Uhoh ... getting kinda sick of short fit and flares. - YouLookFab Forum

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Uhoh ... getting kinda sick of short fit and flares.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think I'm falling in love with midi skirts and those that are just below my knee! I didn't know how much more comfortable they would be in clinic and when I'm driving when I don't have to worry about flashing thigh!

I am thinking of rolling my shorter fit and flares into a plastic bin and waiting for the winter - it's more forgiving if I have tights on vs. bare legs in the summer, to show a little thigh.

I have a sneaky feeling that when winter rolls around, I'll still be loving my midi's though - I really like the below-the-knee length, and I think I will pony up my next month's budget to get a few things tailored closer to winter when i can't wear pumps as often.

Please tell me longer lengths are here to stay for a little bit ... right? It's hard to find a midi length in stores (I think Angie was talking about this last year too!) so eBay and Anthro have really been helping me out here.

My bonus cheque this month should really be made out to Anthro from the hospital! HAHA.

I did the math, and they're actually quite a bit cheaper than what I usually spend on skirts, and I love the reviews - here's what I did when I was on "home call" this weekend - dug up cute and adorable skirts from eBay!

1/2. My favorite - they tote it as a year-round dress, so I hope I will be able to make it work; it seems subtle enough in that way; and is a nice silk/cotton blend. Apparently it has a bit of a sheen in the "sea" part of the fabric, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it in person! ($50 - regular $158)

3/4. Another number I'm hoping will be versatile - I think it will be easy to pattern mix with this one; but it seems that it is simple enough that I can wear with black turtleneck for winter. ($50 - regular $178)

5. Definitely one for summer, but a cotton skirt with lining that is long enough for me and utterly adorable cannot be passed on! ($40 - regular $130)

6. They tote this one as a "year round" dress too - but I think it will work nicely with some of my patterned tops, and I don't have very much yellow in my closet. It should keep the yellow away from my face, so that is quite good! And it has pockets!!! I can easily see this one transitioning seasons! ($60 - regular $178)

7/8. I am debating about this one; I thought because of it's cottony nature it would definitely be more of a summer skirt, but the way they have styled it seems to make it easy to transition as well. I like the subtle pattern, but would this be too much of a repeat of dress 1 and 6 in terms of colours?

Are you guys sporting longer lengths more?

Is this me just becoming more adult? I just feel so TWEE sometimes in my shorter flare skirts.

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Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from lyn*

Adelfa

Veteran

I like them all! As you and I were mentioning in the comments to pinknailsman's post, it just gets really old to have to worry about how much thigh you're showing. And absolutely black tights can mitigate this in the winter, so it's quite possible that you'll like your shorter skirts again then.

The thing is I can imagine some jobs where you're either standing or sitting behind a desk and then it doesn't matter. But when you're sitting on a chair right in front of people.... ug.

In terms of the colors in 1, 6, and 7, I would say it depends on how much you're loving and relying on that color family right now. If the gold colors are just a fun idea, three skirts/dresses might be too much. If those colors are your favorites, or really form a backbone to your wardrobe (the way cobalt blue does for me, or perhaps hot pink) then go for it because the patterns are quite different.

You are inspiring me!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

My main backbone colours right now are navy blue and grey ... well, things that go with navy blue and grey? I have some coral/pink hues for the summer, but I think gold/yellow plays nicely with the family of colours!

I love cobalt blue too! AND HOT PINK. I am getting so much use out of my pink tweed dress, it's kind of crazy!

Thanks for your insight, Adelfa, sometimes I carry a clipboard to rest on my lap just to cover my thighs ... when I have an "accident" :p

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I sense a style shift coming . . .
It's all good! Hope you can find the midis you want.
I also moved away from a beloved theme lately, cargos for me, and it's a little unsettling at first but change is good

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the support, Mo - I have been looking a lot at catalogues and pinterest, because I feel my current style isn't really reflective of where I want to be right now, especially professionally.

Change -is- scary!

If you don't wear cargos, where will you put all your stuff? (Your fab new blue clutch, perhaps?)

Anonymous

I understand the shorter skirt feeling ... I have been thinking much the same! In fact, I look at my short skirts and wonder why I felt comfortable in them to begin with.

I do like the midi length (you could check out Asos for some more, but they seem to have midi as quite a bit below the knee) - I feel like they are a bit more put together, even when worn casually.

I love the last skirt (the pattern is gorgeous!), but agree with Adelfa in terms of how important or useful that colour is to you.

Agnes

They are all really nice but I lovee love that checked one.

Anonymous

I have never felt comfortable in shorter skirts either. I do not like having to worry about it riding up. I think longer skirts would be good for you, especially if you are finding them to be twee.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have seen some indications in your posts lately that your style is evolving a bit into more sophisticated territory, and it makes total sense, given your profession and your need to be taken seriously. I know you're still very young, but there is a time in life when twee doesn't appeal anymore. I am a bit biased since I've never been a big fan of short flared skirts, even when I was young, but you do look great in everything, and you wear those longer silhouettes well. If it works well for you and your comfort factor is higher, I say go with it!

Molly L-R

Ahhhhhhhhhh, 1/2 and 7/8 are just perfect! I understand wanting to move away from shorter fit and flare styles. I started noticing about 4 years ago that the proportions of my outfits were a little off in photos due to the short length of the dresses I was wearing. And this year I've actually started to feel juvenile in stuff that's too short. Before I've had a problem when trying things on in shops (especially when trying them on over black opaque tights) where a dress that seemed perfect in the dressing room would shrink about four inches in my shopping bag whilst I carted it home.

I've now worked out my perfect dress and skirt lengths so that when buying online I know in a heartbeat whether it's too short for me (and I take my tape measure with me when I go to B&M shops!) My perfect length in dresses is 38"-40" and skirts should be between 19" and 24" (I've have a bit more leeway with this depending how high on my waist or low on my hips the skirt sits)

Thistle

Veteran

I have not felt comfortable in skirts much above the knee since my mid-20s. Part of it was a style change, part of it was professional appearance, and part of it was plain old comfort!

It sounds like you might also have a style change ahead, but take your time and see where it leads you.

If you know a good tailor, you might be able to let the hems out of some of your older dresses to get length. Not sure if it would still work, but my Grandmother used to to trim the bottoms of skirts and pants in ribbon when my mom would outgrow them length wise but they still fit at the waist.

All of your choices are lovely and still true to your core style, IMHO.

Susie

Veteran

So how do the recent Anthro dress purchases fit into this shift?

Joy

Veteran

I like the skirts a bit longer on you as more professional. The length on the models is good...not showing thigh but hitting somewhere on or just above the knee.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yep, change is scary but necessary if we want to grow (oh good grief...didn't I just sound like a mother there???)

Shorter dresses/skirts do work better with tights for modesty so I think it might be good to tuck your shorter ones away until fall/winter comes around again. I like the midi length - much more practical for work in particular.

I think all the ones you've linked to are worth trying - I like the colours and patterns.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I know we've talked about this before. You and I both look young and wearing short "cute" clothes only amplifies this perception. You are in a job that requires a certain degree of professionalism that short skirts simply do not convey. Just beware, longer skirts are going to require different proportions. You may find yourself needing to blow part of your skirt overhaul budget on new tops that work well with longer lengths.

rachylou

Veteran

I have to say that I think the longer Anthro skirts would be an excellent evolution. It's both a fresh look and a more substantial one, befitting an ever-more accomplished person.

And yes, to be brutally honest, I've been looking at Kate Middleton's knees for awhile now and - while she is the epitome of appropriate - I've been feeling it is awful twee. I have not been wearing my short skirts.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

@ Stephabee - I do love a few skirts on Asos, including #1 - the check pattern is quite pretty; but I'm worried about import taxes! And you're right, the skirt length is QUITE long so I would definitely need to get everything there hemmed!

@ Anges - I know, isn't it simply fab???

@ Ceit - I will try to be less twee now :p Maybe it will give me more freedom to play with more twee tops - like collars!

@ Janet - I hope that people do take me seriously ... sometimes.

@ Molly - I have done the size thing too! My dresses should be about 37" to 39" and my skirts should be 19" to 24" We are skirt twins.

@ Thistle - unfortunately, I checked most of the shorter skirts and they don't have much hem at all. So much for good quality, eh? BAH HUMBUG.

@ Susie - I think the most recent purchases are more "serious" in shape - if not so in length - more straight shapes and less flare, if they are shorter. The one exception is the dress in #2, but I hope the fabrication makes up for the difference. Dresses #3 and #4 seem more "pencil" or "straight" to me.

@ Joy - unless there is big wind like there was today. I gave an old lady a whole eye full of thigh. :p

@ Shannon - Happy MOTHER'S day. *HUGS*

@ Modgirl - I think you're right; I need to get some new tops because the ones I have are kind of awkward right now. Oh well, that's what next month's budget is for!

@ Rachylou - I totally know what you mean, I've been staring at her knees for a long time too. They're nice knees, but they're still ... knees. Here are some pretty longer looks for you to stare at! #5

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