A picture's worth a thousand words

Transcona Shannon

For your visual comparison purposes, please see the pics below. Need I say more on why I need to stop trying to get full skirts to work on me and still with my pencil skirts?

Here's a link to the other full skirt I'm trying to make work http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....this-skirt.

Thus ends today's lesson

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12 years ago

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Helena

Veteran

I was going to argue and say the full skirt looked straight - but comparatively to the pencil skirt, the pencil skirt gives you the best flattery. However, I do emphasize the 'comparatively' ... I didn't see anything wrong with the full one!

12 years ago

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Sorry, Shannon, I have to disagree with you on this one. I think this full skirt looks great on you, because it is very fluid. The pleats do not add any bulk, because from what I see in the pictures, they start relatively low and not right at the waist. To my eye, this skirt emphasizes your waist and elongates your silhouette.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I don't think there is anything wrong with the shape of the first skirt, it just isn't to your preference. The fuller skirt highlights your calves and I am sure is swishy/floaty when you walk. The pencil is tighter and shows more shape. I think it is fine to decide you prefer the second silhouette, but that doesn't invalidate the first one either

12 years ago

kkards

Veteran

when i looked at #1, i thought, i don't see what she is seeing, but then i looked at #2 and i got it. for me, #1 works, maybe its the length of the top.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

You know how Angie says something doesn't have to be the most flattering it can be, it just has to be flattering enough? There is room for both of these silhouettes in your closet!

FWIW, I agree that the pencil makes you look slimmer but I think the pleated skirt makes you look taller. And it's so elegant with the swish.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I don't know, you do look amazing in a pencil skirt. I still like full skirts on you. Maybe you can do the full skirt look with dresses where there is a column of color instead of the blocked look of the top/skirt.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, you can stop wearing full skirts if you like. You should never wear something that makes you feel less than your fab self!

But I still think this skirt is flattering to you. It is different from the pencil silhouette. But different does not equal bad.

12 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Shannon, you are rocking those pencil skirts. I especially love you in #3 and #5. Good on you for recognizing the winners in your life.

12 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I quite like the flowy skirt. Open for a suggestion ? You have probably (if you are like me) tried this with every top you have but I am wondering if the orange top isn't too long for the skirt? Do you have a fitted blazer or something that gives a little more waist definition? Maybe a wrap style blouse that ends a little higher than the orange one?
Flowy full skirts just feel so nice to wear. And great with boots (my favorite to ear them- cooler weather with boots to balance everything out).
I agree that the pencils are knock your socks off but with your savvy, you can work them both!

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Well you look more than fine, esp. in #1. But I have to agree, for some reason, I don't feel the same wattage or power. It's sorta head pats and "don't you worry your little self, little lady."

I'd suggest combat boots but that would then be lacking in polish.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well this has been a very interesting read ladies - lots of food for thought and some surprising (to me) support of the fuller skirt. I need to think on this some more before I can reply fully.

It is definitely swishy and fun when I walk and feels light as a feather, very comfy.

Christieanne - I've tried some fitted blazers but I feel like they accentuate my hips even more.

Just saw your comment Rachy - I could add my Doc Marcie's?

12 years ago

Anonymous

Shannon, I think your black leather blazer and Marcies would look excellent with this come cooler weather -- kind of a riff on the tutu + combat boots look.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well. I still like #2. But I know you're off crisp shirts, too.

Ceit is going where I was going with the edgy/HL comment on your other thread. Try an edgy top that really highlights your waist (e.g. leather jacket or other) and keep the shoe refined to show your slim legs/ankles. I am also curious if shortening this skirt a smidge would help. Your taupe pencil is right at the top of your knee, yes? It might give the skirt a more youthful spin and also show of those gams of yours that get the spotlight in your pencils.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

It looks like this is a case of "Let's agree to disagree" because, while I think you rock your pencil skirts, I also really like you in that green skirt. And I'm respectfully disagreeing with the need to "toughen" it up or wear a shorter top--although both ideas would definitely be worth exploring.

The real issue, though, is what you see when you look in the mirror and how you feel in the skirt. You mentioned in your other thread that you felt increasingly less than fabulous in the skirt as the day wore on; that feeling, in my books, is the deal breaker. Send the skirt to where it makes someone happy to twirl around in it all day.

12 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I think those are wrong tops for that skirt. Have you tried tucking in/shorter tops? Or a tighter top. I think you could look great in both styles! Maybe most of your tops are on the 'baggy' spectrum since you like to taper at the bottom? Over sized + over sized can look cool but also can feel a bit sloppy.

12 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I'm not reading anything. And I'm here almost straight from your other thread.

Yes, you rock pencils. But, I love that skirt from 1/2 on you. I said in the other comment I liked the silhouette. I think you just need to make the upper body contours visible when you wear it and you're sorted.

12 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I also politely beg to differ, Shannon. You absolutely rock a pencil skirt, no doubt about that:-) But I think this full skirt, with its soft material and drape, also looks incredibly elegant and wonderful on you. I LOVED the outfit with the orange jumper. And I also love the recent one with the white button-down (I am a fan of the contrast between the strict white shirt and the softness of the skirt). (really like Ceit's and Rae's suggestions).

Of course, at the end of the day, you have to feel good in what you wear, and you don't have to wear anything you don't like:-)

12 years ago

Anonymous

You need a different choice of tops with the skirt. Volume on volume is unlikely to work in this case. What about a fitted cotton round neck top with rouched seams? Invert your formula. On the fitted skirts, you have a flowy top, on the flowy skirt, you need a fitted ( read body con) top. Also, you need a short sleeve or sleveless, to neutralize all of the fabric at the bottom. I would also forget about belting, knotting etc, let the skirt speak for itself.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

This is fascinating, reading what you all think. First of all, it is very true indeed that I don't need to wear anything that doesn't make me feel fab. But as many of you know (especially Una - lol!) I don't give up easily. Remember the BF trials and tribulations? I had such a love-hate relationship with boyfriend jeans that it bordered on obsessive. But once I figured out that it was the leg width that was the issue for me and could then find the pair that fit my leg fit criteria, I embraced the trend whole heartedly.

So saying that, I like these things about the green skirt: 1) the colour; 2) the movement; 3) the lightness; 4) the elegance of the shape. The things I don't like: 1) how it makes my hips look; 2) the difficult waistband which negates any tucking and/or tucking with a belt.

Looking at the pros vs the cons, I'm hanging the skirt back up in my closet for now and thinking on it. Maybe play around with it a bit on a weekend to see what I can come up with. But if it doesn't sing to me then, out she goes!

Thank you all SOOOOOO much for your input - it's been extremely helpful

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with Gaylene - it isn't always about how we look. How we feel in something is just as important.

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Shannon; I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I guess you are self-conscious about your hips? My eye doesn't go there at all with your green skirt! I sympathize with your frustration re its waistband. Is it something you can fold down so that a belt would cover it? Or would it end up being too bulky.

In short, don't be too quick to get rid of this skirt. Play around with it a bit with different tops. Maybe it's partly your frame of mind today IYKWIM?

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Without reading the comments (cos I dont want to be swayed lol) I have to say that the citron skirts looks gorgeous on you. I particularly liked the way you wore it in #1 and even if that was the only combination you wore of it occasionally I think it is worth it However as one who absolutely does not wear full skirts I hear you For example, I have received lovely comments in the past when I experiemented with more colour but when I look at the photos, I don't feel i am looking at 'me'! And the truth is it wasn't 'comfortable' either, so not only did i not look like me, i didn't feel like me, and I think that is a huge part of knowing our style. I don't want to just look good, I want to feel good.

I really appreciate this quote from une femme d'un certain age "I may not be able to define precisely my own authentic style, but I know it when I slip it on. It feels like a powerful second skin. I enjoy experimenting and trying new looks, and in that process have learned that I’ve hit my authentic zone when it never feels like trying too hard"

For me, I know I have strayed from my true 'style persona' when I feel uncomfortable and/or conspicuous. I actually feel like I am playing dress ups, just like when as a child I would dress up and in my mum's clothes.

So what I am saying is you have to be happy!

12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I agree the pencil skirt looks better straight on. But I still think you can make the green skirt work. I like it in #1 but would argue for a like-colored sweater, the high color contrast cuts you in half. I do think that green skirt will look great in motion, with the right top. Have you tried belting with this type of skirt to emphasize the waist?

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I also don't care for fuller skirts on my shape vs straight or pencil styles. But I can logically see that the issue might indeed be the right shirt to pair with the skirt.

12 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

oh hips, schmips. Love the skirt and there's a lot to be said for light as air flippy movement. Just toss that thing around with your hips. Make your hips your secret weapon.

12 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Oh I like #1. Much better than the way it is styled in #2. For me, having an alternate silhouette--especially in summer--is kind of fun. You can relax and enjoy in this skirt, not worry about showing too much leg and so on. I like a floaty full skirt in summer. It feels cooler. Also, the shape is still fairly straight and doesn't poof out from the body.

But, just as the others have said, if you don't feel right in it and won't wear it, why let it bog down your wardrobe?

12 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I feel that how you feel is paramount but wouldn't be letting the full one go just yet. As others have commented it looks great and gives another look and feel. So cool and comfy to wear.

What about the length? I could see it shorter. You have lovely, shapely calves.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Deborah - I could just HUG you right now! That's exactly it. Even if technically something does or can work, it doesn't mean I FEEL right in it.

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful suggestions, wisdom and in some instances, commiseration. I truly appreciate the feedback

I think I'm learning in this leg of my style journey, that although I thoroughly enjoy experimenting and will always do so, I don't want to stray too far from my original rubric (structure, colour, retro, classic, urban). IMHO the outfits with the full skirt are missing the structure component - which maybe I can rectify with a blazer. Will see about that.

I'm also realizing that maybe conventional figure flattery is more important to me than I thought.

Today's outfit (both versions) and your insights helped me reach a few style conclusions so thanks again!

12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love it Vildy, "hips, schimps." FWIW, I don't think a skirt like this photographs particularly well. It's all about the movement, the depth, the texture! As for structure, I think a widish belt, or a jacket would stand in nicely. Elastic waist you say? If you had belt loops put onto it, would a belt take care of the look? Of course, you might not want to invest further in something that makes you feel like less than your best self.

I think you look ladylike, and tall and elegant. While your pencil skirts present a narrow silhouette, they don't make my eye think you're skinnier. It's fabric I'm seeing, not your form. Still, we dress as a way of boosting our confidence as we go into the world, and you need and deserve to feel your best. Just don't right off all full skirts forever!

12 years ago

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