What do you think of this look?

Plushpenguin

A long time ago I saw an unusual outfit, where a women was wearing a slim a line dress over a tapered black knee length pencil skirt. It stuck in my head because it was so different. I've been seeing it a little more often lately, but I wouldn't call it a trend. It's more like something that's been floating around in fashion editorials for a while but has never really caught on. It's usually part of an arty nighttime look, but here's a pretty conservative example. It's not the most fun example, and I think the dress might actually be a jacket, but it shows what I mean: http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/.....arid=13606

17 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Kyle

Sihaya

Veteran

Hi Plushpenguin,
The link doesn't work for me?

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

I couldn't get it to work so you'll have to click on the catalog and look up the page to see it. Sorry It's in the newest catalog (anniversary sale) on page 13. Here's the link to the catalog list : http://shop.nordstrom.com/CC/0/?origin=footer

17 years ago

shannon

Active Member

I have never seen this before. I like it! Don't know how comfortable it would be to wear, but it looks good. Are you thinking about trying this?

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

Sure I'm thinking of trying it. I'm not sure why it would be uncomfortable unless you find all tapered pencil skirts uncomfortable. By the way, I meant "slim a-line dress" in my post.
Has anyone seen any other examples of this look?

17 years ago

Sihaya

Veteran

I like the concept but as you say, this isn't quite the dress I would put together with it. I can't quite articulate what the dress would be but I would know it if I saw it.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I think this is an updated but repeated fashion trend from the late 80's. One of my favorite bands (Cake) even wrote a song about it..."Short Skirt/Long Jacket).

I remember it being with suits though, but the jacket was worn as buttoned up top, more than a suit jacket. The skirts were always straight and stopped just at the knee. And the jacket was 3 or 4" shorter than the skirt, with a matching hem line.

I owned a (VERY) 80's one in purple.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Plush penguin likes this particular look because it hasn’t got a collar!

I love the look. I create a similar look with pieces I have at home. Sophisticated AND arty. What’s not to like.

(Quite right Nicole, it’s an improved ‘80’s look).

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for posting the link to the catalog, Plush Penguin! I like the jacket/dress over the pencil skirt look--it's a little dressy and structured for my lifestyle, but I like to create a similar look by belting a tunic or long cardigan over a pencil skirt with flats (sort of a dressed down version, I guess).

I really like the watch on page 43.

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

Now that you guys mention that it's an 80's look, I remember it. Duh, it was a classier version of that crazy bike shorts under dresses look. I could get a lot of mileage out of this idea, as a dressy alternative to knee length leggings under dresses. Just-below-the-knee-length is by far my most flattering length for skirts. I make up for knee length skirts and dresses that are slightly too short by putting them over pants or short leggings, and now I can try pencil skirts.

17 years ago

Anonymous

Nicole, that Cake song struck up in my head too! I think this look (in the catalogue) looks very sophisticated, although I think I'd be too timid to try it!

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

The short skirt, long jacket version of this look is actually really terrible. If they mean the pencil mini skirts that were so popular in the 80's. Especially if it was mixed with the boxy jacket that inexplicably stops like two inches above the mini skirts hemline. My mom had that look in bright red. She actually kinda pulled it off, since she has such amazing legs. I remember she got a lot of weird cat calls and complements.

17 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

I think it can work well -- but all the planets need to align. Right shape body, right pieces, right proportions etc. I think if you nail it you will have a fantastic fashion forward look. I actually tried that dress on (the one on 13) yesterday. As a rectangle, it just did not work well on me, as it reinforced the straight lines. However, I did purchase the suit on page 12. Such a great deal. And, it gives me curves. Hurray!

Good luck with your quest!

17 years ago

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