Halogen pencil skirt owners (and Rae)

Transcona Shannon

After Zapotee posted about the 50% sale on the blue Halogen pencil skirt (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....0-off-blue) and MaryK's fab outfit post ( http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nny-so-cal) with a hot pink pencil skirt, I got thinking about adding a one or two colorful pencil skirts to my wardrobe. I'm thinking the gorgeous blue in Zap's post and the mustard yellow. BUT....I know there have been issues regarding fit with these skirts and the return policy for Canadians to Nordstrom's is horrendous. Most of the reviews I read indicated the skirt runs large in sizing - would you say this is correct? If it comes too large, my tailor can take it in if it's only one size, but it comes too small, I'm out of luck.

Rae - I know you've indicated these skirts did NOT work for you. Do you mind if I ask you how they didn't work?

Thanks all!

14 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from RandomThoughts (Andrea)

MsMary

Veteran

My experience is I needed to size down a full size -- from my usual 2P to 0P. (I know, right? Crazy.)

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

My fever pink one is a 2P and the other two are both 4P. They are the same measurements so I think some of the size runs are a little bit different. Can you read the reviews for the color you are considering to see if that particular color runs big? I think they work better for curvy rather than straight figures. I would highly recommend trying the petite. The difference in the length is negligible but the shape of the hips makes a big difference. Also, I would just go with your normal size, do not go by the size charts. They are meaningless. The skirt is kind of stretchy and conforms to your body shape.

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

(Disclaimer - I don't actually own a halogen seamed skirt...) The regular did not work for me but I suspect the petite might. I am not a petite, but in my regular size (actually probably a size down from regular for most pencil skirts) the hips fit but were too low, resulting in a weird loose poochy area in the front. I have a 12+" difference between waist and hips and the widest part of my hips is fairly high. My suspicion is that if you are shaped like me (wide but high hips) you will need a petite. I don't think this skirt would work well for non pear/hourglass types unless one has it tailored.

14 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Nevermind - none of the coloured versions (either the seamed or the newer lighter weight cotton version) come in petites. Petite only comes in black or charcoal. That stinks!!!

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Arg, sorry to hear about the petite color options!

In case they ever do stock them in the colors you want, I did find them to run large. The size 2 was the right size for me (I'm currently a size 27 in jeans) and technically did fit in the waist and hips with no pulling. My issue was my dreaded saddlebags. I am fairly slim through the hip bones, but my thigh and low butt area gets wider, and the fabric was not ridgid enough to disguise the bumps. Would have had to wear spanx, and it's just not worth it for work.

Are you sure you wouldn't be interested in the regular length? Your midi is so nice on you, and the regular hit me right below the knee. I'm wearing it here in my guest post on Bella's blog:
http://www.bella-remixes.blogs.....range.html

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

From one apple to another--yes the skirt supposedly runs large, but for me it was true to size. I am usually size 4-6, 4 in tops and 4-6 in skirts. My waist is 31 inches but I wear size 28 jeans. I tried both the 4 and the 6 and I felt the 4 was too clingy to my apple tummy whereas the 6 skimmed over it. I tried both petite and regular length (I'm 5'5") and went with the regular length as the petite was above the knee and I'm more into midi length right now. So I have size 6 regular. It's a tad roomy and I probably could have sized down but then I would just be feeling self conscious about my tummy all day. I forget what your measurements are but you may want to try the regular length and just have it shortened if needed, if the color does not come in petite.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Yep, they run grande baby!
I am a 4 in that skirt and I'm no petite flower. I'm usually 28-29 in premium denim and size 6-8 in most bottoms. I am more of a rectangle with a marked pear tendency, I think!

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

When the halogen skirt comes in petite in a color you like you need to BBQ. Once they sell out they are gone. Stock in the petite colors is VERY limited. Don't wait for them to go on sale. I have the purple magenta, fever pink and turquoise all in petite sizes. They are all long gone on the website and they do not come back.

14 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I am 5' 1" with definitely petite proportions. I think my primary shape is probably pear (saddlebags) with secondary hourglass. Pancake booty. In these rather size inflated times, I am generally a P2 in a skirt, but sized down to a P0 in the Halogen skirt. If it helps any, I recently bought a NYDJ skirt (Andy) and jeans and they were P0 and not snug. I am returning a P0 NYDJ Emma skirt because it is too snug. Otherwise, in no way, shape, or form am I a P0!

I think one of the variables is how high or low you would want to wear the skirt. I have a super long torso so I like to wear skirts fairly high. Also, in addition to being longer, the width of the misses sizes is slightly bigger than the same size in petites. Thus, if length is not a major concern and you are in-between sizes, it might make sense to try the other same size but in misses (or petites). In other words, if I found myself between a P4 and a P6, a regular 4 might fit but a huge concern would be where the hips hit. For my particular body (and not necessarily yours), a regular size might seem to fit, but the hip curve on a petite would be more flattering so if I were between sizes I would take a pass.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

They do run markedly big. I sized down two sizes to get the correct fit in the seamed pencil skirt.

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Wow! You ladies are providing great detail here! I have thought about purchasing one of these skirts but have concerns over where they hit on the waist. I am a little shortwaisted so I like them to hit lower on the hip. Good to know information!

14 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

keep an eye out, Shannon. They do come back into stock. Earlier in the season Petites were available in lots of colors. (I am borderline petite so I always check them too.)

IME, they run large. I have a 10" difference between hip and waist and had to go down 2 sizes. I also like mine to sit at the natural waist so that makes a big difference.

14 years ago

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