Talk to me about these VC Tube skirts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about these VC Tube skirts?

Peri

Veteran

I've admired them on many fabbers, but I don't remember who all has one! I was looking to find WIWs of how you wear them...what kind of tops, to see if I thought I had the right options. On the Nords site they do show one with the wrap type top I just bought.

I didn't pay enough attention earlier because I never dreamed I'd be thinking of one. For one...they look kind of body con and I'm not feeling body con worthy these days! Plus, my first style word is Easy, and that rules out anything that requires special undies. And importantly, I always have proportion issues with skirts...can never get them to look right on me. But my recent experience of wearing a knit skirt/long tunic that was comfy but not quite right has got me thinking.

I know there are regular kinds and ruched kinds, and that they come in colors and a few prints. I'm considering black as the most useful to me. So...

What are the pros and cons of regular and ruched?
What style of top looks good...does it have to be a tucked/half tucked thing?
Are they as body con as they look?
Are there VPL issues?
How does the sizing run?

Thanks a million! Bonus points if you can link to a WIW of how you wore yours!

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from suzyq

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have the striped one. Bought a petite so it's not as long (I'm 5' 4.5"). So far I've only had it in warm FL weather, so I have no winter pairings to share. He's every good, bad and otherwise I could find of mine.

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Diana

Veteran

I have the striped one too. Mine is the regular length (I am 1" shorter than Mo, but I wanted more of a midi length). It's actually not as bodycon as you might think - more like a tailored fit. Partly this is due to the stripe pattern being oddly camouflaging, and partly it is because the skirt is double layered. The inner layer is slightly tighter so the outer layer skims more. The double layered-ness also means that panty lines don't show. The narrow hem is also not as restricting as it seems. I can pretty much still "walk like a man" in my mom's words, because it's very stretchy.

Here is my most recent outfit with it. There are others but they are on my other computer. I do not wear it in the winter ever, because it clings too badly to tights, especially around the knees, even with a slip. I also generally don't tuck into mine because the waist sits too high for good proportions on me (this happens with pretty much all stretchy skirts on me because the waist wants to go to my natural waist).

ETA: sizing. I actually found it ran a bit big. I usually size up in pencil/tube skirts but had to keep my regular size in this one. The size up was baggy in the stomach and waist. I am a pear though; it might be different for an IT or apple.

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Adelfa

Veteran

Hi Peri! I have two, a striped and a plain black. I reach for the striped more so I recommend a print. I think there are fewer VPL issues with a print also and no, special underpinnings are not necessary.

If you are self conscious about the rear view, a top with a rounded shirttail back works very nicely. I'm guessing your wrap blouse has one of these.

One kind of top that works is a knit top with a band. Or just any tee or blouse, but if you semi-tuck I recommend a fabric that is very fine and drapeable because thicker fabrics won't work when tucked.

Order one size down.

I tried on a ruched model (black, petite) and loved it, but DD was with me at the time and could not cope. I have re-ordered, in a pretty blue color and in a non-petite because I like the length (I am 5'5"). The ruched seemed more vavavoom, but I am hoping that the non-petite size and the non-black color will lessen that.

Yes, they are as body con as they look, but somehow they make it look good!

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Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have three, the black and white striped, the marble, and a black and white animal print. I know, three black and white... One too many probably. There's a wiw on the marble one recently (couple of weeks ago). Anyway... No underwear issues whatsoever. I didn't find they ran big, I am an 8 generally on the bottom and take a medium in these. I also only wear them hoseless.

They are fantastic! Try!

kellygirl

Veteran

Definitely give them a try! I'm typically a 6-8 on the bottom and I took a small regular. No VPL issues and no shapewear required. I typically wear mine untucked but a semi-tuck works too. I like the straight version better than the ruched for me--the ruched is definitely a little more va-va-voom.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love mine! I wear a 6-8 on the bottom and mine are a size M. They are ever-so-slightly loose in the waist and fit perfectly in the hips. Not too sung, not too big. I have two - solid black and black and white striped. Here are some of the ways I worn them. I was doing a monthly "Learning Curve" post and you can find some more ideas there. I wore mine mostly in the fall and spring months, not so much in the cold of winter as they aren't that heavy.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have three of them and adore them for summer wear. They are as comfy as pajamas. I tend not to wear them in the fall/ winter because they're not substantial enough for my climate in those temperatures, plus I prefer to wear them without hose. Since your warm season is much longer than mine, you'd get even more wear from yours.

I have a striped one, a plain cobalt, and a plain navy. They run a little big. I typically wear a 2 on the bottom and got xs regular. The first two I had hemmed a bit so they'd be just below the knee; the striped one already was that length (bought in a different year from a different batch). Mine are a bit loose at the waist (which I always cover anyway) and more body con on the hips/ bum -- but not to the point where I worry what undies I am wearing. No shape wear required.

I love the striped one for the fun it injects. I also love the plain ones because they're easy to mix.

I wear all kinds of tops with mine. Typically untucked, but banded, or semi-tucked also work. I've worn a peplum. A tunic. I've dressed them up and down. I'll add a few shots. I mostly wear sandals but also runners and pumps. If I were going to wear a flat sandal I might shorten a bit for proportions (on me).

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Aubergine

Veteran

I have the black/gray lace one and love it. I think it's a slightly different fabrication than some of the others, less matte, and seems to work better with tights than the rest. I have the PL and am maybe an 8-10 on the bottom with a lot of weight in my hips and rear. It's a little bodycon, but not so much that I feel self-conscious, especially with a longer or looser top. And it's very comfy!

I actually just got the solid black one and am finding it a little harder to wear than the patterned one. May end up returning it. For some reason, every time I try it, I just wind up looking like I should be going clubbing. But that just might be me, and maybe I haven't found the right combination yet.

Here are a few pictures with the lace one. I've usually worn it with a longer cardigan, but also really like it with the sweatshirt in #2.

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catherine

Veteran

These skirts are so comfortable. I think they are pretty true to size, although I like things loose. I usually wear 4 or 6 US. Size small works.
I asked for ideas about styling these last year and received many.

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Beth Ann

Veteran

I don't have the VC tube skirt, although I just purchased a striped double layered tube from Kohls, and I have several knit pencils -- including a thicker ponte skirt by VC (see the bright blue one in the photo)

You've already seen lots of pics with Fabbers closer to your body type, but I will step up to vouch for their versatility and comfort. I also wear mine with bare legs and booties, as well as with tall boots in the fall/winter. I was bold, embracing JFE principles when wearing my new skirt with my birkies yesterday (see the last photo -- oddly shiny due to the flash).

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Kimberley

Veteran

Hi Peri! I'm glad you asked... I just ordered the marble one, and have been imaging ways to style it. I am usually a 8 in bottoms and I ordered a medium. Based on the reviews here, I don't think you can go wrong with one of these skirts!

shiny

Veteran

Sorry for the lousy photo but it's all I have. I am debating about duplicating so I am very glad you started this thread and will be following along.

1. What kind of tops?
I'm wearing with a simple fluid fit tee shirt, semi-tucked, with or without a belt. Also have tried it on with an untucked denim shirt, which looks great, but it's been too hot lately to wear it out of the house that way. It also works with untucked AT silk camp shirt.

2. They look kind of body con and I'm not feeling body con worthy these days!
I've gained 10 lbs in the last year, so I'm not feeling body con either. I got the PS and it does not cling in any way - it skims. If I lose a few lbs, it'd probably fall right off me.

3. Plus, my first style word is Easy, and that rules out anything that requires special undies.
This skirt is definitely EASY. So comfy. Stretchy, knit, etc. As for undies, I just wear my "dress/skirt" undies - which are high waisted boy short style. The skirt has and under layer (made out of same knit fabric as top layer) which means less chance of VPL, bumps, bulges, and also static issues.

4. What are the pros and cons of regular and ruched?
Will see what others say here. I adore ruching for it's ability to conceal bumps and bulges. And if placed on the hips, it's ability to give me the illusion of more hips than I actually have. So I may give the VC ruched version a try myself.

5. What style of top looks good...does it have to be a tucked/half tucked thing?

Answered above. With midi length, I like untucked, long shirts just as much as half-tucked. I like untucked tee shirt too - doesn't even have to be quite "skirt length" either. I haven't tried the full tuck with it - I think I'd like that the least right now due to weight in my tummy but also the skirt is a lightweight knit so the tucked top would have to be very light too. A cropped top or sweater would work perfectly.

6. Are they as body con as they look?

No, not on me. Size up?

7. Are there VPL issues?

Answered above.

8. How does the sizing run?

To me, these run just ever so slightly on the large size. You are probably safe going by the size guide provided.

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lyn67

Veteran

I love my tube skirts! The green one is a recent purchase, and still looking for tops to match-so will post some of my finds below(but sorry, they are EU brands).

I was considering a diagonal sleeveless button down to it in cream, but left it in the store as considered the elasticated band was a bit fussy on my hips. I have the simple white tee in nr.2 (and nr, 3 was the outfit of that day). I was also considering a banded, short dolman sleeve in a lightweight stripey mesh (knitted) in cream, and black. See them in nr 4-5-6. Purchases only the black for my bl&w striped tube midi(nr.7-sorry for the blurr). The outfit of that day was nr.8. There I wear a simple burnt orange mixmedia top(I have it in black, too), with silky front under the denim jacket. I also have a dark grey strechy but not body con cowl neck tee-which has a subtle metallic sparkle, to wear with this stripey tube(see it in nr. 9)

Oh, and have another tube skirt, in brown animals. for fall: see it in nr. 10-11.

Also a link to one of my threads almost the same thema:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-for-fall

Hope this will help with visuals:-).

ETA: Generally, I would say I like to mix up the textures and fabrics in an outfit. I mean I would rather choose to wear a wowen top to a knitt skirt, and a knitt top to a woven skirt- so am still controversial about the dolman sleeve knitted tops, here, but wanted to try them anyway.

Oh, and love the other's picties summed up all here! Great inspiration, thanx!

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Mo

(website)

Veteran

I forgot to answer that I ordered a PS, and I'm never that size. I think they run half a size big or so. I'm a standard size 4. 27 waist (on good days lately, ha!) and 37 hips. By comparison, my twist tube skirt from Forever 21 is a juniors medium and it's as snug as the petite small VC.

Peri

Veteran

Many thanks everyone! Bonus points to all!! Thanks for the great pictures.

I'm inspired that mostly your tops are untucked. I just don't do tucked! I wouldn't have thought that ruching would be more vavoom...good to know.

Bless Nordstrom and their free shipping...I'm going to order a few and see which I like. Hoping I like, that is! My proportions just don't seem skirt friendly...long torso, short legs. But hope springs eternal.

Thanks for all the tips...may be posting K/Rs soon.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I lied! It appears I HAVE worn it with tights.

And my marble one can be found here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tube-skirt

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Peri

Veteran

Okay, ordered! Over-ordered actually...that free shipping takes my conscience away. They may cancel my privileges one day.

Ordered:

Stripe in PM, as they seem to be sold out of regular.
Black straight in S as well as M
Black ruched in M

I will feel I let you all down if they don't look good on me!!! I will keep my more positive attitude and experiment with many different tops!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think you'll like the PM. I wish all mine were about 2" shorter, and I roll them over at the waist - I really should just cut them off, but I'm a bit afraid of ruining the tapered shape. At some point I will - the striped one will be easy

Can't wait to see them!

Gigi

Veteran

Can't wait to see what you think, Peri! I don't have any tube skirts but was wondering about them too. Nordie's doesn't seem to have many of them in petites', so I'm going to wait to see what shows up when fall approaches.

I'm glad you ordered such a variety of sizes. Hopefully you'll find something that works!

And don't feel like you're letting anyone down if they don't work...I know that there is more than one YLFer who has mentioned that she can't get the tube skirts to work. So you won't be the only one.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm a P2-4, and I had to size up to PS on this skirt because I carry my weight in my legs. The PXS made me feel like a tightly packed sausage and I could hardly walk. I had to have the waist taken in on the PS, however. I am very long waisted with very short legs, so I sometimes wear this skirt with a knit obi belt to give me better proportions, especially since I can't wear heels or low vamped shoes.

rachylou

Veteran

These are great skirts! I love them. A couple of pics of me in mine

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pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I have two; a dark one with small animal spots, and the wide b/w striped one. I'm a pear and they are body con but not uncomfortably so. Sometimes I don't feel right wearing one to church, but usually I feel fine. I don't find that I have to be too paranoid about VPL, but I usually wear my most non-VPL undies with them. I've worn lots of different tops with mine, and I'm still experimenting. Here are a few of my looks.

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gardenchick

Veteran

Great thread! Does this item qualify as the most popular currently on YLF?

Fashion lemming here...after seeing all of these amazing pictures, I bought 2 of these--one striped petite, one lace regular. Will post pictures when they arrive

Jjsloane

Veteran

I'll join in. I have the striped one too - I have worn it in fall/winter so far but put it on the other day intending to wear casually but ended up being too overdressed for my family. I hope you end up loving yours.

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suzyq

Ok. Now I feel like I need one of these skirts :). Thanks for all the fabulous photos.