In my attempt to wear more skirts, I dived into my closet, pulled out this old skirt and styled it….. But I think it has had its last outing….. Gosh, it is so hard for me to style skirts in a modern way. In the old days I just wore a fitted jacket with this skirt. Perfect. The jacket got too tight (it was rather tight to start with) and I had to give it away. The skirt was hanging in the closet, doing absolutely nothing. Then I thought of this new blue sweater (seen before here).
Why not? Volume on volume seems to be the trend these days. Preferably hoisted up at one side. Which is good as it creates a bit of shape in the sweater. So… I pinned it at one side. Put my modern necklace on AND….. my new silver/gold/bronze booties. As pumps are difficult as well when I want to keep it modern.
Tell me girls… how do you do it? I am having such difficulties styling skirts, because:
- I don’t like booties which are tight around my ankles and cut off at the top. I think they make my legs look funny. Like stumps.
- I know that wider skirts are good for my figure (making me less like a stick) but I find them often leaning towards childish.
- Big sweaters on skirts seem to be the trend but apparently my sweaters are always the wrong length. Which could be true as I always buy them to wear on skinnies, therefore long(er).
- The only shoes I can really appreciate with a skirt are pumps but they can make an outfit look old-fashioned. (Not if the rest is up-to-date of course, but that is where I have problems with).
- I have absolutely no idea what to do with tighs. Opaque? Which colour? What kind of pattern? No pattern?
Below: my husband Ron had found a perfect spot for our photo shoot. His briefing (from me) was: a toilet for checking hair and changing clothes, indoors (no wind, no cold), so lots of glass for lots of light. No direct sunshine. Tarrah!! He found it: Muziekgebouw aan het IJ (Music building at the IJ). It has a beautiful view, lovely restaurant (drank the best cappuccino in days) and in summer you can sit on the deck outside watching the ships go by.
Below: at least the building is modern. That is a good start. The skirt has pleats at one side (where I put my hand).
Below: big steps towards the concert halls
Below: you see ???  This skirt has got to go. I think it gives me wide hips. Which is stupid as I have very small hips. And it is too short to my liking as well. I am not going to wear this outfit anymore as I don’t feel fabulous in it. Quite the contrary.
Below: a close-up of the booties. I adore them. They are by Hoss. When I made my post with the flat golden biker boots, I wanted to give you a link to the brand and stumbled upon these high heeled beauties. Could not resist them. They are not tight at the top, which is how I like them.
Below: what a mess we make off camera… The arches you see in the background, are from the Central Station of Amsterdam.
If you have any suggestions as to proportions and making skirt-wearing modern…. I am all ears.
Greetje
PS ..Linking up to Visible Monday with all other bloggers.
I’m not feeling the cut of this skirt so much but if you are keeping it, a more fitted top would salvage the situation. You are tall and proportionate so a turtle neck should be great on you. As for booties to wear with skirt I am a fan of the fitted open toe booties. I went crazy and bought 2 pairs last year. Yesterday I did a photo shoot wearing an ankle length full skirt, crop top with one pair of them. Should be out on the blog next week or so 🙂
I think it looks nice. what about more of an opaque tight that is similar to the color of your boots, or boots that are slightly lower? It is cold here this winter and I am all about tights and ankle boots.
I am very particular about boots and skirts. You might be right with opaque tights, but it is the shape of the skirt which I don’t like. So it is on the pile to leave the house LOL.
Glad that that skirt is going;-). And thanks for all the acknowledgement of my ‘assistance’.
The skirt is washed and still on my desk. Waiting for someone to come round saying “oh I want that pretty skirt” hahaha.
I enjoyed your process with the skirt and of course, the comments. If you don’t love it, out it goes. That’s my motto too.
I admire your photos and Ron does a fabulous job as your photographer. The background and lighting are superb.
I will pass the compliments on to Ron. He will be pleased. We are getting better aren’t we? This time we had no tiffs either. Apparently I need warmth to keep calm haha.
I prefer this kind of skirts with shoes, boots or sneakers! hahaha but you know that my style it’s so different…
MYEMPTYBAG
What kind of tights would you wear with it?
Hi Greetje!
I always see you over on 40plusstyle.com and clicked over today onto your site. I also am trying to wear more skirts. I always used to be a skirt wearer, but they don’t seem to work as well now. I’ll be watching with interest to see if some of your solutions help me, too! 🙂
Tomorrow you will see a post with jeans (again), but next week I will post a successful attempt to style a skirt. So far I have been better with pencil skirts than wide skirts, but I will keep on trying. Just ordered a fitted purple jacket (in the sale) to wear with a multi coloured wide skirt, which is just hanging in my closet. I hope it works. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. Always so nice for me.
All I can say is I LOVE your ankle boots! Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
I can now finally walk on them too LOL. I have linked back to you but with a more recent post.
I love this outfit. The blue sweater is simply lovely and that stripe skirt complements it perfectly. Love the boots too. Great outfit.
Well Dixie you are the only one haha. As I don’t like the skirt myself, it is on its way out.
Definitely one of my fave looks of you Greet – love the proportion created by the skirt via the killer booties!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
You must be joking!
I was going to suggest a pencil skirt, too.
I think this looks cute, though. If you have narrow hips, you can handle the pleats in this skirt – I don’t think it looks too “hippy” at all. Now I, myself – no way. So I love pencil skirts – ha.
I know, I know… it is a woman’s fault. Always complaining about some body feature. I should of course be glad. And I also love pencil skirts.
This skirt is OUT.
I’ve had pieces that I struggle with. I try and try to make them work and no matter what I do, it doesn’t quite work. On the other hand, sometimes it is finding that perfect piece that gives the items new life.
I think the skirt is very interesting in its structure. I can see wearing it with a more fitted top. A top that isn’t necessarily snug, but offers less volume. A sweater that’s nipped in at the waist paired with the skirt would have given you a cleaner silhouette. The blue color of the sweater is also competing with the skirt. Perhaps one in a neutral shade…
Because of your height, the booties work fine with the skirt and hint of color on the leg. For someone shorter, like myself, the wide ankle bootie cuts the line of the form and it’s better to wear the boots that taper at the ankle.
Regardless of all the ideas, if you aren’t feelin’ the skirt, then give it to charity. Someone else will love it.
Taper… that was the word I was looking for. And you are right, I will give the skirt to charity. Still have more than enough left (that was the understatement of the year LOL).
Thanks for all the style advice.
I like the colors of this outfit and the accessorizing (and shoes!) but the outfit is out of balance. The sweater is too long and wide for this skirt and would look better on a longer straight skirt (the straight black one, you showed earlier?). The sweater and skirt are almost 2 equal halves which makes you look boxy and breaks you in 2. Although I like the pattern of this skirt, it does not fit you properly. Too wide at the top and too short. As a wider skirt, the A-line black skirt you bought in Italy is much better for you. Styling skirts is definitely trickier and the rule of thirds becomes more important. It’s a topic I will pay a lot of attention to in my upcoming style course and an article is in the making on how to wear skirts also! I love how you are trying new things and can’t wait to see your other styling options with skirts!
Doing my best. You are right about the sweater being too long and the two halves. The skirt is on its way out. With the black skirts I bought in Italy (pencil and long one) I already have a few combinations now which are better than with this blue sweater. The blue sweater will be for skinnies then.
I like the look, and I am very happy with skirts and booties – but if that’s not for you, how about some mid-heels that are made for all the walking you do? Our sweater are indeed similar today! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.
Sometimes I like skirts with booties, but I want them to be a bit higher up my leg and not so tight on my calves. Mid heels I do not have. Either flat or high LOL
Somehow a turtleneck is very tricky with me. A fitted top or jacket I could try. I have actually been looking already but it is the end of the sale period and there are not a lot of nice things left. Besides, everything seems to be wide.
I will be on the look-out for your post with the open toe booties. I don’t think that is for me though… Not here in The Netherlands. So coldddddd…
The top and the color are beautiful! With pair of slim pants …it would look amazing! I also agree with the skirt issue. That color is yours!
I will find another skirt for this combination Pam. Thanks for your comment.
I agree with Theresa,
I think the outfit is good, but the sweater should be shorter, and. – or more fitted.
I would also recommend knee high boots, I agree pumps might look dated, although a platform pump or a very modern shoe, might do the trick if you can walk in it .
Ther is not an article of clothing that make you hips look wide
Love the necklace , and each piece on its own, but you are right: together they are not the best ,
I think.
I usually wear a shorter, more fitted swater with a fuller skirt
Or a pencil skirt with a longer sweater..
Love the place that you were at, the light is perfect,
Ron is wonderful that he cares so much , and he and you have become so knowledge .
My hubby works such long hours that he doesn’t take photos often,
And when he does we choose a place across the street, and the whole thing takes
Less than five minutes. Or we go to the rooftop. So I often get light that is not good, or location that is not great.
I feel silly hiring someone to do my photos, but may have too, down the line.
Ok, now I am off to read the rest of the comments, I only read a few, a I wanted to give you my opinion, without it being biased..
LOVE the bottles, with your skinnies!
Xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
A longer sweater on a pencil skirt doesn’t look good on me either. Makes me look like a stick as their are no hips for the sweater to sit on. But a fitted sweater or jacket might work better. Anyway, the skirt is gone.
I am puzzled about your last remark…. ohhhh.. Got it now. You meant booties haha. It says bottles LOL
The fabric of the skirt looks nice. Could you take it to the dressmaker and have it made into a pencil skirt? Your necklace is great!
I have stopped altering things which I don’t really like anymore. I used to do that, but never wore them anymore after they were altered. Not the fault of my excellent seamstress though. When it is the end of the road for a piece of clothing, I shall accept it from now on.
I completely agree with the difficulty in wearing skirts. Finding the right top and footwear can be such a pain. You look fab in your outfit today. I love navy as its so much softer than black. Gold is the perfect metallic for your skin tone.
Yes I have always been a yellow gold girl. Now that I am blond I am not so sure, but I will just ignore my blondness. Too much love for gold to let it go.
There are pieces that are so hard to match! Your skirt could be one of those…I happened to buy clothes and never be able to find the right combination for them! I like your skirt and find it goes very well with the beautiful golden boots…if you still have the skirt…why don’t try it with a longer sweater and a thin belt?
t
That is a good idea Dan. Thanks. I do however think that the skirt is a bit too short as well. But I will try it to see what the effect is.
Well, it appears the decision has been made and the skirt is now in the “to-go” box, so I don’t really need to give my opinion on that item. I would keep this exact outfit and just trade in the skirt for your black or cream pencil skirt. Sometimes the basic simple colors and fit speak volumes for themselves when paired with the right items, such as those stunning (I want them) booties. These little amazing things speak for themselves and will bring any outfit to a modern and a little edgy look. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
I don’t really come up with much haha. But friends like Anja help me.
The skirt has the pleat at the widest part of your hips which is probably why you feel big-hipped. Maybe a sweater that is waist length would reduce the sense of bulk, but if you’re not feeling the love, out with the skirt! Laugh.
Lately I like to wear two pairs of opaque tights, one plain colour underlayer and one patterned overlayer that I bunch up around the knee so you can see the underlayer near my ankle.
Despite your misgivings about this outfit, you still look very put together, Greetje. I love the gold neck piece with this. And Ron’s eye found you a fantastic location.
Thank you Melanie, that is an approach to tights I didn’t know yet. But with my poor skills in this field, it might prove to be tricky. To me that is. And the skirt is OUT.
I find wide short skirts in combination with with sweaters hardly ever look flattering. The old fitted jacket you used to wear with it was great so if you were to keep the jacket I agree with the comments of combining it with something tighter fitted. Personally I agree the skirt has had its best days. Love the necklace and the booties.
And so it will be. Keeping the rest, losing the skirt.
my own rule is: choose your clothing in order to avoid tights/pantyhose! so it’s dresses/skirts during summer season with bare legs; and it’s trousers/pants in winter season with socks/kneehighs ! my wardrobe contains not even 1 single pair of tights/pantyhose since about 10 years !
I don’t mind tights. Or rather, I use hold-ups because I find them more comfortable. But I know more women with an aversion towards tights.
I think the skirt would work much better with a more fitted top or something tucked in like a turtle neck? These type of skirts do give an illusion of more hip but it also defines the waist so well. I have a body with zero curves and wearing an A-line or midi skirt does create more hip and I have to watch the cut of the skirt and make sure it’s not too exaggerated.
If you are not in love with this skirt then it’s time to donate it, I know you have so many more items that you love more in your closet.
BTW, I am in love with these gold booties, I prefer the more feminine style than the biker boots.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thank you for your honest comment Alice. That helps. And you right. I have so many other clothes which I love more. This skirt is on its way out.
I agree with the more feminine style of this golden booties, but of course the biker boots feel so much nicer and I can walk on them so much further… I love both. Ach well… we all have our own quirks.
I can see you are struggling with the exact same points as I do, Greetje!
I have only managed to combine dresses and skirts with booties this winter season, although I prefer the tighter ones around the ankle.
So far I haven’t worn a fuller skirt but like them and need to try one but I am also always afraid they might make me look to wide around my hips 😉
Annette | Lady of Style
And you even have the perfect figure! Anja helped me last Wednesday with combining a couple of skirts. She has already come up with a few hits, Very nice to have friends who can style….
I agree with many of the comments made here about the pieces of the outfit looking great together. Really nice styling and the booties are so cool! The criticisms you make of how the outfit looks and feels on you hit close to home because flared or a-line skirts are also recommended for me but I don’t think they look good. Some mid calf-lengths looks OK as long as I wear tall boots so my lower half looks like one continuous line. If I want a knee length skirt to wear with heels or booties a pencil style looks more contemporary. I agree that the sweater is over powering with this particular skirt but I bet it looks great balanced with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.
Ah thank you Elaine. I totally agree with your comment.
There are 4 things I like about this outfit. The sweater, the necklace, the sublime boots and the person wearing the outfit. So I do agree with you, I am not a fan of your skirt.
Thank you Marianne. It is on the “to go pile”. Need some space in my closet anyway.
I too, will be looking forward to reading the comments…skirt plus top plus legs plus boots = usually too many line breaks for my short stature. How does one do it modern and hip and flattering? I actually really like the elements in your look today Greetje. In the first photo, with you sitting…I’m drawn to the balance…the booties (superb), the necklace, the stripe in the skirt, the brilliant blue. The standing photos reveals the volume on volume look you were going for. It’s not the look I’m used to seeing you in, and your discomfort kind of shows. I’ll be very interested to hear the point of views on the hosiery…I have been wearing nylons more this year, and I wonder if I should be seeking out heavier tights to modernize the look? I think it was Kate Middleton that resparked the appreciation of nude hosiery.
LOVE the setting! Thank you Ron!
I am kind of hoping that the nude hosiery has become fashion again. That would help a lot. What I often see in magazines is women in winter clothes with bare legs….. Brrrrrr. … never.
I like the skirt, it doesn’t make your hips look wide at all, the bootie’s are okay, I think the whole outfit is thrown out of kilter by the over sized sweater. a cute jacket with short sleeves would look super. I’m glad you have a blog now, I saw you first on sylvia’s 40+.
I agree, it’s the volume on top and bottom that make this outfit awkward. I love the color combination, but I think a tighter top or more fitted top would have made this outfit more appealing. Thanks for sharing!
Nice of you to drop by Wendy. I have decided to create other skirt outfits. Out with this skirt.
Oh well, not everything I try can be a success (that’s the understatement of the year haha).
Thanks Theresa. I am afraid the skirt is washed and put on the pile “has to go”. Together with a jacket of a much loved trouser suit. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it, as I hardly wore it (and it was so expensive…..). Then my friend Anja (also friend of Sylvia) put her finger on it. The lapels of the jacket made my top half even broader and the jacket was too short. It opened my eyes, looked in the mirror and knew instantly she was right. She managed to save the trousers. Anja is “one of my little helpers” haha. She is a far better stylist than I am.
And this blog started two years ago, thanks to Sylvia and two bloggers who cheered me on.
Ron really did find a brilliant spot for photos.
I agree with you…I don’t care for the skirt. The cut isn’t flattering. Sometimes you just gotta say that it doesn’t work.
I could see the whole outfit working well with a pencil skirt, but I don’t think you like those.
I could also see it working well with skinnies, but I know you were trying to incorporate skirts.
So basically I’m no help. ; )
bisous
Suzanne
Hahaha… fortunately Anja is helping me. And I love pencil skirts. I have a few of them, but only in black, white and camel. Rather boring. Oh, and one in cream. No fun colours. Mind you I can then show fun colours near my face. Which is good. I haven’t gotten to the level yet where you can combine a funky coloured skirt with a funky coloured top. We will see what the future brings. You know… when you put your mind to it, you can make it work.
Do you have a fitted top? A V-neck sweater would be perfect. The skirt needs some structure, and a lfitted top would provide that. One point: the skirt makes your legs look very slim and shapely, even if you don’t like the cut.
I have one red V-neck sweater which could do the trick, but I often find that look a bit childish on me: sweater with wide skirt. Another question is, would the sweater diminish the “wide hips-effect” of this skirt? Not so sure and I also think it is too short. I think the skirt has got to go.
Thanks you for the compliment on my legs. In reality my legs are even slimmer. They are my best feature. (The only thing I am sure of.) Which is why I love skinnies. I get to show the whole shapely leg without flashing too much skin. But skirts and dresses would of course, also allow me to emphasize my two best points (legs…!). Which is why I am trying to wear them more.
All I can say is I LOVE your ankle boots! Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
I can now finally walk on them too LOL. I have linked back to you but with a more recent post.
I think it looks nice. what about more of an opaque tight that is similar to the color of your boots, or boots that are slightly lower? It is cold here this winter and I am all about tights and ankle boots.
I am very particular about boots and skirts. You might be right with opaque tights, but it is the shape of the skirt which I don’t like. So it is on the pile to leave the house LOL.
Glad that that skirt is going;-). And thanks for all the acknowledgement of my ‘assistance’.
The skirt is washed and still on my desk. Waiting for someone to come round saying “oh I want that pretty skirt” hahaha.
Hi Greetje!
I always see you over on 40plusstyle.com and clicked over today onto your site. I also am trying to wear more skirts. I always used to be a skirt wearer, but they don’t seem to work as well now. I’ll be watching with interest to see if some of your solutions help me, too! 🙂
Tomorrow you will see a post with jeans (again), but next week I will post a successful attempt to style a skirt. So far I have been better with pencil skirts than wide skirts, but I will keep on trying. Just ordered a fitted purple jacket (in the sale) to wear with a multi coloured wide skirt, which is just hanging in my closet. I hope it works. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. Always so nice for me.
I enjoyed your process with the skirt and of course, the comments. If you don’t love it, out it goes. That’s my motto too.
I admire your photos and Ron does a fabulous job as your photographer. The background and lighting are superb.
I will pass the compliments on to Ron. He will be pleased. We are getting better aren’t we? This time we had no tiffs either. Apparently I need warmth to keep calm haha.
I prefer this kind of skirts with shoes, boots or sneakers! hahaha but you know that my style it’s so different…
MYEMPTYBAG
What kind of tights would you wear with it?
I love this outfit. The blue sweater is simply lovely and that stripe skirt complements it perfectly. Love the boots too. Great outfit.
Well Dixie you are the only one haha. As I don’t like the skirt myself, it is on its way out.
Definitely one of my fave looks of you Greet – love the proportion created by the skirt via the killer booties!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
You must be joking!
I agree with Theresa,
I think the outfit is good, but the sweater should be shorter, and. – or more fitted.
I would also recommend knee high boots, I agree pumps might look dated, although a platform pump or a very modern shoe, might do the trick if you can walk in it .
Ther is not an article of clothing that make you hips look wide
Love the necklace , and each piece on its own, but you are right: together they are not the best ,
I think.
I usually wear a shorter, more fitted swater with a fuller skirt
Or a pencil skirt with a longer sweater..
Love the place that you were at, the light is perfect,
Ron is wonderful that he cares so much , and he and you have become so knowledge .
My hubby works such long hours that he doesn’t take photos often,
And when he does we choose a place across the street, and the whole thing takes
Less than five minutes. Or we go to the rooftop. So I often get light that is not good, or location that is not great.
I feel silly hiring someone to do my photos, but may have too, down the line.
Ok, now I am off to read the rest of the comments, I only read a few, a I wanted to give you my opinion, without it being biased..
LOVE the bottles, with your skinnies!
Xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
A longer sweater on a pencil skirt doesn’t look good on me either. Makes me look like a stick as their are no hips for the sweater to sit on. But a fitted sweater or jacket might work better. Anyway, the skirt is gone.
I am puzzled about your last remark…. ohhhh.. Got it now. You meant booties haha. It says bottles LOL
I completely agree with the difficulty in wearing skirts. Finding the right top and footwear can be such a pain. You look fab in your outfit today. I love navy as its so much softer than black. Gold is the perfect metallic for your skin tone.
Yes I have always been a yellow gold girl. Now that I am blond I am not so sure, but I will just ignore my blondness. Too much love for gold to let it go.
There are pieces that are so hard to match! Your skirt could be one of those…I happened to buy clothes and never be able to find the right combination for them! I like your skirt and find it goes very well with the beautiful golden boots…if you still have the skirt…why don’t try it with a longer sweater and a thin belt?
t
That is a good idea Dan. Thanks. I do however think that the skirt is a bit too short as well. But I will try it to see what the effect is.
I was going to suggest a pencil skirt, too.
I think this looks cute, though. If you have narrow hips, you can handle the pleats in this skirt – I don’t think it looks too “hippy” at all. Now I, myself – no way. So I love pencil skirts – ha.
I know, I know… it is a woman’s fault. Always complaining about some body feature. I should of course be glad. And I also love pencil skirts.
This skirt is OUT.
I’ve had pieces that I struggle with. I try and try to make them work and no matter what I do, it doesn’t quite work. On the other hand, sometimes it is finding that perfect piece that gives the items new life.
I think the skirt is very interesting in its structure. I can see wearing it with a more fitted top. A top that isn’t necessarily snug, but offers less volume. A sweater that’s nipped in at the waist paired with the skirt would have given you a cleaner silhouette. The blue color of the sweater is also competing with the skirt. Perhaps one in a neutral shade…
Because of your height, the booties work fine with the skirt and hint of color on the leg. For someone shorter, like myself, the wide ankle bootie cuts the line of the form and it’s better to wear the boots that taper at the ankle.
Regardless of all the ideas, if you aren’t feelin’ the skirt, then give it to charity. Someone else will love it.
Taper… that was the word I was looking for. And you are right, I will give the skirt to charity. Still have more than enough left (that was the understatement of the year LOL).
Thanks for all the style advice.
I like the look, and I am very happy with skirts and booties – but if that’s not for you, how about some mid-heels that are made for all the walking you do? Our sweater are indeed similar today! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.
Sometimes I like skirts with booties, but I want them to be a bit higher up my leg and not so tight on my calves. Mid heels I do not have. Either flat or high LOL
The fabric of the skirt looks nice. Could you take it to the dressmaker and have it made into a pencil skirt? Your necklace is great!
I have stopped altering things which I don’t really like anymore. I used to do that, but never wore them anymore after they were altered. Not the fault of my excellent seamstress though. When it is the end of the road for a piece of clothing, I shall accept it from now on.
Well, it appears the decision has been made and the skirt is now in the “to-go” box, so I don’t really need to give my opinion on that item. I would keep this exact outfit and just trade in the skirt for your black or cream pencil skirt. Sometimes the basic simple colors and fit speak volumes for themselves when paired with the right items, such as those stunning (I want them) booties. These little amazing things speak for themselves and will bring any outfit to a modern and a little edgy look. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
I don’t really come up with much haha. But friends like Anja help me.
I like the colors of this outfit and the accessorizing (and shoes!) but the outfit is out of balance. The sweater is too long and wide for this skirt and would look better on a longer straight skirt (the straight black one, you showed earlier?). The sweater and skirt are almost 2 equal halves which makes you look boxy and breaks you in 2. Although I like the pattern of this skirt, it does not fit you properly. Too wide at the top and too short. As a wider skirt, the A-line black skirt you bought in Italy is much better for you. Styling skirts is definitely trickier and the rule of thirds becomes more important. It’s a topic I will pay a lot of attention to in my upcoming style course and an article is in the making on how to wear skirts also! I love how you are trying new things and can’t wait to see your other styling options with skirts!
Doing my best. You are right about the sweater being too long and the two halves. The skirt is on its way out. With the black skirts I bought in Italy (pencil and long one) I already have a few combinations now which are better than with this blue sweater. The blue sweater will be for skinnies then.
The top and the color are beautiful! With pair of slim pants …it would look amazing! I also agree with the skirt issue. That color is yours!
I will find another skirt for this combination Pam. Thanks for your comment.
Somehow a turtleneck is very tricky with me. A fitted top or jacket I could try. I have actually been looking already but it is the end of the sale period and there are not a lot of nice things left. Besides, everything seems to be wide.
I will be on the look-out for your post with the open toe booties. I don’t think that is for me though… Not here in The Netherlands. So coldddddd…
I’m not feeling the cut of this skirt so much but if you are keeping it, a more fitted top would salvage the situation. You are tall and proportionate so a turtle neck should be great on you. As for booties to wear with skirt I am a fan of the fitted open toe booties. I went crazy and bought 2 pairs last year. Yesterday I did a photo shoot wearing an ankle length full skirt, crop top with one pair of them. Should be out on the blog next week or so 🙂
The skirt has the pleat at the widest part of your hips which is probably why you feel big-hipped. Maybe a sweater that is waist length would reduce the sense of bulk, but if you’re not feeling the love, out with the skirt! Laugh.
Lately I like to wear two pairs of opaque tights, one plain colour underlayer and one patterned overlayer that I bunch up around the knee so you can see the underlayer near my ankle.
Despite your misgivings about this outfit, you still look very put together, Greetje. I love the gold neck piece with this. And Ron’s eye found you a fantastic location.
Thank you Melanie, that is an approach to tights I didn’t know yet. But with my poor skills in this field, it might prove to be tricky. To me that is. And the skirt is OUT.
I find wide short skirts in combination with with sweaters hardly ever look flattering. The old fitted jacket you used to wear with it was great so if you were to keep the jacket I agree with the comments of combining it with something tighter fitted. Personally I agree the skirt has had its best days. Love the necklace and the booties.
And so it will be. Keeping the rest, losing the skirt.
my own rule is: choose your clothing in order to avoid tights/pantyhose! so it’s dresses/skirts during summer season with bare legs; and it’s trousers/pants in winter season with socks/kneehighs ! my wardrobe contains not even 1 single pair of tights/pantyhose since about 10 years !
I don’t mind tights. Or rather, I use hold-ups because I find them more comfortable. But I know more women with an aversion towards tights.
I agree with many of the comments made here about the pieces of the outfit looking great together. Really nice styling and the booties are so cool! The criticisms you make of how the outfit looks and feels on you hit close to home because flared or a-line skirts are also recommended for me but I don’t think they look good. Some mid calf-lengths looks OK as long as I wear tall boots so my lower half looks like one continuous line. If I want a knee length skirt to wear with heels or booties a pencil style looks more contemporary. I agree that the sweater is over powering with this particular skirt but I bet it looks great balanced with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.
Ah thank you Elaine. I totally agree with your comment.
I think the skirt would work much better with a more fitted top or something tucked in like a turtle neck? These type of skirts do give an illusion of more hip but it also defines the waist so well. I have a body with zero curves and wearing an A-line or midi skirt does create more hip and I have to watch the cut of the skirt and make sure it’s not too exaggerated.
If you are not in love with this skirt then it’s time to donate it, I know you have so many more items that you love more in your closet.
BTW, I am in love with these gold booties, I prefer the more feminine style than the biker boots.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thank you for your honest comment Alice. That helps. And you right. I have so many other clothes which I love more. This skirt is on its way out.
I agree with the more feminine style of this golden booties, but of course the biker boots feel so much nicer and I can walk on them so much further… I love both. Ach well… we all have our own quirks.
There are 4 things I like about this outfit. The sweater, the necklace, the sublime boots and the person wearing the outfit. So I do agree with you, I am not a fan of your skirt.
Thank you Marianne. It is on the “to go pile”. Need some space in my closet anyway.
Do you have a fitted top? A V-neck sweater would be perfect. The skirt needs some structure, and a lfitted top would provide that. One point: the skirt makes your legs look very slim and shapely, even if you don’t like the cut.
I have one red V-neck sweater which could do the trick, but I often find that look a bit childish on me: sweater with wide skirt. Another question is, would the sweater diminish the “wide hips-effect” of this skirt? Not so sure and I also think it is too short. I think the skirt has got to go.
Thanks you for the compliment on my legs. In reality my legs are even slimmer. They are my best feature. (The only thing I am sure of.) Which is why I love skinnies. I get to show the whole shapely leg without flashing too much skin. But skirts and dresses would of course, also allow me to emphasize my two best points (legs…!). Which is why I am trying to wear them more.
I like the skirt, it doesn’t make your hips look wide at all, the bootie’s are okay, I think the whole outfit is thrown out of kilter by the over sized sweater. a cute jacket with short sleeves would look super. I’m glad you have a blog now, I saw you first on sylvia’s 40+.
Thanks Theresa. I am afraid the skirt is washed and put on the pile “has to go”. Together with a jacket of a much loved trouser suit. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it, as I hardly wore it (and it was so expensive…..). Then my friend Anja (also friend of Sylvia) put her finger on it. The lapels of the jacket made my top half even broader and the jacket was too short. It opened my eyes, looked in the mirror and knew instantly she was right. She managed to save the trousers. Anja is “one of my little helpers” haha. She is a far better stylist than I am.
And this blog started two years ago, thanks to Sylvia and two bloggers who cheered me on.
I agree, it’s the volume on top and bottom that make this outfit awkward. I love the color combination, but I think a tighter top or more fitted top would have made this outfit more appealing. Thanks for sharing!
Nice of you to drop by Wendy. I have decided to create other skirt outfits. Out with this skirt.
Oh well, not everything I try can be a success (that’s the understatement of the year haha).
Ron really did find a brilliant spot for photos.
I agree with you…I don’t care for the skirt. The cut isn’t flattering. Sometimes you just gotta say that it doesn’t work.
I could see the whole outfit working well with a pencil skirt, but I don’t think you like those.
I could also see it working well with skinnies, but I know you were trying to incorporate skirts.
So basically I’m no help. ; )
bisous
Suzanne
Hahaha… fortunately Anja is helping me. And I love pencil skirts. I have a few of them, but only in black, white and camel. Rather boring. Oh, and one in cream. No fun colours. Mind you I can then show fun colours near my face. Which is good. I haven’t gotten to the level yet where you can combine a funky coloured skirt with a funky coloured top. We will see what the future brings. You know… when you put your mind to it, you can make it work.
I too, will be looking forward to reading the comments…skirt plus top plus legs plus boots = usually too many line breaks for my short stature. How does one do it modern and hip and flattering? I actually really like the elements in your look today Greetje. In the first photo, with you sitting…I’m drawn to the balance…the booties (superb), the necklace, the stripe in the skirt, the brilliant blue. The standing photos reveals the volume on volume look you were going for. It’s not the look I’m used to seeing you in, and your discomfort kind of shows. I’ll be very interested to hear the point of views on the hosiery…I have been wearing nylons more this year, and I wonder if I should be seeking out heavier tights to modernize the look? I think it was Kate Middleton that resparked the appreciation of nude hosiery.
LOVE the setting! Thank you Ron!
I am kind of hoping that the nude hosiery has become fashion again. That would help a lot. What I often see in magazines is women in winter clothes with bare legs….. Brrrrrr. … never.
I can see you are struggling with the exact same points as I do, Greetje!
I have only managed to combine dresses and skirts with booties this winter season, although I prefer the tighter ones around the ankle.
So far I haven’t worn a fuller skirt but like them and need to try one but I am also always afraid they might make me look to wide around my hips 😉
Annette | Lady of Style
And you even have the perfect figure! Anja helped me last Wednesday with combining a couple of skirts. She has already come up with a few hits, Very nice to have friends who can style….