Last week, when I wore my favorite denim pencil skirt, which I have remixed for all seasons, I wrote about wanting another pencil skirt to add into the rotation with my denim stand-by and my newer grey chino pencil skirt. I love that both of these can be dressed up or down and can be worn with any color and across at least three seasons.
I have found, much to my surprise, that the pencil skirt is a very flattering shape for me and it has become one of may favorite pieces for a professional look. I wear my denim, black cotton, and grey cotton skirts all the time – as I am sure you have noticed. I have also gotten some good wear out of my pinstripe pencil skirt, but this is a much dressier look (perfect in place of a suit for conferences or interviews), and I love to wear my blue felt skirt in the winter. Now I want more!
Many of you left comments asking for recommendations on where to find a classic and versatile denim pencil skirt and requesting that I share my fall pencil skirt wish list with you.
Well, first the denim pencil skirt:
I love mine! I bought it almost two years ago at Gap after trying on a number of denim skirts at several different stores. I remember I also really liked one at Banana Republic, but the Gap one was significantly cheaper. Gap doesn’t currently have the same skirt (mine was called trouser, or something of the like) but, they do have one that looks like it would serve the same purpose. Ann Taylor Loft also seems to have a few options that look promising.
I recently purchased a black/grey denim skirt from Old Navy. I do like this one, but it will by no means be replacing my beloved Gap skirt.
I love the slim sleek cut of this, making it very professional and even dressy, while the corduroy allows it to be a perfect fall teaching skirt.
I have always loved corduroy – over the years as corduroy has come in and out of style, I have stayed true to my favorite material. I have many corduroy pants, a couple corduroy skirts, my share of corduroy jackets, and even a few corduroy accessories, including a few totes, a pair of flats, some slippers, and a headband. I think I could more than qualify as a member of the Corduroy Appreciation Club!
Moving on from the corduroy tangent, my next wish list item…
The Banana Republic Classic Pencil Skirt:
This is dressier than the black skirt I own and I love the pockets and the wide, high waist band. I’m not sure how this one would actually fit but I can imagine it looking great with both summery sleeveless blouses and thicker winter sweaters with tights.
The Banana Republic Classic Skirt:
Now, this is technically not a pencil skirt but I have found that some BR “A-line” skirts actually fit me more like a straight skirt. I haven’t tried this one on either, so I’m not sure how those pleats in the front would work for me but I love that it comes in navy!
I took this picture from the website but can’t actually find this exact skirt for sale. This is really stepping outside my comfort zone when it comes to skirts, but I do love that it is plaid and purple! Let me know if you figure out how to purchase it.
I would also like to note that New York & Company has a ton of very affordable pencil skirts in several fabrics and cuts and with some fun color choices.
What item will make several appearances on your fall wish list? A.
I was staring at the JCrew one earlier today and wishing for it. The purple plaid looks amazing, though! I vote “go for it” if you can find it :)
Funny that you are writing about pencil skirts, because I just finished sewing one and blogged about it yesterday. I have long wanted a dark denim pencil skirt, but all I could find were ones with faded fronts. And because I’m rather tall, most of the skirts didn’t hit my knee at the right lenght. The one I made is a lightweight dark denim with a bit of sheen and as it doesn’t feature the typical topstitched seams it looks really sophisticated. I’ll get a lot of wear out of this one.
As for the plaid skirt: I love the color and pattern, but I think the fit might be difficult. Even the model looks a bit bulky in it, which is a good indicator that it will not look very flattering on a “normal” person I think. I would love to see how you’d mix it up though.
By the way, I love your style! It’s become very polished recently (not that it wasn’t nice before, just more casual). I think from the 3 of you, your style has evolved the most. Keep it up!
i will definitely add it to my to-buy-list!
This style really is fabulous on you, A. I’m better off with a-lines myself, but still do love to slip on a sassy pencil skirt once in a while!
I have the BR classic pencil skirt in grey, and I really love it! The fabric is a heavy knit that I find very flattering. It hugs curves without looking bulky but isn’t clingy at all. I had to get the pockets sewn shut because they gaped a lot (and my least fav body part is my lower belly…gaping pockets make me feel like it looks HUGE!). I’ve worn it with a silk sleeveless top in the summer and I’m looking forward to wearing it with sweaters, tights, and tall boots in the winter…it is really versatile and gets my vote for a really great investment!
I actually ordered the J.Crew skirt last week and it arrived yesterday. I tried it on last night and, well, the fit was very strange to me. (I am not sure if this is because most of my skirts are A-line, and this is pencil-style, but…)
The waist had a gap and the hips felt tight, but looked fine in the mirror. I wonder if the right size/shape pencil skirt feels tighter in corduroy then it might in a more fluid fabric? Or do I just need to return this skirt? No one was around to ask!
I actually just bought a skirt that looks identical to the purple plaid one you posted as being from Ann Taylor…but I purchased mine at BR. It is worth checking out, the fit is lovely!
Express also has some amazing pencil skirts.
I’m definitely a pencil skirt fan as well. Express also has some in many different colors right now and they always have great sales there. And, that one from Ann Taylor LOFT, I bought a similar one (different fabric, same cut) in grey and I love it! I had to go down a size from what I normally wear there though bc as the Creative Dillettante said, it looked a bit bulky in my size.
All of my pencil skirts (5) are from Jcrew. The thing that is amazing about the suit pencil skirts is that they have this extra panel in the back to accommodate the booty, and make them fit so perfect and snug. Like some fabulous skirt that Joan would wear in Mad Men.
The ones without the panel are awesome too, though.
I just bought a denim pencil skirt from Lands’ End last week, and I like it a lot. They have it in their clearance sale (“overstocks” on the website) for $15 right now, so the price was certainly right.
Only tossing you a word of advice.
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