I love the skirt, but I really think it needs "a tuck and a belt" to really shine (which is what would keep me from buying a skirt in this style). However, as everyone else has already said, the belted tucked version looks great on you! And yes, do try it with a more fitted top.

With the first three looks, I like it with the slim-fitting untucked black t-shirt (the last pic). I could see just throwing on a cropped jacket (denim or black or charcoal gray?) and you are good to go. Out of the new batch of looks, I like it tucked sans belt, and with the cropped black sweater. I think it looks great on you and I think you do not have to tuck for it to look good. I like things untucked, and am on Team Slouchy. OTOH, it also really looks good tucked--you *do* have a waist and things *can* look really good on you tucked :)!

IMHO, it looks best with a cropped - above the hips at least - and somewhat fitted top! Because the skirt flares out a bit from the hips and is very roomy around your legs, I think it has frump potential if the top's proportion is off. I think the gorge lacy-type top (#1) actually doesn't do the skirt justice.
I like it belted too, but still think it works with a shorter-ish top, untucked. Looks nice with tall boots!

Oh, what did you say? You are sick of that Navy lace blouse and you'd like me to take if off your hands....well, sure I'll help you out...anything for you.

Haha Heather - it's black and it's an old thifted find (the brand is Koret)... I'll keep my eyes out for another as Alaska is full of dated - er, vintage - items.

Sarah, thanks for asking. Honestly, when I look at these photos belted, I literally cringe - it's like I'm made up of two sideways rectangular BLOCKS stacked on top of each other. The only one I can handle is the belted look.

Body dysmorphia or truth?

But I suppose refusing to tuck is extremely limiting in terms of reaching graduate level here at YLF. I've retrained my eye to the skinny jeans look - could I break myself in with tucking?

Also, I DO tuck when I've got a over-layer, like a jacket or cardi. It's just rare that I expose the tucked part.

Uh, if there were a continuum with Reality on one end and Body Dysmorphia on the other, I think I would put you on the Body Dysmorphia end, at least in this regard :). You have a clearly defined waist in this skirt, woman!!

Look at the pic of the leather skirt below. Does her waist go in a whole lot? No. Does she look bad? No.

What Jonesy said. For Real.

What Rae and Sarah said! I prefer the beltless tucked look in #3 of the second set. I do think a fitted top (not a blousy top) that's tucked is key here.

Una I don't think you are composed of two rectangular blocks, but I think I do understand what you are seeing. If I'm guessing correctly it's exactly why my husband vehemently argues against me tucking tops (and I have a fairly pronounced waist). You may remember I had a post about this very topic a month ago or so; check out my last post on the bottom of this page, specifically the second paragraph. Is this in line with what you're feeling when you see tucked tops on yourself?

Aida, yes, exactly! Sending you a big hug. I don't see it on you as much, because you've got more waist definition. I feel like tucking and adding a belt for me is like putting a ribbon around a present - it's still a box, just a box with something around it. The waistline of the garment needs to have a place to sit, don't you think? Some kind of indentation along the sides of the body? Isn't that what a waist is?

My main trick for creating a look with a waist has been to add bulk elsewhere, like with a flared jacket. Pencil skirts are awful on me generally, although I'm getting a Halogen skirt tailored in the hips to see if I can make it happen.

AG, do you have any fitted black cashmere crewnecks or turtlenecks?

Haha, IK! Do I have fitted anything? A t-neck with this would be two challenges at once, but it's worth a try.

Meanwhile, I'm pondering bidding on your lovely waist-surrendering cashmere...

Hmm how about tucking into things that don't hit at the waist, but more at the hip? You get torso elongation that way, and can more easily sport a purposeful waist surrendering top.

See, I would wear this with something dark and fitted. I only ever do one billowy/bulky item per outfit. In this case, the skirt. I might not tuck the top but let it skim, depending, but I would never blouse it out, personally. With this color I'd do black, dark brown, deep eggplant, forest green, or even dark turquoise.

I say this as a fellow waistless wonder, although I prefer to think I just don't have hips.

Okay, so when you guys look at that pic I put in my last post, with the J. Crew model in the leather skirt, with her waist barely indented and her narrow hips, and her shoulders broader than her hips, you think she looks boxy :)?

Jonesy, she is very long so it kind of trumps the thing Una and my husband see

I'm wider than said hipless JCrew wonder.

Una, if you're looking at anything I'm posting, I'd look at the black cashmere sweaterdress because it has a drawstring waist that really works great, at least it did on me.

Hey, I hear you about feeling uncomfortable with tucking in tops, but I have to say I really like the look of the skirt with a tucked in top on you. Don't give up on it altogether!

I love the skirt and think it fits your style well and I completely understand your tucking beliefs. I'm a dedicated non-tucker myself; short waisted, long torso, short legs. I'd like to see it with a fitted sweater or jacket.

Una, I just posted a new thread with a bunch of styling options. Hope this helps you with some ideas for your own skirt...are you going to keep it?
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....yling-pics

Funny I don't see any issues with the tucked skirt look. Or the cropped sweater look. I did notice in the tucked look that the top was a bit baggy, but I don't see any specific boxyness. I thought the belt gave you some waist definition.

I think I'm going to return the skirt. All these suggestions have been great and have forced me to think about what does and doesn't work for me. The reality is that I will not end up wearing it the way it should be worn and will not have fun the way GP is... A good lesson for me, and thank you all for the great input!

Aw, bummer...I think you look great in it, but if you don't feel fab in it, that is the most important factor. Maybe try a black one!

AG, I agree. If it's too hard, then the joy gets sucked out into the air. And dressing should be about happiness!

I understand, Una...I feel uncomfortable in certain styles, and no matter what anyone else says, if I don't feel great in it, I won't end up wearing it.

I actually liked the blousy top tucked in with the belt, and think the blousiness combined with the cinching of the belt does define your waist....Might be something to try again later, even with pants.

Cheer up AG! Millions of gorgeous leather skirts await you.