Ask Angie: Just not my best skirt, or too small?

I don't go for flared skirts at all, but I thought I'd give this one a try. Ordered from a place online that does custom measurements. I didn't have it customized because it seemed like it would fit. In actuality, it's very tight at the waist, and I'm pretty sure it's doing all sorts of bad things in the back. I don't like what I see going on with those pleats and my butt! It looks double it's usual size! (oh the horrors!!!)

I'm wondering if I go up a size, will the back be better, or if I should just stick to pencil skirts and skirts flared at the bottom. The back of this skirt is my worst nightmare, but I really, really love how the front looks.

As an alternative, I've also been eyeballing this skirt, which isn't as heavily pleated. Maybe it would work better?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1.....ome_active

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11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Not Angie, but I think this is just a danger of that style of skirt. (Exactly why I never wear them, but not because of the behind so much as the hips.) Sizing up in the waist may help, but if you want to wear this style, I think you have to make peace with a rear view that is perhaps a bit more, um, full than you normally appear!

Diana

Agree with Janet that it's just a function of the style of skirt. I find that I prefer heavily pleated skirts if they a)sit low on the hips so the pleats start lower down (not so much bubble butt then) and b) have stitched-down pleats, which don't pouf as much.

Von

I think you two may be right. I've never even tried on a skirt like this because of my fears, and didn't really realize this one had so many butt pleats. Bubble butt is an understatement.

I'm not so sure about the other one either, because it looks less pleated but may poof just as bad. I need a skirt that's like this in the front and a pencil skirt in back!

Fabrication makes a big difference too. Anything light and drapey will do this less than a heavier or stiffer fabric.

OK, this is a maxi skirt but something in this style tends to work better because the pleats are stitched down around the top.

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....Regular_10

ETA: this one looks like the back is mostly one flat panel with some pleats at the side:

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....4120024094

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Von, I echo what Janet and Diana said. The pleats aren't stitched down which causes major pouf. That will be the same when you size up.

Thanks ladies, I definitely see how stitched down would make a huge difference, but any replacement skirt will definitely need to be scrutinized in a dressing room!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

I agree that its a shape thing - I haven't owned a pleated skirt in a long time, but the ones that don't have the pleats stitched down to the hip, forget about it! Just doesn't work for those of us with a big rear and high hips.

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