How to wear a pencil skirt?
How to rescue a skinny silhouette from boring?
Nothing says “skinny silhouette” like the classic pencil skirt — especially as summer approaches and legs venture out.
But how to keep it from being either plain and ordinary or unrelentingly curvaceous?
Add the unexpected, but keep the balance.
- Choose an interesting texture
- Add a little bulk (not too much, mind you!)
- Pop the accessories
Here’s what I mean. . . .
Take Out the Tweed: Shaking Up A Classic with an Unexpected Fabric
Why it works:
Denim livens up this classic pencil skirt and removes the seriousness.
However, the soft stretch of this particular fabric still allows for the insouciant elegance of that perfect silhouette. And the mottled gray wash lifts the whole thing from flatness, enlivening the eye as it moves across the surface, as do dapples on the water on a cloudy day.
Details at play: The dark-dyed side seams lengthen the shape, while the two-finger pocket, exposed metal fasteners and self-tie add a touch of light- heartedness.
Forget the Straight and Narrow: Breaking up the Line
The eye likes variety, not the same old shape from top-to-toe.
Break up the line between sweater and skirt, but veer away from boxy!
Why it works:
The cropped, slightly flowy, crew neck cashmere sweater (another “classic”)
skims just above the waistline. It stands softly away from the body, lending movement, shadows and a sense of perfect boyfriend sweaters yet to come (or perfect boyfriends).
It’s saved from terminal truncation by the tank that peeks out from beneath, to draw the eye down and keep that line long — which is why we do a pencil skirt in the first place. (That, and hips.)
No Spiking: Drop the Pointy Heel
Lose the stiletto if you want to have fun with the outfit (and run for the train).
Why it works:
The ropey espadrille wedge, in practically-chewable caramel leather (instead of canvas), balances the straight-column skirt with a little bulk and matches the heft of the swingy sweater. Ankle ties should be kept at the ankle, as they otherwise cut off the leg when paired with this below-the-knee skirt, but here, she’s just on the fly. What can I say?
No Net Neutrality: Add a Color Pop
Neutrals are soothing to the eye, and emphasize the line of the outfit. But unrelieved, they lead to that blank-wall or bowl-of-porridge look.
Why it works:
The gray of the outfit lets the eye follow the line, but it needs a little something to break it up. Bring in color at strategic spots (under-tee, necklace, scarf).
I used orange, because it adds a citrus-slice punch to gray, but you could use any strong, saturated color: red, magenta, blue.
Calling Out The Details
The Urban Guantlet: Not Just for Battle Anymore
The bell sleeve of this sweater, hanging loose and away from the wrist, just calls for something fitted to snake out from beneath, like the protective shirt worn by Mediaeval warriors under chain mail (the original Under Armor).
Why it works:
The stripes of this gauntlet glove contrast with the lack of pattern in the rest of the outfit. And the enameled cuff, in yet another geometric pattern, adds a touch of the Alhambra.
Necklaces: Who Says Three’s a Crowd?
The long line is the entire point of this outfit.
Keep that line moving along with multiple layers of necklaces.
Why it works:
The eye loves the odd number. One is nice. Two is even (literally).
But three is always interesting, think: Triptychs, trinities and love triangles.
These beads pick up the color of the under-tee, punctuating the gray of the sweater with pure orange pop.
Watching the Waistline: Don’t Cover the Small Stuff
This skirt has some nice details at the waist. Let them show!
Why it works:
These details are another set of accessories, lending interest, but not too fussy.
And the slightly sloppy half-loop tie, instead of the neat (and expected) bow, is a bit like bed head — all little elements that rescue this outfit from possibly-classically-dull to classic-with-a-twist.
