Ramya, Diana and Janet: Your VC striped tube skirt challenges. - YouLookFab Forum

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Ramya, Diana and Janet: Your VC striped tube skirt challenges.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ramya mentioned in this morning's post that the three of you have challenges with this skirt because you are pretty pears - and that you'd appreciate some help. I've only seen Diana in the VC tube skirt on the forum - and she rocked it to my eye.

Sveta is pear shaped and also looks killer is this skirt. (Thanks for letting me use you as a stellar example, Stylish Sveta). She even went back to purchase the bolder stripe because it was more fun. Client Karen has two of these striped VC skirts and is also pear shaped. It's all about pairing it with the right top.

So I'm all ears to help out. xo

Body Type

28 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Diana

Veteran

Thanks for posting this, Angie. I'm attaching the photos from my original K/R post that I think work somewhat. There were a couple of horrible failures that we shall not talk about. Curious what you think about these pairings, keeping in mind that I would prefer the skirt to be more tapered. Also, is this length doable for me without heels?

I do like the style. I think I just need to get over the whole showing my pear hips thing. So of these three, the second one with the long black top is most comfortable for me because the top completely hides my hips. But I kind of like the idea of having a fitted, slinky skirt to wear with slightly shorter (like the length of 1 and 3) and more tailored tops. Some people mentioned that most of my tops (aside from #2) seem to hit at the widest point of my hips. This is indeed the most common top length I own, because it's ideal for me with pants. What do you think is the ideal length for tops for this skirt? I generally wear shorter tops with my other skirts, I don't think I'd be comfortable in this type of bodycon skirt with any shorter tops.

I am not keeping this particular skirt, but I have ordered two others (Leith in grey, and VC in grey in a petite but same size, so should be a little smaller and shorter). I think the lace skirt in these photos does not taper enough, either because of the fabric (someone mentioned in one of my threads that the lace print is a different fabric than the solids/stripes) or because it's too big. Not sure. I hope one of the others works out better.

ETA: Am I right in thinking a solid or the horizontal stripes (both of which would not distort over the hips) would be more flattering than this patterned one?

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anne

Veteran

Could I leap in here. I am a pear and have a striped tube skirt but it isn't VC. I posted mine to ask about tucking

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JulieJohn

Veteran

Interesting! I am lurking here as a wide-hipped hourglass / pear. Maybe I am a butternut squash. Top lengths are something I struggle with.

elpgal

Veteran

Watching this thread carefully. Julie, you crack me up

Diana

Veteran

One more question, Angie. I think that my hip area (between the 2 green lines in the photo below) looks abnormally long (and hence sooo obviously big) in this skirt. Is there some way to minimize this (not the width, since that's there for good, but the illusion of such a long hip)? I know this is partly due to being super short waisted, but it seems particularly obvious because of the body con nature of the skirt. With tight pants, there is separation between the legs so it doesn't look like one huge oval and it's obvious that it's thighs and not all hip.

Would a skirt that is more tapered or tighter in the thigh/knee help with this?

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie, here is my thread from yesterday. Not the greatest pic, but I'm rushing about these days so have not had time to take very good pictures, sorry!

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....d-wear-now

My comfort with the skirt increased as the day went on. I am always in the process of making peace with my hips/thighs (I never fully accomplish this, but I try and I just have to choose days when my comfort level with my body is higher to wear this kind of skirt. Same goes for the B44 tiered dress or the like. Since I am right on the hourglass/pear brink, sometimes I *feel* more proportionate than others, but it's hard to say why.

Strangely enough, so far I feel more comfortable in this skirt with a fitted top than a more waist-surrendering one. I feel like it shows my true shape more, rather than make me look like all of me is as wide as my widest part. However, I have not really played with it yet, so I may change my tune on that, you never know.

The overall feel of this skirt is very much along the lines of a pencil skirt, so it is not so far out of my comfort zone. The horizontal stripes are the thing that gave me pause. Sveta thinks I could do the bold stripe too, but I'm not so sure my comfort zone extends that far.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Diana, you posted while I was composing my post, so I missed it until now. You and I share the exact same concern when it comes to length and width of that particular area! My only other extenuating circumstance is that I have a proportionally small head, so I always feel like everything on my body just gets bigger as the eye travels down. However, short of wearing my hair extremely big, I don't know what else I can do about my head size! LOL

ramya

Veteran

Thanks so much Angie here is my link where I tried styling my striped skirts. I think my problem here was not only pear shape but also the colour.http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tube-skirt

MsMaven

Veteran

Diana--I love the green top with the skirt. It is my favorite of the ones you posted. The color combination is pretty, but beyond that, I think the little bit of flare below the waist helps break up the line. I see an overall harmonious look. Most of the time I think others see us as whole persons and don't concentrate on one spot unless it is something outrageously tight, short or low cut.

I think your area of concern looks quite svelte in the photo.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh my goodness, Diana. MORE than doable. I would prefer the skirt in a stripe though. No distortion I promise. I like all the lengths of top you've shown here. I actually prefer the shorter tops. It's the sandals that I would suggest swapping out. Two high contrast and horizontally cutting. Try your low contrast flat oxfords for example. Your yellow gladiators with a mustard top. As for your question on the long hip - I see great proportions. No need to taper more to my eye. End of story.

Anne, I prefer the tucked option because it visually shortens your torso.

Janet, I have to run but will be back to answer your questions later.

Amy

Very interested in this thread, I really like the tube skirts as well, but they are proving to be a little tricky on my short-waisted hourglass figure. I am a little self conscious about the hip emphasis and trying to de-bombshell my curves.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, you also look smashing in the skirt outfit. The tailored top and topper look great with the striped skirt. I'd also like to see a loose top (welted and not welted, perhaps high-low) with the skirt - just because that combination is more modern - not because it will necessarily look more flattering. I also vote bold stripe actually. It can be MORE camouflaging than you think.

Ramya, your striped skirt looks a little short and the stripe too wide. Therein lies the first part that is off. Also with your hands placed on your hips, we cannot see the silhouette of the tops and how they fall. You've added "waist definition" by the way you are posing which distorts the silhouette. FWIW, I liked #6 best and thought that those proportions were on the right track. I hope that makes sense.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Just wanting to chime in here. I know I'm more of a slim hourglass/ rectangle these days, but honestly, I was an hourglass with pear tendencies (who thought she was a pear) for most of my life and I still have what my mother describes as "thunder thighs" so I understand sensitivities around this area. Also, I have a short waist and what seems like a really long hip area.

And what I have found is that a top that mimics the curve of semi tuck (i.e. shorter in front with longer sides, possibly longer back -- OR a tee that I can simply scrunch into that shape) minimizes this sensation. I will try to take some pics tomorrow. Either that or a shorter top, as Angie suggest.

Ramya, I loved your skirt but now that Angie says it, if you have an inch to let down the hem that might be best of all. But I think we also need to see your first photo, with the denim jacket. Proportions there looked terrific from the fitting room, at least!

Diana

Veteran

Suz, that is interesting because I actually liked the curved tops least of all on me. (Sucking it up and posting the horrid photo for the sake of education). I felt like the curve combined with my pear hips made me look pregnant from the front (like the curve was created by a belly pulling it up). Also, I think this shape draws the eye outward toward the sides, at least with a darker skirt/lighter bottom which is what I would generally do. Admittedly this particular top might be too long ... I would never semi-tuck with this particular type of skirt as I don't like where the waistband sits (plus I don't know how I'd hide the lumpiness from the tucked top).

It looks good on you though; I think the difference is that your hip curve is not so pronounced or so sudden.

I liked Janet's outfit because it had the opposite proportion, with the pointy fronts from her topper being longer in the front so they draw the eye inward away from the pearish sides.

Angie, I agree the shoes aren't working. I will try the gladiators. I did try the gold oxfords, I'm not sure they work; I think they're too flat. I do have 2 pairs of oxfords with a bit of heel but they're both dark.

So I think part of my issue with styling this skirt is that I can't figure out how to make it look balanced, hourglass rather than pear if you will. A bombshelly top would certainly do it, but that is so not my style and so out of my comfort zone it's not even funny.

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ramya

Veteran

Hmmm get what you say Angie. Here is the pic Suz mentions

Suz there is no allowance to ler seems down.
I may just have to give up on this

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Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Any time, Angie, any time!
Actually this skirt surprised me to no end! I always thought before that big hips and stretchy clingy tube midi skirt are just not compatible at all, but if you add HORISONTAL stripes into the equation it spells a total disaster!
So I did order it but I was VERY skeptical...until I tried it on. Honestly I was completely astonished: horizontal stripes did not look that bad or rather they looked pretty good. I still think it is important to get the length + fit (how tapered it is ) + top right for this type of skirt and it will require experimentation because all bodies are different but if I can make it work you should be able too!
I am attaching the picture form this week - my first dressier outfit with it for work but I also wore it several times over the last week in more casual manner.
I am cheering you all from the sidelines!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Diana, I think the problem is not your shape but the top's. It's too long for what I meant, and although I know it is not, it almost looks gathered -- so that adds volume.

And I also think maybe the horizontal stripe skirt works better because the degree of taper is much more visible with that pattern. And the taper is what seems to make is so wearable. I agree with you that the skirt also works with tops that point down in front -- I like that proportion or arrangement, too.

In response to a comment from Denise, I was trying on the VC skirt vs. the Halogen skirts tonight. The VC looks about 100 times better on me at midi-length than the Halogen does -- with any kind of footwear, but especially if I want to wear higher vamped footwear. I'm convinced it's because of that taper. I am not sure how it works visually, but it is elongating.

Sveta, you look fab! I can't believe how versatile this skirt is.

Ramya, it's funny, but because of the angle the skirt looks longer here. I don't know what would happen if you untucked the top and wore with the jean jacket? If your hip line is bothering you, I mean.

Lantana

Veteran

So Angie, I'm noticing from this thread and others on tube skirts that you are giving the thumbs up when the skirt covers the knees. Is that coincidental or does it apply universally?

JulieJohn

Veteran

Loving the stripes and the magic taper. I am adding another "never say never" to my rule book. Thanks for sharing, ladies.

abc

Veteran

I've been meaning to post a WIW but here's my go at the skirt. I think post babies I'm more pear than the hourglass I used to be.

Agree 110% with Angie and Sveta's comments about the horizontal stripes somehow being more flattering. I tried on all incarnations of the skirt available in my size at the store and the winners by far were the horizontal stripe versions. I just wish they would have had the wide horizontal stripe available. May have to order it!

Good luck, ladies.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Diana, I agree that the orange top is the least flattering proportion. It's too long and high contrast. It emphasizes precisely the area of the body you are self conscious about. With the footwear sorted, the proportions in the first set of pics look fabulous to my eye. Although you need a striped skirt!

Ramya, the angle of the photo in the dressing room makes the skirt look longer. To my point. That's why it looks more flattering. I am inclined to say pass it on. I'm sorry to be a spanner

And there we go, Sveta. (Thanks for chiming in, sweet lady). Perfectly flattering proportions both on the top and bottom. The bolder stripe can actually have a camouflaging effect over the hip area. So glad you went back for the bolder stripe.

ETA: I just read that Suz sees exactly what I see. High five, Suz.

Lantana, great observation. Often, extra length adds a flattering visual proportion to a curvier bottom. Especially with a horizontal stripe. But the tapering fit has to be right too.

abc, you look rocking sensational in that skirt outfit. I hope you find the stripe.

ramya

Veteran

Thanks Angie.l agree no point keeping stuff that's not 10. I would be reaching for my flaired skirts anyway or my new slouchy. Demoted as cooking apron as I can't pass it to any one

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are wise, Ramya. xo

Diana

Veteran

I ordered plain charcoal (in both VC petite and Leith) to try, since I realized that my whole bloody wardrobe appears to be prints, so a solid might be good for grounding it, plus that means I can try all the potential tops in my wardrobe without worrying about clashing. But Sveta does look so amazing in the striped one, and it's an interesting point Suz makes about the horizontal stripes contributing to a more tapered appearance (I definitely do see that). Very tempted to order the stripe too, but I guess we should see how the grey ones fit first. (If the Leith is better, I don't think it comes in stripes.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you should order the stripe too, Diana. It's been such a hit on various body types.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

This thread has been really helpful along with your latest post. This tube skirt looks so good on so many different body types and I agree with Suz that it is a comfortable skirt, as well.

I also just want to comment that I've taken a copy shot of you, Sveta, because that's the way I want to look in my wide-striped VC.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I was sceptical about this skirt at first too for my fellow pretty pears!
Just remembered that I purchased a dress with horizontal stripes at the end of last Summer, and I will probably wear it more often now.
It replaced a plain navy one that should have been more slimming/flattering, but ended up clinging to all the wrong places.

Lisa

Veteran

As a pear, I am really enjoying this thread. I would never have given a striped skirt such as this one a second glance previously.