This week, I planned on making a skirt and realized that I should take inventory of what I actually have in my closet. It turns out I own six skirts, five of which I’ve made and none of which I wear regularly. Instead of jumping into sewing another skirt I might not wear, I thought I ought to see if any of them are worth keeping.
Out of all the skirts, this one has gotten the most wear, but only during the fall/winter season. I made it a few years ago, using some wool tweed from my mom, and the fabric is uber high quality. Even after multiple washes, it still looks new. This was one of the first sewing projects for myself so my stitchery is questionable, but it’s a nice, inoffensive and neutral piece. I used Simplicity 2451 and it was an ideal beginner pattern.
I’m still not sure if I’m a skirt person. I’ve come to love dresses, but that’s because I don’t have to think about coordinating anything. I’m wondering if the flared skirt style may be past its expiration date, and I’m switching things up around here and seeing how the skirt looks with different RTW tops. I ran out of steam after four tops, but I think the skirt still has a little more life left in it.
I like it with the charcoal grey top best. And I think it’s cozy-looking with the caftan-style sweater, scarf and boots:
I’m thinking I’ll try this ensemble testing with my other handmade skirts to see what works and what doesn’t…I’m also sewing new stuff too!
I, too, love the skirt with the charcoal grey top. Since the skirt flares on the bottom, the fitted top give the body more shape (sexier?). I can see this skirt in linen or light denim for summer, I should make one after popping out this baby…hehe.
Ooh, linen or light denim would be very cute!
Loose bottom + fitted top (or the reverse, loose top + fitted bottom) looks better to my eye. For example, the white top in the upper left would look great with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans or even slim-leg trousers, but paired with the flared skirt, your figure is lost (like you’re hiding in your clothes). You have a lovely shape, really! Do you have a surplice or wrap top? Maybe a knotted top with a semi-empire shape (in a drapey fabric)?
I’m with ya, June – I do wear the white top with skinny jeans most of the time, and I like the idea of a wrap top with the skirt. With my pooch belly, I try to stay away from too many fitted tops (maybe it’s time to invest in some spanx :-)) so I was digging through my clothes trying to find less billowy tops. Apparently I have a deep love for loose tops.
Love the charcole top. And those boots!!!
Thanks Emily! I have that grey top in a minty-green color too. It’s a nice drapey top that masks a lot of — shall we say — “fluff”. 🙂
I agree with June. The skirt is wonderful and would look great with a more fitted top. Have you tried a fitted T-shirt with a long cardigan? I bet that would look fantastic. I can’t believe that was one of your first projects…it looks so professional.
Thank you, Laney! Don’t look too closely – the lining is a joke 🙂 And yes! I did think of the fitted tee with cardigan look, but after four outfit changes in our 90 degree house whilst wearing tights (Seattle is going through a heat wave right now), I realized how truly ridiculous I was being and had to stop while I was ahead…:-)
Fun photo shoot:) My favorite is the last ensemble – looks cozy and stylish at the same time. I think this skirt is definitely a keeper, as these photos attest to!
Thanks Lucinda! Now that I’ve unearthed all my skirts, hopefully they’ll all get more wear! 🙂
are flared skirts on the way out? i’m woefully behind the times, but i saw this and of course thought, oh, i need one of those! love the fabric and the shape, and it looks great with all the tops (though i have the same issue with skirts vs. dresses and tend to avoid them). i agree, the charcoal is more form fitting and flattering, but that last outfit looks incredibly chic and trendy and comfy. i wish i could dress myself like that!
I don’t think flared skirts have been in style for ages, but I’m confident that it’s going to be the hot trend because of that. 🙂 That last outfit is definitely ideal for Thanksgiving dinner, don’t you think?
I love it with the last top! what a great wardrobe staple!
Thanks Jess! It’s a good skirt and I’m attached to it in many ways because it’s one of my first sewing projects for me. 🙂
Delurking to ask a question I’ve had for a while… I read through Feedly so I don’t read comments and know if you’ve already answered this, so apologies in advance:
All these amazing clothes you make for you and your daughter, that aren’t knit but are woven… do you have to iron them? Maybe this is a dumb question but I read all these kids clothing blogs and hardly any knit is used, and I figure, how does anyone have time for all the ironing?!
p.s. I love your blog and your creativity! I follow you on Pinterest because you have the most amazing style.
Hi Margie! Thanks so much for your kind words! As for ironing, there are few things I despise more than ironing (except when I’m sewing…it’s weird). To avoid having to spend every waking moment at the ironing board, I hang-dry most of the woven clothing usually on small hangers for K’s clothes. This keeps things sufficiently wrinkly-free and I might touch up a litle with the iron if it looks bad. For the clothes that are able to withstand the dryer, I try to whisk the clothes out as soon as the drying cycle is done. Another trick I’ll sometimes use is placing freshly washed clothes on top of the dryer while it’s drying other clothes. I can only do this with two or three items though.
I really like this skirt on you. So much so that I think I’ll get the pattern and make one myself, maybe for next autumn (it’s spring here). It looks especially nice with your brown boots. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
It’s a good pattern, though like all commercial patterns, the sizing is ginormous. This skirt is actually pretty loose on me since I hadn’t quite cottoned on to the whole sizing thing at the time. I hope you make it, Marisa!