Out-of-control orphan skirts - YouLookFab Forum

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Out-of-control orphan skirts

catgirl

Veteran

I'm going to turn into Ms. Hannigan from Annie and start abusing the skirts in my closet. I have an embarrassing amount of them, even after weeding through them extensively. I think it's because skirts are hands-down the easiest item for me to buy or thrift. Tops and pants and dresses are very difficult for me, but skirts I can pick up without even trying them on. And now they are all sitting there driving me mad. Add to that, because they are bottoms I have been non-selective about colors and have a range of patterns that don't go with anything I own. I'm the poster child for Angie's motto to never buy a skirt without a top.

So I have come up with a list of colors of tops that I need to find, but simply can't locate in a style that would suit me. Citron and red would solve a lot of problems. Should I just send them all off to pick pockets (oops, that's Oliver) - er, consignment?

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Girl X

CK

I find it really difficult to find suitable skirt tops, too - which is probably why I have very few skirts. No advice, but lots of sympathy!

Irene

Veteran

You know, since I don't have the talent to find skirt partners (I really suck at pairing color shades), I buy dresses with flared skirts. To me, a dress is like a skirt with an added top, so less problems for me! But given the fact that you already own the skirts, I'd suggest going for simple tops / tank tops, especially if your skirts are patterned. Personally, since I'm a sucker for florals, I'd have to look for white and pastels, but that depends on the type of patterns you've got, and I believe you are into bold colors!!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think I am in the same boat right now and may have to go through and cull out the ones that I don't love or that don't have a special purpose (35C weather). My goal is to have a closet full of clothes I love and no clothes I just wear because they are there. Start with a solid that is either neutral or goes with the pattern of the skirt. For a neutral solid, pick a color you love to go with it. Try to make one outfit with each of the ones you are keeping. If the skirt is a color you don't wear by your face, your best neutral or the color opposite the skirt color may work.

I suppose it is better to have too much than too little.

Lisa

Veteran

If you have orphaned patterend skirts, it sounds like you need some solid tops to wear with them. Would any of them work with a white button down shirt (or a denim one?). Or with white, black or gray solid color shells?

If you have lots of skirts that are not working with your current wardobe, do you still need them all? What if you only kept one or two to match up with tops and donated the rest? (I am assuming if they are orphaned you already are not wearing them and won't miss them anyway)

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Why don't you model them with a plain black or white tank so we can make some suggestions for you?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think I may have unwittingly put myself into this position just last week! I bought three skirts on sale (under $12 each) and because they are all fairly low-key (a chambray super casual skirt, a striped blue and off-white linen, and a pale grey linen jean-style skirt) I figured they'd be easy to pair with tops I already had. Well, yeah...in theory. And actually, the last one IS easy to pair. But the stripes and the chambray are shades of blue that don't go with anything else! Urgh.

Anyway...I feel your pain.

If you have a lot of them, though, how about figuring out which ones (potentially) serve which purpose, and if there is duplication, get rid of the "extras." Only then worry about locating tops to go with what's left. You might be able to visualize the perfect tops for each one, and imagining might become easier once you're rid of the extra ones?

In theory, at least, I would go one further than Angie. I think, ideally, every skirt in one's closet should have TWO go-with tops. Or even three. Er...not that I abide by my own rule.....

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Una, Are they the right length and shape for you? if not, maybe they can be rescued with a quick trip to the tailor?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

From now on, stick to the skirt rule, Una! I can't tell you how many orphan skirts I see hanging in closets. Know that you are not alone

The problem is more easily solved if you are prepared to tuck into a skirt - are you game?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I second modgrl's movement to add pics... I for one am not so good with theoretical dressing.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Solid color lace cami tops are usually cheap and can be adjusted easily to the right length...kohls and coldwater creek have nice selections of colors, as does jcp

Mo

(website)

Veteran

NY & Co used to have cami's in a rainbow of colors - I haven't been in so many years, not sure if that's still true. But could a few cami's in the right colors along with a cropped denim jacket, or camp shirt over the top, help rescue your skirts?

EDIT: they do still have a million colors http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....cat2580027 I like them because other layers slide right over them and don't get stuck.

Di

(website)

Veteran

I love Lisa's advice, AND I love Modgrl's advice.

And my thought: I've rescued a lot of orphans by pairing them with a color that isn't in the skirt. E.g., I have a brown and white skirt that I wear with a raspberry top, or a skirt with lots of blues that I wear with a coral top. Does that help?

Heather

Veteran

Una, skirts almost always can be rescued. Let's see them.

Two words:

Denim
Shirt

:D:D:D:D

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Heather! Get yourself a denim shirt and I think you can pair it with just about any skirt! Otherwise a basic button up is pretty easy too and saves you from having to have every single Cami/cardigan color of the rainbow. If you're willing to pattern mix, like I did the other day, a basic striped top seems to work well with many skirts too.

Let's see the skirts!!

Anonymous

I was also thinking denim shirt! Get one wear it with all your skirts. Another idea would be to try a black (or any color) tank with a denim jean jacket with each of them.

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

You could try thinking about it upside down - if the skirts were tops, what bottoms would you pair them with?