Why does one work but not the other? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Why does one work but not the other?

abc

Veteran

I suspect it has something to do with body shape and proportion but anytime I try on a full A-line skirt (like pics 1-2) I feel like it poofs out around my hips and makes me look larger. I love this look but find the type of skirt that is fitted through the hip *then* flares out worth volume lower on the skirt always looks way better on me (pic 3).

I am an hourglass/pear and a very self conscious size 14 fwiw.

I would have thought the full A-line would be flattering but the fitted at the top style is always more flattering.

Anyone know why? Anyone else have this "issue"?

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Summer

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I don't know why, but the exact same thing is true for me. Maybe the fullness around the hips is hard to balance up top, but if you lower it down, it's not so bad.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I have had this issue myself. I think it's got to do with proportions. Plus pic 1 is a skater skirt and not A-line.

If you are short waisted and there is a shorter gap between your waist (where you tie the skirt) and your hips, the skirt poufs outwards. It's supposed to be flattering but only on those who have an inverted triangle body shape ( in my opinion).

I am an hour glass with a short waist and I find these skirts hard to style as well. I do have one, and can only style it with a top with shoulder pads because then the proportions are balanced out. I much prefer a slightly fitted top and flare further down (like pic 3). Or, I like skirts that flare lesser ---- skirts with an A-line cut.

If you like a skater skirt style, you have to make peace with the fact that it'll make you look slightly 'rounder'. But that being said, you can work on the rest of the outfit to get the proportions right. Style with a top that draws attention to your shoulders ---like padded shoulders or shoulder detailing with ruffles, sequins etc. And do add some heel - I like a wedge heel for a playful feminine and comfy look.

Hope that helps!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and I can also wear it with a top that has puffed short sleeves. That works beautifully.

abc

Veteran

RA, glad I'm not alone.

Maneera, thanks. You're right, 1 is a skater skirt. But whatever you want to call them I am talking about the skirts with a fitted waist then the fabric goes out from there. I adore the look and find myself continually pinning them on Pinterest but when I try it implement it for my own curvy body I have less than stellar results. I am ok with skirts like #3 and have a couple that have been in my closet for years. I just wondered why 3 worked and 1-2 not so much. You're onto something with the shoulder comment and balancing the proportions. I will try again and see but for now I will probably stick to the silhouette of 3. You just made me realize years ago pre ylf I was buying items with shoulder detail - so all along I have been trying to balance my lower half even when I didn't know why I was doing it! Lol. You reminded me of one specific top with shoulder detail and a blazer with a puff shoulder. Guess I know now why they worked.

abc

Veteran

Oh and yes. I am short waisted too!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I went ahead and found some inspiration for you. I'm attaching a few images of a complete look and some of the kind of tops I'm talking about. In fact I'll click a picture of the combination I usually wear for you tomorrow.

I'm a size UK 14 or US 10 myself

Hope this helps!

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Diana

Veteran

Well, for me it has a lot to do with the pleats/gathering and where they start. I am a pear shape with a high, shelf hip, so if the pleats/fullness starts right above the shelf, then they poof out all of a sudden and stick out, turn inside out, generally look gigantic. Because I'm also short waisted, once the waistband takes up all the room at my waist, there is nowhere for the pleats to go but right over the shelf. But if they start below the shelf, then they fall much more nicely.

You can sometimes size up on the skirt so the waist sits lower, thus also lowering the pleats. This can make the skirt move around and ride up sometimes though.

The best solution though is to look for the trumpet shape like your example #3. Sometimes if the pleats are stitched down at the top so they can't pouf out in a weird way, that can work too.

abc

Veteran

Maneera thanks a ton! Those pics help. You're right. It's all about the shoulders balancing the bottom half. I just looked and have a sweater just like the pink one you showed. I haven't worn it in ages but rightfully held onto it. Glad I did. Now I just need the skirt! I also saw you posted on one of my older threads. Thanks and I replied back too

abc

Veteran

Yes Diana I thought of you as I posted this thread. I know you're a pear but also rock this type of skirt. Thanks for sharing your secrets

Diana

Veteran

Here are some examples. The pink skirt in #1 is a size larger than normal (I bought my "butt" size and not my waist size basically) so it sits lower, plus it has a wider band so the pleats start lower. The silver EF skirt has the pleats stitched down at the top. The green plaid skirt is a super light chiffon, which is another thing you might try, since a really light fabric will not pouf as much. The skirt in #4 is not quite full enough to be a skater skirt but illustrates another technique, which is just to wear a long top that holds the pleats down.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

abc

Veteran

Thanks for the visuals, Diana! Super helpful.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Diana - I've got the high hip shelf too and a lines and full skirts are awful on me. I can do the ones that are fitted until the low hip if I'm willing to give up the figure flattery, but I don't even do that much anymore. Everyone says that a lines are perfect for pears, so I tried to make them work for years and years. When I read Imogen Lamport's description of the difference between 8 types and X types of hourglasses, suddenly everything made much more sense. I'm basically a pear/8 hybrid and I suspect you and Diana are too, even though we have different proportions and heights otherwise.

abc

Veteran

Agree w you Laura re body types. I never know if I am a pear or hourglass haha. Hybrid is a good word!

I have two skirts like #3 and they work ok. I haven't given up on them yet. Gonna try next w some tops like Maneera mentioned.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I'm so glad that helps you. You should take that sweater and go shopping. Try Diana's tip of buying your 'butt' size.

I like the way Diana styles her skirts. It's very casual and modern. But for me personally, this kind of skirt is all about showing off my comparitively thinner waist, not hiding it. So I either tuck the top in or wear a cropped top. You'll have to try various looks and see what works best for you.

And you should totally check out Imogen's body shape guide as she clearly explains how and why X shaped hourglass differs from the 8 shaped hourglass. Her blog is : http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com

abc

Veteran

An excuse to go shopping?! Haha. Yes you're right. I really should do it. I love the floral midis and my sweater is orange so it would be a perfect bright outfit for me the color lover.

Going to check the blog post you linked to now. Thanks again.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I have the same issue. I much prefer the look of stitched-down pleats or gathers on me than those that start right at the waistband. These responses are really helpful--thanks for asking the question!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

abc, it's like you and me were sisters in another life!!!

I saw your reply on the older post about your business trip and replied back. Have fun exploring your body type!

abc

Veteran

Firecracker that is funny as I always thought of you as a rectangle. Mostly bc of your height (you come across as tall in photos anyway). Glad the post is helping you.

Maneera, I know. You're my ylf sister for sure

Astrid

Veteran

I have a hard time with full skirts and pleats / gathers too. It's always recommended for pears, but in fact a lot of those skirts make me look two sizes bigger than I am. The black floral skirt I bought recently has awkward gathers and I can't really tuck anything into it. Looks rather comical, really. It's going to be fine with an untucked sweater over it in fall and winter, but right now I don't really know how to wear it.

DonnaF

Veteran

IMHO, most women find stiff skirts like the first two very hard to wear because they add bulk to the waist and tummy. I have a couple skirts that seem to work and are JFE because they are midi length and hit me just below the calf. Softer, drapier fabric, stitched down pleats, or a trumpet shape tend to work for more of us -- but I have a drapey midi length skirt and for whatever reason, it doesn't work. I think it has too much fabric.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, nobody can wear those first two. Seriously. They're the devil.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

abc, yes, I'm a slight hourglass tending to rectangle, and I find the first style hard to wear. I've always thought it was because I don't have a defined enough waist, but apparently that's not the issue after all. Ha ha!

rachylou

Veteran

I have the exact same issues. I'm short waisted and rotund, hehe. It's just enough fabric to make you lumpy, but not enough to give you that 50's effect of deliberate exaggeration and wasp waisted-ness.

deb

Veteran

I am only able to wear these types if the fabric is very soft and falls back toward my knees. Silk georgette works well for this.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Duana said.
Neither are true A - line and that mainly matters if you're getting confused in searching and because son might work. They don't have all the extra fabric of the pleated/ gathered styles. But an actual pencil style can be better.
Then # 3 isn't full trumpet style but has some similarities.
I have all same issues and if trying to do some kind of full or swirly skirt instead of pencil, really look for stitched down modest pleating or similar.

unfrumped

Veteran

Sorry, Diana!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It's the volume on the hips in #1 which adds the bulk. I find it not really flattering on most of bodies.
#3 has stitched folds on the hips which add structure and flare lower down which is the most flattering type of the flared skirt.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I never feel comfortable in a full skirt of any kind, even though they seem like they should be flattering. Contrary to expectations I prefer to wear a more figure-hugging silhouette, even though I'm sort of a apple-hourglass hybrid. I think it's because the extra bulk around the tummy makes the whole skirt look big.

Summer

Veteran

I was thinking short waist, also. Full skirts look terrible on me (short, barely-defined waist) but the style you show in picture 3. would be fine.