Halogen Pencil Skirt: Sizing? (Update)

Ana

Hi everyone!

Okay, I'm very interested in this pencil skirt. It's the Halogen Stretch Cotton Blend:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0

Does anyone know anything about the sizing on this one? The reviews say it runs small compared to the seamed pencil skirt, but I think I remember that one running big?

Any information/reviews would be really helpful. Thank you!

11 years ago

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I have the denim version of this skirt:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....rt/3295803

The reviews on this one *and* on the cotton version say they run small, compared to the popular Halogen seamed pencil skirt. I usually wear a size 8-10 in most things, and a lot of my skirts are a size 8. I trusted the reviews re: sizing on these, and ordered a size 10. It fit perfectly. Keep in mind though, I'm battling some extra pounds that weren't there last year. I'm up about 5-7 pounds these days, so it might be that this particular skirt is actually true to size, whereas perhaps the seamed pencil skirt runs large.

I know it's a hassle, but if I were in your shoes - I'd order my regular size and maybe one size up, and just return the one that doesn't fit. I haven't yet returned things to Nordstrom via parcel, but I think they include a label and so on, making it relatively 'easy' to return if you don't have a store nearby. In addition, based on something I heard from Marianna (I think), I asked at my local Nordstrom Rack if I could return Nordstrom orders there, and they said it would be fine to return there. The Rack store is a five minute drive from me, whereas the regular Nordstrom store is half an hour away.

If you have to ship something back - most UPS stores are open on Saturdays, and since they send you a return label, it's just a matter of dropping the parcel off.

I'm betting that these skirts (the stretch denim pencil skirt and the stretch cotton blend as you mentioned) are more 'true to size' than running small. Just that if you need a skirt for your upcoming travel, you might consider ordering two sizes to make sure that you get one that fits in time.

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, VC! I really appreciate the info.

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I have a whole bunch of 'em on order and I will report back as soon as they arrive!

11 years ago

Isis

Veteran

Since the popular Halogen seamed skirt runs big , this skirt may run TTS, and not actually small.

Since returns are free, I'd order a couple sizes to test....

11 years ago

Anonymous

I've been eyeing this skirt. I'm looking forward to the reviews. Sorry I can't be of help:(

11 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I ordered the turquoise one in a regular 6 a while back, because at the time the color wasn't available in the petite 6. I had to have it taken in a bit, but my measurements are exactly what the petite size 6 says on the size chart and the regular measures 1/2 inch larger (I just really wanted that color!). I would say it runs true to size if you go by the measurements on the size chart. I just ordered the red in petite 6, maybe I won't need alterations on that one. Either way, I'm happy to get a bright red skirt, so thanks for the link on this!

11 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Ana, I don't have any experience with this Halogen skirt, the cotton version, but the two I do own did run a bit large for me andI had to size down. I think VC has given you some really good advice to order both your regular size and one size larger. The one you've shown here is a really cute-looking skirt. What color(s) are turning your head at the moment?

11 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm curious about what colour(s) you're thinking of too Ana - I liked the denim version of this skirt so much that I am contemplating trying one of the stretch cotton blend styles as well.

11 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

p.s. Are you ordering a regular or petite as their lengths are different.

11 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

I needed to size up in the cotton skirt relative to the Halogen pencil skirt. My regular size didn't work for me. I'm still waiting on the larger petite size to see if it fits.

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for all the replies, everyone!

MaryK, thank you! I would love to hear your review once they arrive.

Milehighstyle, woohoo! Maybe we will be skirt twins. Thanks for the info on the sizing.

Vicky and VC, I am looking at the Black and the Red Lava colors. I think I am going with the regular length since it seems to run a little shorter. If the regular size is too long, I might try petite so I can avoid having to get the skirts hemmed.

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Okay, they arrived. I take a 2P in the knit seamed pencil skirt, and in this skirt the 4P was the one that fit. It's also cut bigger in the bootie and slimmer in the thighs than the seamed skirt. My bootie can barely fill it out! And yes, it runs a little shorter. The regular size was just above the knee on me and I'm only 5'2".

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much for all the responses to this and my other pencil skirt thread! I drove to the mall that has the Nordstrom here and I looked at the J. Crew pencil skirts and both the seamed and stretch cotton pencil skirts by Halogen. I decided I only want to buy one skirt, since it's not something I will be wearing in a daily basis. I went with the black seamed skirt:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....wordsearch

Mainly because it draped really nicely, and I remember Rita (modgrl) saying that it didn't wrinkle. Since I will be wearing it for two days in a row during the conference, the non-wrinkling part became really important. It also fit perfectly, except for length, so they are taking 2" off the bottom.

MaryK, I'm sorry I just saw your response! Thank you!

I found the Halogen stretch cotton blend pencil skirt to fit TTS, although if you are very hourglassy or pear shaped, you might want to size up and have the waist nipped in. My regular size fit me okay, but it did pull just a tiny bit across the front (I'm hourglass/inverted triangle). It sounds like MaryK had this same issue. Anyway, hope that helps! It's a beautiful skirt, nice fabric. The red skirt was *awesome.* Very bright and bold!

11 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Congrats on getting your skirt Ana! I think you made an excellent choice. Looking forward to seeing outfits with it

11 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thank you for this follow-up, and I'm glad you found a workhorse type skirt for your upcoming travels. What did you think of the Halogen Seamed pencil skirt in terms of sizing? Is it really sized a bit larger than usual? I still don't have one of these, but they are definitely on my 'list'.

Sounds like you made a good decision, going with the black seamed pencil skirt, given that you want maximum wear-ability and versatility, not to mention the wrinkling/ironing aspect. I'm betting you'll get a ton of wear out of the black seamed pencil skirt come fall and winter, while still being able to make good use of it during this next trip.

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Tanya and VC!

VC, the seamed pencil skirt definitely runs one size large. I bought one size smaller than my "regular" size at places like J. Crew, Ann Taylor and BR. It fit perfectly everywhere but length! The darts in the back laid really nice and flat, even when I moved around and it felt really comfortable to sit in. It's a great skirt. I'd definitely pick one up. They are on sale right now, too.

11 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Sounds like a *fab* skirt! I shouldn't be surprised, given that there are a lot of YLF'ers who have this amazing seamed pencil skirt. Will definitely put it on my fall shopping list.

In the meantime though, you have something 'good' that'll work for this upcoming trip, and will also work beautifully during the fall/winter months.

11 years ago

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