Pencil skirt edit - YouLookFab Forum

Angie's post came right after I did an pencil skirt edit.
While I mostly wore pants at work, I did wear a collection of pencil skirts, not quite this relaxed, but with fluid tops and with flats, and mostly enjoyed with dark tights in winter.

I had actually looked through them a bit shortly after retirement but got pandemic blues and wasn't ready.

This go-round I have removed 5 skirts due to fit and being too short, even though I wear with tights. I wore fewer "neutrals" than depicted here and tended to dark florals that worked with dark tights and loafers or boots, or quite light skirts for summer so that could wear nude hose and tan or blush footwear and not look so severe and choppy.

Finds show 2 of the several skirts I am keeping for now. Pencil skirts are not, for me, "casual wear" for summer but still work for some winter roles and occasions as I see things now. But that may change to where I need none. The WHBM floral fits better than the ones I tossed and has about every color in my palette in it, so a host of top/topper options. The AT striped skit is the only surviving AT skirt--still shorter than I would like but might be lengthened when virus recedes--because... seersucker! Stripes! I also saved a BR black below knee pencil skirt I have never worn but the length and fit are looking better, so keeping for dressy capsule. And one or 2 others. Had to say goodbye to my beloved Tracy Reese lace skirt but am going to send to DD2 to try.

Not sure why I felt able to pull these out of the holding zone and feel definite about what to toss (truly) and what to keep (for now).

White House Black Market

Floral Pencil Skirt

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Ann Taylor

Seersucker Paper Bag Skirt

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4 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

That seersucker skirt is perfect for summer! ❤️ A statement T and white sneakers, and a jean jacket for A/C of cool evenings and you are set for...the grocery store!

*FWIW - my favourite (ie most comfortable) face mask is made from a seersucker remnant!

Cardiff girl

I’m glad that you are hanging onto a couple of your pencil skirts.They are very useful and as Carla has just shown can be worn casually as well depending on the fabrication.

rachylou

I like it: clarity!

Joy

Good job! I like pencil skirts as they are sort of the skirt version of skinny pants, with a similar silhouette. A long top works with them easily. They also pack small. Try your pencil skirts in casual ways as Cardiff Girl suggests. It may give them new life wearing them with a tee and flat sandals or sneakers.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What RunCarla said - although I don't have a seersucker mask

Good assessment and edit, unfrumped! Clarity and focus are always welcome, and you are going like a Boeing figuring out your new lifestyle.....in the middle of a pandemic. WELL DONE.

AndiB

My pencil skirts are languishing in my second closet, I loved and wore them for a lot of years, professionally. I won’t be retiring for a few more years but you’ve really inspired me to get rid of maybe all but one? I have the matching WHBM blazer, which I do love but with WFH I hardly wear jackets any more either. I do get into the office a couple days a week but even before COVID it had become more casual.

unfrumped

AndiB, I so far have made the cuts based on fit ( including length). There were several that would fit better if I were to lose a few #— just a few # on me affects tailored fits by a size- but would still run a tad short. Some skirt hems are done so the fabric is trimmed off at the vent, hence can’t be let down even the smidge of hem that it might have. Several of these skirts were 5-10 yrs old. And then even if length ok, since I’m not working, I am not going to be saying, well, if I’m “ trimmer” in 4 months then I’ll rotate them back into workwear. However, I AM saving some favorite tailored pants in holding zone, since Pants R Me, and would be part of my going out of the house wardrobe, with with more casual or adventuresome items.
Point is, if you have skirts you still love, and fit you well, I think it’s fine, even wise, to hold on for now, in uncertain future. But can ask yourself, if I were to wear a pencil skirt, would it be THIS one? Or would I want a different one? Or, do you feel you are ready for a style shift away from those for office wear, , no matter what, like different styles of skirts, or pants.

Great points, unfrumped! I’m in same boat as you, couple lbs... I’ve dropped like 7 (after gaining the COVID 10, Ug) but still haven’t pulled them out. Mine are mostly ponte, so pretty fitted and it’s not a silhouette I really even see much of. I’m a trousers and blouse or dress girl these days! It’s been a minute since I looked at them let alone tried to style!

Barbara Diane

Sound reasoning. Waiting to purge when you have a head for it is wise.

Brooklyn

Good job. I’m in a similar position with editing pencil skirts. They are/were a favourite look of mine until I started working from home in 2019. And that does not look like it is going to change anytime soon. A lot of my pencil skirts feel too short now (even though they are knee length) because I think my eye has adjusted to midi length. But I’m wary of getting rid of all my pencil skirts in case my mood or circumstances change. I have still been wearing the midi length versions, so I think it’s the length, rather than the silhouette (which can feel a bit business like), that’s the issue for me atm. Quite difficult when you still like the pattern and the item hasn’t really dated as such, but it feels a bit silly to hang on to them too.

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