Pencil it in: What I wore to see my accountant - YouLookFab Forum

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Pencil it in: What I wore to see my accountant

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have a new Old Navy denim pencil skirt. It's not really up for review, because it cost me all of $6, so I am keeping it. I've been in the market for one for a LONG time, and even if it is not ruled perfection, it is good for now.

The skirt is actually a wee bit big, so it sits on my high hip rather than my true waist, and that means it is just below knee length. I actually quite like the length for modesty. There's stretch in the skirt and a slit in the back, so it's comfortable.

My actual question is, can I get away with this length with flats? I have short legs (as you know...duh...) and well...I worry. I could tuck my tops if that seemed sensible; I AM a happy tucker. But since the skirt doesn't sit at the waist I'm not sure that would lengthen the leg line all that much. I could also wear a more tonal top. I just put this on as the highest contrast I'd probably try.

Today I wore outfit 2 with my Doc Saras to see my accountant. Sort of weird to wear weathered denim to that kind of appointment, but it turned out he wasn't dress up too much either.

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Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Anonymous

OMG that pencil skirt is perfect on you! I love the slightly midi length, very flattering! And I love the belt-over-the-untucked-top for this situation. I have a lot of skirts that are low riders and you're right, tucking with them doesn't improve the legline all that much. This is great with the red and faded denim jackets, but I LOVE the red with the red belt. When it warms up, can you wear your yellow sandals/shoes (I can't remember) with this as well? They will read as a nude for you. That striped boat neck is perfection on you! Those booties are divine as well!

Also, is that skirt on current offer at ON? I just tried on some of their denim skirts and they were all terribly short on me. This one looks more promising though.

ETA; I forgot to answer your "actual question", I was so excited. Sorry! I would wear flats with this length, as long as they are nude or low-vamped. Try some and let us see!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I completely agree with Claire - this denim skirt is gorgeous on you Suz! I love the slim fit and the length. With your Report booties, you look long and lean. I love the striped and belted top over the skirt - the belt shows where your waist is and lengthens your leg line in my opinion. I adore the skirt with the red jacket nad belt.

As for flats, you can definitely wear them with this skirt - I would just go for a lower contrast that's all.

Tanya

Veteran

Beautiful outfits Suz! Especially like the one with the red belt and cropped denim jacket, pure perfection. I love the fit of the skirt of you, very flattering.

I agree that nude/low contrast flats should work well with the skirt. Another option that you might be more comfortable with would be one of those mini-wedges, usually they are only about 1" tall, look like flats but give some extra lift.

Anonymous

This is the exact way that my denim pencil skirt fits, but I like the length. I wear mine with flats but don't think I've any pictures. Your styling is inspiring and may be my outfit for tomorrow :o)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claire, alas - I had to pass along those yellow shoes. They simply did not fit right. I'm sad, but it made sense to let them go to a better home. And chalk it up to impulse purchasing. I bought on the recommendation of another client in the store who kept raving about how comfortable they were for her. So that was a mistaken $50 purchase. However, I took them to consignment and will surely get something back for them. (So I can go buy me some more fuchsia suits, heh heh...)

I got the skirt on the clearance rack at ON, Claire. The current denim skirts ARE short; this one was a bit different. But I did see it on line. Hmmm. I just checked again; it isn't on the US site, and the one in the dark wash is no longer available in Canada, either. But here is what it looks like in a lighter wash: http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/br.....pid=114025

You could maybe call and see if that item is available anywhere. Obviously I paid less than the sale price listed here.

So Shannon, you think the red shoes are not okay with the skirt, then? I do have lower contrast sandals, so that might work. And I'm really hoping to find a nice low contrast wedge sandal for summer, so maybe I won't actually need flats with the skirt anyway.

Sarah A

Veteran

i am not any critical help, just a cheerleader here and i took some snapshots of images #2 and #6 to copycat you in the maryk challenge. i do think i prefer the nude shoes slightly but the red are fun too... just not quite as leg lengthening... like i said, no help!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love it all, Suz! This length skirt is stellar and looks great with flats and heels. You created a longer leg line with the flats by wearing a belt (tucking in your top will have the same effect).

You look as fresh and as pretty as a Spring daisy

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Not to worry Suz - the red flats look great. I just noted your comment about leg line and that a nude flat would provide more of that feature. I personally love the red flats with the red belt.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay, thanks, Shannon. I DO think a wedge will be better, for sure. I just wish those calves were a couple of inches longer. I REALLY look better in heels. Like, really.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I think you can wear this with flats - I really like #2 and bet your accountant did too I agree about the wedge idea, though. Sometimes it helps to have just a little lift.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Great length, and the belt totally solves that pesky leg problem (I know it well). Congrats on finding your denim skirt at long last!

MsMary

Veteran

LOVE!! Perfection in every way!

christieanne

Veteran

Both stylings look terrific although #2 with the denim jacket and belted top is my favorite. Isn't it great to find something that offers so many options and at a ridiculous steal of a price? Hurray for clearance finds on basics!

celia

Veteran

Lucky accountant.
I do understand your misgivings about the skirt because my denim pencil skirt does exactly the same(feels a little to big, sits a bit low, etc). However it looks fabulous in every way you styled it. I don't think that your legs seem short in this but a nude flat would create a longer leg line illusion.
Also in the long leg line subject , the place you mark your waist(as you did with the red belt) will be the place that the leg line seems to start with a skirt.
And, by the way, you look perfect in everything.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I am so jealous of how great you look in your denim skirt. Love it and the mix with stripes is super cute.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

RU Kidding? That skirt is a 10 for sure! Your clothing portfolio has already appreciated with that $6 find, it would make any accountant proud.

(BTW I like it both ways, with booties and flats.)

Beth Ann

Veteran

My favorite is #1 Suz, and, while I love it with the booties, I think the length of the skirt will work fine with flats as long as you keep the proportions in check with the tops and belts. Great find!

nancylee

Veteran

Fab. Fab. Fab. Suz, I love every look. Nicely done! Your creativity and willingness to experiment and have fun with fashion are truly inspiring.

sarah

Veteran

Gorgeous, Suz. What a find! I love it with both the booties and the flats. 2 and 6 are fantabulous! You are always so lovely.

catgirl

Veteran

You're a knockout in this skirt! Why did you think it would get panned here?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, everyone!

Una, I didn't think it would get panned, but did wonder if some might be concerned about the waist fit. It's supposed to fit on the actual waist (I think) and it supposed to hit above the knee, but on me it obviously doesn't do that. I thought it worked okay as is, but you know how sometimes we're clueless about ourselves? It COULD have been one of those times, LOL!

Also, if it stretches out I'll be in trouble. But I wore it today and it seemed to hang in for the entire day without a lot of stretching, so that's a good sign.

I did feel very well rewarded in my shopping last weekend. Friday was the $20 fuchsia suit and Saturday was the denim pencil skirt I've been looking for, oh, only for an entire YEAR. At a mere $6.

That day I was officially shopping for my daughter. She hates clothes shopping so it was a bit of an ordeal until I found something for myself. Ha!

Fruitful

Veteran

Suz, I'm late but I love denim pencil skirts and this one is a beauty! You look amazing in it, I adore all the looks you posted, a bit of 80s nautical flair yet totally up to date with the booties and your hair.

FWIW I think your calves are amazing. I know this is not your intent but you make me want to get much fitter and fabulous like you!

The skirt is sooo gorgeous and flattering with the booties, and surprisingly good with the flats despite your concerns about calf length. I'm reminded about Ines' advice not to be afraid of flats. I know she has the legs of a gazelle, but her advice that these are a simple and elegant option rings true in your case too.

Oh yeah, I empathise with searching for a year! I retired my denim pencil skirt at least a year ago and haven't found an appropriate replacement yet! $6! The shopping gods are with you ^_^

Deborah

Veteran

Suz I think the skirt is perfection! Outfit is gorgeous and the red accents are fab. I think a flat shoe is fine here. Proportions look good. If the skirt were longer a flat shoe could look a bit daggy, but this looks chic.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Suz, what a great find! You look perfect in each of these outfits, and I really love the red flats and belt solution.

You know, looking at where you've belted, I rather wonder if you actually have an ideally positioned (halfway down your body) waist and it is only your longer rise that actually interferes with *apparent* leg length? Meaning skirts should typically, er, skirt that problem, and it's only with pants you'd need to be firm with proportions...?

Also: Like Fruitful, I eyed your calves and admired... and told myself: must. walk. more!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, another great buy here. I love how you have styled it too.
About the flats: coming form a gal with short muscular legs, absolutely yes. Be careful that the flats in question are low vamp, and you're in business. Play around. I love pencil skirts with flats for myself. It has a little European touch. And a little effortless too. However I do find lots of comfortable skimmers are too round, too bulky for the look. Ballet flats are great, with a little support.

I so share your concern of stumpiness (although I think you shouldn't worry at all, but I know what you mean, same here).

So I will go ahead and give you this little trick for wearing skirts + flats with elegance... I strongly believe garments should adapt to one's body, and not the body to the garment. However sometimes, some styles will bring attention to a part of our body that we find less proportionate, for all kind of reasons, if not just for how we have been raised, for our sense of aesthetics, etc. For me, my legs were the thing. I so wanted to wear skirts, yet hated how my legs looked in them, more specifically: calves which I felt were too bulky, and the inner knee /inner thigh area which also tended to protrude, or sag, or flab in a way that didn't please me. Because I am coquette, and stubborn, after looking for a long time I finally found an exercise which took care of those both areas in one. It was like discovering the Graal. From that day on I didn't need to wear heels when wearing skirts, a big plus in my life.

So pardon my long introduction, due to the fact I so much hesitate to advise an exercise here. But here goes.

This is an exercise from the Callanetics method. Add it to your workout routine.

Find a sturdy chair with legs (What? Some futuristic ones don't have them...).
Sit in front of it, bare footed or with socks.
With your feet, grab each outer side of the chair's front legs.
At approx. 10 cm from the ground.
Lengthen your legs.
Don't lock the knees.
Point feet.
You are sitting on your coxis, pelvis curled.
Now squeeze the legs inward for one full minute, as strongly as you possibly can.
If you don't have a stop watch, count to 100.
Relax.
Repeat 2 more times.

This exercise is shown in this segment, at 13:58
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid.....s-05_sport

Although called "Inner Thigh Squeeze" , it acts on the whole legs, specifically calves. It makes your leg lithe.

I have tried it with the ball, but somehow it doesn't have the same powerful effect on the calves. Maybe because of the softer nature of the ball.

catgirl

Veteran

This should get you a tax break! I LOVE outfit 2. I actually like it better than the red jacket, even - surprising. I just feel like it coheres. You are such a gorgeous gal!

As far as pulling down on the hips, I do that all the time with everything I own, depending on my hourly weight, mood, and outfit.

Jem

Veteran

I love your skirt! And, I think the fit looks good. That was an amazing find! (as was your fuschia suit)

rachylou

Veteran

I think the flats are better than the boots actually, but both work fine really.