K/R: BR plaid pencil skirt - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: BR plaid pencil skirt

Diana

Veteran

I don't currently own a pencil skirt so when MaryK posted about the stackable discounts at BR last week, I pounced on this plaid wool pencil that was on sale. Now that I have received it, though, I'm not sure whether it's a keeper or not.

The good news is that it fits very well (always a big question mark for pears and pencils). The fabric is the same lightweight wool as my Martin suit, and it is fully lined.

Here I have tried it with the suit jacket (photos 1-2), a shorter jacket (3), and a silk blouse (4). The last 3 mirror photos are just to assess the fit; I would never wear it like this (with a tucked in top and no jacket) IRL.

My questions and concerns, in no particular order:
1. The waist is very high, too high for my taste. However I realize that a) this is how it is supposed to fit (at the natural waist), and b) this prevents the dreaded pencil skirt rotation problem. Regardless, I will not be wearing tucked tops with this unless they are covered with a jacket. I wonder though if a style with a narrower waistband or no waistband at all would be better.

2. It's really, really, really classic. I feel like with the jackets especially it is so boring and corporate. Oddly, more classic feeling than my full suit (the jacket in 1-2 with the matching straight leg pants). I think I would like it better if it was a colored plaid rather than grey. I DO want it to work with jackets in a mismatched suit so I could use it for interviews and the like. My colored jackets would not work for the interview capsule because they are knit and too casual.

3: Does it even work with the suit jacket (1-2)? Or is the suit jacket just too long for skirts?

4: Do I even need a pencil skirt? Do you see it going with my style at all? I guess it could be a "wild card" a la Angie's post today, but I don't think it's fun enough for that!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ha, I could have written this, down to the last question - do I even need a pencil skirt!
It does fit you well and only you can know whether it will be a wildcard or an orphan. How do you feel in it? Can you imagine wearing it somewhere? Where are you? What are you doing? This helps me when I'm branching into unknown territory.

Astrid

Veteran

The fit is fantastic! I like it with a jacket length like in #3, I'm not sure if the blazer in #1/2 isn't too long. I love it with the silk blouse. Could you see yourself wearing the skirt in a casual setting? Or only for interviews? I really like the idea of it paired with a casual cropped pullover for everyday wear.

Diana

Veteran

Good question, Mo. The more I think about it the more I think a plain black pencil skirt might be more useful, because I could wear it to dressier evening events (with a dressy top), and I could pair it with my grey jacket for the mismatched suit. This color seems too officey to me, I think

ETA: Astrid, I don't think I'd wear it much in casual settings, just because I find the high waist and pencil shape a bit too constricting. I'm OK with it being a special occasion skirt.

Sara L.

Veteran

Well, I think it fits you well (although that waist really is high). I think you can make it seem less classic and more "you" by styling it with some of your more unique tops and boots. I also wear colored tights a lot with my pencil skirts to make them more fun. However, my question is the same as Mo's - where do you see yourself wearing this?

Sara L.

Veteran

Oops, posted at the same time. I agree that black would be more versatile for dressy events.

Alassë

Veteran

Fits very well, but where you would wear it is a valid concern.

Astrid

Veteran

Mmh, then I'm not sure it quite fits the recquirements. You might fare better with a solid black one then, as mentioned.

unfrumped

Veteran

Ha! I have this skirt and it's one of my faves, so that alone may scare you off.
I wish the waist were even higher, but it's high enough for me to belt over, which some of my skirts are not.

Mine looks less conservative with booties, and with my faux leather bomber, and with boxy sweaters. So those are things you could try, plus non-classic colors--maybe citron or other, cobalt (that may be classic but it pops, at least) or pattern-mixing.

It depends on whether you do need pencil skirts, and how hard they are to find. I base so much on fit, because I have about a 12" difference between waist and low hip, so even tailoring is a bear, if the basic fit isn't there--if the fit is really good, I can make various colors & patterns work.

Have you tried on some of the pencil skirts at Ann Taylor? I mention that because most of them sit lower on the waist, there have been a number of more "fun" prints this year, much less conservative than the BR plaid, and the sale prices are good at 50% off, or less in store with additional markdowns.

Diana

Veteran

Well, BR does make this skirt in black. They are kind of inconsistent though and different colors don't always fit the same. But perhaps I will go and try to find it in the store to try on.

Unfrumped, I haven't tried any ann taylor skirts this year but I have in the past and they have not fit me right. The waist tends to be too big/poochy in the size that fits my hips. I have a 13" difference between waist and hip but I think the difference between you and me is that my hip flares out very quickly so a skirt cut for a more "normal" pear proportion (wider at the low hip) doesn't always work.

unfrumped

Veteran

You are probably right, there. I still have most skirt waists tailored in so I agree they are not tapered in enough as-is. That's why I pounced on the BR skirt, because it has more hourglass properties to begin with (for my being the glass half-full, so to speak)
That might affect your decision, if you like this fit, but not if you feel it's too stuffy to style around.

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Diana,

I just bought this skirt because i loved it. I also just gave it to my sis because she has more corporate events. I have exactly none.

A black skirt is so much more versatile w/ fun or classic tops.

Not trying to threadjack, but this skirt purchase clearly illustrated a style roadblock for me. I keep buying CLASSIC with a capital C pieces when in my heart of hearts I am eclectic. I see you are as well.

Hope it all works out.

rachylou

Veteran

I have to say, I don't like the skirt on you. It feels very boxy to me. But I also lack imagination sometimes. I don't know what you could do with it.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Forgive me for being a naysayer, but I'm not a fan. The waist is so high that you are left looking shortwaisted. On the plus side, your butt looks great!

Diana

Veteran

Celeste, I'm glad to hear that someone else had a similar experience with this skirt feeling too corporate/classic. Sometimes I wonder if I just don't know how to style this type of thing.

Rachy, I think it might be how the plaid pattern is placed. I suspect if it was on the bias it would not look so boxy.

MG, I really AM that short waisted. The waist is actually at my natural waist, where it is designed to be. I have a pretty normal length rise. You could not wear this skirt lower, as the hip would not be in the right place. But you have a good point and it is why I don't generally wear things at my natural waist.

And thanks everyone for your input. I'm pretty sure I'm going to return this one and see if I can find the black one to try on instead.

unfrumped

Veteran

Diana, you are smart to recognize what fits your style, or not, and to keep your focus.

Anonymous

I vote nay. The waist looks very high when shirts are tucked, and it doesn't look quite right with the untucked shirt. More importantly, it doesn't sound like a very comfortable skirt. That factor alone places more limitations on when and where you can wear it.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hrm. Yes, I see what you mean, and it can't hurt to try the black version. Still wondering if a black version of the VC tube skirt wouldn't be better, though. I suppose it comes down to what you want and need.

Diana

Veteran

Rae, I can't wear the VC with tights or hose, which limits its usefulness. Even with a slip it's too clingy/staticky. Otherwise I agree it would be a good compromise. Am wondering if I should try the halogen seamed skirts again too. The version 2 yrs ago was not cut right for me but it seems they are different now?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, the dreaded tights problem. Yep, I see now. The only way I could imagine the Halogen fitting better is if it sits lower on your waist. I would say that the plus is free tailoring to make it sit where you want but, if I remember right, you don't have a convenient Nordies at which to tailor?

Diana

Veteran

If I remember correctly, the old halogen was actually just as high waisted and too long in the rise (I.e. it was cut for more like X shape with low hip rather than a figure 8 shape) so the waist and hip fit but I had excess vertical room that formed a pooch. A petite would have been too short. So it doesn't really sound like the halogen will be a big improvement.

And yes you are right, all the regular nordies' in Boston are in the suburbs, so you need a car to get there (I don't drive, and my husband only has a car on weekends at the moment).

Mochi

Veteran

After my initial unsure response, I'm kind of digging it now. But I would love to see you try it with one of your whimisical hand-knit items, actually. The juxtaposition would be quite interesting. The preppy-classic aspect needs to be toned down for it to work for you. So, it's a strong "maybe", if that helps.

Ajoanna

Diana,
I think you're right about it being very corporate! I have a skirt similar to this, and to combat the stuffiness, I try to pair it with something a little more fun on top. Have you tried it with a fitted sweater in a bold or maybe a jewel tone? I think it would look lovely with a good color on top to balance out the more conservative bottom.

You could also try a bomber jacket or a fun sweater/jacket. I have a red thrifted retro style wool cropped sweater/jacket (swacket, I guess) that works well because it plays into the conservative style while still being fun.

Greyscale

Veteran

It's a very nice skirt but I'm just not feeling it on you, perhaps in part because you don't sound excited about it either. I'd keep looking for something you love, if it's not a big wardrobe hole you have to fill right now.

unfrumped

Veteran

Is there a black skirt in the same style or is the plaid an outlier? Because the plaid has a back zip and single vent, and the other lightweight wool skirts seem to have side zip and double vent. So the fits may be different.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, darn, you are right about the black and plaid being different styles. Well, if I manage to find the black in a store this weekend (they claim to have my size at a couple of the downtown boston stores...) I will let you know.