Inverted Pleats Skirt for a Pretty Pear?

Imogen Morley

I've been eyeing a certain A-line skirt with inverted pleating (pictures attached, though I'll go for more subdued charcoal and knee-length hem) and wondering if it would suit my decidedly pear shaped body - wide hips, thighs, calves, overall petite frame and all that jazz. It's a lot of fabric, but on the other hand, vertical details SHOULD elongate...
What's your vote?

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13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yay!
I love, love, love it. A little longer - perfection.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

That style should work well. Just be picky about the fit and drape since even the same basic style can look a lot different depending on the fabric,pleats, & how it skims over the hip. When you find " the one" it can be a great basic piece. A more pleated version is featured in the Store.

13 years ago

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

Great skirt!

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

It could work really well, but I think unfrumped is right about the drape etc. Try it on, after all it is one of the default pear looks (and yes I agree with Laura, you are right to go for the longer knee length hem)

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You might need to look for a version with the pleats stitched down at the top (near the hip). But it all depends -- I think it CAN work.

13 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I love this silhouette with my current body and did so as well when I was heavier and more pear shaped. They are all not created equal and Suz advice is sound.

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm looking into this silhouette in a chambray for spring. At this point in my life, mine needs to be too the knee, but I think you can play with some other lengths.

I plan on making mine, so I can choose a skirt with the right blend of crispness and softness, which dramatically effects the silhouette.

Give it a try! Everyone needs a flattering spring skirt!

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's not really my style these days, but I could almost never find these cuts to work for me. However, it may be because my issue is a generous low hip/saddlebag area -- pleats always seemed to flare at exactly the wrong place on me. I'm short waisted too, which does not seem to help.

13 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I would say make sure you go up on sizing if anything - what you don't want are pleats that are pulling.

Hmmmm. I am considering the thought that it would be better with pleats sewn down. That could definitely come into play ...

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

The skirt is adorable. As one Pear to another, however, I would suggest not only trying it on but getting a few opinions. I'm worried that it may accentuate your hip area depending on how the fabric drapes. But, it doesn't hurt to try it.

13 years ago

Anonymous

What others have said. Also look to see if it must be dry cleaned and does your dry cleaner charge lots extra to press the pleats. I think the vertical lines can be very slimming if they don't pull open. My pear-shaped MIL wore pleated skirts very well. They were her go-to style; but she was careful to buy wash and hang to dry fabrications.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

See Angie's blog today on fuller skirts! So remember you have lots of options--pleats, stitched down, gore, bias cut--all pears are not the same, and different styles will be more or less flattering, depending on where the fit and fullness fall. (FFF's!)

13 years ago

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