Tube skirt vs. pencil skirt?

catgirl

Any difference? I'm still pondering Mo's pencil skirt dilemma? Is a tube skirt just a knit straight skirt? Because if that's the case I'm really collecting tube skirts and not pencil skirts.

11 years ago

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Neel

Veteran

For me tube skirts are the knit ones with stretch. They usually do not have the back slit.

Pencil skirts are the other stricter ones which require back/side slits for ease of movement. They usually have no stretch.

Now I could be completely off my marbles. I am just sipping on my morning tea

ETA: I meant movement and not moment!

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I agree with Neel. I think pencil skirts are usually made from a more tailored and stiffer or structured fabric, but that may not always be the case. I have always thought "pencil" referred to the shape so really a knit or woven skirt could be a pencil??

11 years ago

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Well, well, I just bought a pencil skirt with stretch! But it is a woven fabric with a kick pleat, so definitely a pencil.

11 years ago

Echo

Veteran

While I haven't the foggiest what the technical definition might properly be, I agree with Neel. Tube skirts are stretchy without a zipper for entry and generally without a vent at the back. Pencil skirts can have stretch, but are generally a less forgiving fabric with a zipper closure and slit for ease of walking.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Is a tube skirt seamless? I think by the definitions so far I have no pencil skirts but a tube skirt addiction - stretchy, zip free elastic waist knits.

11 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Haha you make me laugh Una. Maybe you didn't mean to be funny but I had to laugh out loud. "if that's the case I'm really collecting tube skirts and not pencil skirts."

I think a pencil skirt is not tapered at the bottom. A tube skirt narrow at the bottom. A tube skirt is often longer, at or below the knee -- than a pencil skirt (at or above the knee). Also, a tube skirt might have more lycra in it to create this fitted look. I think of a tube skirt as being made from a knit fabric, whereas a pencil skirt could be any number of fabrics.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I'm pretty sure I'm always unintentionally funny when it comes to style, Denise!

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As per Angie, a pencil skirt may be tapered, or not tapered.

But a tube skirt is knit, often longer (below knee) and definitely tapered.

You're collecting tubes.

Ms.Mary has a pencil collection.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I think of tube skirts as a knit pull-on sub-type of pencil skirt. I think of traditional pencils as usually having a zip and button or hook closure at the waist somewhere ( I've had front, side and back zip versions). I've seen either at any length. There are mini, midi and maxi versions of each.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Joy said, IMHO. Tube skirts are basically a tube of relatively stretchy, knit fabric. Pull on and go. Traditional pencil skirts, to my way of thinking, are more tailored or structured, with a zipper. I'm beginning to think that tube skirts are definitely more user-friendly for my casual life.

11 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I agree with Joy, I think of tube skirts being a sub category of the pencil skirt.

I find the user friendly point very interesting. Personally I find there is a difference between the appearance and the reality of the tube skirt, on the one hand they look casual and are easy to launder but I find my movement is more restricted wearing the tube skirt than if I am wearing a woven tapered pencil with a vent, do you find the same Una?

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A tube skirt is still a pencil skirt - just more fitted on the side seams.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I actually find the knit tube more comfortable even without the vent - I feel constrained by structured fabric in a pencil silhouette. I had to consign all my Halogen seamed skirts for that reason.

What about the rest of you?

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

Agree, but I still have some pencil skirts (like the Halogen ones) for days when business dress is required. LOVE those VC tube skirts...

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Abc, funny because I only wear my knit skirts for work. I wonder if they seem too casual? I don't have a formal dress code but curious if they would not be okay for some settings.

11 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think the skirts you wear are very business casual friendly Una.

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm, I like the idea of a tube in place of the stiffer pencil. The tube collapses around the figure more, whereas the pencil seems to stand away stiffly in a way I do NOT like. Tube skirts rejoice!!
I will say tucking into one isn't so neat, though. You can see the rumples of shirts if there is too much fabric.

11 years ago

Aida

Veteran

That's where hi-low and cropped tops come in, Mo

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I don't find tucking into anything structured all that comfy anyway. I do a tiny half-tuck with some knit skirts and certain tops, just very edge of the hem into the waistband. With certain items it actually works. Otherwise, hi lo it is!

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It depends on your figure, too. I usually go for pencils, whether woven or knit, because they fit both my waist and hips/butt, with the darts and/or seaming and the zipper. I have exactly one tube skirt and even it is pretty clingy on my backside. But if you have less curve there anyway, tube skirts might be more flattering because they don't create structure where you don't need it.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I have the opposite problem, Laura! If they fit in the waist the hips are too big and wing out. If the hips fit the waist is too small. The knit is much better for my straight/curveless bottom half.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Hmm. I think you can wear a tube skirt like a pencil skirt... but I still think a pencil skirt is its own creature. More inherently structured a garment... not just a tube...

11 years ago

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