I'm totally biased of course and LOVE the skirt outfit with the denim jacket. That's totally my kind of outfit.

But the outfit you actually wore is more YOU and looks fantastic.

Janet you say you like to go low contrast with skirts however I actually think you should do the opposite. With a skirt that is comfortable around the waist, of course.
I think you wear a skirt well but in this outfit it looks like you're trying to downplay the fact that you are wearing one." Skirt, who me? What skirt, where?"
The other -totally fab - outfit has a drama that is lacking in the skirt outfit. So I am suggesting that if you are going to wear a skirt, wear one that makes a statement.
How's that for brutal?
Penny

Umm .... I loved that skirt outfit! In fact I am going to copy that today

And your second outfit is gorgeous too!

Penny has a good point . Don't you own a couple of statement skirts? Those may help with the inherent edge factor and feel more you, versus trying to edge up a relatively traditional pencil skirt.