Custom skirt and the SYC bust

First, the skirt I am posting is Not the bust! I ordered it in April as a way to experiment with well, custom made clothes, and to relieve my frustration at not being able to find here skirts that both fit my body and are long enough!

So, I purchased some wool type of material (don't ask, Amy, I have no idea really but it itches like real wool!) and asked a local seamstress to make a skirt that fits like the skirt of my favorite dress. Here you see the result! I am quite happy with this! It is boring conservative but that is exactly the type of thing I struggle to find! Everything seems to be trendy or super casual and I wanted a skirt for business travel in my new job.

Hope you like it. Now that I have experimented I plan to use some June budget for making 2 more! The cost is actually 800 NOK. That is about 120 USD but absolutely mid range for clothing here. The lowest end skirt would be 300 NOK from H&M or equivalent. Normal price for a skirt of this quality/type is probably 1600 NOK. Thought you might be interested in why I bothered!

Next up, new pumps. I mentioned these were my first 'fall off the wagon' of the May SYC in the checkup post. Thought you might like to see them. These are the first pumps I have owned in 20 years. The closest I have otherwise are Mary Janes. I also felt they fill a hole in the whole 'business lady' look. They may look Navy, but they are actually deep purple. I love that!

The outfit in pic 1 is what I plan to wear for my second start of the new job. I started working as a consultant last week. That is my new job. And they hired me out to a company, of course. So now I start Monday at my 'customer'. So I kinda want to make an impact on the first day. However, I have been in the offices already and noted that everyone is normally wearing jeans, so this is a first day outfit and for travel to the other countries I may need to visit. Other countries may not be so casual as Norway is! To keep the outfit down to earth, I used the blingy fun necklace. Hope you think that was ok!

thanks for any ideas you might give!
(oh, I will brush hair and use makeup, just back from garden work)

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13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Gorgeous outfit Jayne! This skirt is lovely, not boring, and will be a true wardrobe workhorse. And I love it with the white blouse and that smashing necklace. Chic, classic and gorgeous!

As for the shoes, well if a girl's gonna break SYC than doing it for lovely, dark purple pumps is the way to go! You had a wardrobe hole that needing fitting and required shoes for a new job - enough said.

Vix

Hi Jayne --

First, congrats on the new job! I think that's a great reason to pause ShopYourCloset and fill in gaps.

Second, love doing custom for exactly the reasons you spec'd and love the skirt on you. Pinstripes always seem so easy to take in a conservative direction but also more fun than solids; great choice for your first venture. I think the price is reasonable, too. What are you doing/using for the other two skirts?

Oh -- and I agree the bold necklace seems perfect for pairing with it when you're headed to offices where people tend to wear jeans. Good luck on your first day.

jayne

Thanks Shannon, SYC has bee really good for focusing only on what I need! Nothing like avoiding shopping in general to help one get time to think!

I have to read the latest threads now to see if there is a new update on the SYC...I have been a little busy the last days!

hey Vix, well my next plan is two navy skirts. one in a fake silk for softness and one in dark denim also with a pinstripe. THe first will be classic A line. The second,,,,is a surprise! I am inspired! custom is actually alot of fun! but I must wait til June, May SYC you see! (Shannon may be watching..tee hee)

MNsara

What a great 'business lady' outfit! I think you're skirt turned out perfect and so are the shoes. I adore that you found dark purple!

The way you've styled everything here has a creative, but not-too-casual, business feel. Should fit in nicely with others in jeans, but YOU looking professional!

I consulted in IT for many years and I liked dressing a notch or two over the norm - I always thought it looked like they got more of what they were paying me for

I'm glad you found someone to trust with your custom skirts. At those prices, you don't want any mistakes!

Amy

(website)

Jayne! Congrats on the new job!

Is the skirt lined? That would help with the itch-factor

You look great. I love the necklace too. Fun!

Amy, nope it is unlined but I wore slip and it didn't itch then. Just without. I guess lining will crank up the cost a bit! But I have plenty of slips
Amy, do I need to consider asking for lining for any other reason?

Thanks Sara, IT is my field too. I struggle to dress down enough, and with being a consultant now, I feel I am allowed to dress a touch better! I am looking forward to it!

ramya

You look Fab Jayne....
Also I am in love with those shoes sigh!!!!

Anonymous

Jayne, congratulations on your new job! Your skirt turned out fabulously and I love the new shoes. You are going to be quite the business-lady force to be reckoned with. I love how you wore a soft blouse and pearls with this outfit, so pretty. You do well with your feminine side.

I think I've heard Amy say before that lined garments hang/drape better than unlined ones, but I can't tell that your skirt is unlined from the picture. It's beautifully made! And you look fab!

Suz

Oh my gosh, Jayne!! You look spectacular!! What a wonderful outfit to celebrate your new job! (And congratulations, by the way!)

This is just lovely on you. The crisp white blouse, with the lovely collar, and that pretty necklace, along with the elegant yet fun skirt...ooh!

It was WELL worth it to get this skirt made for you. Just look at the difference good fit makes. Brilliant idea.

christieanne

I love it! And I like how you are straddling both the conservative business world (with shape and a classic white shirt) and the casual world (with bold purple pumps and necklace) just perfectly. No one can argue that you don't fit in.

New shoes are a great find - so much better than basic black! And how smart to have something made that you love.

lyn67

Another beautiful outfit!! Pencils are my faves, I think they are so polished and makes us confident looking! Have a good start at your new job and customer, Jayne!

Kiwichik

Congrats on the new job I think your outfit will get you off to a great start it is very simple & classic with a bit of punch provided by the necklace.

Thanks so much ladies. YLF has helped me build up the confidence to try this custom clothes! I am so happy I did it. CAnnot wait til June when I can spend money again and order the next ones....or I CAN order it now, and just pay in June!

Sara L.

Great skirt! I love the purple shoes! They'll add an unexpected edge to your outfits.

Meredith1953

Jayne,
Your skirt is beautiful! I also love the blouse and the pearls and pumps with it. You look so polished and yet not fussy. Just a really great outfit!

ManidipaM

Completely spectacular, polished, business-like, super-impressive get-up, Jayne! Can't find words enough. That skirt is PERFECT --- not boring at all, though conservative. Quite what you need for a signature working woman look. And love the simple (and we know how hard that actually is to find) white blouse with it, plus the emphatic attention-getting necklace. You look mighty fine going in, and I bet you'll make them sit up and take notice.

Congratulations on the new job! And as to SYC, when life throws that sweet a change in, all is forgiven

ADORE the new pumps. Coveting them, in fact... mmm! (Could you give them a cuddle for me? No? Too much? Well... okay then!)

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