ETA Pleated skirts- a scourge on humanity? Music festival outfit - YouLookFab Forum

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ETA Pleated skirts- a scourge on humanity? Music festival outfit

jussie

Veteran

Hi guys, a quick wiw for a music festival outfit. How I struggle with this skirt. I absolutely love the print and fabric, but there’s only really 1 or 2 tops it works with, otherwise it can be terribly unflattering. I continued with my accessory/lip colour goal today.
Thoughts? How’d I do? Feedback appreciated, especially re lip and earrings; I’m on a learning curve here and open to any ideas or criticisms. Perhaps hair up may have worked better with the earrings and lip? Thanks as always!
Edit: I tied my hair back as soon as I left the house due to wind… felt better. Less fussy.
EDIT again: outfit lab further down in the thread.

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33 replies

Latest reply was from

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Those skirts always look best to me in “I just tossed this on” frazzled Englishwoman in the summertime kind of looks. (Of course we all know that looks can be deceiving and that “careless” look can take forever to put together).

Do you have any tops in the purpley blue color of those flowers?

Jonesy

Veteran

What do you mean by "terribly unflattering"? Sort of bulky? I like it with the navy tank. Have you tried a cropped, boxy t-shirt with it? Paired with some sneakers, it could be a go-to look for warmer weather (if you feel like casual-izing it for more everyday wear).

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I love this! I'm laughing at your subject title, because, yes, pleated skirts sort of are a scourge. But you know what? This skirt is so good, and you are so cute in it, I think it's worth keeping this, even if it only goes with one or two of your tops.

I am wondering how a cropped floral cardigan worn as a top, in a similar colorway, might look, worn with a darker belt for extra waist definition.

LJP

Veteran

I’m not sure how this skirt could possibly be unflattering on you - you have a lovely trim figure . On me , yes . On you ? Not a chance . I love the lip colour , but would pair a different top here - or the go the other way and wear a black and sandal . The black top as it is is a one - off here with nothing else in this colour anywhere in the outfit .

Helena

Veteran

I think this looks amazing on you! Agree with Lisa you could pick up the black somewhere else maybe, or go for a white top?

rachylou

Veteran

This is great! Sneaker might open up top possibilities; you wouldn’t need to be refined about the top. Something crochet?

slim cat

Veteran

All looks good - the outfit, the lipstick and the shoes.
I'd try something short sleeved top ( cropped or slim fit - on your preference ) in charcoal, deep teal or navy with that fab skirt ( dark colors might be easier to combine ).
Personally I like graphic tees in white ( with some black and maybe pink in the graphic ) or in black ( with white graphic ) - goes with almost anything.

Bijou

Veteran

Agreeing with others - pleated skirts look fab on you and this one is very pretty. I like the bold lip colour too.

jussie

Veteran

Stagiare: thank you for the advice. Would frazzled Englishwoman be some kind of oversized cardigan? With work boots? I could go for something offbeat like that…. Also a cobalt blue tee I don’t posses but I do have a navy tee… it didn’t seem to be quite right when I tried it but maybe I should try it again.

Jonesy: what I mean is the skirt is very boxy and wide across the hips…. And anything untucked exacerbates that effect. Also oddly enough many colours and prints seem to clash awkwardly with the skirt. A cropped tee looks also very boxy…. It would need to be tightly fitted to compensate for the wideness across the hips, which I don’t think I’d feel comfortable with (but is such a great suggestion; wish I did feel comfortable to wear it) . A wide cropped tee sadly does not seem to play nicely in this case. However, the sneaker idea might well work! I will definitely test that one out. Thank you so much for the ideas! Much appreciated.

Will post more replies a little later!

jussie

Veteran

Mary Beth: thank you for the kind words. I never thought of a belt, but I could easily try it. I do not have a floral cardi…. But I will try my other cardis in case something works.
Ljp: thank you for the advice re changing the colour of the top. I did feel the black wasn’t 100% right, just can’t quite work out an alternative. I LOVE the idea of trying this outfit as it is now with a black shoe too, why didn’t I think of that?? Thanks!
I’m still figuring out lip colour, sometimes it just totally eludes me which lip colour to put with an outfit.

Rachylou and Helena: thank you for the crochet idea, very unique and creative! I love getting others perspectives, because I never would have thought of it. And sneakers I definitely will try.

Bijou: thank you for the kind feedback,
I’m definitely glad you like the lip color, I did feel unsure!

jussie

Veteran

Slim cat: your ideas re: a top in either charcoal, deep teal or navy or a graphic tee are fab! I will hunt more deeply in the wardrobe, surely I can scratch something together?

Minaminu

Veteran

Great outfit! The skirt fits you well and it's got the perfect vibes for a fun day! As you wrote that it feels "boxy", maybe a wrapped top could balance it and highlight your slim figure! The earrings are lovely, maybe try next time a bigger pair?

jussie

Veteran

Minaminu: thank you! Both such excellent ideas! I never thought of either of those but I see the sense in them, they would help balance the bold skirt.

ChristelJ

Veteran

I don't have any ideas to add to all the great ones already given, but I think the dramatic skirt is just beautiful on you and the lip color just perfect. Agree with Minaminu it might be fun to try big earrings, although the ones you chose are lovely too.

Dee

Veteran

Well you look summertime lovely in that skirt combo, lip colour and earrings look great too.
It can be a bit of a challenge working with the pleats, but as others have suggested a short sleeved t-shirt tucked in, perhaps a tied up button down blouse or a shorter top with a waist band in any of the colours within the skirt could be another option.

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Lesley

Veteran

You nailed it! I love the skirt, love your outfit, and you look lovely. I love a pleated skirt but you really do have to give in to the tuck (as you do here) or it definitely is too much volume.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER STUNNING

LOVE!

Jussie, my dear! You are not struggling with that skirt

And what Jonesy suggested.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You are a stunning looking woman who would look good in a paper bag.l know what you mean about pleated skirts though.l think that they need to be handled with care as they can emphasise the tummy area,not that that’s a concern for you and they can look frumpy ,again not a concern for you.

Jonesy

Veteran

Here are some examples of what I mean (not these exact items, obviously, but a loose-fitting, boxy top that collapses against the body). To my eye, this sort of top paradoxically makes the "puffiness" of the skirt less pronounced, because there is balance. And then something low contrast (in terms of color, e.g., a white top) might be great too. Just my two cents, of course :)! I think the outfit you have looks great!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the skirt and love it on you! It's beautiful! I would just go out shopping for some more tops to wear with it, LOL!

I agree with the advice to try it with a semi tucked or short boxy cardigan or sweater. Yes, you are surrendering the waist in that case (or partially surrendering it) but that can work well to relax the skirt and make it wearable across different climates and situations. I also like the idea of a white shirt (or another coloured shirt) tied at the waist -- I tried my new pleated skirt that way the other day and really liked the look. My shirt is more relaxed and loose than the one in the photo Dee posted.

You could also try it with your blue Docs in cooler weather.

Love the sandals, by the way!

unfrumped

Veteran

I understand we all see ourselves differently and can be sensitive to silhouettes that we don’t think hit the mark we’ve got, in our “ inner eye” or poison eye or sugar eye or whatever.
But this skirt isn’t a “ problem “ to most “ other eyes “ I’d wager. It’s not bulky and it falls very straight so is slim on you. . Plus, not shown in a still photo, it will have movement.
So, skirts & dresses do create more of a solid lower half, though an extremely body- con is different, but to me this skirt isn’t much different visually from other skirts you’ve styled with short tops & not all tucked.
I like some of the example photos posted above. You can also see how a boxier T can give a wider shoulder line. Boat necks can be god for that also.
And the boxy short top with midi- skirt is such a ubiquitous look, you’re on solid ground there , nobody blinks, though of course it might not feel like “ you”.

I love a boxy T with a skirt like this and one reason is, a lot of such skirts have a very narrow waistband or just elastic and even a belt won’t stay put, so often I can’t get great waist definition tucked in anyway.

Another option I like, using tops that have a good thin drapey feel, like a dressy T, is to tuck in and then pull it all out a bit to drape over the waistband. That’s useful because can’t always find a “ short “ top that’s not too cropped, which shows midriff, or have to layer over tucked in cami which may be too hot, or top is short- ish but too long and cuts you into wrong proportions , so this keeps the top just a touch below actual waistband.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like it. But I think the shoes look heavy and draw the look down. A strappy black sandal, perhaps.

madeline

Veteran

You look awesome. The pleated skirt is beautiful and I agree with all the comments so far on styling.
I love pleated skirts myself (own about 5!). I’ve found styling them with a tank or tee then a button-down (button-up ?) tied at the waist works well. Or a belt, just something to define the waist.
And I love sneakers or flats with the outfit, rather than any kind of heel (including wedges). Keep the skirt, it’s gorgeous and so are you wearing it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Uh, I have no idea why you’d be struggling with this skirt. It looks fantastic. I’d try some of the other styling suggestions here, but you wear the pleated style well. I stay far away from them because I am much wider than you are and the pleats just make me look that much larger, making me very self-conscious. You have no such concerns, lucky you! Wear and enjoy your lovely skirt.

jussie

Veteran

Everyone: so much helpful stuff here! I can’t thank you all enough. Every single one of you! I was able to use your ideas, and dig out some other combinations…. I did a little outfit lab.
This is big progress, because I literally only thought there was one possible top that worked with this skirt. Here’s some pics: any feedback on these test runs appreciated! A few people suggested black sandals, unfortunately I don’t have any at the moment so no black sandals featured here. I added them to my shopping “wish list” though.
Stripe boxy tee: Zara
Coral pop over shirt: Zara
Stripe cardi: farm Rio
Grey cardi: target
Green linen tank: gorman.
Sneakers: superga
Boots: rm Williams
Currently I think I like it best with the cardigans…. The other ones I’m not too sure about.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh, I love #1 and the cardi from 2 & 3. How does that sweater work with the shoes? I’m usually not into big white sneakers, but these are great here.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like new pic 1 but feel the long cardigans and the heavy black boots drag you down- just in my opinion! Others may like those looks but sorry I am not a fan.
Oh I do like pics 6 and 7. Thumbs up to those.

jussie

Veteran

Jenni and Stagiare: Thank you for your honest opinions! Very helpful!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like #6! But with a white t-shirt instead of a striped one.
Also, I think sometimes it's ok if a particular garment works with only one other thing in your wardrobe. As long as you are happy wearing them together and really wear the heck out of them, then multifunctionality may not be required.

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