WIW: Kooky tee and pencil skirt - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Kooky tee and pencil skirt

Ket

Veteran

Trying out my new sale pencil skirt. I took inspiration from the first two images. Skirt is paired with a quirky tee and my old standby fly-away cardigan. It really needed some extra juje. The belt seems to really help with that. The belt seems best work at the waistline over the cardigan instead of under. But what do you all think? Would love your feedback. I paired the outfit with mid-calf Uggs to run errands and check on my chickens. Ultimate preference would be a kooky vintage pair of heeled Oxfords (a la Anthropologie) or booties. But practicality for the win Part of me feels like an imposter in this outfit. Part of me thinks it works.

Also, I want to knit a cat sweater as pictured.

I don’t feel this outfit is necessarily Boho Rockabilly. But does it read Sensual Eclectic? Kooky Glam? Ooor…Just weird?
:}

Additional photos are my inspo photos as I work out my pencil skirt formulas.

PS Slowly staring on my 2024 basics list. Finally got tights! Started with navy, hoping to get some burgundy, chocolate, charcoal, and deep pine. Best buy ever. Also, bought a slip. It’s too large but totally fine under dresses and skirts for now, save my body con metallic skirt outfit. I’m buying another and sizing down.

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

Ket

Veteran

One change I would make next time is to make sure my tights are the same color as my tee/sweater.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your fun inspo pics. You fit in seamlessly. (Tights humor?) Love the belt!

Sal

Veteran

I like this Ket - great colours on you and the shapes too.

I haven't worn a pencil skirt in a while - this gives me some winter inspo. I do like the shape but want to make them better for my low key lifestyle.

Star

Veteran

I love it with the belt over the cardigan. Not sure I would match the tights to the T and topper, might be too matchy-matchy for my liking. Looks like Glam Rockabilly or Sensual Glam (ha, a new mix :)) to me. Definitely glam in the mix. No need to feel like an imposter or weird, you look totally authentic. Regretting now that I left behind the red/black hounds tooth stretchy pencil skirt I left behind in the thrift shop last week. You look really fab.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like your inspo pictures. I think what makes your outfit a bit different is the fit of your skirt, which looks a bit more A-line in your third picture (as opposed the first two pictures, where the photo is cut so we don't quite see) What is the material? Do you sew? Can you take alter it a tiny bit so it looks more like a cocoon as opposed to an A-line? Maybe we just need to see a bit more pictures of the skirt on its own.

Helena

Veteran

Mischievous Bombshell??

Love the colours and vibe ... Suits you so well. FWIW I prefer the belt under the Cardi ... To my eye it looks a little less fussy while still adding polish and giving the outfit a dress-like feel. YLF!

RobinF

Veteran

Great outfit. I love it with the tee. I think the belt gives very different vibes whether under/over the sweater. Under it looks casual and comfy, over a bit dressier. I like it both ways.

cat2

Veteran

Congrats on getting started on your basics! I vote belt over sweater because the belt is a bit chunky.

Joy

Veteran

Love your outfit. I am inspired to try graphic tees again. I have very few but I like wearing them under flannel shirts or blazers. I am inspired to look for more. That could be a part of my spring wardrobe.

Joy

Veteran

I like slips and even wear full length ones. Most of mine are polyester so too warm in late spring/summer. They allow fabric of frocks to glide over my glucose meter making it less noticeable.

rachylou

Veteran

I like the belt at the waistline because it gives what Angie calls structure. A top with a banded hem would probably also provide the same. I’m thinking crop top sort of thing, because I like the high waist.

notsaf

Veteran

I think you, like me, may be a bit short waisted: that makes high-waisted pencil skirts tricky for me! Agreeing with Helena about the belt under the cardigan, esp because it lengthens the lines down. Bombshell is right!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love it on you! I like the belt under the cardi version best. I'm a huge fan of a fun tee or sweater with a skirt (pencil, tube, A-line, whatever). This looks like a version that will work for your lifestyle but also make you feel a bit more polished than a pair of jeans might.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are ADORABLE, Ket! Mischievous, sumptuous, glam, and playful at once

I like the belt under the cardigan best. Super cute twin set effect with the cardi and tee.

I see burgundy tights with this fun look!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It totally works. My favorite is with the belt over the cardigan. I think the belt inside the cardigan is more current, but the belt over cardigan plays up your waist so well and adds more of your signature style. To me, it gives more of a nod to rockabilly, which I associate with pronounced waist definition (among other characteristics, of course). The tee gives a playful element, which really makes the outfit for me--gives it personality, which I see as another element of rockabilly style (part of what sets Rockabilly apart from the mythical 50s housewife style, à la June Cleaver).

I like the idea of matching tights, but they can be so hard to find in the right colors. I will often just go with the lowest contrast to what I'm wearing or match my footwear instead of the outfit to give a similar effect to wearing tall boots.

Ket

Veteran

Jaime, I love your humor! Puns are my thing thank you <3

Sal, thank you! I can't wait to see how you will make pencil skirt yours for everyday wear. <3

Star, thank you so dearly!! Maybe you can find the same pencil skirt from a reseller?? I have done that before.

Bella, bravo to your sharp eye! The skirt is straight versus pegged or tapering in at the bottom. AND... you're right: it's just not as good on me, nor does it match my inspo photos. The fabric is a thick fleecy knit rib. While the seams are serged, I do really think I can easily nip in the bottom and even add a vent??

Helena oooo! Mischievous Bombshell! That is so fun! Thank you or the input about the belt. I'm

Robin, I see the same thing about how the belt placement shifts the vibe.

cat2, thank you! Maybe I will also get more belts... I'm excited for it.

Joy, I really hope you find some more graphic tees. I'm loving them -- and I'm not a t-shirt person really. Also, the poly and nylon slips are so helpful!

Rachy, you're reading my mind!!! I have several cropped/true waist length vintage style sweaters in my knitting queue. SO... it's probably time to get to knitting.

Notsaf, thank you for sharing that. I actually posted about my torso length issues -- though rather obliquely -- here. I have a very deep pevlvic girdle/rise. Measured at the side of my torso, there is only 3 inches between my bottom rib and top of my hip shelf. But then I feel have I length when viewed from the front. This was an extremely high waisted and long pencil skirt. So I may need to alter the proportions a bit...

Suz, thank you so much for your feedback! I do feel so good about the new pencil skirt and outfit. I'm hoping to experiment more with the formula. I need some more graphic tees first...

Angie, thank you!! I am definitely going to get burgundy tights and try those next. I feel I do better limiting my colors in an outfit to 2, unless it's a print. So burgundy tights feel better to me. Will see what I find!

Sharan, I love all your rockabilly points regarding the belt! Idk why, but I just feel so drawn lately to rocker and rockabilly aesthetics. Not so much that I wear a lot of spiked metal accents or anything, but the overall vibe, I love. It's funny, opinions about the belt over the cardigan versus under the cardigan seem quite split.

Ket

Veteran

Thank you all for such valuable feedback and kindness! I will be repeating this outfit in some variation again soon

Bijou

Veteran

I love it both ways, it REALLY works. 'Mischievous Bombshell' is a wonderful style moniker. Please knit the cat sweater, it's purrfect for you!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

This hits your style goals well! You could also have slightly different monikers depending on the situation - e.g. erring more 'kooky' for casualwear yet leaning more 'rockabilly' for dressy looks?

Autumn coloured tights can be tough to find, so it's good to start with navy!

I'm gonna be a slight spanner in the works here (sorry lol) & say I prefer the belt *over* in this *particular* example because the cardigan hits around hip length. I think if it was longer, the belt underneath could give you the casual vibe whilst also being artsy (that's how I interpret the word 'kooky', but don't know if that's your intention?)

Speaking of being short-waisted, is it possible to knot the cardigan in front to makeshift a more cropped silhouette? It *sounds* rockabilly in my mind, but it may look more 50s housewife in reality - won't know till you try!

Anonymous

I vote belt over cardi. Yes to tapering your skirt a bit, if possible. I find tube skirts work best, instead of pencil skirts, personally. Pencil skirts in my experience can flip outward in the back if the cut isn't quite right.
"Mischevious bombshell" makes me think of Marilyn Monroe

Ket

Veteran

Bijou, that moniker is so fun! I am going to add it to my list i am definitely going to knit that cat sweater! I’m still pondering if the sleeve/shoulder is my best and if I should alter that. And I will add some waist shaping. Nevertheless, I love the design so much and have loved it now for a good 2-3+ years tbh. It’s probably time to just knit the thing.

Zaeobi, Yes artsy is more what I
meant! By kooky I mean a blend of artsy and kitschy. 2010s Anthropologie
Is a good reference maybe? My friend calls it art teacher style haha! And I think that’s true.

A very good and fair point about the cardigan length! I like it belted both ways. This cardigan does hit me right at or slightly below the widest part of my hips. I feel the belt *over* does do something more for it. I feel drawn to make a pencil skirt formula. So I’ll be experimenting more, never fear! Haha!

As for the knotted cardigan—what a terrific idea sorry I didn’t think of that sooner actually. I’ve typically ran from boleros etc because they do feel so 50s June Cleaver, which has never been good on me or appealed to me. But I like a smidge or rocker or rockabilly. I also wonder how a waist length, or slightly cropped, sweater would fair with this pencil skirt. And I have a few of those saved in my knitting queue.

What I don’t feel will work with this pencil skirt is an average length sweater or top by itself, worn untucked, or unbelted, or un-knotted. I have a feeling that length will be blah on me? Wondering if I need to start looking for more belts…

Ket

Veteran

suntiger that’s a good reminder about tube skirts! I do have one; that new chocolate bronze metallic number. I haven’t worn it yet because I was waiting for a slip and tights. I actually still don’t have the right tights and slip for it. So buying those in the next week or so. My latest tights are navy and the slip is too large. (Fine under my loose dresses, but showed alllll the bunching from the excess material under said skirt.) anyway—it is much easier to wear in terms of shape and tailoring. I did go with the XL, regardless of hip bumps. It fit better and tapered at my knees, which I prefer.

Marilyn M wasn’t it you that said I reminded you of MM? I think so! I love her mischievous, flirty, yet innocent romantic style. Thank you for reminding me of her! I love her style in the late 50s with the very fitted wiggle dresses—and even 60s when she started wearing Pucci cigarette pants and tops. Another look I’m inspired by.

lyn67

Veteran

If cardi is not so voluminous belt over the cardi is great here! And yeay for the cat sweater and tappering down the skirt! Great tonal outfit!!

Ket

Veteran

Oh thank you Lyn <3 I’m very excited by this outfit. Going to tweak the skirt and hopefully it will be just perfect. And… I’m going to experiment more for with this formula and see what else works out.

And the cat sweater is coming! Not sure if it will be before the end of this winter. But I need it!

aloha emily

You look great, and I love the collection of inspiration pics! Would love to hear some of your favorite places to find them- I have trouble finding inspiration now that magazines are no more!

Ket

Veteran

aloha Emily, firstly -- love your handle! My father lived in Hawaii and while I haven't visited yet, it holds a piece of my heart

Favorite places to find items... I've only started looking for things. So far, resellers (eBay, Poshmark, etc) has been pretty decent for finding items. I also keep my eyes open on the internet and in the real world in case I stumble across something unexpectedly. This year I have plans to sew. A lot of retail clothing has become more expensive and cheaper in quality. A lot of what I want I can't even find. So... to the needle and thread I go.

I have shopped a lot at Torrid and City Chic; but the sizing is limited due to it being plus size. I also still find some great things at Old Navy! I really do. Takes some picking, but I am happy with what I find. Anthropologie still has some great stuff. But their pricing has gone up, even for them. And finally -- Stitch Fix still has great things. I don't currently have a membership with them. But they do seem to find some cute things. Just a bit more expensive at times.

I don't know if I've really helped you at all? I feel I'm so limited on what I know for retailers, or my budget doesn't allow for the pricier brands. You might post some photos of items you're really wanting and see if Angie and the Fabbers have ideas??

Jonesy

Veteran

Love the color combo and I think the belt works either way--it's whatever feels most comfortable to you (physically and emotionally, IYKWIM). And tapering the skirt seems like a great idea, especially since it's something you can easily do.

Ket

Veteran

Thank you so much, Jonesy! I do know what you mean. I'm going to see how the belt feels with upcoming outfits. And I'm curious to see how the skirt alteration goes. Will let you all know

aloha emily

Thanks for the suggestions! I live near lots of amazing thrift stores, which is great for my budget. Where did you find the fabulous collection of inspiration pictures?

I used to sew a lot, but it’s gotten really hard to find nice quality fabric for clothing. The fabric stores near me are packed with cheap polyesters and lots of quilting fabrics. I hope you have better luck!

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