https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:04:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637464 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 18:56:08 +0000 retailgirl 1637464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love both skirts and dresses but wear neither. I have very long legs and most skirts and dresses are too short, plus I'm not crazy about my legs...don't like my ankles and I have lots of veins. So that brings us to the hosiery question, bare legs or hosiery? I won't go bare legged but hosiery looks out of date. The last time I wore dresses or skirts was when a 32" or 34" skirt was stylish and hosiery was OK. So it's full length pants for me, all the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637455 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:03:26 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1637455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love both skirts and dresses, but I go back and forth on which I wear more depending on what's going on in my life.&nbsp; If I'm crazy busy I love the simplicity of dresses.&nbsp; If I have more time to put outfits together, I love the creativity a skirt allows with changing out the top and getting a completely different look.&nbsp; I have a lot of wrap and fit and flare dresses, which are more forgiving to weight changes whereas with a pencil skirt my body has to be just so.&nbsp; With midi skirts the length is thrown off if I lose a bit of weight and the waist slides down. Also nothing beats the comfort of a cozy sweater dress in the winter over leggings or fleece lined tights. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637318 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 07:52:57 +0000 Sally 1637318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In saying that I'm lusting after a striped tube skirt so I may get a sKirt sometime. It ticks the boxes for comfort but don't know how it will look on my apple body </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637307 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 06:42:32 +0000 Gigi 1637307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a real struggle finding dresses that fit properly, because my bottom is 1-2 sizes bigger than my top. I've been looking for fit-and-flares, which are pretty plentiful right now, but I also refuse to buy anything that is dry clean only, which cuts my choices way down. Right now, I have only a few dresses in my closet, all of which are for event wear, except for one. I would love to have some casual dresses. So for me, it is skirts all the way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637238 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:36:27 +0000 shiny 1637238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Donna, that sheath dress is to die for! Can't wait to see your WiW. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637237 Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:28:29 +0000 Brin 1637237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The only skirts I've ever really liked have been long, full and even layered (boho style) but I have had to pass them on once they get too tight in the waist. &nbsp;I only have one left and haven't tried it on recently. &nbsp;I'm not sure I've ever worn a short skirt (I can remember only one from my teens). &nbsp;I do have a very comfortable dress with a lot of fullness in the skirt -- but I'm a little wary of it since inadvertently doing a Marilyn Monroe going down the subway stairs (and I was wearing my leopard-print undies too...) &nbsp;Perhaps this is why all winter I've been sticking to trousers? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts/page/2#post-1637229 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 23:58:14 +0000 Sal 1637229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I currently own three skirts and four work dresses, three summer casual dresses and five evening/occasion dresses. &nbsp;My skirts are all at least four years old!</p> <p>I had a stage of wearing casual A line skirts, boldly patterned, with a simple tank or tee, and wedges. &nbsp;It was a summer uniform for 2-3 years that I liked. I may go back to it because it was flattering and fun, but then A lines seemed to disappear for a while.</p> <p>ETA: &nbsp;I find dresses easy to fit, whereas skirts can have issues. &nbsp;I suspect there will be more available at retail soon - everything cycles back again. &nbsp;I also like the way a dress does not make me look as short waisted. &nbsp;I am happy to repeat outfits a lot too :)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637218 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:55:37 +0000 Anonymous 1637218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have 2 skirts and about 19 dresses. Dresses are easier to fit and easier to style. Also, as a short-waisted petite, I like the way dresses elongate my body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637216 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:23:34 +0000 Echo 1637216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I very rarely wear skirts, but I love to wear dresses. It is hard for me to identify why, except that it always seems harder to find tops that work. I don't like to tuck, and I find that wearing things untucked looks less professional. If a skirt is anything to me, it is professional (yes, I have a very narrow definition of skirts). So I really only have one or two skirts, and those are for interviews or important meetings, so I rarely wear them. For some reason (again, probably my very narrow definition of what skirts "should" be for me), I also feel far less comfortable not wearing hosiery with a skirt than with a dress. A dress is much easier to wear in a more casual way for me than skirts are. Given that and the issue I have with putting a top with skirts, dresses just tend to work out much better for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637203 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:39:13 +0000 Aida 1637203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like dresses more than skirts but have more skirts than dresses, hmm... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637194 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:02:09 +0000 DonnaF 1637194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of the four dresses I ordered actually works!&nbsp; Good thing it's from Nordstrom so I'll be able to use my alteration allowance to have this lined dress hemmed. <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/music-print-sheath/4288463?origin=wishlist" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mu.....n=wishlist</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637169 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:39:37 +0000 DonnaF 1637169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like and have many more skirts than dresses.&nbsp; Easier to fit and easier to find toppers that work with them.&nbsp; And I probably have an opposite body type than those of you who love dresses.&nbsp; I am an hourglass/pear with a very long waist, and waistbands are never tight on me if a garment has sufficient ease in the hips and thighs.&nbsp; This means that I've had the elastic tightened on tube skirts.&nbsp; Shift/sack dresses look ridiculously bad on me.&nbsp; I like to be comfy in my (machine washable) clothes, but the dress styles that tend to look best on me is the sheath and maybe fit'n'flare -- both constrictive styles!&nbsp; And so many dresses I've seen are polyester.</p> <p>Hope springs eternal, so today UPS will be delivering a couple of washable sheath dresses.</p> <p>Isn't it crazy how some of us find dresses so much easier, and others of us just the opposite? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637127 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:58:38 +0000 rachylou 1637127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh. Have to think, but I don't believe I should have to (lol). In theory, I like them equally. BUT... I wear dresses/skirts when it's hot. And when it's hot, I like the simplicity of just putting on one thing and being done - i.e., a dress. But then again, I wear skirts quite a bit over leggings for the apron effect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637116 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:43:30 +0000 Keix 1637116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Smittie</b>: like Diana, I only wear low-rise and lowish-mid-rise jeans that sit on my hips. I have a long torso and a short waist, so my natural waist and tummy bloating all happens above my jeans waistband.</p> <p>I can definitely imagine having a similar waistband issue with high-rise jeans, though.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637112 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:41:10 +0000 Anonymous 1637112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, I see, Diana! And now that you mention it, I don't like skirts for that reason TOO! My waist is essential right at my rib cage, and skirts will ride up that high. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637110 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:39:21 +0000 Diana 1637110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re: the constricting waistbands on jeans vs. skirts.&nbsp; This is why I like low and mid-rise jeans and hate high rises on pants (well, that, and the fact that they emphasize my short-waisted pear shape way too much).&nbsp; I don't mind waistbands when they are lower down, around my hips or even my lower belly.&nbsp; It's just when they're around my natural waist (or even worse when they shift up to crush my ribs) that I am really uncomfortable.&nbsp; This is why I like to size up on my skirts so that they are lower rise.&nbsp; The problem with pencils and other fitted/stiff skirts (and hence why i avoid them) is that they'll ride up to my narrowest point (natural waist) anyway.&nbsp; Jeans/pants, because of their construction, really can't ride up in the same way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637101 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:26:27 +0000 Anonymous 1637101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KL - Jeans have a constricting waistband too, so perhaps it's not the waistband per-se that's the problem with skirts. Just a thought... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637083 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:33:59 +0000 Diana 1637083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer dresses but I own more skirts (if you don't count the formal wear).&nbsp; This is because skirts are easier for me to fit, as my bust is a size smaller than my hips, and my shoulders/back are even more so.&nbsp; </p> <p>My favorite style is a waistless dress (either a sack/a-line shift or princess seamed) because although I am a pear shape with a relatively small waist, I also cannot stand things that are tight around my waist.&nbsp; This is even more true in the summer heat and humidity.&nbsp; I'm also very short waisted so the waistbands on dresses are never in the right place. Anyway, this particular style of dress, without waist seams or elastic, is surprisingly difficult to find.&nbsp; I also think it's easier to wear a dress over skinny jeans/pants, which is a look I like in the winter, whereas it just looks/feels bulky and weird to wear a skirt over pants.&nbsp; </p> <p>For skirts, I get around the waistband issue by buying a size larger (which is often necessary to fit my butt anyway) and having the waist sit lower.&nbsp; This does not work for pencil skirts but I don't like them anyway and don't own any.&nbsp; (I do like tube skirts though.)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637082 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:32:30 +0000 Keix 1637082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s interesting to see all the variety of skirt-owning habits! </p> <p>@Penny: Yes, I’m hoping that my skirt exercise will help me decide which ones to pass on. The majority of my skirts are several years old, and some of them don’t really fit into my current style.</p> <p>I tried hard to cull in favor of elastic-waist skirts because they are so much more comfortable, but then the waistband is also bulkier. I do love the look of a fitted-waist flared skirt—when I’m standing up most of the time, which isn’t my life.</p> <p>@Brooklyn and Ginger: I love variety too, but like Ginger I’ve done it by acquiring a wide variety of dresses Also jeans, which are still the most practical option for me.</p> <p>@harmonica: Please share your skirt-wearing secrets with me! Especially pencil skirts, which I find the most aggravating piece of clothing ever: the waist constricts when I sit down or eat anything and tends to rotate around too. I prefer A-line skirts for the greater ease of movement, but still find them tight in the waist usually. Many of my skirts have an adjustable waist but aren’t fully elastic, e.g. an “elastic” waistband created by a ribbon tie. So I end up fussing with it throughout the day. The fully elastic skirts tend to slide up and down when I tuck a slippery top into them, as I like to do because silk tops drape better and tucking gives me a longer leg line.</p> <p>I am interested in the idea of stretchy tube skirts as a few people brought up. I have one draped top now that might work untucked over one. Previously I was trying to tuck tops into the tube skirts that I bought, which never worked and led to a prompt return.</p> <p>Many people also expressed annoyance at finding dresses that are long enough. That must be one of the advantages of being short! I’ve passed on a few too-short skater dresses but my latest dress acquisition (I know, I shouldn’t be adding to the collection, shhh) needs to be hemmed. I do have to get the torso altered sometimes, due to petite proportions, but I can choose dress styles that are more flexible in fit (e.g. adjustable spaghetti-straps, higher necklines).</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637078 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:56:10 +0000 Janet 1637078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am finding skirts AND dresses more problematic lately. I think the last skirt I bought was my blue ruched tube skirt, two years ago, that is a summer semi-workhorse. All my other skirts are slowly disappearing from my closet. I just don't wear them. I know that part of the issue is that my preference is for pencil skirts, and my old pencil skirts now pinch in the waist in a way they never did before (thanks, menopause! :-P). But they are also kind of fussy to dress down for my casual life.</p> <p>My dress collection has dwindled over the last couple of years too. There is such a dearth of interesting, casual dresses that are long enough for my taste. I want something unusual and fun, but still flattering and versatile. Seems to be a mythical creature. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637077 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:47:46 +0000 JAileen 1637077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wore skirts and dresses when I worked. Only pants on Fridays, and never jeans, unless I had to go in on the weekend. </p> <p>Dresses are an instant outfit. With skirts, you have the possibility of multiple outfits, assuming you have a variety of tops. I bought a skirt the other day and Angie scolded me for not buying the accompanying top. There wasn't one, though. It definitely worried me, but I eventually found a few tops that I hope will work. Since I don't work, the skirt (and I also bought a couple of dresses!) are for events that always seem to come up - dinners, weddings, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637076 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:43:29 +0000 Elle 1637076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm primarily a dress person for many of the same reasons - hate hate anything constricting my waist, riding up of narrow skirts, and matching problem. &nbsp;Wearing dresses seem so easy to me. just put on and go. &nbsp;I do have one stretchy tube midi skirt that I love. &nbsp; Obviously, I'm all about comfort..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637068 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:20:21 +0000 Anonymous 1637068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really want to wean myself off jeans at work too. (I think this change of heart is because I'm getting older.) </p> <p>I tried skirts last year, KL, and they're fine, but they're not where I'm at in my style journey. I like pants with a bit of a heel--this is the silhouette that feels most 'me' at this point.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do love dresses, though shopping for them is difficult. A-line shifts are the best, but are surprisingly hard to find.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637035 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:15:49 +0000 Angie 1637035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your reasoning makes a lot of sense, KL. </p> <p>I slightly prefer skirts to dresses, but love both. Skirts are more versatile. &nbsp;I have more skirts than dresses at the moment, but want to get more dresses because they are an easy pull-on-and-go.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637034 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:14:24 +0000 Elizabeth P 1637034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love to wear dresses in the summer, because they are so cool and comfy and easy. I have work ones, and casual ones.&nbsp; In the winter, I don't wear a lot of either, but I think I tend to favour skirts.&nbsp; I have noted however, that Every Single Skirt I still wear, is a ponte knit, or a tube skirt.&nbsp; No tight waistbands for me, either!&nbsp; I also wear a lot of running skirts or Edie Bauer skorts in the summer, depending on the level of casual.&nbsp; They feel dressier than shorts, but with the ease.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637030 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:09:23 +0000 El Cee 1637030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer the mix-and-match versatility of skirts. I also find that they are easier to "casualize" for my current lifestyle. And, as a tall, curvy woman, I find that my options for flattering "long enough" dresses are quite limited. I did add a few cocoon and sweater dresses to my wardrobe this season. They are mid-thigh on me, so I wear them as tunics over skinny jeans or flares.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637027 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:51:50 +0000 shiny 1637027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another apple here who prefers dresses vs skirts due to comfort &amp; fit issues. I wish skirts were easier to fit, for exact reasons Brooklyn mentioned: versatility. All those capsule wardrobe and what-to-pack plans always include a skirt, and for good reason.&nbsp;</p> <p>Currently I think I have exactly three skirts in my closet: two tube skirts and a pair of EF skirted leggings (not sure those count). All are knits with elastic waistbands. Whenever I'm tempted to buy another skirt, I go into my storage stash where I have lots of pretty skirts, that each fit for a couple of weeks when the moon was full and I was dehydrated just enough. LOL</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637025 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:42:36 +0000 Anonymous 1637025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny - after reading this and thinking about it a bit, I realize that I have not bought a skirt now in more than a year. &nbsp;Way back when - lol &nbsp;- when I was slim and trim, skirts were part of my work wardrobe 12 months a year. &nbsp;But as I became less easy to fit, it wasn't worth the fussing and anxiety trying to find a skirt that flattered and was comfortable, and that didn't require purchasing a whole new slew of pieces to go with it. &nbsp; The only skirts I own now are golf and running skirts . &nbsp;I love dresses for everyday wear, but am petrified of them for dressy/formal occasions . &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637011 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:48:00 +0000 Ginger 1637011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear both equally, I think. But my preference is for dresses, because of what <b>Brooklyn</b> said: it's so much easier to look pulled together. I really like variety, too, so I solve that with MOAR DRESSES. (I'm contemplating another one!)&nbsp; I'm kind of grumpy at the moment, actually; this faux spring weather is hard to dress for, and a number of my in-between dresses and workhorse skirts are sitting in the ironing pile. :p</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pondering-dresses-vs-skirts#post-1637010 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:44:32 +0000 Anonymous 1637010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like and wear both dresses and skirts but find it hard to find dresses that are long enough. I like dresses for the instant outfit and skirts because they can be worn with different pieces and I can be more creative. I find that tube skirts are the most comfortable and flattering, especially with a draped top worn untucked. </p>