WIW: EF knock-off linen skirt

Today I wore the linen skirt that I kind of copied from Eileen Fisher (see finds below). I tried it on in the store and liked it, but even on sale I didn't really want to spend the money on it. Especially when I wanted a slightly different shade of beige that would coordinate better with my wardrobe. In the end, I probably spent about 2/3 of the sale price on the fabric alone, so sewing doesn't really pay off (once I count my time), but I did get the color I want. And I like the skirt.

Of course now that I have it, I'm hard pressed for what to wear it with. Here's how I wore it today, for work.

The outfit:
1-2 (as I wore it to work): Stone linen 8-paneled skirt with interior ties to draw up the hem, lined in cotton voile (made by me); taupe sweater with snap closures (AllSaints, Elgar); ivory layering tank (Shimera); brass and silver necklace and earrings (Marjorie Baer); taupe lace-up sandals (P. Monjo).

3-4: same outfit, but with different footwear. I tried it with my ivory platform sandals (Naot).

I do have some other ideas of how to style the skirt, but I didn't have time to try them out. And it's too hot now to do try-ons. I'm open to your suggestions!

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Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher A-Line Linen Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Nordstrom

Shimera Two-Way Seamless Tank (2 for $30)

$26.00

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AllSaints

Elgar Cowl Neck Sweater

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10 years ago

sweet pea

Active Member

Very impressive skirt copy! You are talented. I love the back detail on the sweater. I also like both shoes. Today was my day to wear the summer white and brown combo with Naot sandals as well. I am hoping to post my first YLF picture with the outfit as soon as I figure out how. I am new to so much about blog posting.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Sweet Pea! I look forward to seeing your outfit.

Beth Ann

Brava, FC! Well done!

Linen is notoriously expensive, but such a glorious fabric for drape. Love the way you've styled it and both pairs of shoes work well.

Thistle

Looks fabulous! You have some amazing skills. The skirt looks amazing, and I love the way you styled it. Hope you are staying cool.

Sal

Lovely skirt and great styling. I love the drape and colour.
As an alternative as you move into fall I wonder how it would look with knee high boots for a 70s vibe? Too hot to try now though.

avicennia

So elegant! Such fashion forward styling. And I'm so impressed bygone sewing skills.

Thank you, Beth Ann, Thistle, and avicennia!
Kiwigal, I like the boot idea. Just think of it with my new olive suede boots. I may balk at wearing lightweight linen come fall, but who knows?

rabbit

What an interesting skirt! I like how you have styled it and think it could also work with more delicate sandals as in the Finds picture. I like how the drape and shape of your top picks up a little of the drape of the gather on the skirt and other tops with similar qualities could be fun. I think cropped or tucked, or some body-con tops could all work. From your tops going back in your WIW a little ways, these were some that I thought might be fun to see how they paired:

#6 top with circles here tucked in: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....er-outfits#

#4 delicate white cardigan here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-attempts over a plain tee or tank in similar color?

#3 gray tonal square top tucked in maybe. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....f-nas-bags

the tank here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-of-brown

silver top here maybe: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-hot-days

Oh, Rabbit, you are the stylist extraordinaire! Thank you for the suggestions. I kind of wanted to try the silver top today, but couldn't find it. I think it's in the wash. I like your other ideas, too!

Naw, (blushes), I just did some reading of Angie's posts when I was trying to figure out tops for a flared midi skirt. This was great: http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....red-skirt/

I just remembered, she also mentions tops with a welt (like what you are wearing) on things like knitwear and luxe sweatshirts in particular --- but that's kind of more cool weather.

Karie

(website)

When I saw the skirt, I thought, "Don't tell me she made that skirt!" And of course you did - you are SO TALENTED! The only things I've made that I dare wear out of the house are some shorts and simple skirts, but I'm about to attempt a dress so we'll see how that goes

You have gotten some fantastic styling suggestions already, so all I can really say is I often wear skirts like this with either a cropped, straight cut or boxy top, or a fitted top tucked in.

It's a gorgeous skirt! And isn't it great to be able to make something in exactly the color and fabric you want?!

Jaime

The skirt is amazing and I love the top on you too!

unfrumped

Fantastic skirt. That's a Lotta Linen-- I get the economics there.
A flat sandal is good for the breezy maxi skirt look. Don't you also have some taupey gladiator- ish herls?
You've shown a good example is the banded bottom top look. I'd also try simple straight boxy tops that are hip- skimming- again for a breezy look. A horizontal stripe would be a cool balance to the long skirt. And summery colors or prints would work , too. Because i
I'm long- waisted , my closet tends to be " short" on short topson short tops
Which I need for certain skirts( as in recent post) , or, a short top for me is not quite as short as what's on the market-- so the perfect boxy top is kind of a HEWI. But perhaps you can SYC for some try outs.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Killer to the power of Killer xo

Diana

Great skirt! I totally get it about how making your own clothes is not really economical in this day and age. People are always shocked when I tell them how much knitting yarn costs, never mind the hours of work.

I remember that EF skirt, and I considered it for myself but ultimately decided I didn't want any of the colors. Is yours adjustable as well?

Karie and unfrumped, thanks for the ideas! I do like the idea of a short, boxy top. I have a boxy sweater in a chunky, loose knit that will look great in a little cooler weather. Unfrumped, I am short-waisted, too, so short or cropped styles are usually about waist-length on me. But sometimes I like how that works.

Unfrumped and Diana, yes, making clothing is a hobby--it's not really "home economics" any more, is it?

Angie, really! I am humbled.

Diana, yes, mine has the ties inside. I put two sets in front and two in back. I've tied the left front and right back in this photo. I don't think I'd tie them all at once. I might wear them all down (untied), though.

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