Pleated skirt HEWI, wrong color or good strategy?

Flowy skirt with stitched-down pleats are a good style for me but hard to find in good fit.

See this skirt with the long noodling below--and also for Fabbers with similar body types, this skirt might be of interest.

AT has this skirt which I ordered and the style is terrific, very ladylike and lovely movement but not froufy, though I would actually like to try one size down--it's big in waist and a little in hip, not too obvious but I can completely move it in a circle while it's zipped and fastened. The next size down might be too small--need the smaller waist without causing the pleats to lose drape/shape-- but would have to see.

Anyway, the color does not photo quite true in the stock picture--it's a warm tan. Not "my" cool beige or taupe.

Pros--thinking about skirts, the style and fit seem classic--could be updated with footwear and accessories; and the "nude" aspect is good because with lighter or nude-ish footwear, it gives the long legline with nude hose that I would not get with a darker skirt. I tend NOT to wear longer dark skirts for this reason.

Cons or cautions:
For tops, I did a lot of try-ons and, boy, this skirt "wants" a creamy or ivory top. I can do those, certainly it is JFE or even fine--but have to watch being paled-out. But it's a great spring or summer color scheme.
Burgundy or navy solids are options and even black, but I didn't like the look as much with the light bottom half; it's a lot of contrast. The second-best top concept seems to be a print so that the effect is lighter but it puts a more flattering color combo near face--such as berry/tan, navy/tan, black & tan, or even ivory mixed with a darker color.
For footwear, it might push me to "warmer" colors that are not as versatile; meaning, a warmer nude that does not clash with the skirt.

The other thing about tops is that this skirt can go with tucked in top, untucked boxy short top, or longer sweater over skirt look, because the stitched-down pleats control the hip volume. So it has some versatile aspects just due to the style.

I think it might not be too hard to find some tops that work--I mostly started with tops for tucking and haven't even tried longer sweaters, but I am always reminded of Angie's post on orphaned skirts.

Please feel free to chime in with any thoughts on skirt-mistakes vs. taking risks on what could be a good classic.

Ann Taylor

Belted Pleated Skirt

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9 years ago

Anonymous

Oh, I think it looks lovely! I like the idea of both cream tops and prints for you and I don't see why you couldn't keep to a slightly cooler toned nude shoe for yourself. I think it's fine to vary nude tones in an outfit as there aren't any rules to say don't do it I like the look of it with the tie belt and a tucked in top, and then without the belt for welted or longer tops would be great.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks, Diane!
I will ponder it some more.

The deal is, dresses are what everyone else wears for dressy or semi-dressy occasions, but they are very hard for me to get a fit, due to long waist, pearishness--separates are SO much easier but also can be harder to get the right vibe and look cohesive.
Then, "light" colors are hard to do in pants as every tiny fit-flaw shows up, and potentially in pencil skirts, too, but fluid skirts work great.
The length of this skirt is good, too--not tea length , which tends to demand more from footwear and is less versatile, just below knee but with movement.

Staysfit

I stumble across this situation often enough. Finding the perfect item, a sought after item in the wrong color. I say pass and keep waiting. You have to justify too many additions to make it work. Eventually the right color is going to be available and you will be happy you waited.

JAileen

I agree with Staysfit. Fit is not enough. If you start going this path, will you need new shoes, a jacket, a bag, whatever?

I don't think separates are necessarily less dressy than a dress. It really depends on the individual pieces.

I noticed that one of the reviewers of the skirt said that they liked it with a grey blouse. Pale aqua or baby blue, peach or blush might be good without being high contrast. If you can do contrast, black, charcoal, or navy, red or orange, mint or citron.

Joy, I saw that too about gray and was intrigued. So far not having luck with heathery grays , but would like to try a refined solid gray. Also there's where a gray- camel print could work- combining cool- warm.

Staysfit's and JAileen, since refining color palette I've usually tried to stay on message -- so naturally am hearing caution bells here too. Thanks.

Firecracker (Sharan)

When you said "warm tan, not 'my' cool beige or taupe," my immediate reaction was, "nope." Unless you typically wear some warm colors, too, OR unless you already have a top that you love with it (and are happy with the possibility of having just one way to wear the skirt, i.e., with that one item) I think you'll find the skirt a continuing challenge to style.
Angie's post on orphan skirts?? I need to look that one up.

Ginger

I agree with the other cautioners. I've gotten too many near-HEWI items and they just didn't end up working right. Often it's because of a color being off slightly. This looks gorgeous, and very versatile - but if it's not your best color, I think it's better to leave it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote don't get the skirt because you are breaking the skirt purchasing guideline.

http://youlookfab.com/2015/08/.....guideline/

LaPed

This is why I don't own many skirts! The trick of finding color, fit and fabrication that all work together to bridge the gap between tops and shoes I already own is soooo hard.

If you really love it, though, I say trust your instincts and at least bring it home to do some try-ons. I like the idea of a printed top featuring soft matte grey, I also *think* you could probably get away with warmer grey or taupe shoes with this. But yeah -- that skirt is a very tough color if you're trying to work it into a cooler palette, especially if you don't want to go high-contrast. How frustrating!

All very wise. Will I be wise enough to heed; that is the question.

I think I will do some more tryons (no time this week) to see if it's really so good vs there is some sales-goggle/imaginary lifestyle thing going on as well. Not actually counting wears, but if it requires heels, then it will not ever be a wardrobe workhorse so would need to make a really great few special occasion outfits and it might not even do that.
I have a silk Theory skirt that is not technically as versatile, since it has stripes in varying cream/taupe tones, but it fills a similar semi-dressy, flowy light-colored skirt niche. The AT skirt is more tailored and a solid neutral and so I think could be workwear for some people, but the footwear thing would probably eliminate that for me.

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