Do I need a black pencil skirt? (Decided I don't) - YouLookFab Forum

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Do I need a black pencil skirt? (Decided I don't)

Sylvie

Veteran

I dipped my toes into pencil skirt land with the "old" Halogen pencil skirt in a blue. After wearing it a few times, I added the yellow/green and red "new" versions from NAS. These three skirts have helped me add some much needed color to my bottom half.

#1: Blue skirt with purple undertone. Worn 4 times since April.
#2: Yellow/green skirt. Worn twice since NAS. This is going to be a workhorse for me.
#3: Red skirt. Not yet worn.
#4: Black skirt.

I also picked up the "old" skirt in black, because I thought it was a staple. But I can't figure out how to wear it at all. It just seems too formal and too stark and neutral.

Does every woman need a black skirt? Can I live without one?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Sylvie

Isis

Veteran

Angie has often said that black is difficult to pull off......so if you can't figure out how to make it play in your wardrobe, I'd vote send it back!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'd say not. I find black pencil skirts harder to style than other colours. I have a couple myself, and they have limited ways to look good, colour-wise. A bright or colourful printed top makes the black skirt look boring (and the top look cheap); a white top would work colour-wise (if I looked good in white, which I don't), but is reminiscent of waitstaff; and a black top is a bit much, usually.

I tend to wear mine only with gray or camel. Ink blue would work too.

Anonymous

I wear mine often. I still do "all black" outfits where the interest is textural i.e patterned hose and tweed blazer. I also do the black in the bottom - color on top uniform that people try to steer clear of.
I had my eyes in that gold/yellow skirt. I'm so sad it did not work for me.

Diana

Veteran

OK, so I like black skirts and have several of them in different shapes/materials. BUT I don't see the need for a black pencil skirt. It reads as too corporate and businessy to me. (Of course if you work in a conservative business environment then it is a different story...)

Now I am not really a pencil skirt girl at all these days though so take this with a grain of salt... I have my eye on that Trouve plaid one that Tortoise posted about recently though.

ETA: I guess I actually have a black pencil, although it is debatable whether or not it is a true pencil. I only wear it for things like interviews and funerals.

DonnaF

Veteran

I went to three memorial services in one weekend this year, so having a black skirt was valuable. I tend to default to pants, so for me, black pants are more of a necessity than a black pencil skirt so I haven't worn mine as much as I originally predicted. I am having trouble with my jackets playing as well with my skirts as I would like, and/or my tops playing as well with my jackets as I would like, especially since a solid black anything cannot usually play with a solid black anything else because they don't *go* in the light of day.

My vote: Skip the black pencil skirt. IMHO, my sense is that it *feels* too heavy on you. I doubt you go to as many memorial services as I do.

deb

Veteran

I purchased this skirt in black several years ago and wear it all of the time. I wear it with cardigans in the fall and spring, a striped woven shirt, and a tank with a blazer. I do have the skirt in the storm and rose colors, also.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like the color skirts are working for you. I tried to find myself a black pencil around this time last year. After 2 near misses, I gave up. I didn't need one, and haven't once went to put an outfit together where a black pencil was needed or presented itself as a wardrobe hole.
Each person's needs are unique to their station in life, and preferences, so I believe it's hard to say 'everyone' needs a certain item like a trench or pencil skirt, etc.

harmonica

Veteran

No, you don't need the black one! The red one is still waiting for action and you seem to be very happy with colours. Stick to them first and if ever want a black pencil in the futre, start searching then. (must add that I love my black pencil and black in general, but it fits both my style and lifestyle ;-))

Sylvie

Veteran

Isis: Black is really easy for me to pull off in tops, accessories and dresses but somehow bottoms just stump me.
Elisabeth: You have it exactly right - I'm over the bright top, black bottoms look now. It's too 90's to me.
Zapotee: I'm sorry the yellow/green didn't work for you. It is a great color. I used to have a textured outfit similar to what you describe - a black chiffon top with black pants. If I add a black skirt I'd rather have something with more textural interest.
Diana: I don't work in a conservative business environment either. For an interview, I'd either wear a pantsuit or jeans/blouse/blazer.
Donna: I'm sorry you had to attend so many memorial services. It is hard to match the different "colors" of black on top and bottom. If necessary, I do own a plain black sheath.
Deb: Your outfits sound pretty - I'd love to see the rose color one.
Mo: You sound like me (or I sound like you). I thought I wasn't a pencil skirt person but I am really enjoying the colored one.
Harmonica: I have an outfit planned for the red one - going to wear it with a bright pink tank, but I need the right environment first. I'm sure there will always be black pencil skirts around in the future if I need to buy one.

Thanks for chiming in. I'm going to return the black skirt. Yay for more room in the shopping budget!

Freckles

Veteran

Of course you don't need one and it you find it hard to style why bother.

I am a pants person but would be lost without my black crepe midi pencil skirt. I wear it to weddings, funerals, baby showers, wedding showers, parties, dinner out, just about everything. I have a lot of black in my wardrobe though and even the printed pieces that are some of the ones I wear on top have some black in them. When I went to a unexpected funeral this past winter and the top I wanted was in the wash I found that I do indeed have a lbd only it is a short sleeve wool sweater and said skirt.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You don't sound as if you need one!

Having said that, I love my black Halogen seamed skirt. (And I'm a blonde, so in some ways it should be harder for me to style!) Plus, I do not, repeat do NOT work in a corporate environment.

I wear it with: a crisp white shirt. A denim jacket. A red cord denim-style jacket. A black and white houndstooth jacket. A winter white jacket. A charcoal turtleneck. A soft lilac top. A glen plaid jacket. A fuchsia knit top and scarf, an ink blue top, an orchid top with a patterned vest...the list goes on and on.

As for non-corporate style footwear, I've paired it with my Doc Marcies and my Doc Sarahs as well as with black riding boots, black heeled booties, black Mary Janes, red flats, and my taupe Report booties.

Well...actually, I'm lying just a little bit. I have only tried out a few of these combinations because in point of fact I bought my skirt just before the temps. got too warm here to wear it. But I will be pulling it out for autumn and wearing it all these ways.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

P.S. I would love to get one of the brighter ones on sale. I missed the NAS this year and now have concerns that the fit is different. So I will wait...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Personally, I couldn't function without a black pencil skirt, but that doesn't mean every woman needs one in her wardrobe. If you find it difficult to style, then maybe you don't need it!

rachylou

Veteran

I saw this lady today in a fabulous parka and ankle boots, all in black. And yet... and yet I wasn't thrilled with them on her. The color washed her out even though the outfit was sharp.

So I'd say no.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Be Free! Buy what makes you happy, and you'll look fab. Everyone thinks black is "practical," but really, it's just "black."

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I don't! I have a black sheath and decided that I don't need a black pencil skirt as I can re-create a lot of looks with the sheath dress. Actually my yellow pencil skirt was the most wearable skirt for the last year - most exciting and most versatile!
However I do have black skinny trousers...

Deborah

Veteran

Sylvie, I think every woman needs a black pencil skirt .. lol but really I am just projecting here:) I am actually wearing a black pencil skirt today. It has an exposed zipper down the centre back and I am wearing it with my high low green sweater, tights and ankle boots... I love a black skirt and would find it difficult to function without one (ok let's make that three) But it sounds like perhaps you don't need one.

Isabel

Veteran

Ohhhh, the days...I used to be like Deborah ( but not as pulled together ). I thought EVERYONE needed a black pencil skirt. But I had a corporate job, traveled, and attended events. I also lived in a big city. Now all that is in the past and I am "evolving" into gray and navy.

If you don't find yourself saying over and over, " I wish I had a black pencil skirt" when you get dressed, then don't get one.

Rhiannon

I think you can instead live without every one, lols. But I do believe that sometime nothing is better choice then black. But it depends on your mood and liking and disliking.

Sylvie

Veteran

Freckles: It sounds like the black skirt has been an excellent workhorse for you.
Suz: I can't wait to see all these outfits you've put together. I think it's harder for me because all my tops are bright/dark rather than being supporting acts.
Shannon and Deborah: I think there may be a black skirt out there for me, but not a pencil. I think an A-line would be a bit more casual.
Rachylou and Beth Ann: Thank you for the vote against. I still love black clothing on me. It's probably my second favorite "color" after red.
Sveta: It is really encouraging to hear that you have similar pieces to me - my yellow/green skirt and black sheath will probably work just as well for me as yours do for you. I want black skinnies too though.
Isabel: Yes, I can honestly say I've never said "I wish I had a black pencil skirt"
Rhiannon: I could definitely live without any skirts but I'm much happier having the colorful ones in my wardrobe.

Thanks for the input ladies!