K/R - navy wool skirt from COS

I saw this skirt online a few days ago and went to the store today to try it on. It's a wool blend and the fabric is lovely, thin but with a nice drape. It's lined. Normally COS runs true to size for me, but I had to size up because my usual size was too tight around the hips and pulling. I wasn't sure about the fit on this one, so I thought I would take it home with me and ask you.

I think it looks great in the pictures, but it's definitely too wide in the waist. If I pull it down a bit so that it sits on my hips it works, but I fear that it's going to ride up and turn around while walking because it doesn't fit as it should.

What do you think about the style? Can you see me getting use out of it? I think I'd have to alter the waist if I kept it. I'm not sure it's worth the bother, although I like it.

So, keep or return?

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

11 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Well, the fit looks great, and the length is perfect. I would wear this skirt all the time. As for whether it's worth getting altered - how expensive is the skirt? How many other a-line skirts do you have? And how likely are you to need the waist taken in on other a-lines?

Astrid

Thanks! It was 60€. I have one green midi a line skirt I can wear in fall/winter, and a black full skirt in a similar length to this one. As for the waist, I have this problem with many a line or pencil skirts, but not all. I mostly avoid the issue and just buy fuller skirts.

Thistle

What would be the cost of the alteration? Would the alteration otherwise change the fit of the skirt (you said you were wearing it down on you hips)?

Suz

(website)

It's a lovely skirt, Astrid, and seems to fit well with your style. But I worry about that waist issue. I have had that problem (and needed to wear at my hip) but then found the skirt drove me batty by always twisting about when I walked. So I think it would need the alteration. If you have an alterationist who can do it reasonably and you factor that in to the price, you could keep. I know navy can be hard to find and it is a very good neutral for you.

jayne

It looks great. I say keep. i have a few skirts that have the waist too big and they ride on my hips. They never ride up though, gravity keeps them i place. Although if this is stiff Iguess it could happen but it looks soft

Thistle, I'm not sure. I had once the waist of a denim skirt taken in and it cost about 15€, but I think this one would be more expensive because it is lined. The fit should be similar, maybe it will end up just a tad shorter. They just use the darts that already are in the back to take the top part in and shorten the waistband a bit.

Suz, that's what I feared. I also had this issue with a different skirt (purged long ago) and it was getting on my nerves every time I wore it. I worry that this one would end up a wardrobe orphan if that happens again. But I agree that the color and style are lovely. I really like navy as a neutral. Maybe I should go fabric hunting for something similar and then use that one pattern I have still around and just bring this one back?

Thanks Jayne. It is really soft, but I already felt like it was riding up just in the few minutes it took to take the pics. It's also not heavy, very lightweight.

Maybe I've just found the navy cotton parka I was searching for for such a long time! If that works out (I will have a look next week) I'm definitely returning the skirt - I need a lightweight non denim jacket way more than another skirt. Just saying.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER when you have the waistband altered to fit.

I love this skirt on you, Astrid!

Thanks for chiming in Angie! Now I'm undecided again... I think I'm going to ask how much alterations would be and decide then.

That sounds like a good plan.

I have the opposite problem: the waist is usually too small. I am getting so frustrated by it that I am very seriously considering taking up sewing again. Like I just ordered a bunch of patterns...

The skirt is wonderful in and of itself, and navy seems to really like you.

texstyle

I like it in general Astrid but I know alterations can add up, and sometimes I've found they don't pay off. This is a rather basic skirt style though and it doesn't seem like you'd have a hard time finding a perfect one like it. Have you looked? I'm on the fence.

Thanks JR! It's funny how different the fit problems can be.

Thanks Texstyle! It sure would be quite expensive if you add the alterations von maybe 20€ up. It is a basic style that's true, but nothing that's easy to find. Most skirts I've seen for a while are pencil skirts that I don't like, a lines aren't as often in the stores. Or they are too short. Or black. I actually try on every skirt I see that I think has potential, because I like to wear them so much.

Scarlet

I am voting alter and keep, Astrid. I really like it and it would work with your style really well.

ETA: very curious about this navy parka, though. Is this the long sought after winter coat???

Diana

I think it looks great, but I suspect you will need to do the waist alteration... the rotating/riding up skirt is super annoying and happens to me way too often, although if you are planning to wear it tucked it may mitigate the problem somewhat depending on the shirt you tuck into it. (A longer, non-slippery shirt usually prevents the rotating because it produces enough friction, although if the skirt is line with something very slippery nothing may fix the problem!)

Thanks Scarlet! I also think it would play well in my closet and fit into my style goals. And unfortunately that parka isn't a winter coat, although I still need one. It's a classic unlined cotton parka in navy. My only warm weather jackets at the moment are denim jackets and they are great with my skirts, but now that I wear more jeans again I really need a non denim alternative. This would be a spring/fall jacket. But I only saw it online, I'm not sure if the fit will work out.

Thanks Diana. It is lined and I fear even tucking might not help much. I think it definitely would need the alteration.

Okay, I've just tried it on one more time and just saw an issue I hadn't noticed before, on one side in the back you can see the lining pulling through the thin wool. It's not because it is too small, but because the fabric doesn't seem to be cut correctly. I don't think I want to risk alterations when they might not solve that problem.

Category