Outfit lab with old skirts- help? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfit lab with old skirts- help?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Dear Fabbers, here are 2 skirts which have been in my holding zone. They both date back, I think, to 2008. I have a pic of the geometric one at a brunch for Neil’s birthday in October that year, and remember wearing the brown floral to a young relative’s wedding around a similar time. They were both worn quite a lot for maybe 2 years.
I weighed about the same from early 2008 that I have since. Have lost about 2 kg lately that takes me back to the same as then almost exactly, although girth feels/looks a bit more now.
Why did I keep them in holding for 8-9 years? Well I loved the fabrics. The geometric is Laura Ashley and silk. The floral is a good NZ made brand called Newport/Cachet which still exists but is harder to come by now- they had retail stores back then.
1-5 Laura Ashley skirt with 2 possible tops and several shoe options.
6-10 Cachet gored midi brown floral skirt tried with 2017 boots or 2 red shoes. Is it just too long? Top in 9 was made by a dressmaker in 2010 for that outfit which I wore to apply for a presenter’s job ( of medical seminars). I didn’t get the job but felt good in the outfit at the time. 9 years ago. Not sure if it is time to add these to the edit pile which I am starting again.
Thoughts?

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

The Cat

Veteran

I can understand why you have kept these two skirts. Both patterns look great, each in their own way.

Re the first one: How about wearing it with a BLACK top plus your red shoes from #3 and red earrings?

Re the second one: I like #8. By the way, I suggest wearing red earrings with this outfit too. And here is another suggestion: How about wearing this skirt with a dark topper plus a light lacey top? I imagine that in your climate you may not feel the need for a topper, but it could be just a thin waistcoat, blouse-jacket or shawl if you prefer so.

Anonymous

I like both skirts more with red than white-could be my "low contrast person" bias. And I like the long sleeved versions more than the short sleeves in general. The tops could be a bit shorter though. That length to me seems best with pants or narrow skirts.
Love both skirts though

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks The Cat and Suntiger. I did think of a black top with the Laura Ashley but I only have a very old ( 2004) black Mamma Mia T-shirt of the right length. I wore that with it in 2008 to Neil’s birthday brunch but it is over 8 years more faded now. Otherwise it would need to be a tucked in top and the skirt fit around the waist is not perfect because of my tummy. I am reluctant to buy new tops for these holding/benchwarmer/orphaned skirts. I have had one other thought for the brown floral- a different, warm top I could try. I did wear red boots with it back in the day that I no longer have, that could winterise it with warm tights under. What did you think of the boots I tried?

rachylou

Veteran

These are both good skirts. I think the first geometric one needs different tops, ones with clean lines in keeping with the graphic theme.

Staysfit

Veteran

Both skirts are nice! Why did you put them in the holding zone? Were they wardrobe orphans without coordinating tops? I prefer the second skirt slightly because it looks so elegant each way you have it styled. I like the pattern, the length, how it works with each of the tops, and I prefer it’s softer contrast pattern with your coloring. Maybe a black blouse would work better with the Laura Ashley as others have already said. I also wonder about picking up what looks like a taupe color in a top and then using red accessories. I might also pick a slightly different red than that in the skirt, maybe one that is a bit darker to keep up the overall darker intensity of the skirt. I think the red top, while a lovely color on you, may be too light for the skirt even though it looks like it may be a perfect match to the skirt.

Bijou

Veteran

This is a hard one because the skirts are both nice and look fine with the tops. To update them, better tops are out there, but then that is an additional expense and commits you to keeping the skirts for another 30 wears. As you head into winter, you could wear these skirts with knits, boots and a coat, the dark tones make these great transeasonal options.

The real question is are you loving them? If yes, then keep and continue to enjoy wearing them. If no, then passing makes sense to me.

SarahD8

Veteran

I echo Bijou on all points!

Although, I also wonder if the short sleeve white top would work with the darker skirt? That might yield an interesting vintagey vibe (albeit one that is more me than you, iykwim).

Irina

Veteran

First skirt - I like #1 only. I think it looks the best with a shorter top. Lovely print and a great skirt!
Second skirt - sorry, don’t like any of the tops. Again, I think it would look great with a shorter top. Also, I would shorten the skirt by a 1 to 2 inches to showcase the ankles

Anonymous

Another that agrees with Bijou.

The Cat

Veteran

Jenni, at least on my screen, it is difficult to get an impression of the style of your boots, but they look dark with a little red, and OF COURSE, you can wear boots with skirts. If the colours match, it's even better.

I understand if you don't want to buy new tops/toppers just for these skirts. But how about some that you can wear with other bottoms too? I guess that a nice, simple black top, for instance, could also be used with several other bottoms you have in your closet.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you all I think Bijou has hit it. Actually Staysfit I think the Laura Ashley may have been hanging in my wardrobe this whole time but sort of hidden, while the floral was put away. I got a bit fatter around the middle since 2010 was one reason ( back to 2010 size currently) so they sat funny ( still do, a bit) and also I’ve just stopped being a skirt person. Have given away 4 in the past year. The floral I felt was too long for the more popular fashions between 2010 and maybe this year but longer skirts are trending again as are those colours.
Do I still love them? Yes and no. I still love their fabrics but on me maybe I don’t. Maybe I will just try a couple of wears with tops I have and see what happens, and if not feeling it then let them go. I remembered a warm taupe/brown peplum top after the tryons that could work with the floral and the dark navy with splashes of red boots.

Katerina

Veteran

Both skirts are lovely. I like the graphic pattern of the first one and the elegant dark floral of the second one. The first one would look great with a simple solid color top - black or white perhaps. I think the white top you are wearing is a bit busy with the pattern of the skirt. I like the second one the way you have styled it in no 6. I cannot see the boots that well on my screen, but I think boots would be very nice with both these skirts, I think both skirts are worth keeping, especially since the fabrics are great.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like the first skirt and would wear it in a flash. But I’d wear it with a black or dark grey top and neutral shoes. Let the skirt do the talking. I think it looks best with a shorter top like the one shown in pic 1.

I think the second skirt is a bit too long and needs about 3 inches taken off. It’s a little overwhelming on you at that length, especially when the colour is so dark. But brown is back so I think you could wear it if you still like it. I would also prefer it with a shorter top.

Anonymous

I like the boots, and my favorites of the shoes are the red sandals in #3!

Joy

Veteran

I like the idea of wearing both skirts with dark tops and boots in fall/winter. I like red better than white for both skirts, especially the first one.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

I like 1-5, with all the red and white colors and shoes. I do think the red top would look better if shorter— maybe tucked in? Your shoes are great.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You Fabbers are all awesome! I do feel overwhelmed Brooklyn with the length of brown floral ( why I didn’t in 2008-10 when I wore it many times I don’t know, maybe everyone was wearing long skirts? Found a pic of the MOB from young relative’s wedding and she also had a long floral skirt on, late 2008.)
But it has a lovely velvet binding near the edge- pic below- which would be a shame to cut off?
Also close-up of the boots for The Cat and Katerina. They’re a very dark navy that looks black and they have splashes of red and even teal!

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Irina

Veteran

Jenni, it is indeed a lovely detail on the brown skirt. Why loose it? A skillful seamstress can shorten the skirt and reattach the velvet binding.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Good thinking Irina thank you. I could look into that and find the cost. I have 2 pair black tall boots I could wear also and gone a bit mad on some shorter burgundy croc ones which I didn’t buy yet because so many shoes! This is them in the store. Not sure about mixing brown and black you see, sort of offends my sensibilities.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My favorite combination is #2. The shoes, the length of your top and even your hair look super! I like the first skirt better, but mainly think shorter tops would work better.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really like skirt #1 with the shorter top. It's a fab pattern. The longer one might also work with a shorter top. I guess I am with Irina on this. Both have potential but you need to love them.

Sometimes when I adore a fabric I just take a photo or a bunch of photos. There is one skirt I thrifted a few years back that was like that. The pattern was too bold for me, but wow, the fabrication was so gorgeous. So I need to remember BOTH aspects -- what I loved about it, and what wasn't quite right. Then pass it along.

Other times, you can repurpose the fabric. Turn it into a scarf, or a top, or a pillow. etc. Or donate to someone you know so you can enjoy vicariously. I do that with my step-daughter quite often. There is a knife pleated skirt that made me feel too "bulky" in the tummy that looks extraordinary on her!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Suz. I think I am getting a little better at editing the holding zone items. I do cling onto happy memories so much and just have the kind of brain that knows where I wore something, or who gave it to me, or whatever whatever. But with promising to keep all the clothes (except for the dress-ups which are in the new storage room) on my side of the walk-in wardrobe, then it is helpful to reduce the amount. I hoped my girls might wear some things, but they seem less into vintage clothing than I was at the same age. I have another post to do on my mother’s vintage coat! I am happy that one daughter took a 2010 jacket that she decided she really liked. I think being part of this forum is really helping me.

Gigi

Veteran

I much prefer skirt 2. I feel that skirt 1 (although I love the pattern) looks a little bulky, while skirt 2 has more of a flowy look.

I think the length of skirt 2 is fab as is. I really like it with the boots and the heeled footwear.

I'm not a fan of the red ruched top with either skirt. I think it is too long. Shorter tops would definitely be better.

It can be hard to let go of old favorites. Whenever I decide to give something up and I'm having a hard time, I imagine how happy the new owner will be to have the item in her closet. That makes it a little easier.

RobinF

Veteran

I love the first skirt but would like to see it with a black top. The second skirt is a little more difficult to figure out. I think I’d like it hemmed but it would be a shame to lose the velvet edge. I agree that it might be a good idea to give them each a few more tries and then if they still aren’t working pass them on.

The Cat

Veteran

Thanks for the additional photos, Jenni. Those boots are GORGEOUS! And the details of the skirt are so beautiful that I wouldn't want to hack it. I would probably reserve it for more elegant events. Just an idea: It would be lovely with a red or wine velvet blazer/jacket/waistcoat/shawl!

hereforthecake

I like the first skirt a lot, but feel like both of them look best with short tops. The longer tops make the whole thing look a bit frumpy to me.

You've got some great shoes! I'm envious!

Katerina

Veteran

Wow, what fantastic boots! The pattern and the texture of the skirt is beautiful, and the velvet binding is a lovely detail. Irina’s idea sounds good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I prefer the first skirt, and you've styled it so well with the shoes in #1 and #2. The top works well too.

I'm a spanner on the second skirt. I vote pass on.

Sal

Veteran

I love the first skirt with the white top in 1 and 2. Really nice. To me the red top would look good with pants rather than skirts.

I like 2 but it is a bit overwhelming. I would wear it with a dark top and boots for a winter look. I actually love black and brown together.

(Outside what I consider my working wardrobe I have about four evening dresses that I love and keep - but wear very rarely.....One does not fit, a couple are lovely but I am not feeling right now, and one is a bit dated.... all dating from 2000-2010. I just keep them aside and hope one day to hand them on to someone or see them worn again - I can't bear to hand them on but I don't want to wear them either......Plus a bridesmaid dress that most definitely does not fit dating from 1995)