wardrobe orphan - skirts - YouLookFab Forum

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wardrobe orphan - skirts

anne

Veteran

I thought Angie's recent blog on skirts was spot on! (ie not buying a skirt without a top to go with it) Here is one of my "wardrobe orphans"
http://s297.photobucket.com/al.....0_5376.jpg

I have had it a few years - I like the tailored 40's ish style. It was a quite a bargain, though doesn't usually fit that well around the waist (actually fits better at the moment with post-baby dimensions)

The only thing I have worn with it is a grey ribbed poloneck that looked bad with my face and (being 10 years old) was getting streched.

I have worn it with a fitted black top which looked nice in terms of style but not colour as I felt it was too much of a contrast, specially since I also wore opaque black tights. Being shortish I don't like too many horizontal lines

I would not wear it with the above top, BTW - is is too thin and see-through and tends to creep up

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from

anne

Veteran

Forgot to say. my questions are
1. Is it worth keeping?
2. If so what sort of tops might look good?

Jenniferblue

Anne, The first thing that strikes me about your skirt is that the plaids don't match! Both front seams have this problem and the pockets are very unmatched. Unmatched means that the lines that make up the plaid are not lined up with each other on each side of a seam. The seam should be as hidden as possible. The unmatched seams are jarring and usually the sign of
of a garment that is not well made. It would take more fabric to allow for the seams to match. Or, it could be a style that shouldn't have been made in a plaid but would look wonderful in another fabric. So, to #1 I say not worth keeping.

anne

Veteran

Hi, Yes I noticed that the front seams don't match while I was putting up the photo. They aren't pockets though - it is just a different bit of material. Actually it would be impossible, I think, for all the seams to match in that style.
Maybe $20 wasn't such a bargain price!

Jenniferblue

I think so. It would be impossible to match all the plaid in your skirt. I think that type of skirt is more beautiful when you can see the seaming and it's
elongating and slimming when done well. Plaids are tough. Sometimes even in a very well tailored skirt the two side seams on an A line skirt will match but in an inverted V configuration. TMI??. Anyway, personally, I'd pass it on, not even a close call.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I suspect that the tartan was intentionally "un-matched". Is it a Winter skirt? It’s VERY pink. Has the tartan got black or brown stripes running through it?

Antje

Veteran

I find this skirt very cute, and would absolutely find a place in my wardrobe for it, pairing it with a fitted black top with some fun details like ruching, bow, whatever. If you're ok with wearing black on top and if you like the skirt, I'd keep it.

shiny

Veteran

Hmmm...

I think I'm with JenniferBlue on this one. It doesn't look like an intentional mismatch, because it's actually *almost* matched up.

Know what I would do with this? I'd take out all the seams, then sew it up into one long, thin scarf. I suspect it would make an absolutely adorable scarf.

I love plaid scarfs myself. And if this pink flatters your face - if it would look good near your face - then that would be a great way to make use of it.

Otherwise, I like the idea of a soft, delicate gray top with this. What is the material? Is it warm or cool weather weight?

anne

Veteran

lots of different responses so far!
Angie - yes is is very pink. The dark stripes are grey

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I actually like the skirt. It’s funky and I think it works in its mis-matched state because it’s consistently mis-matched. Does that make sense? I too love tartans. So it’s a Winter weight skirt Anne?

It fits you really well. Like with all things funky, you have to “clean it up” and add a streamlined dimension so that your ensemble is not all over the place. Tight black or grey fitted knit top at the right length or belted to blouson. How about a pair of black knee high boots?

carrie

(website)

I like it, but I would consider shortening the hem-line to above knee length.

HannahMichelle

I love your skirt! It's really cute on you. Gray would be a good choice if you're not liking the contrast of black...and I like Angie's idea of knee high boots.

Tanya

Veteran

I like that skirt on you! I'd go with a simple thin charcoal sweater with it.

Nicole

Veteran

I like the skirt. I also thought the mismatched seams were intentional. Especially because of that triangular patchwork piece near the top. There would be no logical reason for that piece to be patched in like that, unless it was for visual interest.

I think the skirt itself is flattering on you. I'd wear it with black and I love Angies black boot suggestion. I'd also consider wearing it with a winter white or cream turtleneck sweater.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cream! Nice!

anne

Veteran

Thanks for all the thoughts! I'll have to do some more trying on
Yes Angie, sorry I forgot to say - it is a winter weight skirt.

Antje, did you have a similar skirt in an ensemble you posted? (Only purple?)

anne

Veteran

Hi it has been a while since I took these photos but here goes
1. This is almost Angie's suggestion (I wore this outfit to a quiz night a week ago)
of a fitted black top and boots - not quite knee high as I don't own any. I suspect this length of boot is not so flattering.
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_5408.jpg
I think the reason I was uncertain about wearing black was not only the whole cutting vertical line thing but T & S anti wearing black with colour - what do you think of that Angie? I think it very restrictive.

2. RE Nicole and Angie's suggestion of cream - I am a bit uncertain of wearing cream with a skirt that has white in it? Also not sure of how cream would suit me. I have taken a snap of the only cream thing I own - are you able to see from this much of me if it suits?
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_5407.jpg
BTW I am wearing another pair of pants I can now fit into that are favourites -wide leg faint metallic stripes on faint check. Any thoughts on those?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

T&S are anti wearing black with a colour unless there is another neutral in the mix. You have winter white in the skirt which would qualify. The look would be better with knee high boots, Anne. They are on your shopping list!

Cream and white do work if there is a pattern involved. These colours blend tonally and take on the characteristics of each other. You look great in cream. That skirt fits SO well!

I prefer you in streamlined boot cuts or straight legs. But bravo for fitting back into these pants!!!

Anonymous

Try the skirt with the blouse you had on in the last picture. I think the softer color would be nice with that particular shade of pink. I find that shade of pink a bit harsh with black , at least in the pictures. The skirt does fit you so well and hangs nice and that is what saves it.

Antje

Veteran

I like the skirt with black boots (but yes, knee high would be great) and a fitted black top. This is totally something I'd wear myself. The top you wear in the picture is fine but a little plain; something with a little more visual interest would be lovely; shorter sleeves (e.g. half or 3/4) or a top that's just a little bit shorter could also visually "lighten" the outfit. But overall I really like it.

anne

Veteran

Thank for the compliments guys -

Antje I know what you mean about the top. It Does have some grey flowers on the bust - don't know if you could see them.

Angie, while I totally take your point re the pants I am wondering if wide legs don't appear at their best in the static photos we have been sending in of them. I guess you lose the fluidity and movement they have in motion. You do know what I mean?

anne

Veteran

San - here is the skirt with the cream top, as per your suggestion.
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_5467.jpg
I tried to ruch it a bit as the top is rather too long for wearing with skirts (something I discovered a couple of years ago (it was originally bought to go with a skirt and it never worked) and that Angie's tops for skirt rule confirmed

Tanya - here it is with a charcoal top. Not a great colour for me and probably not tight enough. In fact I feel very wide in this picture!
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_5471.jpg

Nicole

Veteran

I think I'd like to see that pink skirt with a heavier fabric top, like a tight knit turtleneck sweater. The lightweight cream blouse seems too summery to me. Since you are heading into cooler months right now, I think you'd be chilly in that anyway.

Anonymous

Interesting seeing you try the light color blouse and see that it doesn't work proving Angie's rule about wearing shorter tops with skirts. We are all getting a more trained eye for such things which is so amazing. Thank you Angie!
I think the turtle neck sweater would be a classic look with that kind of skirt. The skirt fits you just perfect but the way the plaids line up and the extra plaid patch added in, give it a funky twist, which I think is good. So would that make it the focul point item for the outfit and the top would be simple to keep the eye on the signiture piece? I'm going out on a limb here.