Denim skirt tried on and revisited - YouLookFab Forum

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Denim skirt tried on and revisited

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hey all, I posted about this Kut denim pencil skirt a couple of weeks ago. Now that I'm home, I decided to try it on and consider the various options for possibly modernizing it and toughening it up. The wash is darker than most denim skirts out now, and the cut is classic.

I just wanted to see if there were any additional thoughts or feedback after seeing this actually on my body. I didn't style it, kind of on purpose. Just threw on with a tee and sneakers I'm wearing around the house today. Forgive the whacked out hair, goofy expression, and lack of makeup. Sophie decided it would be a good time to lick the lotion off my legs too.

What do you think? Try to bleach it out and fade it a bit? Pick the hem and leave raw as we talked about? I think it was Jules who suggested adding a front slit, and that idea interests me too.

All feedback welcome! Be brutal -- if this just needs to go, please say so. I won't be hurt.

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39 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

retailgirl

Veteran

I like it, don't try to bleach, you don't know how it will come out and you might look like a bad 80's flashback. I'm not crazy about a raw edge, so I wouldn't do that. And although the idea of a front slit might be enticing, I think you'd find it annoying. I think the trick is what you wear with it. It fits you well and is a nice basic.

Anonymous

Ok. I'm going to be honest. I think you don't wear it because of the front zipper. Look at the third picture. Also, the length is meh. It is not long. It is not short.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't see any problems at all with the fit in the photos. It's a GREAT denim skirt fit. Just WOW. Not sure if you like the way it feels, but it does look great.

I vote bleach it. You're not wearing it anyway so what do you have to lose? I wouldn't touch the length though.

rachylou

Veteran

I guess what I wish about this skirt is an inch more of knee showing...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting! I suspected that I might get more input with a try-on. Rachy, I can hitch it up a bit to show more knee, but honestly, my knees are best left unseen.

Thank you for the ideas. It feels pretty good while wearing, and doesn't migrate up my waist like many pencil skirts do. It has a bit of stretch which makes it comfortable.

Angie, any styling suggestions to help this fit into my casual style goals?

harmonica

Veteran

I like the idea of bleaching it. It's worth a try. The fit is great, but I hear you about orphaned denim skirts. I had a very similar like yours and I didn't wear it much.

rabbit

Veteran

It looks like a great fit and I like the color with the wardrobe colors you usually wear. I'd wear it with sandals, including heeled sandals and cut-out booties, rather than sneakers. Try it with some tonal or navy tops that lean more dressy or casual and see how it feels like that.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I mean, the fit is great and the proportions. The front zipper bulk thing is also the reason why I hesitate about denim skirts sometimes, but then I end up wearing them anyway, just because they're so practical and remixable.

I know your style is a bit more rock and roll and maybe this just doesn't have enough edge for you? I would keep and leave as is for those occasions where you want to be a bit more classic Americana, but that's me. Before you decide I'd style it with edgier shoes and top and see if that feels any different to you.

DizzyLizzy

I really like the cut of the skirt on you. I would have a last try at styling it different ways before making any permanent changes.Do you have a denim shirt to try a denim-on-denim look? Worn with a belt and some of your fabulous jewellery like a wide cuff? Or with a breton shirt or one of your fab concert tees and leather jacket? Watching with interest to see what to do with my own denim skirt.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the skirt just as is. I think the length is perfect. The only thing I would change in this outfit is footwear. I'd go for loafers, ballet flats, slip ons or sandals rather than athletic footwear. The skirt really puts the focus on footwear as well as being tailored, to show your great figure. Because this kind of fit you don't see everyday right now.

(Angie's idea of bleaching the skirt is kind of fun.)

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

PS my dogs are no lotion lickers but my cat is. What is that?!?!

Aquamarine

Veteran

I have a very similar skirt. Dark wash, at the knee. Sometimes I'm feeling it if that pesky front zipper doesn't bother me, other times I toss it in frustration. I usually end up wearing it with a black tee and dark ballet flats. I guess that mimics how I wear jeans in the summer. I honestly prefer it very simple. I'll be watching to see how you style it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Denise, my dogs corner me as I step out of the shower, wanting to lick the water off my legs (and the shower door). I don't understand it either! Plenty of fresh water in their bowl.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas. I'm thinking of trying it with these Freebird sandals and some different tops. I want to keep it casual and a little funky.

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Sal

Veteran

I think it is a good flattering skirt. I know you say you struggle with pants at times so I see this so this is a way to mix it up, a look for casual summer days. I think the sandals will be great with it.

I have one or two items like this - I like them, they fit nicely, but they are not worn often. I may not buy them again new. But...two to three times each summer I like to wear them and they are perfect for the day.

Joyce B

Veteran

The skirt fits you very nicely. I think your idea of pairing it with the firebird sandals is going to make it fun.
If you are considering adding a front slit, just be careful that it does not ride up when you are sitting, front slits can be very tricky.

Anonymous

As others have already said, the skirt fits perfectly well, it just doesn't strike me as interesting enough for you though. It doesn't make much of a design statement.....if you know what I mean .

And my cats love to lick hand and body cream, which freaks me out . It can't be good, but they both go at it like catnip

Mochi

Veteran

Don't bleach.

I like the overall cut of the skirt, but am not crazy about it on you. Not sure why.

Mochi

Veteran

Okay, thinking about it...You see how the part along the front seam, up and down, is a darker wash, and on both sides of that the fabric is slightly faded? Somehow to my eyes it looks like faint leg outlines. I just find it doesn't look quite right.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

If we are being ultra-picky, I noticed the same thing as Mochi. The color variations in the dark denim make for a less uniform appearance across the skirt front. Given that you have said you feel self conscious about your thighs, this draws a bit of attention to their (perfectly fine) shape. On the whole, I'd like to see the skirt with the quail freebird sandals ... I had quite a self debate whether to go with tan or this faded black, and ended with buying tan. I hope I don't like the black better when I see it on you!

Momo

Veteran

Can you show a pic with th sandals?
I think th sneakers are throwing me.

jill58

Veteran

I'm thinking about how fantastic you look in your new black dress and although this is a completely different look I feel like it's not as great. May very well be the footwear. I'd like to see a pic with the sandals too.

shiny

Veteran

This skirt took me back to when I was 16 and an exchange student in Austria. My host sister was a seamstress, and (with all the walking and working on a farm I dropped a lot of weight) she took a pair of my jeans and made them into a cute knee-length denim skirt, by cutting up the inseams and then sewing together.

It wound up looking VERY similar -- the fading on the thighs, like you'd expect on a pair of well-worn and loved jeans -- except it was now a skirt, so there was the darker part, just like your skirt. Also the way the zipper sits, and the way your skirt is sitting in the rear, like jeans would, except it's a skirt.

I came back to the States and was totally ahead of the trends, with that skirt!! Flash forward another year and everyone was wearing similar skirts.

I vote -- do not bleach. Do not fray. Do not slit. Just wear the hell out of it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You all have me thinking, this is really helpful.

I think a skirt like this is a supporting act, not a statement. The key to making this work for me is treating it like a summertime pair of jeans (since our summers are generally too hot for full-length jeans). Add an interesting/"arty" top and shoes, maybe a cuff or necklace, and go. I have some new footwear options for this summer that may help me work with this better. The Freebirds and the new Lucky lace-up sandals.

I need to do a review of my warm weather tops soon, so I will keep an eye out for good candidates.

It makes sense to treat this is a simple basic and go more "interesting" with the other components of my outfit. I tend to do more interesting things with the top half when I'm dressing anyway and keep the lower half simpler and more classic. And then add some punch with shoes or sandals.

Lucky Brand Genevie

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Nebraskim

Veteran

I love your introspective comment. Style it for super casual days and I think you will get more wear from it. I also love your licker pug. Mine did that today, licking the salt off my legs after I came in from a long workout. Pugs and licking are like salt and pepper. Can't have one without the other.

catgirl

Veteran

Objectively, this looks really good on you. Thing is, I am not a big denim skirt fan. They are one of those items that are neither here nor there to me, and I have a bit of a poison eye for them. Do you love it and feel like it fits with your style? I don't find it interesting enough for you somehow - but I know you have the tools to make it work for you and am interested to see if and how you do that if you keep it!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the skirt on you! It's a great fit and style. Not edgy, but a really good casual classic that can be a wardrobe chameleon. I agree with you that it is more of a supporting act and think it makes sense to wear it like jeans.
What about something like this outfit that you wore with jeans:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ith-a-vest
I just like the idea of putting a vest with it, for some reason. I was thinking your patina vest but that might not work proportionally or seasonally. When it gets hot, I know you won't want to be layering that much, but in the meantime, it might work.
I love the idea of the Freebirds with it. That will make the skirt look more "you," lending it a rugged, cool, on-trend vibe.

DonnaF

Veteran

How does it work with your various leather jackets? With a concert T or tank underneath, of course. I would pair it with sandals or booties.

Disclosure: I am a denim skirt fan, have a dark one like that and just bought a Topshop medium denim one.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Janet, please ignore the naysayers. I know we've all been saying how tricky denim skirts are (me included) but they're so comfy and practical in the summer that I'm thinking we all need to get over ourselves and start wearing them again (disclaimer: I'm working on my own problem child here.)

I quite like this skirt. It doesn't say much on its own but I agree that it shows potential as a support act, as Firecracker says. I agree with Angie, bleaching would be good. I myself would be tempted to over-dye it, but than I like a dark wash on my denim. I don't think it needs any other alterations.

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