new skrits though. I'm definitely a skirt girl.

Sarah

Wow, more comments came while I was posting. Thank you everyone for such fast and informative responces. My waist is 26" and my hips 33.5", Shiny. I think you are quite a bitmore hourglassy than me, but you and Tanya are both fashion role-models for me. Thanks Nicole. I will definitely shop in the juniors department for skirts.

shiny

Veteran

Sarah, my waist is 26 and my hips are 33!

My measurements:

- 5'0"
- bust: 33 .. I wear a 34B bra
- waist, skinniest part - which is just a little below my rib cage: 26 (25 on a good day)
- at belly button - about 30 inches
- at top of hip bone, which is only 1 inch below my belly button - 31 inches (I think my belly button slid downwards after children)
- at widest part of my hip - which includes a bit of butt, and is maybe just one inch from the above measurement: 33
- thighs: 17-18 (depends on how much running I've been doing - 18 if I've been running a lot)
- calves: 13
- inseam: a paltry 27 inches. But that's not what I get my pants hemmed at. I can just barely pull off a 31 inch hem if I wear 2 inch heels and don't mind the bottoms getting a bit dirty.

You look a lot taller and thinner than me though, and definetly not as squishy and saggy (since I'm 42 and have had two children).

Back to skirts....

I love skirts because the right skirt can give me the illusion of hips. Even though I'm an hourglass - I have it in my head that a pear shape is more feminine so I'm always wanting just a bit more in the hips than I have. Also, as you've discovered already, the size charts assume someone with our waist size has larger hips.

The problem is, you can't simply buy a skirt (or pant) with larger hips and hope it gives you the illusion of more. It won't. It'll just make you look like your clothes are too big for you.

If you want to invest in some new skirts, get over to ATLoft. I have *great* luck there. I'm a 0p. Look for A-line skirts. They go on sale frequently, so check the sales rack or online clearance section.

Also get yourself over to H&M!!!! You can get skirts there for not much money at all. They are sized more like juniors. Tanya's pink and white skirt - I have it in grey and white and it is the most flattering skirt, and very very comfy too.

As for alterations, see if you can find a tailor who will alter a few of your skirts. Skirts are the easiest things to work with (I know how to sew, but I hate it). Price it out and see if it's cost-effective. Maybe you can get a good deal. I would only alter the skirts that have the best fabrics and have little wear.

I once had an Ann Klein suit - this was years ago - it was one of the first suits I bought after I had my babies. Gorgeous suit. Then I lost the baby weight. It was about three sizes too big, but the fabric was just so wonderful. I took it to a tailor - can't remember how much I paid. But the tailor worked magic on it. So this can definetly be done. Just price it out - you may find you can buy a new ATLoft or H&M skirt for cheaper. Or you may find that some of these skirts are worth the price of altering. It's hard to say by the photos. I'd have to touch and feel the fabric to be able to judge which are worth it.

Problem with junior skirts is that they do assume your waist is slimmer with that hip size. I don't have as much luck there - if you don't count H&M.

shiny

Veteran

Oops... I mistyped... I take a 2p in ATL skirts. I am a 0p in their pants, but I like my skirts just a little looser. Sarah, you could probably take either a 0p or a 2p.

Sarah

Wow Shiny, I'm amased that our messurements are so similar! Here are mine.

Height: 5'2"
Shoulders: 38"
Bust: 31-32" according to my fitting at Nordstrom I'm a 30C, but I can wear some 32Bs as well. Even though I'm a C cup I have a "concave sternum" that makes me look 2 cup sizes smaller than I really am.
Waist: also right bellow my ribcage, 25.5-26" (depending on the time of day)
At the belly botton: 27-28" (again depending on the time of day and how much I've eaten)
My "fat spot": 2 1/2 inches bellow the belly botton 31-32"
Hips: widest part, at hipbone, 33-33.5"
Thighs 18"
Caves 13"
Inseam 29" with no shoes
So basically we have the same figure, except I have two more inches of heigh in the legs and you have two more inches in the bust.

I wish I could get back the figure I had when I got married (almost 2 years ago). For some reason I got a great hourglass figure for a few months around the time of my wedding and then lost a bunch of weight and have had a hard time getting back my figure. Back then I had bust-34, waist-25, hips-35-36. I'd really like to get back to that, but when I gain weight it all goes to my stomach and then takes its sweet time redistributing. Back in high school I was more like 32-26-36.

Anyway, back on topic with the skirts... I'll be sure to look for skirts at ATL as well as various junior departments. I really wish we had an H&M in Missouri, but we don't; I'm so jealous. As far as the alterations go, I sew a little and my mom sews a lot. I'm taking everything to her. The things she can't fix for free I will take to someone else. I know I can do hemming. I just need her to pin them to the right length for me first.

shiny

Veteran

If you sew, you may be able to do this yourself. If the waistband isn't involved, it can be easier than doing a hem.

Try the skirt on inside out. Then while you're in it, have someone pin it along both sides so it fits your hips perfectly. The waistband may have to come off and also be taken in at the side seams. If the waistband fits well, then you may not have to do this. You may be able to get away with a simple seam on either side of the hip that narrows out the skirt and makes the sides straighter, following the form of your own hip, and all the way down to the hemline.

Don't be surprised if you find you're taking off a good 2 inches on either side!!! I suspect with many of these skirts, that will be the case. If they were designed for a woman with 36 inch hips and yours are 33, then 1.5 inches on each side will have to come off.

I would then sew it loosely - even by hand - and try it back on to see how it looks, before sewing with a sewing machine and cutting the excess fabric away. You'll want to finish the raw edges so they don't unravel (use a zig zag seam or cut with pinking shears). And iron the seams flat - use steam.

If any of these skirts have zippers in the back or front, do the zippers lay flat? Or do they bunch up a bit? If the skirt is a regular and you're a petite, the zippers may be too long for you, and they will have a tendency to bunch and not lay flat. This will become much more noticeable if you take in the side seams. You could replace the zippers with shorter ones, but then you're getting into more major surgery.

Me? I have a box full of skirts that fit me at a higher weight, and I'm not going to alter them because I figure within the next 10 years menopause is going to hit me and I'll be glad I held on to the larger sized skirts.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have decided to interject.

I encourage you to think twice about wasting your time and your mothers time with ANY skirt alteration, Sarah. The skirts are unsalvageable. Box the long styles for sentimental reasons and start afresh with your skirt look. It’s better to have 2 fabulous skirts than 20 unflattering ones. In time, you will feel so much better about this decision. Promise!

shell

i think the only skirt that you could really make work is the red wool pleated skirt. however, the only way i'd wear it would be to pair it with some sort of blouse and a chic belt that hits you right were the skirt starts. it would enhance your figure and look very 50's retro chic! it might look a little uniform-ish now, but once you pair it with the right accessories, it could take on a whole different persona!

Sarah

Angie, my main problem right now is that I wear skirts just about every day in the spring and summer. That's hard to do if you only have two skirts. On the other hand, it's also hard to do if I have 20 skirts that I know look awful. I guess I forgot to mention that one rule my school is still hanging on to is that girls have to wear skirts/dresses when the weather is nice (between spring break and summer, and then until Thanksgiving break in the fall). Everyone keeps hoping they will change that. There is no reason that we should only be allowed to wear pants in the winter and jeans on Friday, but the powers that be haven't changed that rule yet.

Thanks for the idea on how to wear that red wook skirt, Shell! It fits so well that I was hoping there was a fun way to wear it. I love the retro chic idea, and I'll have to play around with it.