Another attempt at the Halogen pencil skirt - YouLookFab Forum

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Another attempt at the Halogen pencil skirt

Sylvie

Veteran

One of the reasons all my outfits look the same is because I exclusively wear dark wash jeans. I haven't found a pair of colored jeans I like yet, but skirts are a good way to bring some color to my bottom half.

I tried and rejected the Halogen pencil skirt several months ago. I'm giving it another shot. The shoes are the same throughout all the photos because I'm just focusing on the tops. If an outfit works with flat sandals, then I know I'll be able to make it work with a heel.

Skirt #1: Petite size in blue/purple - I prefer this length

1) With tucked in black/white pussybow blouse and black cardigan. It's corporate, but the outfit works. If I could switch out the cardigan for a more RATE jacket, I could see myself wearing this.

2) Yellow blouse, untucked (bad), bloused out (frumpy) and tucked in (shortwaistedness emphasized)

3) Soft green blouse without/with black belt. I think the belted look is the best of the lot.

4) Asymetric blue/black/white knit top and black cardigan. I can see now the top is just too long. I could probably make it work if I tucked it.

5) 80's are back - hot pink tank + denim jacket. This is a flop but in general, it is ok if your top is longer than your jeacket in the back?

Skirt #2: Regular size in bright yellow - doesn't fit as well as the petite. It's not just the length, somehow the curve of the hip isn't quite right.

6) Colorful top and wool blend v-neck. Cardigan is frumpy from the back.

7) Same top with silk blend, slightly different colored v-neck: Cardigan is still frumpy from the back.

8) Brown tank and denim jacket. Could work if worn with my brown boots.

9) With soft green blouse. If I only had a cognac belt (still looking for one), this could be rescued.

I am leaning towards keeping the blue/purple. Which skirt do you prefer? Which outfits work/don't work?

Thanks in advance!

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Sylvie - you are exactly right that the petite fits you much better. There's a pulling in the front of the yellow regular size that isn't right. I don't think this size skirt sits properly on your hips.

The blue on the other hand is a fantastic fit on you and very flattering. I especially like the combos you've put together in #3 (great with the belt BTW) and #4. I don't find the top in #4 too long actually.

Diana

Veteran

I would keep the blue skirt! I had the exact same problem with the regular length Halogen skirt - my hip line is very high so I had excess fabric lengthwise between waist and hip that gave me a belly pooch where I didn't have one. Now that I see how much better the petite fits you, I should really try it out myself.

I like outfit 3 with the belt a lot, and also like #2 tucked. Either bloused or unbloused looks good to me - I don't mind emphasizing shortwaistedness, and in fact I do it all the time because it makes my legs look REALLY LONG. The outfits with the "frumpy" cardi would work with a jacket with stronger shoulders. I think your shoulders have a similar sloping shape as mine, and I find that a jacket with shoulder pads works wonders. For a cardi, you have to be careful that it doesn't look droopy - I think the one in #1 is fine.

Anonymous

Sylvie, I think I have the same two skirts (cadet blue and yellow raisin?) and am admiring how you have styled them. I like the fit of the blue but the length of the yellow on you. I like #3 without the belt, #4 and #9 best but also like #5 for a way to dress the skirt down. Thank you for all the ideas.

harmonica

Veteran

I agree with Transcona Shannon. #3 belted is the one I liked the best, then #4. I like how the denim jacket defines your upper body too.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Definitely the blue, Slyvie! I love #3 and #4 as is. #1 is good (maybe better with a jacket). #2 would work with a third element, and #1 might also not a flop with the addition of a scarf, or anchored with boots.

You're putting some energy into finding what works. I know it's tiring, but I think it's paying off!

Makrame

Veteran

Many of these combos look really good! I agree with the others on keeping the petite skirt, and it looks like the blue works with a lot of things you already have. #1 looks good (and would be even better with a jacket), so does #2 in the last iteration, #3 and 4 are all great.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have favorites for both the blue and the yellow. For the blue, #3 with the belt is great. I love the lines and proportion. I also like #4 and what these options have in common is the definition of the waist.

For the yellow, I like #8 and #9. The skirt looks like it is sagging in the front on the other two. I think #9 would be even better with the belt.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

#1 - it's nice.
#2 - tucked, please...does NOT emphasize your short waist the way you think. Makes your legs look long. I think you are hung up too much on your "short waist". I don't see it. I love this color combo, it's FANTASTIC.
#3 - like both with and without the belt. (can you tuck in the beltless version?)
#4 - this is nice,
#5 - LOVE this...cute casual interpretation. the colors are awesome!

I also like all of these with the yellow. Can you keep both? I wear my yellow and purple versions of these all the time.
I'd like to see some of these light blouses tucked in. I think esp. with the flat, ankle-strap sandals they would help the leg line.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think these work best:
#1
#2 -- tucked
#3 -- belted
#6
#7 (like it with both colored cardis)
#9

I agree the petite seems to fit better but I like the yellow color a lot. Can you get it in petite?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The blue skirt fits great, Sylvie! Is this the current blue? (She says, greedily...I have it in my shopping cart...)

I like #1, #2 tucked (I do not see a problem with short waist here; as others have said, it makes legs look long and really, with so many of us made this way, maybe it's not short waist but what a shorter woman looks like in the waist area, period??) #3 belted.

Re tops hanging out at the back, I think if it looks intentional, it's fine. If it looks unintentional, it can look sloppy. With a denim jacket people might think it was unintentional. So I'd be wary. But you can always shrug it up so it isn't hanging out. Or tuck it?

sarah

Veteran

I love 2 (tucked), 3, and 4, and the blue is definitely the proper fit. That skirt looks lovely on you.

Sylvie

Veteran

Thanks ladies. Looks like the blue/purple is approved. I'm also going to wear it with my black/white polka dot top once that arrives. Now, I need to find the guts to wear the skirt out of the house. I'm thinking Friday would be a good day.

Shannon: Sharp eyes there! I can wiggle the skirt to make the creasing go away, but I definitely don't want to be adjusting it all day.

Diana: You should definitely try out the petite blue skirt. It's SO much more comfortable on than the yellow, I can't even tell you. I can walk, I can move, I can sit, etc.

Joy: These are the new blue and yellow: Blue Spectrum and Yellow Ochre. Right back at you on the inspiration. I actually got the idea for #3 from your Outfit #2 in this thread

Harmonica: Thank you! That denim jacket has been quite the workhorse for me.

Beth Ann: I can't believe I didn't think of using accessories/a third element to try to bring multiple solid colored items together! You're so right - a scarf, necklace, boots and tights could be used to unify the whole look.

Makrame: A black/grey non-blazer jacket is going on my list. I think something with a bit of a "utility" look would work.

Dianthus: I like waist definition too. Without it, the skirt does make me feel ever so slightly blobby.

Jenava: I am obsessed with hiding my short waist. The good side is that I never worry about lengthening my legs. I'm 5'3". If you put me next to a 5'7" woman, her legs *may* be longer than mine. *Maybe*. If you put me next to a 5'5" woman, I definitely have longer legs. I'm mostly accepting of my body shape but tucking without a layer on top emphasizes the excess belly/hip fat that one isn't necessarily always pleased with. But you and several others are in agreement on not seeing a problem, so I'll think about it.

Cocolion: Silly Nordstrom doesn't make the yellow in a petite. I'm hoping it will come out for NAS. If it was just length and not hip-fit, I'd be keeping the yellow for sure.

Suz: It is the same blue. It's a lovely blue-purple - I would highly recommend it. I could tuck the shirt at the back to hide it under the denim jacket but leave it loose in the front! That would be a suprise. Actually, I'd be willing to tuck if I had a scarf on top for lengthening purposes.

Sarah: Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement because I will need every bit of it to convince myself to wear the skirt to work.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think these ALL work, Sylvie. SUCH a pity the yellow isn't available in your size, because those combinations look smashing!

Now, a mad suggestion for untucked #2 as well as tucked anything that makes you feel short-waisted, and even for the cardis --- put the belt on top of everything, and then wear it a little lower than your natural waist if you can for tucked-in tops. Et voila! You should have both 'moved' your waist down and defined it (the skirt's doing that job). This way the skirt will look like it is cut high-waisted and as though it sits above your natural waist.

I see and understand the love for belting #3, but I have to say I actually prefer it flowing free --- the shapely skirt and your long legs make the flowy proportions look good, and you appear tall and svelte!

Half-tucking the pink top in #5 is a brilliant idea, but I have to say I rather like the pink band showing at the back --- more interesting than two top-and-bottom colour halves.

I wouldn't hesitate to wear any of these to work. Just add shoes a touch dressier, perhaps? My only hesitation with your footwear is the way the shimmering ankle straps look like stacked anklets here --- feels far too casual to my eye, but maybe looks much less shiny in real life?

And also, maybe for #1, pull the cardigan in a little closer at the centre so you have a more slender panel of blouse/top showing? I think the proportions are more flattering that way.

AJ

Veteran

I like the blue/purple one. I don't think the top in #4 is too short. It looks just right to me.

Anonymous

Looks like you have it sorted. Just wanted to say a low contrasting top/belt seems to help blur the waistline placement issues for me. Good luck, it's a great skirt!

Meredith1953

Veteran

The blue skirt works great for you and I really like the way you are styling it. I think the yellow top definitely needs to be tucked in and it doesn't make you look too short waisted to my eye. I really need to check out the Halogen skirts myself!

Sylvie

Veteran

Manidipa: I still need to work on the footwear. The sandals will work with the denim jacket but I'll need to find other shoes for the blouse-y outfits.

AJ: Thanks!

Claire: Good idea. I could also see myself wearing the blue/purple with a purple blouse and a brightly colored belt to create a "dress" effect.

Meredith: You should try out the skirts as I think they'll definitely fit into your style. They're a bit of a leap for me, but if I've managed to get comfortable with blouses, I'm sure I can push myself there too.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Sylvie - I really love the blue skirt and am tempted to pop one into my cart. Did you get your regular size or did you size up/size down?

Sylvie

Veteran

Shannon, the blue is a 6P and the yellow is a 4. They are close to the same width.

I hover in between a 4 and 6. I wear a 4 in tops or regular size clothing, but sometimes need to size up to a 6 for petite jackets or bottoms.

If you're ordering the petite skirt, stick with your regular size in petites.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Definitely keep the blue skirt, it looks fabulous on you! Also - I quite like the tucked in blouse in #2 - and would only suggest 'popping' the collar and/or scrunching up or rolling up the sleeves (as Angie might do) - this will make outfit #2 (tucked) a real winner, in my opinion. I think the colour combination in #2 is fabulous. Tucked is definitely better, and you might try and sort of 'relax' the whole vibe by rolling up or scrunching the sleeves.

I also love the colour of the yellow skirt on you, but agree that you might be better of with a petite sizing if you can get it.

I'm not that great at proportions when it comes to skirts, so I'll leave that to others - but keep the blue skirt, and try to get the same size/length in the yellow. This is a very good looking skirt on you! Plus, I think outfit #2 tucked is heading into the "killer" zone...it really looks amazing, and I think it's just a matter of rolling up the sleeves, adding accessories and so on.