Do you remember this skirt? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you remember this skirt?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Two months ago, I posted about thrifting this brand new maxi INC skirt because I fell in love with the fabric (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....e-purchase). I finally got around to taking the skirt to Wonder Woman to see what she could do.

She also loved the fabric and chose a length on the skirt that would keep the integrity of the pattern. She shortened it from the top so that the band of pattern on the bottom would not be ruined. The skirt has gone from being a maxi to being a gathered almost-midi length skirt. She has done an absolutely beautiful job and the workmanship is incredible.

But...I'm finding the skirt difficult to style and maybe this explains why I don't have more full skirts in my wardrobe. I feel like they make me look HUGE. So here's a few very quick stylings (please ignore the lack of hairstyling and make up) - do any of these work? Do you have any other suggestions? I found my cropped denim jackets did NOT work with the silhouette of this skirt.

The last picture shows just how incredibly bored Dusty Bottom was with the whole thing

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Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

Anonymous

Well you don't look huge....it's just a different silhouette than you are used to!

How does a belted shirt over top look? Or a button down tied?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Great suggestions Ceit - will give those a try too.

Anonymous

Can you tuck in to the waistband too? Or is that out of your comfort zone?

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Dusty Bottom looks utterly worn out by your show, Shannon.

I don't see anything remotely big about you, so please don't even think that. Personally, I like the skirt with a more structured piece on top, like in 3, 6, 8, and 9. I also think the length is great on you. Have you tried belting with the top in 7 or 1/2? Would you find the silhouette more pleasing with some waistline definition?

ETA: I see Ceit beat me to the belting bit.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Ceit - tucking could also work but I find then the "all exposed" skirt really emphasis my high waist with this type of silhouette, if that makes any sense.

DJ - I think you're exactly right in that I need some sort of waist definition. Will try belting a few tops and see how that works. Thanks!

Lyn D.

Veteran

That skirt LOVES the black and cobalt on top!
Looks really good with the slightly shorter (?) jacket in #6.
I agree with Ceit that it is a new silhouette, doesn't read 'huge' at all to me.
I would persevere with this one for sure!

Lyn D.

Veteran

Another thought- do you have any of those waist-banded knit tops Angie mentioned some time ago? Something like the white one in your pics, but with a wider, more fitted band that will sit a fraction higher?

Anonymous

I'm no help. I love the skirt on you and like all your outfits. My favorites are 1/2, 5, 7/8

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I can see where the feeling of huge comes in Shannon: you are slimmer on the bottom than on top and this skirt style hides this. That's why you rock pencil skirts and sheath dresses! However I don't think this skirt is unflattering at all, just a very different style and the pattern, colors and fabric are very beautiful.
My favorite of the looks is 3, 6-10: blazer or vest add structure. I think this is the fool proof styling for this skirt for sure. It may look great with your b / w bomber, I think it is short enough for this skirt.
4 and 5 are my least favorites because tops are too long and boxy but banded top pulled up higher may work as well.
I would say keep experimenting and wear this beautiful skirt while our short summer is still here.
Re. your kitty: the poses these cats can sleep in are totally amazing!

Kristin L

Veteran

I love how you styled the skirt.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh! It's so pretty! (So is Dusty Bottom, by the way...)

I agree with everything Sveta says. I think this is totally wearable and if you style it those ways, you will enjoy it!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think this skirt looks way better in motion. Photographing it 2D won't do it justice.

Peri

Veteran

So pretty...I think you look great.

I personally don't like it with the top in 5, but I see it is someone else's favorite, so that's just opinion. I love all the others, with my favorites being 6 and 9.

And 10 of course!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I am glad to see we don't have the only cat that will sleep on its back! I think the shirt needs a shorter top. Not necessarily tucked but perhaps even a bit shorter than what you have here. I like it best here in #3,#5 and #9. Somehow the white layer makes the top layer look in better proportion. Keep in mind I have been trying to figure out what to wear with a full skirt I want to bring on our trip so I may be projecting!

Jjsloane

Veteran

I like 3, 5 and 9 best. I think your motion photo (2) indicates it is much better IRL than in photo (not that it's bad, just a different silhouette than you normally go with)

nancylee

Veteran

I do remember this skirt, Shannon! Your miracle worker seamstress did a great job altering it. My favs here are 3-7 and 8-9. Like Shevia said, I think the white somehow makes the proportions work better. But I also like the black toppers (jackets).

The skirt doesn't make you look heavy...but it's a different silhouette than you're used to so I can see why you feel not quite yourself. You're doing a good job trying it with lots of combos!

rachylou

Veteran

I love that pic of kitty. The blue top and open knit sweater work well with this skirt. Besides colour, I think it's the neat hems and covered arms. I feel maybe this is a skirt you have to go "proper" with, as opposed to boho or something - which would be tempting because of the pattern.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Lots of wisdom here ladies and fab advice - thank you.

It is a very different silhouette and one I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to embrace. The fit of the skirt is very similar to my citron/lime skirt in this post (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ifferent-1), which I've only worn once so far. And then when you add pattern to the fullness of the skirt, I'm more unsure.

But I will continue to play with it as I really do love the fabric, colours and pattern.

BTW, it does move beautifully IRL and swishes when you walk. I love that!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Are you sure the pattern is you? I'm getting an art history professor vibe. I once had a gorgeous French brocade skirt I found in Ireland. The pattern was to die for, but I never ever wore it. I finally gave it to Jenava

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhkR.....GP6497.JPG

Marley

Veteran

OK - I think I see what you mean Shannon. This style is so different than your norm - and it doesn't show off your curves! I agree with those above who say you need to go with cropped tops and structured tops. And - I wouldn't force it if I were you - if you don't feel good in it, just move on! There are sooooo many styles out there for you to enjoy - and so little time!

Thistle

Veteran

Lots of wisdom and fab advice already. Not much to add on that front, but Dusty Bottom cracks me up! Such a cute fur baby!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Anna - that's an excellent question. And I'm not sure I have a valid answer - lol!

Marley - I definitely feel "curve hidden" in this skirt. I'm working hard to find my waistline again and I'm not entirely sure this does me any favours.

I'm going to play around with some more stylings tomorrow but only with what I already have in my closet. I'm not going to go and buy a top just to go with the skirt. I paid under $10 for the skirt when I thrifted it and $25 to Wonder Woman for her work so its not like I'm out a lot of money if I end up not wearing it.

I used to feel defeated when something like this didn't work out but now I find each time I try something new, it's a great experiment and learning experience. Some of them work, some of them don't. And that's how we find our style, right?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks Thistle! Dusty Bottom has come a long, long way since we adopted him two years ago. He was severely beaten and left to die in a wooden crate when the rescue organization we got him from found him. He was so terrified when we brought him home that he lived underneath a cupboard in our basement for more than two months before he would even let us see him. Now he's just a big ol' cuddle bug with the world's biggest purr.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like 3, 6, 8, and 9 the best. To me, these work marvelously, and I think it's because of the vertical line created by the open vest or jacket.
Thanks for raising this question, because I have some skirts with a similar shape and flow, and I find them the hardest things to style! I think a lightbulb just went on for me by analyzing your photos.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Oh, and I'm short-waisted, too, so tucking tops into a skirt like this gives me the same reaction you expressed in answer to Ceit, about the "all exposed" skirt.

ETA: Here's how I wore one of mine earlier this season (photo).

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lyn67

Veteran

WW did a great job, and a girl has to have some variety! Conclusion: I love this skirt! It's surely has it's place in your wardrobe Shannon! Esp love with the white net-sweatter! But all stylings are great!

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I love the stylings with the cobalt blue and black and think that they work brilliantly! This is such a gorgeous skirt - I suggest keeping it in your closet and trying it a few times to see if you learn to love the silhouette.

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Shannon, yes I do recall this skirt, the fabric is beautiful. While I don't think you look big at all in this, I do question if this is really "you". :). I started to think of Angie's outfit evaluation blog post and wondered how this skirt sits within that framework for you. I do not want to "box" you into a limited style or look, but this skirt (to me) just doesn't quite fit with your current style direction IMVHO. The other side of this is that in 3, 7 and 8 I do think you look really fab, but the skirt makes me think of an earlier YLf Shannon not so much Shannon in her current style evolution. Does any of that make sense??

Vildy

Veteran

I like 5 and 6 the best. To me, in the head on photo, the width of the open white jacket and it's being white so there is a hem demarcation gives more of an entirely wide/boxy/oversize look. Maybe I have a poisoned eye but I don't like this sort of retro print with a traditional-style oversize piece. How does the skirt look with some sort of asymmetrical top or shorter waterfall front top? Or is that too much movement going on at once? If not too much movement, how about a scarf whose ends hang down into the skirt territory?

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