Should I buy a Skirt? - YouLookFab Forum

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Should I buy a Skirt?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

I tried one on today--and it was cute!
http://www.reitmans.com/Plus-S.....22_color=B

It has 5% spandex, so, though the size I tried was perfect, I was afraid it would stretch out after a couple of hours of wear and start falling off of me. (The one I bought this summer does that, unfortunately.) The next size down is in a store I thought I would trek out to tomorrow.

But, before I do, I want to consider whether I should even get a skirt. I haven't worn one in a long, long time.

1) I will not tuck, semi tuck, faux tuck or belt. So, all tops will have to fall outside the skirt at a flattering spot. I found exactly one top which would do this while I was trying things on--but it wasn't in a good colour for me! Will this make my poor skirt too much of an orphan? How many "tops" should a skirt have to go with it so it will get worn? 3?

2) I do not need a skirt. I will only wear a skirt if I go out to run errands. I have a small problem in that I do not like bare thighs when I wear a skirt--so there would have to be some sort of undergarment for warm days and tights for cool days. I have no idea where to shop for either said undergarments or tights. In fact, I strongly suspect no one sells tights in my size anywhere. Sartorially, this is sending me into a tizzy.

3) What sort of footwear does one wear with a skirt? Will I have to buy short boots for my "early winter" capsule instead of the Pikolinos I am hopelessly in love with (and which have still not arrived for me to try)? I see a nice slim ankle boot with this skirt....Though, at home? I will wear it with loafers.

4) Do I want a skirt? I don't really know. I like having my summer weight pencilish skirt. (It has built-in shorts, so the thigh issue was brilliantly taken care of.) I just haven't had that many opportunities to wear it. 5 different bottoms has proved to be more than enough in my MOTG capsule. I am currently up to 4 different bottoms in my Fall/Winter capsule, already. Though, as Suz keeps pointing out--winter is at least 2x longer than summer for we Canadians.

Any advice?

PIKOLINOS 'Brujas' Boot

$254.95 $127.47

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Sal

Veteran

I think I would hold off and focus on your pants and shoes...skirts can be the hardest to match with tops as different lengths often work than with pants.
You could definitely wear one though so feel free to ignore the advice!!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

This is something I've heard on the forum before and I don't really understand it. Why would I have different tops in different lengths for pants and skirts?

Of course, maybe--as a non-tucker--I wouldn't. Is that it?

Sal

Veteran

There will be better qualified people than me to answer, but often skirts need a shorter top than pants.....not always...but this can make the proportions more flattering.

I rarely tuck either!!

Gigi

Veteran

That is one cute skirt!

I think that what is meant about different lengths of top working for skirts as opposed to for pants has to do with proportions. Pants are longer than skirts (unless you're wearing a maxi skirt), so they look best with a longer top. Skirts, being shorter, generally look best with a shorter top.

For proportions, I generally try to follow a 2:3 ratio. So: top, 2 parts; pants/skirt, 3 parts; or top, 3 parts; skirt, 2 parts.

You could buy the skirt and then start searching for the tights and undergarments, and then if you can't find them, you could return the skirt. Also, having the skirt in your hands will give you time to settle down with it and maybe really determine if you want it for your capsule. (Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for plus-size tights.)

I think you could wear knee-high boots with a skirt like this. I wear knee-high boots and ankle booties with my skirts. IMO, you really just have to dress up in front of the mirror and see what works.

ETA: With regard to tucking, that is often how I adjust my proportions. If my top seems a little too long for my pants/skirt, then I tuck it. If I start out with a tucked top and it seems too short, I untuck it or else semituck it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Super cute skirt, and what Gigi said about proportions. I use her strategy, also -- I use tucking and semi tucking to adjust tops so they work equally with pants or skirts.

FWIW: Before YLF I always thought I was an equal opportunity bottoms girl. I LOVE pants (even more so since I lost weight and body changes made them easier to fit than they used to be). And, working at home, in a casual city, I especially love denim.

Equally, I love skirts and dresses. I like to look and feel feminine and I love options in my silhouettes. Naturally, I bought a couple of skirts and dresses for each season. Win win, right?

But keeping track over what I actually wore for a few years, here is what I discovered. Besides offering a different silhouette, skirts have one additional benefit over pants for me -- they are cooler. And I like to wear them best without tights to show some skin for structure and to "lighten up" an outfit.

This means that in reality, I wear far more dresses in our spring/ summer months -- and enjoy wearing them more -- than I wear in our fall/ winter months. During the fall/ winter, skirts and dresses are more of a special occasion item.

If the great advantage of skirts is that they are cooler, this advantage fast becomes a disadvantage in our winters.

Sadly, solid black tights get really really heavy looking on me really easily.

And solid black tights with black boots are pretty much my only option in mid-winter day time hours. If I want to go outdoors, that is.

I've tried sheer hose (not warm enough). I've tried coloured tights (look awful on my stubby legs and aren't my style anyway.) I've tried grey and taupe (acceptable, but hard to find coordinating footwear.) And so on.

I do wear skirts with booties (of various styles and colours) and various coloured hose up until about mid-December (or whenever the snow starts seriously flying.) I try to eke out as much wear from them as I can, in fact. But in deepest winter, I pretty much only wear dresses if I am going to some kind of party. It might be different if I drove to work and worked in an office. But as it is -- not happening here. I reach for the denim every time.

None of this is to tell you what to do. There are many women who find skirts more comfortable no matter what! Fit issues mean they are quite simply more comfortable in them.

Joy

Veteran

You are asking good questions and it doesn't sound like you would get much use out of a skirts less you want a change from jeans and trousers. This is a great little skirt and will show off your legs. How do you feel about that? For winter you might try styling it with a pullover sweater, tights, and boots or booties.

Glory

Veteran

Super cute skirt and I think it would look great on you. It could be part of a great capsule and work for casual wear but also for any events you might need to attend.
If that is the case then yes but if you don't typically wear skirts then it might be better to focus on current needs, especially if you will need to buy items to work with the skirt that are not on your current list.
In terms of the quality - I have several items from Reitmans and have been super happy with them. I am wearing my Lip shirt today

Isis

Veteran

Alana,

These posts from Angie explain how tops are more flattering in different lengths for skirts and pants. One of the first things I learned on YLF!

http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....ver-pants/
http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....and-pants/

Emily

Veteran

I think it's a cute skirt and would be fun styled for casual wear. I think it would be cute styled with a chambray shirt tied overtop (like #1) and the boots you posted. It sounds like you feel good in it, too.

Is there a Reitmans near you for returns? Why not bring it home and play dress up with things in your closet, then return if you decide it's not for you?

Question: Why not tuck or belt?

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Beth Ann

Veteran

I can't imagine a world without skirts and dresses! I actually wear more skirts now, partly because I find many dresses in the marketplace a bit clingy to my tastes, and the structure of the skirt at the midsection helps define my waist. In Chicago, I wear them on all but the coldest of days, since I generally commute places by car. I love dresses and skirts with tall boots, or with tights and booties.

If you prefer pants, I wouldn't invest lots of your budget in skirts, but I think starting with a black skirt in a flattering silhouette and length, and with a bit of stretch, is a great way to try them out! I'd suggest:

1. stretch fabric with structure --- it sounds like your former skirt was a fabric that would work better for a top.

2. pettipants or slipshorts! I have both in my wardrobe, and love 'em. They're great for modesty and issues with kissing thighs!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Here are my slipshorts, and a picture of pettipants. Mine are Maidenform, purchased at Kohls.

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Jockey Skimmies Mid-Thigh Slip Shorts 2109

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Joyce B

Veteran

I think it's a good idea to try something new but of course only buy it if you will wear it.
The skirt is very pretty and I think you will enjoy it. You got great answers from other fabbers and great suggestions on how to style it.

unfrumped

Veteran

Since you are building your wardrobe, you might want to develop your "go to" silhouettes--there are some good posts on that concept I think--which is more specific than just, pants, or skirts, but goes into what style and proportions.
Which of the possible silhouettes make you feel fab, and then of course, which are practical? You can have both but adjust the percentages. For example, you want to get your pants capsule (s) to the point that you have pants that are the right width and length, for the footwear you will use, and have tops that are not just the right color, but the right proportion. If you find that a skirt--maybe this skirt--makes you feel great, but you don't have as many occasions to wear it, then you would just need to do the math on it, as perhaps you can find ways for the skirt to be more casual and wear more when weather is not too cold, or perhaps you find you want to actually spend more time in skirts and will invest in boots. That sort of thing. Or you may have some special occasions for which you'd really prefer the look of a dress or skirt but are wearing pants by default, and then the right skirt can be dressed up or down. I wouldn't worry so much about having the "proper" number of tops to wear with it, and especially would not "force it" , meaning, go on an intense hunt that might lead you to buy tops that aren't right just to achieve the formula! But, I would plan to figure out what proportion top works. For the most part that will be different from what you are looking for for your pants--something that hits at higher hip, unless you have a more slim skirt silhouette with a tunic over--that is harder to achieve, IMO since the fabrics have to work together and not bunch and all of that. Anywhat, the right top can really make a difference in whether you get the skirt look you want, and you may still be needing to focus on your tops for pants.

Deb

Veteran

Cute skirt which would be very versatile. It would look great with a shorter top or knit untucked or a tucked button down or blouse, with or without a belt. Then you could wear a longer knee length coat over the top if it is cold. I think a T with a short open jacket would look cute too. It is easy to find the right underwear at large department stores. For footwear some sort of pump, or thin knee high boots or cute, non chunky booties would work and you could easily wear hose if that is your desire. Even the right sandal, heeled or flat, would work in hot weather. Or an Oxford shoe. There are many options. I like your choice and since you haven't worn a skirt in ages, maybe today is the day to change that. This skirt is simple and classic enough to get several years of wear out of it.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I got some of these and really like them:

http://www.bandelettes.com/shop/

E

Veteran

I plan to wear my Pikolinos w skirts (I showed them with skirts in my k/r and got general forum approval): I bet yours would look even better with them because there won't be calf gap.

Since that skirt is fitted in the hips, you might be able to wear a longer top with it than if it poofed out right away. But generally, the people I know who don't tuck tops into skirts have a lot of problems finding tops short enough to wear untucked. Is there a good return policy, so you could bring the skirt home & try it with your current tops to see if you have enough to pair it with? It's up to you how many tops you need to make it a useable part of your closet: are you happy repeating the same outfit, as long as you feel great in it, or do you prefer to mix & match? If you only had 1 top that worked, would you run into laundry bottlenecks? Or because this is just for non-work wear, would it not be much of a problem?

I can wear skirts even in cold for me temps: I recollect going on a visit to Denver years ago when they had a freak cold week and wearing a mystery fabric skirt-definitely not wool-on a day when the high was 9F/-13C & there was wind (no clue about the wind chill though). Under it I wore: silk long johns + 2 pairs of regular nylon tights tights + knee high wool socks + knee high boots with a faux shearling lining. That probably sounds like a ridiculous amount of layering, but it felt fine, and I didn't over heat when I was indoors either, surprisingly. Over it I wore a knee length wool coat. Nowadays, I have a couple very full vintage lined wool skirts that are super cosy, but when there's cold wind my thighs definitely appreciate the silk long johns underneath. Mine layer easily under tights, as long as I'm wearing at least ankle boots so I don't have to worry about the cuff showing through at the ankle. However, that's me: everyone's different of course.

As far as finding tights, there's a pretty active plus size blogging community, so I bet a bit of googling would turn up some helpful companies.

Good luck deciding! The thing is, it's ok to take some risks/make some mistakes when you're still sorting out your style/building your wardrobe. Ideally of course that would never happen, but in reality it seems an inevitable part of the process. If your heart really loves the skirt, and it makes you feel great about yourself, and it won't destroy your budget (I know you're starting from scratch, so the budget is stretched), and you have at least 1 top that already works with it, perhaps it's worth taking that chance. Perhaps you'll discover you're a huge skirt person & they'll become an integral part of your style.

On the other hand, since you seem to find bottoms easier to shop for than tops, perhaps you should save your money so that if you find a great top, you can splurge on it, and save the skirt additions for later.

missvee

Veteran

It's a very good looking skirt and could come in handy around the holidays. Dress it up with a sparkly or silky top and you've got a nice easy look for holiday parties.
You could probably dress it down too with a tee or simple top and jean jacket plus the Pikolinos. But if you think you don't need a dressy option you might be better off looking for a very casual skirt ( denim or twill or corduroy ).
As for the tights, would the plus size speciality stores (Penningtons or Additionelle) stock them? If not they should know where you could buy them.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Oh my, once again, you have all surpassed my expectations for feedback.

One of the "rules" I use for top length is explained by Imogen in this video.

That being said, curved hems, asymmetrical hems, shark hems, etc, have expanded my choices for tops considerably.

Gigi--ah, proportions! Of course. What a great way to simplify the whole conversation! Of course, the skirt could be 1/3 and the top 2/3's. The little flounce on the bottom of this skirt is half way there already. Food for thought, for sure.

Suz--excellent point about the warmth of a skirt (or lack thereof). That is one of the reasons I hesitate.

Glory--I looked at that lip shirt and considered it. Maybe when I go back to try on this skirt, I'll try it!

Isis--thanks for the links. I read them before responding. For skirts, Angie wrote:
Keep the hem of the top on or just above hipbone and
Pants look best with tops that are 1 to 3 inches above crotch point

I will play around with this and post some pics for feedback.

Emily--The tied up chambray shirt looks like fun--love the visual you provided. Is that you? It's a fabulous look.
Why am I so anti-tucking? It just doesn't flatter me (I am short-waisted, big busted and I have a big round belly.) I'd feel far too self conscious drawing attention to my shape in that way. Maybe that will change in time. I don't mind it on other people.

Beth Ann--so glad you are pro-dress and skirt! Petti pants and those slip shorts are a definite must. Love the slip shorts! I wonder where I might find them locally. I'll be on the lookout for them, for sure.

JoyceB--I am glad you think the skirt is pretty. I do too. I wouldn't consider trying to make it work, otherwise.

Unfrumped--I have a pinterest board devoted to silhouettes I'd be willing to try. Most of it comes down to some variation of a tunic over leggings or other slim ankle pant. You make an excellent point about needing to concentrate on finding tops for the pant-based casual capsule. Much to my surprise, I am having a tough time of it. I took almost every single bracelet sleeve fluid-type top into the dressing room last night and came out empty handed. I did well with the sweaters I tried but had to leave two of the three as I was not willing to hand wash all three.

Dammer--Wow--lots of options! I do think it is kind of classic and I could get a few years wear out of it--assuming I can find a tp to go with. I did read Angie's rules!

Jenava--bandelettes--Interesting! I've never seen anything like those before. Thanks for the idea.

E--Excellent questions. I would be happy with two tops. That would give me enough versatility for the frequency with which I would wear it, I think. I am increasing my hours at work come the fall which means I have fewer days to wear this wonderful wardrobe I am building--so once every two or three weeks would be lots of wear for this--and two tops would mitigate feeling trapped by lack of choice.
Oh, silk long-johns! That's almost a reason for me to try losing weight again, lol! Wear and enjoy for me! (Does that sound creepy? I hope that doesn't sound too creepy!)
Perhaps I ought to save my pennies--but I am afraid that I may never (and I mean never) find a skirt just like this again.

missvee--I will have one work related Christmas party to attend. I'd had my heart set on buying a fabulous dress. However, this skirt would do nicely, maybe. The fabric gives off a casual vibe to me--it's kind of puckered, if that makes any sense. Doesn't matter. I can see a long tunic-type shirt over this with lots of long dangly necklaces and killer shoes. Or maybe forget the necklaces and go for a sophisticated cuff. Hmmm, I think I am talking myself into this.

Addition-elle! Of course. I never go in because though they are the same company as Reitman's and Pennington's, my impression is that they buy for the younger crowd. But I checked on-line--and bam--tights. Even argyle! womp womp.

I think the plan going forward will be to find the tights and slip shorts and two tops within the 30 day return period. If I cannot, then back it goes.

L'Abeille

Veteran

That post of Angie's on top lengths for pants and skirts is dated 2008. All those outfits/proportions still look great of course, but I think that current acceptable style silhouettes (eg fluid/roomy over roomy) allow for more options too. Our eyes do change.

Me, I'm hoping you find an excuse to buy the skirt. Even if you just have one good matching top now, it is the kind of almost-timeless piece that will mix with different things down the road too.

Liz

Veteran

My advice is to go "visit" the skirt in the store and try on a gazillion tops with it to see if you can find a top style that works for you with it. I've had some trouble finding top shapes that work (for me) with a trumpet skirt silhouette.

Suja

Veteran

Lots of great advice. I want to chime in and say, I *love* skirts and can't imagine not having a single one in my wardrobe. Maybe try one out in the interest of stepping out of your comfort zone and perhaps liking it more than you think?

BTW: I wear skirts all the time and almost never tuck. I have too much of a post-baby belly to be tucking at the moment Proportions usually work with an untucked top and a pencil or straighter a-line skirt. They usually don't work with a more flared skirt.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

L'Abeille--hehe, I wondered about that, too. Our eyes do adjust to a longer proportion on top. I've always loved the tunic/long sweater over a skirt look--was that an 80's thing, lol? I doubt I'll find one, though.

Liz--I think I will go right after supper. There's only one H&M in town that carries plus sizes so I'm heading over that way this evening to check it out.

Suja--this skirt has a pencil skirt vibe to it--right until you get to the flounce, so I think it will be fine with something untucked (though, preferably, curved.) I tried on a top with it last night and I thought it looked fine proportions wise--but it was a really goldy brown leopard print and would be more of a departure in my wardrobe than the skirt would be!

E

Veteran

>>Perhaps I ought to save my pennies--but I am afraid that I may never (and I mean never) find a skirt just like this again.

Sounds like you're very attached to it already: I think it's worth giving a go then!

(And no, that didn't sound creepy! Although I'll point out that I leant a pair of my Eddie Bauer xs long johns to a size 10 friend when we were studying abroad in Russia, and they stretched to fit her comfortably. So I hope you can find a pair that fits! Mine were presents from my mom during my first winter at a Midwest college, coming from south Texas. My friends mocked me at first, but I could tromp all around in them & never get cold!)

Sal

Veteran

Yes I think it is worth going for, it does sound like you really like it.

In an ideal world all our bottoms would go with two or three tops etc but this is not the case in my wardrobe. I have a skirt that only goes with one top, this is fine. I may buy another top to wear with it, or as wear it a maximum of six times a year just make do. It makes me happy when I wear it and that is the most important thing!!