Walking in a pencil skirt

Dolores

Hello

I bought a gorgeous pencil skirt from asos yesterday, and I love the way it looks
However, I must admit it affects the way I walk because I am forced to take small steps when wearing It
It's my first tight skirt, so I wonder if it's normal ?

I have some "room" in the waist area, which makes me think it will be too large if I take a size up

So how tight should a pencil skirt be ?
I can post pictures if you want !

Thank you for your help

4 years ago

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

nuancedream

Veteran

Posting pictures of the skirt would be helpful. Walking in a pencil skirt, especially one that falls below knee length, can be very difficult, which I why now give that style of skirt a pass. If the pencil skirt has some stretch in the material or a long slit/vent in the back, it allows for a bit more freedom of movement.

4 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Thank you here are some pictures
What worries me is that there are some horizontal wrinkles maybe I should get a size up and get it taken at the waist

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4 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Yes, I think you might be right - it's doesn't look tight per se, but the wrinkles suggest maybe the fit is a bit too snug across the hips. Looks great on you otherwise! I think if you could tailor the waist on a slightly larger size, that would be ideal.

I think some pencil skirts are almost designed to make the wearer walk as you describe - gives one that sort of 'hip wiggle' walk But not the most comfortable or practical!

4 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

I concur with TG's suggestion. A pencil skirt looks fab on you, as you have a slender and longer waist.

4 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

Definitely need the next larger size - tailoring the waist down is easy.
However, pencil skirts are not really designed for much beyond standing. So when you sit down it and stand up again, depending on the fabric, you develop horizontal wrinkles, anyway. In the pictures, it looks like more than wrinkles. Looks like buckling and riding up. Anyway, if it doesn't have a substantial slit, you'll need to have a tailor put one in and that way you should be able to walk just fine it and maybe even step into a bus or a van with a high step.

4 years ago

Anonymous

I'd agree to get one size larger, or this would be a standing-only skirt! It seems counter-intuitive since it's meant to be slimmer, but you need to be able to walk well! I *love* pencil skirts, but I primarily walk for my commute and they just don't travel well! If you can find one in a stretchier material, or size up, or find one with a vent/slit, it helps.

4 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, agreeing to size up. I like stretchy tube skirts like this one I just got, same vibe but easy to walk in! And they dont ride up as much when you sit as woven pencil skirts. Plus they don't crease!

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4 years ago

Anonymous

There should be a vent in the back. Is it stitched closed maybe?

4 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

That's why pencil skirts are so sexy. It has the same effect as foot binding and high heels. Makes us take tiny little delicate steps.

I don't make the rules. I'm just here to break them

4 years ago

Echo

Veteran

cindy is right, of course. The mincing steps and visible hip wiggle (because the skirt is snug) is what makes pencil skirts, an otherwise relatively modest piece of clothing, so sexy. It's part of the package.

I agree about going a size up and taking in the waist, and of course make sure the kick pleat/vent is unstitched. But even that won't change much about the walking style necessitated by the skirt. You cannot walk like you mean business in a pencil skirt.

4 years ago

LeandraofBleuAvenue

(website)

Active Member

Same struggles, but I love the overall look of them so much, I just learned to live with it...and only wear them on days when I don't have to be super active.

4 years ago

Unlimitera

Member

Totally get what you mean! Pencil skirts are a vibe, but the struggle is real, especially if you're on the move. I've found a workaround though—I reserve them for more chill days.

8 months ago

April

Veteran

Walking is tough, and shimmying into and out of a car is crazy tough. A number of us have left pencil skirts behind for this reason.

When I was working, pencil skirts were THE silhouette (before DYOT was a retail phenomenon.) One thing I became cautious about: when you sit down in a pencil skirt, you often end up exposing more leg than you want to. I would swivel my chair around to meet with someone and realize that, boom, suddenly I was in a miniskirt.

8 months ago

Joy

Veteran

They are the reason short skirts were popular in the 60's. Youvpilddtill
walk fast in them. Shortening to the knee may help.

8 months ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

If it's narrower at the hem than the waist, then apparently it's not a pencil skirt but a wiggle skirt - aptly named, lol

8 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I love the shape of pencils, too, but haven't worn them for years. I had no trouble walking (mine had a little stretch), but I did have the problem of a loose waist. I recommend tailoring for that.

In terms of taking small steps, it depends. If it feels very restrictive, I'd just get rid of the skirt. If it just makes you feel self-conscious, I'd just wear it around the house a little until I got used to it.

8 months ago

Unlimitera

Member

Speaking of outfits, have you ever tried incorporating that pencil skirt feel into your womens hiking outfits? It could be an interesting twist!

8 months ago

Joy

Veteran

Sorry about the big error in my post. I can’t figure out what it is supposed to be. Thank Spell Check. I checked before posting, so something happened to the post.

8 months ago

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