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WIW: EF Skirted leggings ... finally!

JAileen

Veteran

I had my boring monthly meeting this morning. We were warned it would last a full two hours. Not for me! I left after an hour. I'm a volunteer - you can't make me stay.

What I wore for the first time: black EF skirted leggings and top, thrifted denim jacket and Stan Smiths from NAS. What do you think? Does it look okay or too juvenile for me? I hadn't worn them because I thought I would feel too self conscious. I felt fine. Black isn't my color, but I loved the jacket over it.

After the meeting I went to Macy's and tried on dresses. The first is the swing dress in the smaller size, but in army green. I think that size will be fine. Then I tried on Jenn's linen dress. I felt like I had missed the boat there. The fabric is lovely. But guess what? It doesn't work for me. One size is too baggy and the size smaller is too tight across the back. On me, I looked like a Dust Bowl farmwife. I think it looks great on Jenn. The last dress is another jersey dress in a wrap style. I loved it.

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38 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

DonnaF

Veteran

The skirted leggings most definitely do not look juvenile. I'd thought the length was shorter, so maybe on a super tall woman with long stems it might look young. Wish I could see your top, as I would be stumped with what to wear on top.

I do like the swing dress better in the smaller size. So maybe you should keep in mind that you wear that size in EF knits?

I don't see you channeling Dorothea Lange photos in the gray dress, but it's a good idea to pass up items that don't make you feel fab. Interesting that the back felt tight on you. I'm narrow through my back, so it's not a problem I face unless many other places are too tight. So another data point for you: If you smaller size in an EF woven doesn't fit, you may be in-between your two sizes.

You really rock that wrap dress!!! I'm assuming you bought it? Looks like it would pack well unless it wrinkles a lot.

Anonymous

Ok , I'm going to be weird here and admit I like the Jenn dress on you moreso than the swing dress! I like both, but now that I see them together.....the swing dress looks too long to me, or something.

And re the EF leggings - I love this on you!! Not juvenile at all - hip, and modern instead. I have got to get some wear out of mine - for all the angst I had over getting those stupid things.....(I think I've worn them once).

JAileen

Veteran

Donna, for reference, I'm 5'6". When Angie did an ensemble with skirted leggings, she suggested a top in the same color, to make it look like a dress. This top is an EF jersey cap sleeve.

It's funny you should mention Dorothea Lange. I have a couple of her books out of the library right now. One of them has no pictures, only microfiche. I called the library to see if they loan out microfiche readers. No, and furthermore, only one branch even has one. There are around 900 pictures on the microfiche.

Yes, I bought the wrap dress. They're having a 30 percent off *pre sale* which means I have to come back. While I was ordering the smaller sized mandarin collar dress from Nordstrom it sold out! I found it on sale from Lord and Taylor so I bought both sizes. Even with return shipping I'll be better off. I better write all this down so I don't end up with ten dresses!

I don't even need three dresses, so I'll have to decide. Originally I thought just one dress, but maybe two if the mandarin collar one looks good in the smaller size. It seems like it might work for winter as several people said. What I learned: If the dress is full, I should size down. Otherwise, not. I didn't size down on the wrap dress. I might be between sizes as you suggest.

Lisa, thanks. I'm glad you liked my leggings outfit. I loved Jenn's dress. Love. And I regretted missing the sale. Off sale it was too much (says she who has bought a half dozen dresses). So I know what you mean. But it didn't feel right on me. Too baggy in front in the larger size, too tight across the back in the smaller size. These jersey dresses feel wonderful. There's stretch of course, but also a weight to the fabric that feels a little lux.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE the skirted leggings look on you, and how you've styled it. Very nicely done.

Size down on the EF swing dress is much better. GORGEOUS.

Jenn's frock is fab, and the wrap dress is great too. You've hit the frock jack pot.

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, thanks! I bought the wrap dress but not Jenn's. I was between sizes in it. There's yet another dress, a mandarin collar dress that when I have both sizes I'll post pictures for comparison.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like them all on you! I really do like that gray one (and I will have to go hunt up Jenn's post now!)--it looks like a terrific fit in photo 9 especially, where you show the back.
The skirted leggings look great! I like how the matching top gives the effect of a short dress. Easing in to the skirted legging comfort zone--way to go. (You know I'm partial to them, as they are one of my favorite wardrobe items.)
I bet your DH is going to love that wrap dress on you--it highlights your figure beautifully and looks so elegant.

Kathleen M

The wrap dress looks great! What brand was it?

JAileen

Veteran

Firecracker, thanks! Jenn's dress didn't fit. The fabric is really nice. The picture showed the smaller size, but it felt too snug across my back.

Kathleen, thanks! It's Eileen Fisher. It's atypical. Not waist surrendering like most of their items. Macy's is doing a *pre sale* (30 percent off), which means pay now, and pick up later.

http://m.macys.com/shop/produc.....ryID=64883

Kathleen M

Thanks! I usually don't look at Eileen Fisher. I like how the wrap doesn't go too low.

Anonymous

I really like all of these--the skirted leggings are fantastic!

JAileen

Veteran

Kathleen, that's exactly why I liked it. Usually with wrap dresses, when I lean over you can see my navel. But not with this one.

Sarah, thank you so much!

penelopestylishapples

skirted leggings are the bees knees here in Korea, you can find them at basically any street clothing stall. I like the length of those.

And you rocked the wrap dress. I think it's the most flattering one of all of them.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

The skirted leggings look awesome. Love this outfit on you. Not juvenile at all....rather, quite on-trend with the white sneakers!

I love that wrap dress on you. But I also like Jenn's linen dress on you.

JAileen

Veteran

Penelope, thank you very much!

Maneera, thank you! Jenn's dress is beautiful, but I'm between sizes.

Glory

Veteran

Looking great. I love the skirted leggings outfit. So much so I am now hunting a pair. I don't find it too juvenile which is something I find myself often concerned with.
I like all the dresses so not much help on that.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

You look great! Love the skirted leggings on you. And the wrap dress. Shame the linen dress didn't work out, it also looks fab in the pics.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay, my first comment is how come those skirted leggings look so great on you? And how come they are so much LONGER than the version I tried (but intend to send back because skirted leggings are never going to work for me, no how, no way). I am curious. I am short!! Now, I think I did order the petite version. And maybe mine are too small. Although they don't seem too small in the waist or anything. Just...short in the skirt. And yes, snug in the skirt...it clings. They honestly look more like a butt vest on me than like a skirt. Ugh!! Maybe it is something wrong with my butt?

My self-referential point is actually this -- they look great on you!!

Also, I LOVE Jenn's dress on you and am sorry it doesn't feel good. In terms of looks -- it's unbelievably great! Really like the sized down swing dress also, and the beautiful wrap dress -- so elegant!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Suz, this might be the fourth time I'm gently encouraging you to try skirted leggings again. They are going to work with the your refreshed look and silver hair. You needed a longer skirt on those leggings).

Janet, bring on the mandarin collared dress. I LOVE DRESSES.

Anonymous

I'm chiming back in here to say this:

regarding the uber success of your Stan Smith/skirted legging look: I may be stepping out of line here, but I was thinking about this last night. You are the embodiment of the exact right age for wearing SS's authentically. Unlike other white leather sneakers, these are the original tennis shoe that was co-opted for casual wear by the country-club set many years ago. This of course trickled down to the street years later. If anyone doesn't look authentic wearing them, it's the younger women who are wearing them for the trend factor only. Along with your denim jacket and leggings outfit - they look as if you have always been wearing them. I love it. I have to find mine and wear them like this!!

JAileen

Veteran

Glory, thanks! I think EF is still selling these.

Elizabeth, thank you! I am sorry about Jenn's dress, too. The fabric is beautiful. The larger size would have worked if my bust was a little larger.

Suz, thanks! I'm 5'6", and these leggings are regular. I was concerned about length and if they had been short I wouldn't have bought them. Mine might be too big. But believe me, your rear end is in no way bigger than mine.

Angie, here's the mandarin collar dress in the larger size:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-nightgown

Lisa, thank you! I was surprised how good I felt in this outfit. Exactly on the skirt length. I do feel nostalgic about the shoes. Actually about all the shoes from the 70s.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Janet. That has potential. Do you like the colour, and do you need a size down?

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, I love the charcoal color, and I've ordered the smaller size. I don't need. all of these dresses, but some fabbers thought this one had potential as a fall/winter dress. And some styling suggestions were very intriguing.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Can you measure the length of the skirt on your skirted leggings? I'm 5'6" as well, and I think mine are (is?) shorter. Just curious. I wear mine more as a tunic extender than a skirt. I'd consider another pair if the skirt was longer, as I really do enjoy the concept.

JAileen

Veteran

Elzabeth, the skirt is 16 1/2 inches. It was very much like a skirt for me. In fact, I semi tucked the top.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It makes me giggle to see everyone referring to the this as "the Jenn dress." I think it looks great on you, but I get it with the sizing. There's no stretch in the fabric, and with no zippers or hooks, I wouldn't want to wear something tight across the back, either.

I think the skirted leggings outfit looks great on you. Youthful and sporty, but not age-inappropriate. I also like the swing dress, but it's definitely a "look," and you have to be okay with that.

The wrap dress is conventionally flattering, so that's a no-brainer, if that's what you're looking for. It will be an easy piece to grab and know you're going to look good, though it's not super fashion-forward or interesting.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

(deleted - wrong thread)

JAileen

Veteran

Jenn, it's good hear from you! I'm glad you like the leggings outfit. Ever since you got your dress I've been thinking about it. The fabric is beautiful. Luckily, I'm between sizes, otherwise I'd have to choose between four dresses. I don't need four dresses. One maybe. Anyway, when I get the right sizes I'll have to make a decision - what's most useful in my real life.

shiny

Veteran

If it's helpful I'm 5'0 and I've tried the EF leggings in SP and small regular. The small regular fit me very much like they do on JAlleen here, skirt hits about the same on my thigh, except the leg length is longer (i.e., they don't show any ankle and kind of pool around my ankles because they are a few inches too long).

The small petite fit better in the leg length-- can work as an ankle length. But the skirt is shorter. Still provides coverage (unlike some other less expensive skirted leggings I've tried). I like them paired with a longer, looser/ tunic/swingy top that reaches a few inches above the hem. I also like them with a long drapey cardigan. For footwear I've done everything from converses to booties to tall boots. And for winter I pop fleece tights under them for added warmth.

(I unfortunately lost the small regular's in the move; not sure if I accidentally put them in the donate pile or if they are stashed away somewhere yet to be unpacked).

The only problem with the EF skirted leggings is they can become addictive, and because they are stretchy, there's little preventing weight gain!

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I love it. Love it. I will wear it, the whole thing. What other shoes would look right with this, gang?

Also, I literally LOLed at your line about "I'm a volunteer - you can't make me stay." I have one of those meetings next week and I'm not staying two hours on a Friday afternoon, either.

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