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I’m about to stick my toe in sacred fashion territory: the pencil skirt, ubiquitous for what, the past three years? And why, why, why when so blasted few of us can wear one?
Who should buck it
The fashion intelligentsia does such wonderful job on us, don’t they? Everyone loves the idea of a pencil skirt. Paired with a short cardigan or jacket, a pencil skirt is a classic vintage style. Only one thing has changed about them since they were introduced by Christian Dior as part of his new look just after World War II: the length, which varies with every incarnation.
A pencil skirt is best on slim, well-proportioned bodies, but a lot of women manage one with some careful adjustments for waist to hip ratios and height. Nevertheless, this slim, curve-hugging shape is anathema to one body type. If you’re pear shaped AND your widest dimension is the line across your thighs, you should drop the idea of a pencil skirt faster than a politician’s promise after Election Day. Their shape follows your shape, highlighting the very part you most want to conceal.
What to wear instead
For pear-shaped readers, I’m stealing a line from Bryan Adams: “Everything I do, I do it for you.” And me. I say that because I’m in the same boat. I’m constantly improvising around my ill-proportioned body. But who doesn’t?
Nothing good can come from hating your God-breathed body, friends. What right do you have to judge it? You’re just borrowing it for a short time. Work with it, respect it and you’ll never feel bad about your shape or size again.
Choose A-line and tulip skirts instead of a pencil skirt. To minimize the lower half of your body, put your darkest color on the bottom. (This is the reason I have so many dark slacks.) Put all the bells and whistles on your top to draw the eye upward. It doesn’t matter whether it’s light, bright, patterned, horizontally-striped, ruffled, scarved, trimmed, buttoned or jeweled, it’s all good.
So tell me, what’s your favorite figure-enhancing strategy?
10 comments
September 21, 2012 at 8:58 am
My black linen A-Line skirt has been a staple in my wardrobe for years!
September 21, 2012 at 9:24 am
Emily, thanks for the comment! If everything in our wardrobes were this great, I guess we’d never feel the need to shop. Have a good weekend!
September 23, 2012 at 9:01 pm
I love my A-line skirts. Sadly good quality skirts are hard to find. I have worn out more skirts than I care to mention. I love to wear a good skirt with a nice cardi or jacket.
September 23, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I completely agree about the pencil skirts. They are best on a very few women. Most should just give it up.
September 24, 2012 at 7:27 am
Yay! Part of the sisterhood! Thanks, Jill!
September 25, 2012 at 12:43 pm
In theory this sounds right but I may have to disagree with you slightly. The only reason I say this with some confidence is that I am not “slim” by any stretch of the imagination (I seem to be pear shaped but not extremely so) and from a size 24 to 14 I seem to look better in a pencil skirt than any other type skirt (according to my friends and family and by my own reckoning).
Now there are caveats-
1) The length is only approximately 2 inches below the knee, to hit the “fat calf” at it’s most advantageous spot and make the lower leg seem longer
2) Shoes must match your leg color or stockings and shoes must match the color of the skirt, again for elongation
3) Only wear dark, solid skirts usually with a matching sweater or jacket, once again-elongation
4) Color and embellishments near the face, such as scarves, jewelry, bright colored blouses etc. to highlight the face and bring the eye upward, as you said
5) The skirt must skim and not cling any part of the body!
If you are smaller, I cannot comment or give hints! Probably none of this would have to be followed! Somehow the A-line and fuller skirts make me look even bigger. The only thing I can attribute it to is extra fabric. I believe bigger sizes still need a streamline fit to look their best. Ironically, you can almost never find these great fitted garments in larger sizes. The beautiful classic lines and fitted tailoring seem to be found in petite clothing sizes but are sooooo needed for all sizes. IMHO
September 25, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Well, you nailed it perfectly on the details, Lori. I know from our past conversations that you’ve put a lot of thought and research into this subject. I think you’re right: fit is everything! And on bigger sizes, I think it’s your shape that matters more than your size, don’t you?
September 25, 2012 at 10:50 pm
I’m a pear shaped too, but I love my pencil skirts. But the only ones that fit me {and aren’t too skin tight, or are too short} are the ones I personally sew for myself. I tend to stick to darker colors for my pencil skirts and try to make sure that I wear a shoe with a heel. I’ve found that wearing flats with pencil skirts tend to make me look kind of stout.
September 25, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Definitely!
September 26, 2012 at 10:14 am
I am working on a skirt for myself and I’m hoping if it skims in just the right spot I can make it work. I think you’re right: a ready-to-wear skirt just isn’t going to look as good on a pear shape as something that’s custom made for the body. My skills, unfortunately aren’t real sophisticated. But I’m giving it a shot. Thanks for the comment, Ashley. I love hearing from you.