Skirt Question - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Skirt Question

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I've been trying to build my skirt collection recently, and I found this chambray skirt that I really like:

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301216

A couple of questions for you all: Do you think that the fullness of the skirt makes it a "spring/summer only" skirt? Would I be able to wear it into the fall and early winter if I added tights/boots, etc? If I did order it, what sorts of tops should I pair it with for summer? In my "Pre-YLF" life I would have worn a T-shirt with this, but now I don't wear Ts. I think the volume of the skirt calls for a fitted top, but I wondering about options other than a plain button up/oxford type shirt. Something that might be a bit more casual.

Thanks!

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

Tanya

Veteran

I think you could absolutely wear it in fall with tights and boots. I would also go with a pretty fitted top, maybe a wrap knit top ( would emphasize the waist) or some nice knit top with a deep V:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564288

I like the AT top that somebody else here has already bought :
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses
Of course, the top choice would be dependent on your body type, which I'm sure you've already mentioned but I do not seem to remember.

Honestly, the skirt would probably go with any knitted top that's a right color/cut for you.

Maya

Veteran

Hmm it's a beautiful skirt, but have you tried it on yet? I find that very full skirts are a bit too much fabric for me because I'm short. I prefer a structured A-line. This skirt is also pretty long (for a petite). So assuming it fits and flatters, I think just about any fitted top--knit or woven--will look fine with it.

Antje

Veteran

That's a gorgeous skirt! If it fits you well, absolutely go for it, and yes, it can go into all seasons. In fall/winter, it would look cute with a simple fitted v-neck sweater (Zara, for instance, has wonderful basic knit sweaters) and a little scarf.
I love the tops Tanya linked to.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Ha ha, Tanya! I was the one who bought that top from AT! I bought it in a dark blue though, which I think would be too close in value to the skirt. I will keep my eye out for your suggestions, though.

Maya, I can't try it on because it's an online only skirt. Boo. But if I bought the skirt, I would definitely have to have it hemmed, you're right about the length. I believe it is unlined, so I don't think it would be too expensive. I've worn full skirts before with no problems, as long as I keep the top very fitted.

HannahMichelle

I think that is a great skirt - definitely a lot of versatility there for different seasons. The color almost makes it pass for denim. Nice knit tops for summer sounds good to me.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback!

Tanya

Veteran

Oh, that's too funny Ana! I tend to remember what I've read here but not exactly where I've read it The colors then might be too close indeed, but if you get the skirt you could try them on together and see if it works, maybe by substituting the knit belt on the shirt with a real belt in a bright contrasting color.

Another idea I (if it's not too hot) would be a short sleeved fitted cardi (maybe cream) over bright cami ( yellow, citron, etc).

I also like the idea of a top like this, tough the price tag on it is quite ridiculous:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....7&P=4

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of the cardi. It might be too hot to wear if I'm going to be outside for any length, but I could adapt it to a sleeveless shirt. It gets cold inside because of the A/C.

I have one more question. I also like this pencil skirt:

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301216

I like the red one because I think it would work year round as well. I was wondering if you all though it would make me look too "approachable," as my mother would say.

Antje

Veteran

I don't think there'd be an issue about "approachable" (love mom's euphemism) but I have the feeling this skirt would look best on tall women. Can't point my finger to exactly why, just a hunch. It's almost more of an inverted shape than a straight pencil shape, maybe that's it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try the skirt on first, Ana. You’ll need to order it.

Inverted box pleats that aren't stitched down to just above crotch point can be unflattering. The skirt is beginning to poof on the model and she isn’t walking. I had the exact same thing happen with a client yesterday. I hope I'm wrong, but that is my concern. It's a very pretty skirt.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Antje, I see what you're saying. These might be available in my local J. Crew store. Maybe I'll check it out. I definitely see what you're saying though.

Angie, by poof do you mean that the box pleats puff out and won't lie flat? I hadn't seen that before, but I could see that happening. I might give it a try then and see what happens. If I constantly have to re-smooth is out then I know it's not a keeper, right?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Spot on Ana. To Antje's point, this type of skirt is fine to poof on tall slim rectangles. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it. It definitely looks like you’ll be tucking your tops into this type of skirt.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I was planning on tucking in or else wearing something that had enough weight to it that it would like flat (like a sweater in the winter). For spring/summer wear, though, it would definitely be tucked. Well, hmm....I'll have to mull it over for a bit. I'll report back if I decide to try it.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

So, I went to J. Crew today to try the skirts on. The poofy chambray skirt was sold out, but I talked to the manager and asked her about the "poof" factor like Angie suggested, and she said she did remember it poofing out, because the pleats were only sewn down the right above the crotch area. So no for that skirt. Sniff.

Antje, you were so right about the pencil skirt. It isn't fitted enough, so it came off my thighs and didn't really taper--not flattering at all because just the bottoms of my legs poked out and looked weird. And my thighs looked ginormous! Someone much taller with longer legs would look phenomenal in it. It's a really nice quality as well, so I would recommend it if you fit that type and you're in the market for a pencil skirt.

I found a skirt at Ann Taylor outlet today that was very similar to the chambray skirt, but didn't have any pleats--it was just a full, gored, denim skirt. I was really excited, except it had a tag on it saying that the wash of the denim was such that it would transfer to lighter colored clothing. I've been noticing this "warning" a lot on denim--why is this? I mean, why are retailers doing this? Why would I want to buy an article of clothing that would ruin anything else I wore with it? That makes no sense. Needless to say, I didn't purchase it. So if anyone comes across a full denim or denim-look skirt, I'd be interested to know, I'm still searching for one.

Thanks for the advice everyone!