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WTW with this skirt?

StyleDetective

I impulse bought this gorgeous skirt from Melbourne brand Obus during their summer sale, and I'm regretting it a bit.

I love the skirt, but styling it is a challenge, it doesn't seem to go with my tops (which are mostly black, something I'm trying to get away from) other than maybe these two pink ones. The skirt is so vibrant I just feel like it draws the eye straight to my bottom half, and I don't know how to draw more attention up to my face.

I'm trying to find ways to make it work for me since it's a pain to return, though maybe I should. How would you style it? I could always buy the matching top I suppose (pic below) but that seems like overkill. I have also attached pics of the shoes I am planning to wear it with, at least while it's still summer here

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

Dreika

What a beautiful skirt!
Seeing how it’s styled in the stock photo I think you could wear it with a lot of tops, even black if that’s what you have. The pink tops also look like a good pairing for the skirt. If you wear jewellery or scarves you could put some earrings or scarf in that gorgeous pink color on to tie everything together. With the silver sandals you could use accessories in silver tones around your face - that would also look fab and cohesive I think.
About returning it - my test is whether I want to wear the item immediately. If yes - I keep and find ways to style it. If wearing it doesn’t feel right, I’m returning/passing it no matter how beautiful or good in theory it looks to me. Do you want to wear the skirt tomorrow with what you already have?

slim cat

Veteran

I think black top is still ok option to do once in a while ( with colorful accessories like on the model ). Would you do white top ? I imagine it can be some almost neutral color, or just softer version of colors that already present in the print. All shoes options look good tony eye ( I don't do heels as well ).

Cardiff girl

Veteran

It’s a lovely skirt.l can see why you fell for it.Picking out any of the colours to wear in a top would work as would toning colours.l don’t think that you should worry too much about the skirt drawing attention.Its a statement piece and no harm in that.

rachylou

Veteran

Matching top and sandal colour would probably be easiest in the styling department. Also, a white top is a classic no fail. I agree that it would be ok to let the skirt steal the show... maybe a bright lipstick if you feel a little washed out... that could be quite striking actually.

notsaf

Veteran

I like the idea of a colorful neck scarf, as in the pic with the pink top. Because the pattern is quite dominant, I'd try a scoop neck top that opens up the neck (as in the product photo), whatever the color. All those shoe options look perfect.

The Cat

Veteran

I wouldn't wear black tops with this skirt. Your pink tops will be fine and draw attention to your face. So will a WHITE top with a pink necklace or pink (perhaps patterned) scarf.

April

Veteran

What about something as simple as a plain white tee? Maybe with a crossbody bag that echoes one of the colors in the skirt?

Molly Mac

Veteran

I own a very colorfully patterned midi skirt and as April noted, I love to wear it with a plain white tee. I own the same Salt Water sandals in navy and wear them with the skirt. If it is a little cool I will add a denim jacket. I think it is OK to let a pretty skirt be the star of the show.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh gosh, this is exactly the kind of thing I have learned not to buy, so I feel ya! I learned a long time ago that if a print is not grounded with a neutral that is easy to match and I like wearing, such as white or black, I have a very hard time styling and wearing it. I do best with prints that contain black as that’s my comfort zone and I have plenty of black tops and shoes in my wardrobe.

That said, here are my suggestions to try:

- white top
- a top in a lighter shade of one of the colors in the print
- a light blue chambray or denim shirt

I think black will read a bit heavy with this print. Good luck! I hope you find a couple of stylings that make it useful.

nuancedream

Veteran

I would definitely let the vibrant pattern of the skirt be the focal point and would choose a plain white top or a top with a lighter version of the skirt colors. I would avoid black because it would dull the colors in the skirt. To my eye, black works best with other neutral colors.

StyleDetective

Thank you all, some really great responses here, but then that's what I have come to expect from YLF!

Everyone who has suggested white instead of black, now that I think of it, that would work much better and would be a nice summery look. I actually own literally no white items - I feel weirdly naked in white - but I have been wanting to 'conquer' it so perhaps this is my opportunity.

I really love the suggestions from Dreika, the Cat, and notsaf to wear a pink scarf, earrings or necklace. Firstly I am obsessed with scarves and I have millions of them, and I do have a pink necklace and earrings that should work. I think accessories will be a good way to help me feel more comfortable in white as I'll still have colour near my face. I could also swap out the accessories for a pink cardi over the white top as well. That might be a bit matchy matchy for some, but hey, I love matchy matchy.

April, the bag is also a good suggestion. I've asked for this bag for my upcoming birthday - I am a bit obsessed with bright cool pinks, if you can't tell - and if I do get it, it should go well.

rachylou, thank you for the lipstick suggestion. I actually have the perfect lipgloss for this skirt - MAC lipglass in Heroine - which will pink up the cool pink tones. I will definitely be doing that

Molly Mac, I also like the idea of a denim jacket for cooler weather, thank you.

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StyleDetective

Janet, your comment made me realise that this will be the only non-neutral based skirt I have in my wardrobe. All the others are black or navy, or prints on black or navy. No wonder why I was struggling with the skirt - I can't style it the way I usually would. After the styling advice I've gotten here, I feel more confident and excited to try something new, but also it's good to have a clearer idea of where my comfort zone lies so I can decide whether to stay in it or not.

Dreika, that is a useful way to think about whether to keep/return. Before I read these comments, I was feeling quite negative about the skirt and guilty about the impulse buy and leaning towards returning it. Now I am more excited and looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone a little. I think I might give it a few days and make a final decision.

Runcarla

Veteran

Do you have a black and white mariner T? Or black and white check or polka dot top? Any solid, including a light pink and a 3rd item in the hot pink or the olive-grey (cardi, vest, or utility jacket). Citron (see older Angie outfit post below). This would be a good skirt for an outfit lab and pattern mixing experiment.

Do you already own the hot pink tops that you show? If it is a hot weather outfit, a sleeveless top with a light weight button down shirt left open (worn like a jacket).

You can also tie a scarf around your head, or wear a (trending) headband to pick up the pink from the skirt, and wear a completely different coloured solid top.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What a pretty skirt! Does it have black in the pattern? Then a tight back tucked tee or tank should work - and with black sandals to pull things together.

Runcarla

Veteran

Coming back to add a thought. The USUAL thing to do, is to make sure that you can style a new item at least 3 different ways with things you already own - or else return the item. Can you do that now?

HOWEVER, sometimes an impulse purchase can be a signal and a catalyst of change. If you are determined to build a pink capsule, than this skirt is really just a part of that new capsule. Once you have built up your capsule, it might not be so hard to make outfits.

SarahD8

Veteran

Oh, I find this sort of two-color print very tricky to style! I think you've gotten some good suggestions. I really like the idea of tonal pinks..or greens...or tan to match footwear...or pattern mixing. Here's a thread from last year where people gave some more good advice about styling two-color prints:

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....lor-prints

(I don't think I did a very good job of finding examples because most of the finds I included in my first post were a neutral plus a color...but this situation with a print composed of two non-neutrals is exactly what I had in mind.)

I will be reading along and taking notes!!

Gigi

Veteran

I've been in this situation before...sometimes skirts can be really tricky to style!

What works best for me are cropped tops (not short enough to expose skin but just long enough to cover the skirt's waistband). I have a white one from Anthro, which is sleeveless, and then a black tee from Reformation.

Another thing that works well is tucking a sleeveless shirt. You can get these with varying necklines. I have a halter neck (cutaway shoulders), cowl neck, and scoopneck (=tank top). All of mine are knit. If you don't want to expose your arms all day, you can find a delicate drapey cardigan to wear over the top (which I usually do).

You can also make other tops work if you knot them at the waist. I often knot T-shirts that are too long or a little bulky at the waist, or even more voluminous button-downs if they are made from drapey material.

Note: Most of these finds are quite old, except for the Reformation tee, which is from this past summer. The Nic and Zoe cardigan is a perennial item at Nordy's and is available in petite, misses', and plus.

Reformation carries some petite and plus sizes.

Maeve | Anthropologie Sleeveless Poplin Buttondown

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Top Pick

3

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3

White House Black Market

Petite Sleeveless Drape Neck Shell Top

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0

Islet Buttondown

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1

Petite Silk Cotton Halter Top

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0

Nic + Zoe '4-Way' Convertible Cardigan (Regular & Petite)

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2

Petite vintage cotton V-neck tee

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2

Brooklyn

Veteran

I would wear it with a dark green top or dark red (to pick out the dark red in the floral pattern). A greenish teal could work too. I like it as styled in the pic with mustard too. But that’s because I like those colours and have them in my wardrobe. I think pink or white would work very well too.

Favourite Knitted Tank

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0

Favourite Knitted Tank

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0

Madewell Knot Front Tee

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1

Sleeveless Wrap Top

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9

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Lots of good ideas here. I have a navy and mint green midi I only wear with navy tops. I’m going to apply these ideas and make some more outfits.

hgr

I say be as colorful as possible. It is a beautiful skirt. Have a "dress rehearsal" w your current wardrobe... (those 2 pink tops, or maybe a crisp white tee....a thin sweater for summer....bold statement jewelry that harmonizes with the skirt????)??)... & take some selfies so you can get more ideas and see what your creation looks like.

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The Cat

Veteran

An additional tip: You might feel less "naked" in white tops if you choose ones that are no completely plain but rather have some structure, texture or details (like a self-pattern, ribbed, pockets, a bow, or pleats).