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About: Weekly Roundup: Skirts with Flair

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Swishy Sewing

Beth Ann

Veteran

Angie's post has some lovely examples of new and returning skirt silhouettes. I'm particularly fond of the Halogen examples!

For the past couple of months, I've been compiling possible skirt patterns for spring. Skirts are a great choice for someone beginning to sew, or as in my case, returning to sewing with limited time. There are fewer fit issues, particularly with fuller skirts, and less time-intensive tailoring. Here are some contenders:

1: This would look amazing on a pear shape. Astrid, perhaps? I worry that the drawstring might look bulky or frumpy on me, but I love its cool and casual feel. Fabric would have to be less sweet, but I like the general shape. I have a very casual summer lifestyle.

2. Love this --- I'd use a lighter weight chambray for less fullness.

3. This would be amazing for next fall -- I had to add it, even though it's not for spring Yum!

4. 70's retro. I made one of these in 1978 (Jr. High). It would have to be in a simple fabric to avoid looking like it came from the "That 70's Show" costume closet, and I'd interface the waistband for a bit more structure.

5. This is gorgeous. Like Meryl Streep: "I hahd a fahrm in Ahfrica."

6. Feminine and wearable. The structured waist and pockets make it work.

Which do you think would work best for me? Any fabric/color suggestions?

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Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

deb

Veteran

How do you want it to drape? I see more fit issues with #6 but it is my favorite because it is different.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Deb: 6 would probably do alright for me, as long as the fabric wasn't clingy. I'm thicker in the lower torso than I'd like, but my lower abs and hips are not too lumpy and bumpy, IYKWIM. I'd keep the fabric soft to minimize the widening effects of the pockets and fullness in the skirt.

Jeanie

Veteran

I love all of these. I think #5 would be lovely for you. I gave up sewing but I still dream of having some skirts like these with pockets made for me to bop around in, in the summer. Can't wait to see your skirt project!

Tina

Veteran

My vote would be 2 and 5. I really like the fabric in 2. I'm tempted to sew myself a couple of these fuller skirts as well. It's refreshing to see a different silhouette.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'd love to try on a few skirts in similar silhouettes in the stores to get a better feeling for how I want to fit mine. At least sewing makes it easy to get just the right length! I do know that I want at least one skirt made in a lovely, soft chambray.

#5 seems to be getting a lot of love!

rabbit

Veteran

love #2. My body shape has a wide waist, and I find the more 'flarey' or pleated versus a line the skirt, the more of an hourglass it gives me.

greycat6

Veteran

Love #2! I would suggest a solid in a crisp-ish fabric. I can see you rocking it with either wedge or flat sandals, depending on the length.

#1 feels the most 'summery' to be. Probably because of the drawstring and print it is shown in. If you can make peace with the wrinkles, maybe you could try this in a solid linen with slightly less fullness? The linen would give it a more sophisticated feel, which seems more in line with your classy style.

Good luck! I look forward to seeing you project.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Even if it wasn't one of my favourite books, you'd have me at Meryl Streep...

Neel

Veteran

2,5,6 in that order of preference :). I think you would look lovely in those! Can't wait to see what you choose!

Anonymous

They are all fab! I adore the idea of the chambray one and the asymmetric hem, checked one had me drooling. Would a linen or blend of linen be nice for the Meryl Streep one? #1 is perhaps my least favourite as I'm personally not a huge fan of drawstrings, but having said that, it would be great in a very fine cotton. I look forward to seeing your in some of these.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Great post Beth Ann! After reading Angie's post yesterday, I was thinking about all my skirt patterns and that I need to get busy sewing! I think they all could work for you. I have the first pattern - you don't have to put in a drawstring for the waist, you could just do elastic instead. You could also make #3 in lighter weight fabric for spring.

Be sure and read the descriptions on the back of the envelopes - If you're a pear shape, I think Angie mentioned avoiding bias cut skirts.

Lantana

Veteran

In full skirts I prefer a basque or pleats that are stitched down at high hip so I shy right away from drawstrings or elasticised waists. How important are the former for you Beth Ann?

jenanded

Veteran

Good point from lantana... Beth Ann most def the a line look skirt on you... its hard to tell exactly as we see photos of you when the outfits are doing their job rather than outlining your shape exactly so the read can be a little off.... 1 would be good in a 1lighter fabruc as would the great retro wrap... sure I made that one... I like 6 fornyou because of therr basque. My concer is the styles pleated from the worst cane be winners or total duds depending on the fabric drape etc....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These are gorgeous. I would definitely give an A line a try, but I also adore 2 and 5.

Sarah A

Veteran

Ooooo... 3 and 5! I'll look forward to seeing what you choose Like Lantana, I like pleats stitched down over the top few inches (or at least I did last time I had a skirt like that, going on quite a few years ago now). I can see you rocking the just below the knee length with your shapely calves.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Such focused and helpful comments!

Rabbit: The flare in a skirt does definitely enhance waist definition. With a midi length, I think this would work for me.

Greycat: I can handle wrinkles on dark linen, although the mussed white linen look is a bit of an acquired taste. I would like a cool fabric, casual, with some sophistication.

Diane: I know! I must make the assymetrical hem skirt, although I really see it now in a wool for fall! Fabric choice will definitely be key. I have to hold fabric in my hands to know what will work best. Its "hand" is an important as its appearance. I'm sure you know this far better than I do!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Karie: Good reminder to read the envelopes carefully, both for fabric choice and yardage and a sense for the construction details. #3 in a summer weight? I need to imagine it with summer footwear.

Lantana and Jen: I so wish I could try some of these silhouettes on in the store so I can have a guide for sewing. I think stitched down pleats would probably be doable for me, but A-line would definitely work. I do have a booty, but as a full hourglass I balance that out. I worry most about looking thick in the middle.

Suz/Sarah: I was so pleased to at least find some patterns with real potential!

5 seems to be a favorite, with 2 and 3 gaining plenty of attention, too! I'm heading downtown (Chicago) tomorrow. If I can stand a really cold walk tomorrow, I might swing up to Nordies and try on a couple of the skirts that Angie posted.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Is the skirt in #2 from Talbot's? I remember seeing it somewhere. It's gorgeous and I also really like the shape and pleating of #5. I think either could work for you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Shannon: Hmm... perhaps that pic is from the Talbot's skirt that looks identical to the McCall's pattern. Here's the pattern shot from my wishlist. (I will not be wearing with a twinset). This fabric also looks softer, and you can see that the pleats are inverted and stitched down. I'd like just a touch more length, I think, so at least I can play with where I want to hem it.

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Patricia

I like no 2 and no 3. No 5 is awesome looking but my waist never looks that tiny in skirts. I love the drape on no 3.

I also sew and i am glad to see a greater variety of skirts come back. The straight pencil look never really works for me.

Vildy

Veteran

what pattern is that for #3? I love decorous clothes that look like they could be ripped off in a whirlwind. ( I guess I'm never going to grow up)

ramya

Veteran

Sigh now you make me wish for some sewing skills

Vildy

Veteran

Is that Vogue 7970?

Thistle

Veteran

Love #2 the best, followed by a tie between 5&6.

E

Veteran

I've been 'designing' a full skirt out of the light blue cotton/linen chambray fabric I got for Christmas! I'm going to follow this tutorial but add horizontal pintucks like this. I plan to start sewing soon.

For you, I think you like a little more structure than 1 is going to give you. I like 2, 3, and 5. Are you planning to tuck your tops? If not, think about which would give you a flatter front so that you can wear knits over it more easily. I have quite a few types of full skirts in my closet, and the ones with pleats sewn down from the waist to bottom of hip/top of thigh work the best for leaving tops out. Like this, with the pleats possible sewn down even further.

Vildy

Veteran

I love Cotton and Curls, E. She's got chutzpah.

LoriFLA

I like all of them. #1 is my least favorite because I am not a fan of drawstring. Happy sewing! I should bust out my sewing machine and make some skirts for Spring!

alee

#5 I like that it doesn't have the drawstring and pockets. I'm afraid that would just bulk up the middle and hips instead of the real fit and flair these styles are aiming at.

celia

Veteran

For me 5, no doubt about it. It also makes me think of 'out of Africa'(now that you mentioned maybe I will subject DH to the movie one of this nights, after all he enjoyed 'the notebook')
Back to order, since you cannot try them before making them, I would try with skirts that you have at home where is the smaller part on your torso because that would influence the choice of skirt.
I find that for me if a flared skirt starts very low it misses my waist and I cannot tuck anything inside it because it s not flattering.

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