Are skirts just fussy?

Thistle

Let's start with I love dresses. I wish they loved me back. I am a different size on top than on the bottom, so no love.

I do love the look of skirts on others. I know they look better on me than trousers.

But I hate them.

I've thought long and hard about it, and they seem to just be harder to wear than trousers. I don't have to think about trousers once I put them on, but I feel like I'm always fussing with skirts.

Is this just in my head or are skirts fussy than trousers?

5 years ago

General

47 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

MsMaven

Veteran

I think they are. As I've added inches to my middle I find that skirts ride up on me. In this fashion era there is no "correct" length for skirts like there was when I was a girl, so each skirt has to be carefully matched for proper proportions on top. A pain.

5 years ago

anchie

Veteran

Well, skirts are the least worn items in my closet. In theory they should be easier to fit than pants. But.. They require different types of tops, and then hosiery if you are running cold, which then limits choice of footwear. And you need to shave legs regularly;) And not to mention chub rub So more minuses then pluses in my book.

5 years ago

delurked

Veteran

For me, the right skirt is not fussy. In summer it is cooler than shorts. I’m a fan of knit skirts that are more casual, but like others for dressier occasions. I’m team skirt.

5 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I think it has to do with what you're used to wearing. My sister and my neighbor mostly wear skirts in the summer and their wardrobes are set up that way. My sister wears lots of A-line skirts and she has the associated tops to go with those (usually shorter). My neighbor wears stretchy pencil skirts and longer tops/tunics (my neighbor gets hers from Lularoe). Both have kids yet feel that skirts are easier and cooler in the summer.

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I used to have lots but am down to 3 - and probably only 2 that get regular wear.

I know Angie says to buy the skirt with the associated top otherwise they can be an orphan. I do find them comfortable.

But if pants are easier and your preference then why change!

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

I don’t find pencil skirts fussy; they are a staple in my wardrobe and I have a selection of tops that work (untucked) with them. But I’ve found other styles more work, harder to find tops, waistline issues, etc...

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

I love a full knee length or midi skirt but have realized that they're almost impossible to dress with my short waist. Tucking things in almost never looks right. Pencil skirts are easier, and I like patterned ones, but even those I have to keep limited due to some of the reasons mentioned above.

5 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

depends on the skirt. they are less forgiving than pants as i struggle with my tummy. but when they fit, i love them.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I find that skirts are less practical than trousers and that I have to think more about what tops and footwear to put with them but I do still wear them and in the summer if it’s very hot I prefer a swishy skirt to trousers but I am on team trouser mainly.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I find them fussy too - adjusting waistbands, pulling down the lining, smoothing down the back to sit down, fixing the back when you get up, and on and on. But I so miss wearing them!

5 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I find pencil skirts easier to style than other styles of skirts. Often with skirts and dresses I wear a half slip for warmth and to make it hang better, so that's another layer to fuss with. Same with tights. But I think finding the right topper can be challenging, proportion-wise and getting it to fit over whatever top I want to wear.

My latest solution is pants/jeans under a dress. No hassle with getting a half tuck just right, much less remembering to do so. Warmth without the hassle of ensuring the tights aren't twisted as you put them on.

I just discovered a couple of my (non-knit) skirts have become a bit snug. Those skirt hangers must be shrinking them. I want to retire in a few years so I won't be replacing those business skirts if I don't lose my current fluff.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Emphatically yes.

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I love pencil skirts and don’t find them fussy or hard to style, however any A-Line skirt baffles me completely. In order of preference I like dresses, jeans, skirts.

5 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

I wear skirts most days of the week and don't find them fussy.

I wonder what you feel is the problem with skirts. Is it finding the right fit/shape(s) for your figure, finding the right tops and/or footwear, or something else? If you are able to identify the problem, it might be easier for others to offer you specific help/advice (if you want that).

5 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I am down to just one skirt (knit) and I totally forgot I owned that one until just now.

It's not the tops that is the problem for me, it's the apple shape, I am now thicker side-view wise than front view.

That said --- I have this saved to someday try:
https://www.ritaphil.com/

I think a custom-fitted skirt just might work. Off the rack rarely does.

Has anyone given this brand a try?

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thistle, it's your climate getting in the way of it all.

Skirts are not fussier then pants/jeans in mild and warm weather. They are fussy in cold weather because of hosiery.

From what I can remember - you ROCK the right dress.

5 years ago

Anonymous

THISTLE- I try to love skirts but they so dislike me. I have a total of 3- a dark wash denim, a light wash denim and a black knit that’s one of those convertible things I bought on a cruise years ago. I wish I could wear them especially on trips when they could b versatile as part of capsule.
I dumped all my other skirts last year when I realized I looked horrible in them- my mindset was life is too short to look that bad. I have no idea why I kept these 3 except cost. I put them on and take them off immediately.
I love dresses and spend my summers in them- all shapes.
They are my go to since I don’t wear shorts.

Keep trying dresses- there are so many shapes, sizes and fabrics- just forge ahead. You will be glad you did. Personally I think the lines on dresses look smoother, sleeker and better than skirt separates.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Skirts are a much easier fit for me, I think because I can play around with sizes to adjust the waist up or down, which creates more/less room in the hip. It all seems to work out a lot better for me.

That said, I have found it a bit tricky to find casual pencil skirts. Much easier to find pants.

5 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

No, I don’t find them fussy. I have a strong preference for skirts over trousers.

*I like to wear a jacket and when wearing a jacket with trousers the look can skew too masculine and “suit like” for my taste
*I don’t like the thigh definition that trousers give me
*I run warm and prefer the ventilation that a skirt gives me
*I find them more versatile because I will happily wear a patterned or coloured skirt but I am not so happy wearing patterned or coloured trousers

And I can rarely find a dress that works for me.

That said, I live in a warm climate and can wear skirts with bare legs for about 9 months of the year. Having to wear tights with a skirt does increase the fuss factor. Also, I wear boots and sandals with skirts and occasionally sneakers. If I was determined to wear pumps with skirts that would significantly increase the fuss factor for me.

5 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

To me they are. They constantly twist and ride up, regardless of size, but I think my main grievances wouldn’t necessarily apply to somebody with a low waist/hip ratio.

5 years ago

binkle

Veteran

I love maxis and don't find them fussy - but only if I don't tuck my top. Any top-tucking is a major fuss factor. I'm big busted, so most tops, especially blouses just don't stay tucked.

Pencils don't work on me, without tailoring to bring in the waist, but I always feel like adjusting something - the waist, the hem, checking for skirt-spin - too fussy!

5 years ago

Aida

Veteran

For me? Yes I've been slowly working my skirts out of my wardrobe. I have a handful left but otherwise would mostly rather wear a dress or shorts.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I just wore a skirt yesterday and did not find it fussy at all. But I do not wear hose (it was about 90/30) and it was a stretchy skirt. It did, however, twist around by time I got home. I hadn't noticed, so perhaps a certain level of oblivion is an element .

5 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I’m with Aida— vowed never to buy skirts again and I’m slowly weeding them out. I’m down to two that are made of beautiful materials but I neverrrrrrr wear them.

5 years ago

anne

Veteran

I find dresses easier (don't shift around, for example) but I find skirts SO much more easy than trousers to fit because there are less fit points. I haven't even bought a pair of trousers for 8 plus years.

5 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

Another vote for yes, fussy! Like Jessikams I stopped buying skirts years ago because I decided they only time they look good is when I tuck in the top, and the skirts that I like that look with are few and far between. I'm down to one navy linen paper-bag waist skirt for summer and nothing for winter. I have just started trying them on again but I think my tucking rule is still true. It is possible that it is less true for pencil skirts, as Toban mentions, since you can leave untucked, but that is a silhouette I have never loved on myself. So yes!

5 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I just can't get comfortable in a skirt. Maxi skirts are somewhat better, but not enough so that I'll wear them. I just feel like my activities are so much more limited in a skirt.

5 years ago

jussie

Veteran

I like skirts, to me they are more comfortable than pants. Pants are hard to fit! Dresses are impossible to fit and sometimes seem to need shapewear.... whereas with a skirt there seems to be some structure/coverage provided by the waistband. Or at least the option of a longer top....
Horses for courses!

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

In general, yes. I've weeded out most skirts from my wardrobe. Especially for fall or winter. But in summer, the right skirt can be really great and comfortable. I'm really picky about styles though. I have a couple of ruched jersey tube skirts that I didn't wear at all last year, and I'm wondering whether to pass them along. The Finds below comprise pretty much my whole skirt wardrobe (plus a near-maxi length boho printed skirt I wore not too long ago that is sentimental so I keep it), and a black lace pencil skirt that is stretchy enough that it's survived my recent closet edit because it still fits, and I keep it "just in case"...