Why does this jean skirt work/not work?

Anonymous

I'm interested in the long Madewell jean skirt in finds.

Am I imagining this, or does it look better on the person in the photo?
Is it a footwear issue?

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Nordstrom

Madewell High Slit Denim Midi Skirt

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7 years ago

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

I think it's at least in part because of the halftuck in the product photo. But you are right about the footwear, too - at least to my eye.

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

I agree with you. I think it is a question of footwear / shape of legs / angle of the pic.

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I definitely think it is the shoes. Maybe because of the ties?

7 years ago

Anonymous

Ryce - So you think it should be a full-tuck?
Sisi - Ah yes, I think you're onto somethng with the angle of the picture. Good point.

I'm thinking that this skirt type is just hard to pull off.

7 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I agree that it works better in the photo, it is better styled there. The straps of the shoes match the striped top very nicely.
I think that skirt looks good with cropped tops and a cropped jacket if needed. Also with strappy shoes and mules. Heels may be better for petites but flats can also work.
To me, the hard part about that skirt would be how to sit comfortably, that slit may ride up a lot so that would not work out.

7 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

It's a very calf-centric skirt, it's a hard length. The ankle wraps help to break up the calf a little, although definitely the camera angle helps too. And I think full tuck works better with most skirts, or any bottom that hits at the natural waist.

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

A skirt like this would look great on you. The accessories should be very now, like the shoes in your picture. For me, an upper middle aged person, the length is aging, like I might have had it since the 90s, and have been wearing it all that time.

I just made up "upper middle age". Who knows, I might live to 120!

7 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

A huge part is footwear; in the photo you also see more leg through the slit. The styling in the photo keeps it from looking frumpy.

7 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Sometime last year there was a sales woman at Nordies wearing a slim denim midi, I think it had a big self belt, that was tied into a half bow. With a black fitted turtleneck tucked in and black Margiela Tabi boots.
I thought it looked really cool
I've been looking for a similar skirt for a while to recreate the look. Her skirt didn't have front pockets or exposed buttons, so overall looked sleeker

7 years ago

Anonymous

smittie, I agree that it probably is a hard look to pull off, but also that you are someone who can do so brilliantly if you are so inclined. If I were younger than "upper middle aged" (love that and am shamelessly stealing it!) and still had a waist, I'd be trying it out!

To answer your question, yes, personally I do think it would look best with a full tuck, or as Joyce suggested a cropped top. Although it has lots of cool features - like the buttons and vertical seaming - I feel a large part of its appeal on the body is that it shows off a trim waist. There probably is a way to accomplish that with a half tuck, too.

Then again, my tastes are hopelessly conventional, so take them for what they are worth to you.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The first model is wearing a more tapered at the hem version - it might be pinned for the photo shoot - THAT makes the difference here to my eye.

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I think its too big on the Nordstrom's model...here's 2 more shots of the same skirt from the Madewell site....IMO it works really well in #2 and #1 not so much...again, I think its fit

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7 years ago

Anonymous

KKards: yes I agree about 2 being better than 1.
Maybe it's been pinned in 2, so that it tapers better, as Angie suggests might have happened for the photo.

Most elderly people I know have lived past 90, so that means I'm not even at middle age yet, woo hoo!

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I feel it's the shoes... but good point about size.

7 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with Angie. It's the tapering at the hem line. That makes it look like a pencil skirt. I think a gentle A line shape that hits at the calf is a harder look to pull off than a tapered pencil skirt that hits at the same spot.

7 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Without reading other replies - the real person is taking advantage of the high waist better by tucking more, and being able to see the whole person helps the proportions here. The catalogue photo shoes are reading a bit frumpy with the skirt but I'd have to see the whole body to tell which pair of flats is more 'flattering'.

7 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

It feels so mean to say it, but I think the model in the catalog photo has less shapely calves/ankles? This might not be her best style and skirt length. Her pose is a little more static as well.

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I'm with Jules. I reckon the model's shoes look frumpy. I am petrified just typing that- who am I to say? But you know, in 2010 I hired a stylist, first time ever in my life. She said that one of my outfits was frumpy. It was similar colours and style to other things I had worn which had always got compliments and I didn't really get it. However I did realise I didn't quite like how I looked in that outfit, so I gave it away. Then 6 years later I was giving away another dress which somehow looked wrong, my best friend wanted to try it ( she is gorgeous, tall and 5 y younger than me) and her husband said he thought it looked frumpy on her. It ended up with her 75 y old mother who I believe likes it. I Google searched "what does frumpy mean?" and that is how I found YLF! The rest is history!

7 years ago

binkle

Veteran

I agree about doing a full tuck with the top, and more contrasty shoes to help the look. The skirt does not look easy to wear - an awkward front slit, and those front buttons are definitely a tummy enhancer.

7 years ago

tulle

Veteran

Those tan slides are just awful with that skirt! Everything is much cuter in the natural photo--the fit, the footwear, and especially the smile.

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Great skirt on the photo model. I like it with a full tuck and those shoes. Sitting would be tricky.

7 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Can't do a find on the phone, but this appears slimmer
http://m.zappos.com/p/paige-le.....lor/492253

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I find this thread really interesting, and it shows how tricky it can be to choose an item from an online catalogue.

I love the skirt, and the idea of it, but agree it could be hard to carry off for a number of reasons, it definitely needs to be styled in a very current way.

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

This is a great post because the skirt in the second picture really does not work - the fit, the shoes and support act all look a bit off (and if that is how it looks on a model, then I shudder to think how it would look on me)!

7 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, agree with everyone who says this is tricky to pull off. Anything mid calf seems tricky.

Annagybe: Thank you for the link. I agree that it looks better, and is the look I'm after.

Bijou: My thoughts exactly, haha! And I think I look closer to the model.

Jenni: I think your shoes aren't frumpy at all so if they are indicative of your general style, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I too get a little nervous when my mother is the only one who likes what I'm wearing. My mother looks great, but I'm much more casual.

Sally: I find it so hard to buy anything online.

7 years ago

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