Full pleated floral skirt: Worth keeping?

Now that it's warm, I'm realizing that all the summery clothes I've been so excited to wear may not be so great, especially some of the things I've been carrying over for a few years now. Case in point is what I'm wearing today: this floral skirt from Anthropologie a few years back.

Is this worth keeping? I love the pattern and the swinginess, but am reconsidering how flattering the cut is, especially since the pleating just adds extra bulk. I'm also not sure how current it looks. I did try to style it in a slightly more current way today with new d'orsay flats and a pattern mix with the belt (usually it's with cork or wood wedge sandals, and sometimes even a raffia belt, for more of a half-baked vintage vacation feel), but I'm not sure that helps. Time to let it go? Or anyone have any suggestions for better ways to style it?

Thanks!

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9 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

It looks updated enough to me, but I'm not at all trendy. Do you still like it, or are you wanting to get rid of it?

crutcher

I like the pattern in the skirt...How would it look with a white tee, jean jacket?...or (shop your closed) a vest and a white shirt?...I think something light on top would balance the dark skirt and then add a 3 piece...Try these and see if either look is what you like...
Maybe you are just ready to say so long...

lyn*

(website)

I like Crutcher's idea of a white top; I think it needs to be brightened up a little bit for spring - even a wide-strapped tank top in a pretty saturated jewel tone would sound lovely with your d'orsay flats!

Thistle

I think the skirt looks fine. Not sure about the dark top in spring (would be ideal paired in a cooler month with the dark top and dark tights!)

Is there another color in the skirt that you could pick up with a top?

Dee

I think the fact the skirt is a little longer/knee-length balances out the volume. It might not be the most trendy piece but I wouldn't say it's outdated. I like the way you've styled it but others had some great suggestions too.

rabbit

I like light airy skirts like this a lot and the length looks good on you. The d'orsay flats are great with it. I would maybe try it with a more oversized/looser top, maybe something longer or with a welt bottom rather than a belt, and experiment with several different colors as well as I bet it has a lot of color versatility.

Aubergine

Thanks, everyone! I definitely appreciate the suggestions and feedback.

Alasse, I was sort of on the fence about it. One of those things where I was hoping for help either seeing it with fresh eyes (what I got this time -- yay!) or feeling less guilty about tossing it.

I'm wondering whether I was just sick of the way I was wearing it. While I mixed up the accessories a little this time, I've worn it pretty much every.single.time. with a simple fitted tee tucked and belted, then a fitted cardigan on top. So playing around a little more with what I wear on top is a great idea.

I'm particularly excited to try a denim jacket, a light or brighter-colored shirt (I had a red-orange tee I used to wear with it sometimes, which I just purged, but I probably have something else that would work), and a looser top with a banded bottom. If something I can wear untucked works out, that'll be especially nice, because the snug belt around my waist is fine when it's 80-something, but really not appealing when it's hotter than that.

And, Thistle, for some reason I had this boxed in something that works only for summery weather, but there's really no reason I can't wear it with tights when it's cooler. So thanks for the idea!

Oh, and I couldn't see when I was posting from my phone earlier, but I somehow managed to make both pictures blurry, so they don't really show the pattern accurately. Here's a slightly truer picture from last year (with the purged red-orange shirt, actually). The pattern isn't super-crisp or anything, but the effect is kind of more crayon than watercolor.

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Sara L.

I like the skirt and I like the idea of pairing it with something lighter. I hope it works out for you and I look forward to seeing it again.

Jaime

I like the skirt and would like to see it with something tucked out with a welt like Rabbit suggested. Still you look good as is and I love your new flats!

Gigi

I guess I will be the odd one out here and say that I don't care for the cut of the skirt. The pattern and fabric are beautiful, but I feel like the cut is a bit frumpy.

I looked back in some of your old WIWs, and the skirts that you usually wear are generally straighter cut. The one pleated skirt that I saw was your new AT (or Loft?) one, with the black pleats, but those pleats are quite crisp and create a vertical line for you, which helps emphasize the vertical line. I feel like the floral skirt here has a more "fluffy" type of pleat, which does add extra bulk and emphasizes your high waist (I am high-waisted too and am very sensitive to how my clothing interacts with it). Sorry! I just think that the outfits that you usually post are much more fab.

unfrumped

I'm with Gigi. I would consider this a Declining Use Item! I don't think this skirt " gets you" in terms of shape and where and how the pleats fall. The print is pretty, so if you need summer- weight items to get through the week and can SYC for some new looks, then of course wear it and think more of phasing it out-- maybe lighter colors and fabrics for summer is a wardrobe hole for you and gradually you would build there. I would not try to build on this skirt itself with new items specifically for it, though. I have the same problem sometimes, trying to shift directions but can't of course do everything at once so have to decide whether an item is a good placeholder or is a roadblock.

krishnidoux

I agree with Gigi and Unfrump. I think you have a lovely shape and this skirt is not doing justice to it by hiding it.

Thanks, Sara and Shevia!

And thanks, Gigi, Unfrumped, and Krishnidoux -- I always appreciate hearing both sides! I do see some of what you guys see.

Gigi, that's a good point about the high waist. And I hadn't really thought about it, but I have been going for more straight skirts lately. I did full skirts more a few years ago, especially in the summer, partially because I just assumed they were flattering for someone with hips, but the new ones I'm buying aren't so much.

And, Unfrumped, I think you're right that it probably makes more sense to see what I have that I might like with this skirt than buy something specifically to go with it.

Zibbets

I like it but all those pleats do add bulk. I think something straighter will flatter more.

dustt

I think I would love it if you went with one of the lightest collors in the skirt - a lighter belt and some nude shoes for spring/summer!!

Ornella

Something is off to my eye but I don't know what. I'm no help I guess. Maybe proportion? You have short waist and maybe wearing something that brings the top part of the outfit visually lower, e.g. top/cardigan(shorter than the one you're wearing in the second photo) of the hipbone, could be worth trying?

All good ideas here!

Ornella, trying a top that makes my waist look a little lower definitely sounds smart.

Dustt, you reminded me that I've gotten a bunch of comments suggesting that I should try more lighter colors, especially for warm weather. Maybe I really need to start taking the hints! I did find a few older white tees in the bottom of a drawer recently and bought a cream cowl-neck shell, so maybe there's hope.

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