What I Need: Pencil Skirt

I'm in the market for a new pencil skirt.  My go to navy one just doesn't fit me very well; it was part of a matching Ann Taylor suit.  I never wore the jacket, but that skirt has always been in heavy rotation in my work wardrobe. Now it is loose enough that I am in the market for a new one, just because the fit isn't that great anymore.  I should take it to a tailor;  I will have to put it on my to do list.  But really, I need a new one.

J.Crew pencil skirt / J.Crew pencil skirt / J.Crew pencil skirt / Banana Republic pencil skirt

Okay. So there are three pencil skirts featured here(one of them is featured on the model and then in navy); two are from J. Crew and one is from Banana Republic. I went on their website at 10 o'clock last night to take a look at their selection and found that they were having a sale (it goes until 10 a.m. this morning, I believe). All women's clothing was 40% off with the code BRNIGHT, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger and got the navy pencil skirt featured up there in the top left hand corner. Originally I was going to ask, and I still am asking, what is your favorite brand when it comes to a good pencil skirt? J. Crew? Zara (when they have them)? Loft? Somewhere else that I am totally overlooking? This one from BR may be on its way, but I am still open to suggestions, people! Oh, and I am proud to say that I FINALLY remembered to use ebates before hitting the purchase button, so on top of my 40% off, I will be getting 2% back. I am kicking myself for not remembering to log in before I made a sizable Sephora purchase the other day (8% back, people!).  Are you an ebates user?
I hope your Monday is off to a lovely start!

 

What I Need

I mentioned a little bit ago that the Cat and I have been watching a lot of French inspired films lately, including An American in Paris.  One of the outfits that Leslie Caron sported in the film is now on my short list of outfits I need to recreate.  (Another is a vintage Barbie outfit, yes, it's true- don't mock me.  I have found the skirt for said outfit, but still need to find the perfect top.)

Anyway.

So in the movie, Caron's character wears a fantastic outfit in the form of a cardigan (in my favorite green shade, no less), pencil skirt, heels, and polka dot collar/scarf thing.

image via Hollywood Fashion Vault

image via

Ahhh, I love it.  I have a pencil skirt that will work (I have both black and navy; I'm thinking she's wearing navy, but maybe it's black?), I have a green cardigan, but the buttons and neck line is off. I do have a pullover in the right color, though, which should work.  What I need is the polka dots.  Who doesn't love a good polka dot, right?!

Vintage Scarf; Ecclectia, $5

Vintage Navy Polka Dot Scarf; Lost Found and Loved

So now I am on the lookout for polka dotted neck wear.  And would you like to know a very unfashiony secret?  I am even considering -gasp- one of those really lame dickies.  For shame, for shame, please don't stop reading the blog because of that!  If it weren't for the anonymity of the internet, I don't think I would even consider that option.  I can't actually imagine carrying one of those up to a register.  This isn't a tiny town, but it's small enough that I would be afraid of being seen purchasing such a poorly named piece of clothing.

I'll keep you posted.

~Lori

Outfit of the Day: Pencil Skirt

This has become one of my favorite outfits.  It looks pretty pulled-together, but also pretty casual.

 

A good pencil skirt can define your waist.  If you  feel like you don't have a waist,I'm here to tell you that you do.  And-- you can fake it with a belt.

Trust me on this: 9 times out of 10, your shirt looks better tucked in.  Not always- some looks don't need that polish to them; some looks scream for untucked.  Even

if you are not comfortable with your midsection, tucking in your shirt causes you to 

look more polished and complete, and a wide belt can accent what you have (or don't have).

A lot of the time, women (at least women I've known) feel the impulse to leave their shirt or blouse untucked in an effort to conceal a tummy they are not happy with.  What they end up doing is drawing more attention to it by creating another problem: a frumpy, boxy silhouette.  You don't want to look frumpy!  I don't want to look frumpy, though there are days where I may feel it.  Rebecca and I worked with a girl who wasn't happy with her current weight, and to compensate, she wore loose, baggy clothes.   She thought she would be uncomfortable in anything that showed off her curves.  Once we finally convinced her to add a belt to the smallest part of her waist to accent it, she quickly started to realize that you don't have to be a skinny little twig to show off your waist.  It is all a matter of proportion and confidence!  So tuck in that blouse, ladies!  Try adding a belt if you need to.  Show off your curves!  

skirt: thrifted (there are a lot of similar options on etsy)

shirt: Banana Republic, similar here

shoes: Coach, similar here

jewelry: thrifted/vintage

purse: kate spade

~Lori