It looks like it will be a great little skirt once it is slimmed down. For styling, I like the length of your jean jacket with it much more than the longer red jacket. There seems to be lots of soft gold this season. I wonder if you could find a top in a shade slightly darker or lighter that blends with the skirt for more of a column of gold. It could be a layering tee or tank to wear under a jacket. Blush would also be pretty and low contrast.

Shannon -- Sorry, I was off playing hostess. Yes, definitely taper the skirt, but keep the length. And I like the idea of a chambray shirt with it, too!

I think the skirt has great potential! It just needs to be tapered a bit. Skirts are tricky and quite often need to be taken in a bit. I really like the cool and unusual print on the skirt! You will make some amazing outfits with it, I'm sure!

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread! Being outside the US myself, I really appreciate the feedback on Shabby Apple's international shipping. And I too have altered items to fit my shape after going to the trouble of ordering them internationally, when, if I lived in the same country, I'd just send them back...

I think the waist is fine, I wouldn't mess with the high-waisted part. I would embrace the look by wearing it with a tucked yellow top or a color of equal value so you aren't cut in half. (Which would be my concern about the chocolate top)

I personally would prefer seeing it knee length. Easier to walk, easier to wear as a petite. But I hear the others opinions about the bird and know there is a lot of midi love at YLF.

Really, if you like the length, all you need to do is take it in as it is too wide. Once you have this tailored, it could be a much loved piece. It is unique and the color is on trend.

Shannon, LOVELY skirt but definitely needs some help to work in your wardrobe!

First, If the waistband can be slightly narrowed, go for it. If not, you can either untuck your tops as many have said, or belt over it. I do precisely this for the precise same reason in the photo attached. I also love Denise's suggestion to go with a lower contrast top.

Second, you *can* hem a smidgen I think, without amputating the tails as Mary K pointed out, and it *will* still make a difference I suspect. Just an inch or another half --- so that the narrowing of the 'tail' is still evident. DEFINITELY no hemming across the wide part of those curves!

Finally, you have the shape JUST right in the second photo. You can just bring that to your seamstress! By the way, if slimming it entails removing and reattaching the zipper (if it's in the side seams somewhere rather than at the back), you could also take that opportunity to entirely remove the waistband! If you want, I'm sure your seamstress can add a bit of interfacing at the top of the waist to keep it neater without the band.

I have a feeling that, despite all this trouble (or maybe even because of it), this is going to be a favourite piece --- like your amazing BB shirt!

I'm a little late and you have a lot of great suggestions already - so I'm just going to wait and see how the skirt looks once it is slimmed

I really love the colour and print!

Thank you all so much - you are all incredibly helpful with this!

First off, just wanted to point out that obviously I would not be wearing the skirt with a white tee (too much contrast) but I literally walked in the door from work, ripped open the package and tried it on - no time to waste! I realize it doesn't work with this.

Bj111 - yes, I really am this short waisted! And it is something I struggle with, especially since having gained some weight. I work quite hard at disguising it.

I do have a bright yellow blouse I can try with it but will have to be careful if I go into the "gold" category - not a good colour next to my face (makes me look ill).

The zipper is i in the back of the skirt and is completely sewn in (sorry, don't know my sewing terms) as is there is nothing of the zipper showing inside or outside the skirt other than teeth of it. I'm not sure if narrowing the waist band is an option or not but will certainly ask my seamstress. I do think about an inch can be taken off the hem without hurting the birdies.

So to summarize, what I'll be attempting for tailoring includes:

- narrowing of the waistband if possible, otherwise leave as is and either tuck on top or belt over
- slight hemming
- narrowing of the skirt from the hips down
- putting in a kick pleat in the back for comfort in walking

I'd better wear the heck out of this skirt after all of that!

Well I happen to like the high waist and the longer length. I think you look fantastic in all the ways you have it styled here. Beautiful skirt and such a fun and different pattern.