Let me start this review by stating "please be kind to me...there are some extremely UNFLATTERING pics about to be shown". However, in the interest of honesty and full disclosure, I'm taking it on the chin and posting them anyway.

When my hubby said a package from Shabby Apple had arrived I was picturing a box or something of that sort. Instead the skirt was folded to the size of a handkerchief, placed in a plastic bag and sent in a medium size soft sided US Postal service envelope. Hmmmm...not impressed that shipping cost me $39 for that (I'm in Canada), but it's the skirt that's important, right?

The skirt has significant creases from the packaging so please keep this in mind. It also has the "new stiff" fabric feel to it.

The colours jumped out at me and they are as beautiful as on the website. The skirt is 98% cotton with 2% spandex. It's a nice weight cotton - the skirt is unlined (which is fine by me for our hot summers) and the weight of the cotton keeps it from being see through at all. This is a good point. The skirt looks well constructed - good seaming and finishing, seams are all straight, etc.

Now on to the sizing - I had sent the company my measurements because the way they list sizing on their website can be quite confusing. They have what they consider "regular fit" and then there's "generous fit", which means you may want to size down. This skirt fell under the generous fit category. The company emailed me back promptly and thoroughly with the size they recommended for me, and that's what I ordered.

The skirt is listed as "high waisted" - which my black midi pencil skirt is. But this skirt is EXTREMELY high waisted - as in right under the boobs high waisted. The waist actually fits me quite well but looks a bit like it may be too big because of where it sits. The skirt is definitely too wide on me though - shown by pic #1 (as is) and pic #2 (me holding the excess fabric behind my hips). I tried just a couple of quick stylings to give some ideas (a burgundy jacket I bought two years ago and still love, with my burgundy suede Mary Janes; with an orange tee, denim jacket and Aerosole oxford sandals). Pic #5 shows a close up of the gorgeous colours and design of the fabric.

I think the skirt has possibilities - as it is, it is not flattering and doesn't fit me quite right. However, it's better than it being too small and me being unable to do anything about it. Because the skirt is cotton, washing it will soften up the fabric and may actually shrink it a little bit, which would be helpful. If after washing, it has not shrunk, I can take it to my seamstress to have the sides taken it and have it hug my curves better. As it is now, it just makes my bottom half look HUGE. I'm also wondering if it should be shortened some, although I do love the midi length.

Overall, I'm happy with the quality of the product and think with some tweaking, it can work. I'm going to have to make it work - it was a final sale item!

So what are your thoughts? What needs to be done to make this skirt flatter and fit? How would you suggest styling it?