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Ripskirt for a Petite - K/R?

Chris987

Veteran

I ordered Length2 and Length3 in "Black Pearl Batik". The fabric is really nice.

Fit: it's hard to see in the photos, but these skirts are not cut quite right for a pear shaped body like mine. If I adjust the Velcro crossover waistband to fit my natural waist, it’s too tight across the hips and thighs, creating unattractive wrinkles. If I adjust the waist crossover to avoid the pulling, the waist is too big.

Length: Length2 is shorter than I prefer. Length3 is longer than I'd like although I like it more than I expected to. It actually looks a bit shorter IRL than in these photos

Lifestyle/Fashion Style Fit: I'm much more of a pants/jeans wearer than skirts, but I do like this one. I like it styled very casually with a tee and sandals, as I've done here.

What would it take to get me to keep it? In both sizes I'd have to take in the waist, which would be very easy. Length2 is just too short for my current preferences. To keep Length3 I'd have to either wear it at the current length, or hack off several inches, which would be some work but doable. Someone suggested altering the length from the top, by taking off the waistband and cutting several inches there, but I can see that doing that would throw off the whole shape of the skirt. Too much work.

Do I want to make my own? No. These skirts have a LOT of individual pieces and darts/pleats for shaping. To get a similar fit it would be some work and I'd need to find or create a pattern. Too much work.

So, in conclusion, dear reader/fabber I will definitely be returning the shorter one, but am on the fence about the longer one. There are no tropical/beach trips in my life in the foreseeable future so I'd have to be ok with wearing this at home or on other very limited outings this summer. I think I'll try wearing it around the house over the next few days.

Would love to hear what you think!

Photos

Length2 - waistband at natural waist. Shorter than I prefer
Length2 - waistband pushed down a bit below waist to get the length I'd prefer. Don't like it, makes me look wider though the waist area than I am
Length3 - waist pulled in to my natural waist. Pulls across hip (not very easy to see)
Length3 - showing how much excess there is at the waist if I fit properly in the hip area
Length3 - pulling in the waist at the back to simulate taking it in

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Melissa B

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating, Chris!

In your situation -- unclear if you would wear it this year -- I might return and reconsider next year (or the next) if travel is in the offing.

I like how the longer one looks on you in theory, a lot!

Mine is too big to fit at my natural waist. I wear it below the waistline. I do have a bit of velcro I could add to make it snugger at the waist, but I've already got so much overlap in the skirt -- I think the pleats would end up in a really weird place on me.

Chris987

Veteran

Suz, thannks! your suggestion is right in line with one of my likely choices - If I don't think I'll wear it this summer, wait. They might even come out with that in-between length by then. Interesting that the waist is too big on you also, especially since you have a totally different body shape from me.

Sal

Veteran

I like the idea of this for you Chris, but it does seem a lot of work for a casual skirt that will get limited wear this year. With your adaptations it does look good though. However I say return.

RobinF

Veteran

Hmm, interesting. Really pretty skirt and I kind of like the long length. I was the one who suggested that taking it up at the waist might be possible but I can see the pleats might make it tricky. I'd say unless you are in love with it, return and think about it again next year.

kkards

Veteran

I like the longer length, but this year, anything that needs work is just a big no, unless you are really looking for a project, which it doesn’t sound like you are.

AndiB

Veteran

I got the same skirt, longer length, and it’s just a weird fit on me too. I was not enamored with the fabric, I was expecting something a little stretchier? It’s kinda stiff. I so wanted to love it. It sounds like yours would be a lot of work to get right. I’d pass. They aren’t cheap either, for what your getting. I’ve had mine a month and keep pulling it out and trying again. Imma return. Glad I read your experience!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I much prefer the longer length

Did you need to size down perhaps, Chris?

If you're not going to wear it this Summer as a casual skirt for out and about like Janet, Laurie and Suz - I vote return.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your reviews. I like the looks of the longer skirt on you, but if you would need to alter it to fit your waist and you might not wear it anyway, I vote to return it.

unfrumped

Veteran

I get your dilemma l. returned mine. I knew I would not look like the models, but the way it looked on me was basically just not flattering enough, and I knew that SOME dresses and skirts do look good in the right lengths and fits, and I didn’t specifically need this particular skirt. I liked the IDEA of it, the easy “ rip” and the wrap , (Haha, we could call it the “ riprap”skirt”)- and the image projected by the ads, and it works well for some fabbers, but I didn’t get that result , either visually or how I felt in it.
So, if that is kind of where you are, I say, “ next”!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh that’s disappointing Chris. I can get the same problem with waist/hips with skirts. I would say return.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Late to this, but I understand your dilemma. I have to say, I really like how the length 2 looks on you! Length 3 is a nice shape but I understand that it feels a little long and overwhelming, and the waist fit is a consideration for sure. I tend to do as Suz mentions when waist fit is a little big, and wear items lower on the hip, but these days with my thicker post-menopausal middle, I’m not finding that fit issue as much of a factor as a few years ago (silver lining I suppose).

I have been wearing these skirts around the house a LOT. But consider that we have a swimming pool in our yard, and this is the perfect piece to throw on after a swim when my suit is halfway dry, to run up the driveway and check the mail, or do some impromptu weed pulling or just sit and read on the deck. I wore one yesterday to work on my laptop at home, just with a tank top and flip-flops, in 90+ weather. I fully expect to use these as travel pieces when that is a reality again too.

If it’s not similarly useful for you, and the fit is not ideal and you don’t want to bother altering, it sounds like it’s not a keeper. But if you try it out and find it to be more versatile than expected, I’d say it’s worth having one, with your alteration. Keep us posted!

Bijou

Veteran

Chris, I would only keep this skirt if I would wear it whilst at home in summer. I personally am not a fan of wrap skirts on me as they seem to involve wardrobe malfunctions very easily. That may be because I live in a windy coastal city, so the threat of a wrap skirt blowing open is very real.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's too big in the waist because I was between sizes and ordered the larger of my two sizes. Turns out I'd have been fine in the smaller size but because of being in Canada and the expense, I am keeping this one -- the extra overlap is useful if I am out walking in the wind. To avoid the issue Bijou mentions. I also live in a windy coastal city.

I don't have a swimming pool and our temperatures are not as warm, but like Janet, I find this the perfect "throw on" skirt for work-from-home. I look presentable if we are having any work done on the house or if I want to go get the mail, but I can easily move and not worry about spills/ stains, cat fur, etc. indoors or out.

Chris987

Veteran

Sal, good point, too much work for something that won't get much wear. I have hot summer weather for only 3 months of the year.

RobinF - good suggestion about reconsidering next year. Or on that distant future day when I might plan a tropical vaca

kkards, EXCELLENT point about this not being a good year to take on extra projects! (Unless they are something you love, of course). AGREE!

AndiB thanks! I paid US $45 for one and $49 for the other, which I don't consider a lot for a skirt that seems well made, which IMHO it is. Glad my review was useful.

Angie - you may be right that I should size down. If I wanted to keep either one I'd certainly try that.

Thanks MaineLady. Actually the waist alteration would be super simple, not a hassle at all, but shortening it would NOT be simple.

Unfrumped, yes that's pretty much where I am. As you said..."next".

Thanks jenni nz

Janet, thanks for the input. If I had a pool and deck I might be more interested in keeping and doing the alterations. Your summers are longer, hotter, and more humid than mine so you have a longer "wearing season" . I do have a screened in porch, looking out on our back yard and a small beaver pond/brook, which is spectacular for providing numerous birds and other wildlife, but NOT suitable for swimming LOL. Recently saw two great blue herons take flight very close by - just incredible!

Bijou and Suz, interesting comments about windy places vs. wrap skirts

Suz when I hear you describe how you wear it at home etc, to me those are activities where I'd want to be wearing pants. Team skirt vs. Team pants, sometimes it's just that simple.

And the final decision is....RETURN. Thanks for all the great input, decision was easy to make with all your help. NEXT.

Laurie

Veteran

I posted on another RipSkirt thread yesterday that I saw on the website they are retiring the current Length3 and launching a slightly shorter version, with pockets. So, maybe wait and try that one?

I'm really sorry it didn't work for you!

Anonymous

Returning sounds like a good plan- but maybe you'll like the new version more!

Chris987

Veteran

Laurie, thanks, and yes that's a great idea!

Thanks Suntiger.

Melissa B

Member

I ordered the 8-10 ripskirt in the knee length. On my pear shaped body it looked dumpy. It just felt too big and too long. I think the sizing selection instructions are confusing. I'm 5'7" and 127 pounds. I have a 32" waist and the 8-10 skirt says the waist is 32.5". The site also says that measurement is the finished SKIRT measurement and not necessarily the person's waist size. But, without measuring, I think the skirt size has to be bigger than 32.5". Anyway, decided to order the 4-6 just to see what happened. (I might have worn a 4-6 for about ten minutes in 7th grade more than 50 years ago.) It fit like I wanted it to at the waist. The length hit in a more attractive spot as well. I still have room for adjustment at the waist, but not a lot. So, I am going to keep it and wear it this summer to see what I think. Hope it works because I really like the concept and wanting to improve my travel packing.