WIW: Punk ballerina in Chicago winter

Not sure that is exactly how I would describe this, so if someone has better descriptors I'm all ears!

I originally wanted to wear this navy button-front midi skirt with a more vintage vibe and vintage styled hair, but - although it fit great when I tried it on 2 months ago - I must have lost some weight since then and it no longer fits at my natural, higher waist. So instead I grabbed a leopard scarf to match the flats, belted it and hope it stays up. The gathering of fabric at the belt causes some pleats that I hope looks natural. I also hope that it mirrors the puffs at the shoulder of the sweater. All of this is thrifted except for the leopard flats, which are from Payless. The bracelet is a simple braided rope that my daughter made me, and it matches the white in the belt. So, a bit of matchy matchy going on here in two respects

Typical winged eyeliner and berry/wine colored lips for today, the bun is supposed to be messy and a bit spiky.

I've never shown my rings before, but these are the ones I wear most often. On my left hand is my wedding band, titanium with two silver inlaid pinstripes, and a vintage art deco ring that was a gift from my father in law. On my right hand are 2 rings which were gifts from a girlfriend on my 30th birthday a few years back, and the one with the black onyx band was bought at a flea market as a gift from my husband.

If anyone has other ideas on how to style this skirt now that it doesn't hit my natural, higher waist, I'd love some suggestions! I really love it, the weight is nice and heavy but not too heavy, and the buttons all down the front are just darling. AND it has POCKETS!!

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11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tucking a form fitting top into that skirt is about the best option. A cropped top would be my next suggestion because you need showcase the waistline of the skirt.

Have you tried tying the scarf so that the need don't hang down? That will create cleaner proportions and lengthen the torso.

Your hair looks super cute.

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Hmm cropped top... I don't have any of those. Except maybe a black linen jacket that is sort of boxy and maybe a teensy bit cropped, but I don't think that would look right with this skirt.

I don't usually do much with my scarves except the loop-through or a double wrap around. I guess I need to up my scarf tying game!

Thanks so much for the compliment I was actually very frustrated with my hair and just threw it up, that was the result and I liked it

Anonymous

You had me at "punk ballerina."

approprio

You look lovely. The colours and the silhouette are gorgeous on you and your hair looks swell.

But...if I may quibble, I think I'd prefer this without the scarf. That way the white details on your belt, bracelet and earrings would stand out a bit more.

rachylou

I like it! And also Angie's suggestion. I would rather a more substantial shoe for the office. It's my quirk... I'm like that.

Datura

Active Member

Going with the ballerina theme...what about getting some fabric ribbon, doing a quick stitch on each side of the waist (to keep it from sliding but easy to remove)... cinch to take it down a size and tie in a ballerina bow at back?

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like the bookending of the scarf and shoes. Great strategy to use a belt to cinch the waist; I think E does a lot of that kind of thing, too, and it works nicely.
For another option, what about tall boots with the skirt? I could see flat or heeled working.

Btw - just live the idea of ballerina punk! Great term.

Other ideas... The obvious black turtleneck...

lyn67

Wow, I love seeing all the details of your outfit and accessories, here! YLF!

I had a skirt almost the same when a teenager, and wore it with a tucked in pale rose merino sweater with a loose dramatic turtle neck, burgundy suspenders, and short/or long docs like boots. May sound too maximal for a certain age but you look so young, you can try one only of these elements for yourself if not all together at once:-).

Hmm I could see a few ways the addition of ribbon could make it more ballerina... Corset style lacing maybe... But that would take some doing. The only sewing I've done in the past 6 months has been for necessity like hemming the Mr's jeans because they were inches too long.

I do like the idea of a turtleneck, but not black, I'm thinking maybe a pale soft pink would be nice. Also like the boot idea.

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