https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:43:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930452 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 18:19:39 +0000 cindysmith 1930452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just did my navel gazing over shoes, and I'm not sure what the point was either LOL. I'm here for your navel gazing, because I always have such admiration for the introspective way we look at clothes here</p> <p>Those skirts in the finds are great, especially the blue JCrew. The color, pattern, &amp; visual texture are so good together! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930413 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:26:28 +0000 Christina F. 1930413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><b>kellygirl</b>, my problem is the opposite, as my waist is relatively small but my belly and hips curve out quite a bit immediately below them. (I mean, my husband loves it!) I guess maybe there is some happy medium between us that's easier to dress for skirts?! Or maybe that's a myth.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>La Ped</b><b>estrienne</b>, I think you're on to something about refinement. I always feel kind of sloppy when I have to deal with tucking a top, especially because it's a tricky look for my short waist. I think planning skirt and top outfits is probably the way to go. I certainly won't be buying skirts again without taking them home and immediately making sure they work with at least a handful of tops I have on hand. That said, with pencil skirts at least, I have some luck pairing them with blouses in a jersey or even t-shirt material, if you know what I mean, as well as with t-shirts and peplum tops/<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930408 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 14:22:13 +0000 LaPed 1930408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find it hard to achieve the same level of refinement or elegance with skirts as I can with dresses. The uniformity of a dress, the vertical line that Angie mentions -- it's such an easy way to feel put-together and intentional. I like skirts -- I've added three in the past year, and have two or three older than that -- but I always feel more thrown-together and casual in a skirt. They are great for day wear, but I tend not to bother trying to dress them up. For one thing, I prefer shirts over blouses (I have no eye for pretty blouses whatsoever), so when I do try to polish up a skirt outfit, based on what I have in my closet, it ends up skewing more business than festive. Maybe if I shopped for skirts and tops at the same time,&nbsp;the way Angie recommends, it would be a different story.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930395 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 13:31:04 +0000 kellygirl 1930395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you on the skirts! They are definitely more trouble to style for me. I think because I really don't have a waist so it always has to be something fairly fitted--ie tee shirt of some sort. It's not my favorite look at least for work--then I feel like I have to wear a topper. It starts getting too fussy and I give up. That being said. I really love your blue skirt with the black card. So cute! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930392 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 13:25:23 +0000 Christina F. 1930392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have decided to pick one of my tricky skirts at a time and do an outfit lab for it, so as not to overwhelm myself. The Anthro skirt will be next. The Boden skirt is tight - still zips but I can’t tolerate any tightness around my waist. It’s gone into holding because if I lose 5 pounds, it should be wearable. </p> <p>3style, the amount of great dresses lately has certainly biased me. There’s no fussing with tops, that way! Easy peasey! I’m okay with skirts continuing to take a backseat, which is why I’m more focused on making the ones I have work than finding new ones. I have a mental list of my tops that go with skirts, and the top I wore yesterday was on it! I need to reassess because I’m pickier now. Thag top will be used mainly for layering or casual looks in the future. </p> <p>As for neutrals, most of my printed skirts probably have navy in it, except that blue and pink one above. I find that one okay to pair with tops, though.</p> <p>Barbara Diane, it made a huge difference. I don’t usually like how buttoned cardigans look, but I guess the cropped one is an exception. </p> <p>Bijou, I definitely take clothes that don’t fit out of my closet for the reasons you say. I have bloating that comes and goes (mostly the former) so I leave a little leeway, but for that reason I also have a low tolerance for anything tight on the waist. I have recently found a couple of kinds of very stretchy jeans that have been a godsend to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930349 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 10:53:23 +0000 Bijou 1930349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina, my weight fluctuates from time to time, and I have learned to let things go when they no longer fit. If I get smaller again, invariably I find by the time I fit back into it again, my style preferences have moved on. By all means keep the skirt if you love it, but put it in a holding zone out of sight. There is nothing worse than seeing a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit you properly. Sort of like going to a dessert bar when the doctor has told you that you are required to fast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930330 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 04:01:47 +0000 Barbara Diane 1930330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also like your outfit better with the cardigan closed. Amazing what an improvement can come from a little change. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930295 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:43:48 +0000 3style 1930295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina, I pretty much could have written up the same post as you have done. I’m wondering if it’s to do with “level of refinement.” Until 2018, I feel like the last time there were a lot of good options in casual daywear dresses was the 90’s. I feel like most dresses in nearly the intervening 20 years were business, party, special occasion or beach maxi, and there just weren’t that many day dress options. It was pretty much shirtdress or wrap dress. </p> <p>I spent nearly the last 20 years on team skirt (well I mostly wear pants, but as opposed to team dress). Suddenly, it’s okay to be creative with dresses again, and there are a lot more styles to choose from. Also, I feel like boho and grunge vibes have worked their way into greater integration with mainstream fashion. </p> <p>I’m planning on doing a big post with my: “tops that go well with skirts,” Finds. For me, if a top works with skirts, then it will also work with pants, but not nearly so often in reverse.... </p> <p>For myself, the big thing I’ve learned with skirts is that I can only deal with one non-neutral color per print. I have one gorgeous skirt with every imaginable shade of pink and red, as well as tan, winter white, and dark gray. You would think it would go well with lots of different colors, but it doesn’t. It really does look off unless the top worn with it contains one of the exact shades in the skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930284 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 20:45:56 +0000 Christina F. 1930284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cardiff girl</b> and <b>Joy,</b> I won't abandon the silhouette entirely. I will keep what I have that still fits and try to figure out how best to make it work (and yeah, maybe some of that will be in holding for now). I probably won't be on the lookout for more skirts in this silhouette for now, even if I decide to cull one or two that don't fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930278 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 19:55:37 +0000 Anonymous 1930278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Our styles and preferences do evolve. I first did away with A-line skirts which seemed frumpy at the time, then full skirts which make my already slim legs look like toothpicks with all that fabric. Of coarse there was the mini skirt period when I wanted skirts with some volume when I sat down. Now I favor pencil or tube skirts that end on or just below my knees. I've never cared about long maxi skirts unless formal and slim. Maybe it is the silouette of these skirts that you are done with. They are also more demanding for cropped tops and a defined waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930274 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 19:31:50 +0000 Cardiff girl 1930274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look really nice in the skirt in the picture so no matter how you feel about midi skirts ,they obviously do suit you.I wouldn’t get rid of anything when you are feeling less than confident ,it’s always a mistake.Have you got a bag you can put them away in until you ve got the time and the inclination to style them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930267 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 19:09:40 +0000 Christina F. 1930267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div><b>Suz</b>, I think I got tired of skirts for this reason. You do have to try on a lot. But now that I've sorted the other areas of my wardrobe pretty well, I'll turn back to skirts. My main priority now is to see which ones of the the ones I own work with tops I also already own. So again the dreaded outfit lab looms over me. I need to avoid moments like I had this morning, when I didn't know what fit or went with which tops.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sarah</b>, I do have Shiny Object syndrome for sure, sometimes! Once I adjusted today's outfit a bit, I did feel better in it, and I won't be rushing to pass on any skirts unless they have stopped fitting altogether. That Anthro skirt is to DIE for. I think it's less poufy, so it's easier to wear in some ways. I'm going to try to wear it in the next week or so, unless I find that it too no longer fits well.... I will report back.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>rachylou</b>, thank you, the look grew on me over the day. I do love how midi skirts feel on me. The clogs are fun, but they rub a bit, which is annoying.<br /></div></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930245 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:24:14 +0000 rachylou 1930245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this look on you with the heeled clogs.</p> <p>I find the problem with skirts is often the waistband. I have this (and other) problem with pants too. I find a yoked skirt often lies better on me. Just waist and then skirt, all sorts of issues. The waist cuts, the skirt lies funny... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930243 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:04:14 +0000 SarahD8 1930243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your outfit today! The dressy-casual mix works for me. I think another hit of that bright cobalt elsewhere/in the top half of the outfit (a barrette? A flower brooch?) might help tie it together a little more.</p> <p>It occurs to me that you have really lucked out during the current Season of Dresses and so it makes sense that you are enjoying your new frocks. I wonder if there is something about skirts being less appealing just because they aren't as shiny and new. I find that this happens with me -- I get a new item or discover a new silhouette and then wear it on repeat for a whole season. But I think sometimes those old friends can appeal to us more again the next year. So I think it depends on where you want your closet to fall on the spectrum of "only-what-I'm-wearing-this-moment lean" to "deep archive." (I do realize that you have limited storage space as a city dweller.) Personally, I would keep the ones that you still think are flattering/work for your body type even if you're not really feeling skirts this year, and reevaluate next summer.</p> <p>I LOVE that Anthro nautical print skirt. I would be tempted to dress it down, with metallic birks and a simple white tee.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930234 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 15:48:33 +0000 Suz 1930234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Our preferences and priorities do change over time, along with styles and what's available. I used to <b>love</b> skirts when I was younger because they were an easier fit for me than pants. And then, suddenly, they weren't, and I stopped buying so many of them! I still like them, but keep the numbers in my wardrobe low, and I do have to be very picky about styles. A low-waisted A-line does not look good on me. But a higher waisted one can. A skirt with knife pleats that start at the waist is no-good-very-bad...but one with stitched down pleats at the waist and box pleats below can look fab. Soft, looser pleats or gathers can potentially work -- but too many or too much fabric, and I'll be overwhelmed. A pencil skirt that narrows at the bottom or a tube skirt can look fab....but a straight pencil looks awful. An asymmetrical skirt can be lovely...but it can also fail if the proportions are wrong. Bias cut or gored midi skirts can be so elegant -- but some bias cuts are too narrow in the hip and wide in the waist for me. In other words, it's all in the details, and sometimes you have to try on quite a few before you find the details that work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930227 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 15:45:18 +0000 Christina F. 1930227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>That's about the size of it! LOL That said, I feel much better about the one I wore today now that I have tucked the tee shirt and buttoned the cardi over it.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I used to love them. I have a couple in softer fabrications that I still do love, and find easier to wear with other pieces. I think I've just gotten much pickier about how they fit me and how I pair them with tops.<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930225 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 15:39:07 +0000 Angie 1930225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So have I got this right, <b>Christina</b>: You love your flowing midi dresses, but not your flowing midis skirts?</p> <p>That makes sense. The dresses are more elongating because they're ONE PIECE. Vertical column of colour or pattern. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930194 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:13:34 +0000 Christina F. 1930194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Becky, yes, I think it will go into holding for now. It may re-inspire me next year.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Liz, I think the tee shirt, which used to be my go-to for skirts, needs to be relegated to my casual wear wardrobe at this point. This is why I need to do a skirt outfit lab, though I dread it - I'm not sure which of my current tops work with my nicer skirts. I have buttoned up my cardi part way to dress the top half of this outfit up further. This look turns out to be the best by far, actually. Noted. (The tee shirt might be okay to layer under if I made the cardi the star.)<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>I also don't think I will be looking actively for skirts, but will see what I stumble over and use my new conclusions about them to guide me. I had been largely avoiding buying new ones completely, so this is just a small change.<br /> </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930193 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:06:55 +0000 Liz A. 1930193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know why but a lot of people have trouble with skirts.&nbsp; I barely wear them any more aside from a couple of pencil skirts that only come out on occasion, and a casual maxi skirt that I wear but maybe wouldn't buy again.&nbsp; I'm going to let skirts be something I don't shop for, but if I find one, it's a lucky break in the future.</p> <p>As to your outfit, I think there's a juxtaposition between the casual top and shoes with a dressier skirt that's maybe not working.&nbsp; Can't tell for sure the level of dressiness of the skirt.&nbsp; It would look good with a boxier crop top in a coordinating color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930191 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:03:33 +0000 Becky 1930191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think our sense of personal style evolves over time, along with our bodies and life stages, and as current fashion changes. There's nothing wrong with making a purposeful change. I vote keeping the birdcage print in a holding zone for a while. After a time, you may find it works once again or that you're ready to let it go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-skirt-journey-long-navel-gazing#post-1930186 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 13:47:30 +0000 Christina F. 1930186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As some of you may have seen, I recently culled a bunch of dresses that no longer looked great on me, due to shrinking in the laundry or other problems. It felt good, but I’m still committed to dresses, especially as summer wear.</p> <p>I used to feel that way about skirts. A midi skirt or pencil skirt was my go-to look, especially if it had a cutesy print. But I have a short waist, which means the midi skirts usually sit too high, and look awkward both ways if the tops are both tucked or untucked. I used to just go with it, but it doesn’t feel right anymore. </p> <p>Pencil skirts used to be a problem, but I’ve clme back around on them. I used to have a great collection of brightly printed ones that were the first things I sized out of when I gained weight. I now have one skirt in that vein that still fits. I also have a couple of black ones (including black on black polka dots and the BR black lace, see finds.) I was scared away from buying pencils for a long time due to how quickly I had to give up my crop of them (I got a couple of seasons out of them), but I’ve gotten over it and may look for more over time. They are easier to pair with tops especially because things like peplums, that don’t need tucking, work. And my weight has stabilized so I’m no longer gaining, though I hope to lose some. </p> <p>As for midis, I tried on a few midis in my closet this morning. I am wearing one, even, but it doesn’t feel like me anymore. I don’t know if the fact that I find them awkward to wear has colored this opinion. I have a beautiful one from Boden that has a birdcage print (see find), and I think I have to put it into holding because it comes up to two inches below my bra—but may fit if I lose weight by next year. Maybe I should just let it go now, but it’s a purchase from two years ago, and Boden is not cheap. Plus I do love it, and maybe it would feel more me if it fit better. Or maybe I’m just more a pencil skirt gal now. </p> <p>I realized that flowy midis work better now, and I do have some skirts along those lines. I still like them, too. The one I have on today (see find J Crew) is less flowy, but has an elastic waist and fits better than the Boden one. My top untucked but I have a cropped cardi on to mitigate that problem a little. The untucked tee is too long on me, like most tees before I realized it was a problem feels bunched up and frumpy. I changed to tucked. It’s somewhat better. Problem is likely the T-shirt in this case, and I should really keep trying to find cropped styles, although I find that difficult for some reason. I do have two. I should have change to one of those shirts, but I ran out of time.</p> <p>I also have one midi with a ship print from Anthro (see find) that I stalked for ages on eBay. I'd like to keep this if I can figure out how to wear it.</p> <p>I did buy one skirt from Loft this year (see find), which is more casual with a fluid fit and knee length. I can tuck a top into it well. I also have a couple of casual and maxi skirts that are fine for weekends. </p> <p>Anyway, I’m not sure what the point of all this navel gazing is, except to share how fashion evolved for each of us at different times. I won’t solve this issue overnight, but over time probably. I’ve nearly abandoned skirts, but I still want that option in my fashion toolkit, so I’ll be thinking about it. Looking for sizes and styles that can sit lower on my body is the number one priority. Obviously, I’ll be much pickier in the future, as I have been about every other type of item. I should do an outfit lab for every skirt in my closet, but that sounds exhausting right now. </p>