Keep/Toss Rose Print Skirt - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep/Toss Rose Print Skirt

rae

(website)

Veteran

I bought this skirt at the swap way back because it reminded me of an Alice + Olivia print they did recently, but I've yet to wear it. I think the A-line is throwing me off to the extent that I'm unsure if it can my assimilated into my UWP or SGT styles. It is woven, so it wouldn't be comfy for me to have it altered into a pencil skirt. Theoretically, it should be wonderfully breezy for summer... but how to wear it?

Should I give up and give it the old heave-ho? Or can it be tomboyed up?

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have to admit I was thrown just by the description. Did not sound like you at all. Not sure on this one.

Glory

Veteran

I like the colours and the idea of trying to UWP it for summer. Could you try a few summer stylings with it before making the decisions? Maybe a black tshirt with a denim vest over?

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, as is I don't think this is you. IMO the midi a-line style is just really hard to style well anyway. But since this is thrifted, how do you feel about hacking it up? I'm thinking maybe asymmetrical hemline, something like that? I don't think it's long enough to hitch, unfortunately.

I love paper bag waists and tulip shaped skirts (but I know a lot of other people don't), so I might also consider hiking it up and belting it into a paper bag shape. Not really sure it'll work though.

MsMary

Veteran

I wear my rose print skirt with a chambray shirt and/or black moto jacket. I think either of those would work with this skirt. Or a black tank in the summer.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....salt-mines

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....and-floral

cinnamon fern

Veteran

How about putting it away until summer, and seeing how you feel then?

Vildy

Veteran

I suppose you could try it on without tights and with some stompy short boots and do the Marc Jacobs thing.
Even then, if you put a moto and chains with it. Seems too retro punk, though. But otherwise....

Amy

(website)

Veteran

It's a nice skirt, but it just doesn't strike me as "you." Although, mixing it up with Chambray and leather jackets might be fun.

Thistle

Veteran

It is a beautiful skirt, but it doesn't seem to be "you". It feels feminine and flirty rather than UWP. I think the fact you haven't worn it is also telling.

That said, the other ladies had some great ideas on how to try and UWP it up. Maybe try that and see if you like it before you donate the skirt.

Anonymous

I just don't think it is you, Rae. I think a more 90s floral on black ground would work, but this one just doesn't seem to gel.

rachylou

Veteran

Wait, what is SGT?

You look really good in the skirt, but no, not really UWP.

Anonymous

SGT is Steampunk Girly Tomboy, her summer style.

Day Vies

Veteran

I am not sure this skirt is you Rae -- It looks more like a Lyn pick.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Rae, this is exactly the kind of item I've struggled with too, only to ultimately give them away. I had a few things like this in my closet that I'd had for years -- pretty prints that I like, and they fit, but I just never seem to reach for them, and when I tried them on, they just didn't make me excited to wear them.

I'm a lot older than you, and I don't think anything could look frumpy on you, but when I tried to make these kinds of skirts work with my current style, the result ends up looking frumpy, not fab. I suspect you are finding a similar style disconnect from this skirt to what you're gravitating toward these days.

If it were a pencil skirt and combined with an otherwise sleek black head-to-toe look, I could maybe see it. It's a cute skirt, I'm just not sure it seems like "you."

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ok, mentally preparing to toss. I have a couple ideas pinned that I might try before I let it go, but I'm going in expecting the worst.
http://pinterest.com/ranksubju.....spiration/

Claudia

Veteran

Rae, would you want to consider turning it into a DIY infinity scarf?

Early on I tossed some lovely silk skirts that I wish I had kept for the fabric to make a scarf after seeing it simply done on a blog. Just thought I'd throw it out there because I know how handy and frugal you are, if it's an idea you hadn't thought of, if not for this skirt, another one.

MsMary

Veteran

Claudia, do you have a link?

Claudia

Veteran

I think it was Academichic, I'll try to find it.

Isabel

Veteran

I also don't think that it is you...I also think that if you have to go through contortions to make it "kinda, seem" like you, then you should let it go. Nothing you wear should be that much work.

A.Kiernan

(website)

Could it be altered into a pencil skirt?

If not, then I second the suggestion of turning it into an infinity scarf. Such a pretty print!

cciele

Veteran

Yeah, I'd repurpose it. Too much effort to make it work as is, I think. Love the scarf idea! Or maybe you could hack up the hem to make it asymmetrical and raggedy. Wear it with a black cami/corset style top and stompy black boots.

Day Vies

Veteran

I like Claudia's idea. I also agree that you shouldn't have to work that hard either. MaryK's idea of pairing it with a chambray shirt and moto jacket could work. I say put in the work only if it's worth the effort.

The pins are OK -- but the proportions seem forced.

bj1111

Veteran

i like it a lot with the boots.

catgirl

Veteran

Rae, I had a bit of a wardrobe catharsis after coming back from Sundance (which I'll post about separately) but it caused me to look at my closet this morning and realize I need to get rid of skirts like this. I have several which are pretty and which I know how to style IN THEORY, but they just do not feel like me. They are very MaryK and I'm thinking of sending them off to her or to consignment.

So my vote is to purge it. Too often I fall prey to things that aren't really me because of some externally appealing factor (saw it on someone else, price, rarity value, "I could make it work", etc.). This is another reason I've stopped thrifting for a while - too easy to pick up the almost-right piece.

Claudia

Veteran

I found tutorials on youtube and sewing blogs with step by step instructions.

Not what I was looking for, but same idea:
http://annanimmity.com/infinit.....ted-skirt/

Basically you are cutting the fabric into two long rectangles (may have to sew pieces if there isn't enough solid pieces) and sewing them into a tube that's joined together: http://www.shrimpsaladcircus.c.....g-101.html

Bonus: found this using a sweater: http://www.intheglitterati.com.....scarf/c1hf

Vildy

Veteran

yeah, all those pinned a-lines are not what you have there, they're much fuller. That's one sedate skirt you're fighting with.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Pass. On.

claracluck

i like it because it simply is "not you" uwp seems too, dare i say uniform on here and throwing in a feminine piece mixes things up i say keep it and love it.

catgirl

Veteran

claracluck, it's so funny to hear you say that UWP is so uniform on here - that's a change from when I joined two years ago. I suspect it's just a current disproportionate interest, as there are ebbs and swells of all styles on the forum!

L'Abeille

Veteran

That cut and length of skirt doesn't work with the boots to my eye. But would it work with bare legs and oxfords, or whatever rugged type of sandals you end up finding for summer footwear, and a cropped-length dark top of some steampunky style? I find it hard to imagine summer outfits in this -35C weather.

Or maybe not. The print of the skirt caught my eye to open this thread. But the A-line doesn't suit you as much as a pencil shape would. Still it isn't as girly as one of MaryK's flared skirts, so maybe it would work in your SGT portfolio.

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