New pencil skirt - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

New pencil skirt

pil

Veteran

*Thread edited with addition of new photos in my most recent post*

Just got a new stretch denim pencil skirt. I'm not sure if it is dark blue or black, but I really like it and put together some outfits.

#1 is with a green jacket (Christmas gift from Mom) I've had for several years but don't often wear. Love the color though. I pinned the sides in some for the pic to help with boxiness, but think it may be too long with this skirt. This jacket was not included in my fall wardrobe review post a while back because I was assuming it just didn't work. Maybe a darker top would help. Do you think the jacket is a keeper or should it go?

#2 and #3 are waaaay wild for me - trying something new - and probably look completely ridiculous - please tell me if you agree and I'll delete the pics ASAP! I'm afraid I look like I'm pregnant.

#4, #5 and #6 are different for me too, in that I would never have thought to try the booties with a skirt. I probably shouldn't even leave the house this way with such thick ankles. I pulled out the jacket in #5 after seeing the blog post about utility jackets. The combination doesn't seem to be working but I don't know if it is the length of the tee or the fit/length of the jacket or both. I could try putting some elastic in the waist to nip it in some.

Sorry about all of the shadows, we had a rainy morning for a change.

Thanks for your honest thoughts!

This post has 8 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from pil

Thistle

Veteran

I like it on you, particularly #4. I think it looks structured, and with where it hits at just above the knee, works to be dressed up or down.

I think you should keep it.

Carole

Veteran

Wow, what a great set of outfits. Love the skirt and how versatile it is. The booties look great and I like the different jackets with it too. I have a hard time with belts, so I'm going to leave that to the experts, but it all looks good to me.

kellygirl

Veteran

Wow! You look great! I love 1, 2, 3 and 5. I love the leopard sweater too but might try it sans belt or with the white denim jacket or utility jacket. I don't mind the low contrast booties at all. Great outfits!

pil

Veteran

Thistle and Carole, thanks, the skirt is a definite keeper. Kellygirl, thanks for the zebra sweater and jacket combination idea - I wouldn't have come up with that!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love # 4. To my eye the top in #2 & #3 looks a fraction too log on you.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like all these except the belt in #5 and #6. I like the top and jacket combos but just think a different belt would work better. The skirt looks good in all the outfits you put together and seems like a keeper to me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE #3!

I would prefer to see #4 sans the belt. Very nice look! Good job trying something new!

I'd remove the necklace in #5 and #6, and wear the belt a little higher. More great looks.

Well done

JR

Veteran

I especially love 4-6.

The green jacket is okay, but in this photo it isn't magnificent. It could very well be worth working with though, perhaps buttoned or belted or over a column of colour?

#2 and 3 are fine but look like they could use a wee bit of tweaking. Caro's idea might be it; try hiking it up a bit and see if it makes for a better line. A simple hem might be all that's needed to make this sparkle. I do have to admit, your description of this as wild made me smile.

You look like you made a really good buy with this skirt.

Nicole D

Veteran

My faves are 3,5, and 6. You are good at putting outfits together! I am not sold on the booties though...love the sandals in 3. You do not look pregnant!!! or wild. 3 is lovely!

pil

Veteran

Angie, thanks for the words of encouragement. I never would have even though to put the long top and skirt together before joining your forum. If you happen to check back in, what do you think of the booties with the skirt - yay or nay?

Caro, JR, Sara and Nicole, thanks for your input - it sure is appreciated!

I'll try to get some pics with the suggested changes : )

shiny

Veteran

That is an awesome skirt. That is how I like my denim skirts too-- but so difficult to find, no?

#1 - lovely color on you. I don't think it's any longer than the white jacket in #2? I say keep. Have you tried it over trousers?

#2 and 3- LOVE this! First, I love the white denim jacket. Fits you perfectly and oh so fresh... and that top looks great untucked. No, you don't look pregnant. It's such an interesting mix of layers/proportions. And very fun. Have you tried that top with skinnies?

#4 - your ankles do not look thick to me. Banish that thought.

#5 - what an awesome utility jacket! Nice and refined, fits you well. My only suggestion here is to try the top tucked in. Still belt it. I think your instincts are correct here- something is off and it's that the top should be tucked, to define your tiny waist.

Can you see how top 2 hits at your thigh, top 4 at high hip? Top 1 is tucked so hits at your waist. Top 5&6 is hitting at your lower hip... not ideal. It needs to be "skirt length" (top 4) or lower (top 2) or tucked in. Make sense? Try tucking!

shiny

Veteran

Heh.. I answered before reading other comments... Angie's gave me an idea: what happens with #5 if you close the utility jacket and put the belt OVER it? I can see what she's saying about belting higher; the jacket defines a waist a few inches higher than where your belt is. Belting over the jacket might be a thought.. .though not sure how practical it is to wear it like that all day long/sitting not just standing. I'd still be curious just to see how it looks proportion-wise, as an exercise.

pil

Veteran

Shiny, I need you on my right shoulder saying those nice things in my ear - "tiny" waist indeed : )

I love that color green and have a couple of tops in a lighter shade. Would like more but I'm kind of stumped as to what kind. I also have a canvas summer purse in that color that receives a lot of compliments - even one from my son's male doctor a few years back!

What do you think of trying just a touch of elastic or something at the waist of the utility jacket? I already took off the belt loops and belt because there was just too much going on at the waist for my liking.
Will try pics sometime tomorrow with your tucking and belt over the jacket suggestion. (we cross posted)
Thanks!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are looking terrific! The skirt was a fantastic purchase; look what a workhorse it's going to be for you. I like all your outfits, but especially 2/3 and 4; I actually like the belt in #4. And I think the utility jacket works really well. Do you sew yourself? If it doesn't feel nipped in enough at the waist and you think you can do it (or get it done cheaply) it might be worth trying out. It would make the jacket a bit shorter, though, too, right? Because you'd need some allowance to put it in. So you'd have to consider whether that would be ideal.

Marley

Veteran

That is a GREAT skirt - so versatile and it looks really nice on you. As for the green jacket - I think it looks too boxy - but you might be able to change that by scrunching up the sleeves. Notice how your sleeves and the bottom of the jacket are the same length? That's what makes it look so (well, its one of the things!) - boxy. I always try to make a point to NEVER have my sleeves and the bottom hem of my top to be the same length. I love #3 - the proportions are perfect, I think. I agree with those who recommend to ditch the belt with the animal print top. I also think the utility jacket is a great item to wear with the skirt! The last jacket (in #6) proportion's look a little dated to me. WEAR your ankle booties with skirts as much as you want - you look great in them and its such a fun look and really (IMO) kicks up the style quotient on all of the outfits! Thanks for posting!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the booties with the skirt! YLF

pil

Veteran

Suz, I almost think I can just sew a strip of elastic right onto the inside of the jacket without having to seam anything. If I use black it ought not show unless I'm flapping my arms around, and that doesn't happen too often!

Marley, I think I've read your suggestion about the sleeve length in another post. Thanks for the reminder - I'm not much of a details person.

Angie, thanks for your opinion on the booties! Now if I can only get brave enough to wear them with the skirt. Talk about a wild for look me : ) I think my friends would fall over. I wore the new Karen Kane dress and white denim jacket - much nicer than my usual attire - to our weekly breakfast meetup and got tons of compliments.

RunnerChick

Hi, I like 2 and 3 a lot. I am a fan of waist surrender, and these are my favorite looks out of the lot!

shiny

Veteran

I'm not sure you need to put elastic in the utility jacket, Pil. To my eye this item is supposed to be relaxed/unstructured and yes even boxy. And when I look at your pic, there's *just a hint* of waist already going on -- a few inches higher than where you are wearing the belt. Plus you are wearing it with a pencil skirt so you have contrast of volume on top/form fitting on bottom.

That said, mine does have a banded waist, which I like and is what sold me on this ATL piece. Pic 1 open; pic 2 buttoned up.

As for the sleeve length, just scrunch/roll them up!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

pil

Veteran

RunnerChick, I should probably try more waist surrender but I have a hard in that I feel even gigantic-er than usual. Must be trying on the wrong style tops.

Shiny, I'll try the styling suggestions with the utility jacket before making any additional work for myself sewing : ) r.e. the utility jacket volume and pencil skirt - in the same vein I should probably wear it with skinny jeans rather than a boot or trouser cut?

pil

Veteran

You're probably sick of this skirt by now :0

Taking your suggestions to heart, I restyled it by tucking in the top with the utility jacket, (#1, 2) which I feel is a definite improvement. #3 is belted over the jacket and #4 is with skinny jeans. My beer belly is prominent in the jeans pic because I need to stand up straight and also bunched up the shirt rather than tucking it. The jeans transfer dye something awful and I haven't done the vinegar rinse yet. How does the length look on the pants? I wonder if the bunching will soften some after washing.

I have to say I agree with Angie on removing the red belt with the black and white sweater. Despite the print the outfit seemed plain without the red of the belt, so in #5 I added a blouse I rarely wear. The blouse is clingy so I'm not really comfortable in it without a topper and think the two work together nicely. Another combination I would not have made pre-YLF. In #6 I'm not sure about the floral pattern of the red scarf with the sweater, but added that to bring in color.

What do you think?

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

shiny

Veteran

Those little tweaks make ALL the difference! I don't think you need to add elastic to that jacket now, do you? Love the silk blouse under the cardi. Good pattern mixing with the scarf, though if you just want a pop of color somewhere it could be your shoes or a handbag instead.

As for the jeans: I think they look good. The bunching isn't bothering me. The length looks right to me -- you want some scrunch around the ankles. And they'll probably shrink when you wash them.

pil

Veteran

I was thinking the same thing about not needing the elastic now too. Thanks Shiny!

rachylou

Veteran

You have some great jackets! My fave is #1 - I know, a more conservative look, but the color is fantastic. I'm all for the booties with skirts. My thoughts echo Angie's on the boots and necklace; for me, it's because I'm a minimalist when it comes to accessories - I like just one (if any) on show.

pil

Veteran

Thanks Rachylou, I do love the green of that jacket too. You know, the boots and necklace competing with each other hadn't occurred to me.