Trying out flared skirt - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Trying out flared skirt

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I tried out a skirt pattern and am ambivalent about it. I thought I'd post it here to get your thoughts.

To begin, I should let you know I didn't have high hopes for this pattern, because I wasn't crazy about how it looked on others, so it's okay if it just ends its life as a test. That's a fair amount of the sewing process for me. But I did want to try out this pattern, because I thought it could have potential. And I'm still thinking it might.

What I'm wondering about:
The V-shaped yoke. This V points down rather than up, which is more common. Not sure I like it, but I chose to highlight this feature with color-blocking, since the design seemed to lend itself to that treatment.
The dowdy factor. I wanted to follow Angie's guidelines for styling a flared skirt: http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....red-skirt/ and http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....and-pants/
I tried what seemed to come closest to these silhouettes, in colors that would coordinate, but I don't really have a lot of options that fit her descriptions. The choices shown here may not do the skirt justice.

I would be interested to know whether I should consider wearing this skirt out of the house. My impulse to post it here and ask you all suggests that I have serious doubts about that right now--I'm not sure I like it that much, but I'm also not sure I can pinpoint why. And I was surprised to find I actually like it in the photos better than I liked it in the mirror. I'm also interested in whether I should try making it again with modifications of some sort.

Details on the skirt: the fabric I used is a fairly lightweight wool, in a garnet color and charcoal gray. It's a pull-on style with elastic waist (doesn't lend itself well to full-tuck options, imo).
Worn with: black and white striped tee, charcoal high-low cardigan and black wedge heeled boots (photos 1-2), same tee, animal print white-black-gray cardigan, and same boots (photos 3-4).

Thanks for looking and sharing your thoughts.

This post has 4 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.

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

carter

Veteran

I don't know, something about it strikes me as kind of cool. I'd try styling it with a slim v-neck black sweater to mimic the v in the skirt. Wear the sweater out and belt over it with a black belt with a great buckle.

I love to see homemade items. So wish I had this talent!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like the skirt & would pair it with a plain black knit - the skirt needs to be centre stage imo. Would the waist take a belt? This would give you tucking options.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Carter, I like the idea of a V-neck sweater and belt over it.
Caro, another great idea--thank you! I'm not sure about belting the skirt, but I could try.

I just tried to lighten the photos, too, to show the details better.

Thistle

Veteran

I like Caro's idea of pairing it with a minimalist black top and letting the skirt shine!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well. I love the skirt and the way you've styled it. Arty Chic.

I also like Caro's idea of pairing it with a simple black top. Just as divine. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The fabric of the skirt looks beautiful. I think it has potential. It might have been slightly easier to style without the colour blocking, but then again, that's part of what makes it interesting and unique.

How does the colour look with that Eileen Fisher silk blouse you got at NAS? If you could tuck and drape (with a belt) that might give the effect of a semi tuck? Assuming the colours are harmonious, which I'm not sure they are.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I love the shaping, and I agree with the others that a simple black topper, perhaps belted would be sleek. What about this same pattern in low contrast color blocking?
I bet the movement of the skirt is very nice --- that's important for me! Unfortunately, I'm really wanting to be able to tuck into my skirts. Can you put loops on and belt over top?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thistle and Angie, thank you!

Suz, good memory! I held up my Eileen Fisher wine blouse and sweater to the skirt and thought they didn't go. But I just looked at them again and thought maybe. I'll give it a try. You're right, the color-blocking is more difficult to style than I imagined it would be. Note to self: try color-blocking on a dress next time--a self-contained "outfit"!

Beth Ann, I think this might be your kind of skirt, with flow! It's funny how I didn't really think of that aspect. I agree not tucking is hard. I'm not sure I'd add belt loops, and the pattern isn't an easy one to insert a zipper in (to create a smooth-fitting top). Part of the genius of the design is that the yoke has seams on the sides and the skirt's seams are down center front and back. It's a fun little puzzle to put together. But a belt is not out of the question.

These are all great ideas--thank you!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I like this skirt - it's got a classic shape, but kind of an off-beat pattern. I think with your dramatic height and hair you can pull this off beautifully.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thank you, Helen! It's funny--I'm average height, so I think that the V in the skirt may be contributing to an illusion of height--not bad!

kellygirl

Veteran

Just chiming in to say that I love the skirt on you. The colorblock yoke is so cool and modern looking to me. I had to wait til I got home to see this on my laptop. (It didn't translate on my phone.) Really cool skirt!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, kellygirl!

I think you all have convinced me to try some other stylings and to wear it. Maybe I'll even make another one, using Beth Ann's suggestions. I really appreciate the feedback!

Debra

Veteran

What a great skirt....I love the first combination, great boots too

Mochi

Veteran

I think it looks very chic on you, and you're willowy enough to pull it off.

I remember in one of my style books (I was buying for a while before YLF), it said that the skirt should not come down below the tops of the tall boots, that there should be some gap of leg visible between boot and skirt hem to avoid frump. I wonder if people here would agree.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like it. I like the kind or foley riding skirt aspects. I like outfit # 1 best as a glory over foley example, which you can rock, and also would like to see the more fitted over foley approach and like the more column of color idea.

lyn67

Veteran

I like the skirt, and both ways you styled it in 3-4. Simple black turtle neck will do the job, too.

Mochi, I don't know if it's a fashion faux pas, but I have worn my midis with knee high heelled boots a lot in the past, in a way that no leg was showing...Just curious about other's opinion on this, indeed.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

What a gorgeous skirt - love the color and the fabric looks divine. I like it how you've styled here and also really like Caro's suggestion.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Debra and Shannon!

Mochi and Lyn67, thanks for the thoughts on skirt length and boots. I tend to wear them both ways, with and without a "gap," and seem to recall that Angie has a blog post to that effect--i.e., that either can work. I should look it up again, though. I always feel a bit frumpy in skirts, so it's not something I feel I get right too often.

unfrumped, thanks for the ideas. I'm stumped on what a "foley" skirt is, though.

Nicole D

Veteran

I love it! Really different and the drape is perfect!

pil

Veteran

Beautiful skirt, Firecracker. I second (or third or fourth) Caro's black top and belt.

Runcarla

Veteran

Love your colour choice for the colour blocking, and like others have said, the fabric looks luxurious. I notice more draping at the centre of the skirt that makes me think of gaucho pants and the 1970's. Don't know if this is inherent in the pattern or the way the fabric is gathered at the waist. BTW, this shape seems to be one of the trends, so don't let the 1970's reference throw you!

catgirl

Veteran

You've gotten great suggestions so I'm just going to say FAB SKIRT!

minimalist

Veteran

I'm curious about the point that Mochi brought up, because like Lyn67 I used to wear high boots with skirts to just below my knee, with little or no gap. Now I'm wondering if that was frumpy. At the time, it felt like a reasonable way to stay warm on projects where skirts were required but nothing was said about pumps. And I loved those boots.

Firecracker, I don't know enough about fashion to have any sensible comments on your skirt. But I'm beginning to take note of the sewing thing.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Maybe it is just the static picture creating this impression, but I am not seeing the amount of flare that I was expecting (I am thinking of all those flared-skirt silhouettes on Pinterest that catch my eye lately--though not as full as those 1950s patterns all look). In pic # 1 it actually almost looks straight up and down, with draping. Is it a really fine wool? Would it look different with more of a slip to let it poof instead of cling? Or am I imposing my skirt fantasies on you? (Because I want to like it.)

Speaking of skirt hems/boot length, I always feel weird and frumpy if the boots DON'T reach all the way to the skirt hem. Same as I don't like skirts, or bare legs above boots, sticking out below coat hems. Something to do with growing up in the Great White North I think.

Day Vies

Veteran

LOVE this skirt. Then I have been in love with berry tones for the past 2 weeks. I especially like it with the snake print cardi. The organic print juxtaposed with the graphic black and plum is striking.

Joy

Veteran

You mustn't let this skirt go unworn. I'd like to see it with an asymmetrical top or topper (probably black).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Nicole, Pil, Alaskagirl, Day Vies, for your very kind comments.

Runcarla, yes, the design does have a gaucho-pant look, doesn't it? The draping at center is part of the design; the way the triangular panels are cut and sewn, the bias pulls the draping to the front seam.

L'Abelle, that design feature (the draping toward center) is probably why the skirt hangs more straight on the sides. But I called it a flared skirt anyway, because it is not a pencil and not straight. It definitely is shaped more triangularly, even though it hangs close to the body. You are right, the fabric I used makes it drape, and a stiffer fabric would flare more. Interesting idea on a fuller slip with it--if I had one like that!

Joy, thanks for the asymmetrical idea. I held up a cropped angled-hem top with the skirt, but it's plaid and has a lot going on, so I rejected it. Maybe I'll show it here for grins. I do think I'll do another round of styling with it, incorporating the ideas that I can (given current contents of my wardrobe).

Marley

Veteran

The skirt is gorgeous! I think that the hem-lines of the 2 toppers that you show are competing with the v-shape of the skirt panel. I would try a low contrast (black) top - and maybe a semi-tuck?

Anonymous

Fab, cool, arty skirt, FC! I do prefer it with a black top though, as I feel there is ALGO with the lighter top. I like the idea of a slim black sweater paired with it.

12