Lace Skirt Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources (for all 3 outfits):
- Black nursing cami – Target
- Lace skirt – Ann Taylor, super clearance
- Black tights – Target
- Cream long cardigan – Target
- Black belt – thrifted
- Mini polka dot blouse – Banana Republic Outlet
- Boots – Banana Republic
- Black suede ruffled pumps – AM, from DSW
End Notes:
Congratulations to Jen and Denise on winning the ripple scarves from our latest give away!
Several years ago I snagged this lace skirt for $15 or so at an Ann Taylor post-Christmas sale. I thought it was beautiful, I knew it was flattering, and…I had absolutely no creativity when it came to wearing it. I think I wore it to dinner, once, with a black sweater. Yippee. I decided that it was high time that this skirt got some real wear, and I challenged myself over the weekend to come up with three different ways to style it.
Lace Skirt Weekend Remix, originally uploaded by academichic.
For the first round, I tried to make the admittedly dressy skirt a little more casual. I like the juxtaposition of the slouchy cream cardigan with the fancy lace, but I think in a future iteration I’ll nix the boots in favor of another pair of black shoes.
Lace Skirt Weekend Remix, originally uploaded by academichic.
For round two, I let the skirt add a fun, flouncy layer to my black wrap dress that recently emerged from a tragic run-in with the dryer (I know, I know! I do so many loads of laundry now and it totally slipped my mind that it was in there. I’m now on the market for a new black wrap dress.) The too-short dress is still very flattering on the top half, and layering the skirt underneath added needed length. Even better, it added interest. Because of its gored design, the skirt has a lot of movement, lending some pizazz to an otherwise staid monochrome look.
Lace Skirt Weekend Remix, originally uploaded by academichic.
Round three is, I think, my favorite. I loved how the ruffles on the pumps echo the flare of the skirt. I loved the subtle pattern mix of lace and mini polka dots. I loved how the belt gives just enough structure in the mid-section. It lets me be a little glamorous without taking myself too seriously.
Polka Dots and Lace, originally uploaded by academichic.
AM Ruffled Black Suede Pumps, originally uploaded by academichic.
Now, that I’ve pushed past my mental creative block with this skirt, I’m itching to keep playing around. Next up? Adding some color!
I always enjoy these kind of ‘wear a thing in different ways’ posts, and this skirt is great!
I love all the looks.
Quick question: it doesn’t seem like there are belt loops on the skirt. How do you keep the belt in place in the third outfit? I tried a look like this once and everything kept shifting awkwardly.
I like all the looks but I especially like the first one–boots included! Great post.
I think that the long cream cardigan is great with that skirt! And the third outfit is particularly good for your long lean figure. That skirt is gorgeous! I think the third outfit is so dark that its just not showing up all that well on my computer screen. I have to say, if you are going to shrink something in the dryer, its lucky that it just got shorter! Maybe you can hem it up just a little more and it can act as a cool wrap sweater.
The third outfit is definitely my fave. Those tiny polka dots are fantastic against the lush lace!
beautiful! i agree with sal about the 3rd being my fave :)
I love the third outfit. What a great skirt!
I love the first and the third outfit!
Oooh yes! This is so pretty! I think I like outfit #1 best, but that’s just me.
When you start adding color, possibly consider dark tones, like plum, hunter green, and taupe. You’re going to have such fun!
these outfits do look great! I can’t decide which one I like best.
How do you prevent the belf from shifting? Are there belt-loops on the skirt?
That skirt is beautiful! My favorite is with the polka dots, as well. I’m looking forward to seeing how you add some color.
oh I just love how you’ve remixed that skirt… I love it with the polka dot blouse the most (I’m such a sucker for polka dots!).
Thanks for the remixing. I’ve owned a lace skirt with a similar provenance for a couple of years now — and I’m now inspired to give it some wear!
Yes, the 3rd look is my favorite. So classy! Looks like a perfect skirt to wear to a show/opera. And I love the pumps on stairs photo!
Love that skirt! And I like all the looks but agree that #3 is my fave :)
I like all three outfits. The skirt looks amazing! I guess it looks good with everything! Maybe you should try and find an unflattering combination! ;) Just joking!
I love the skirt, it is so beautiful. And your pictures are really great – specially the one with the shoes.
The third version makes your legs look a million miles long!
I love the third one too. Great remix post!
The third look is defenitely my favourite too!
Hello! I simply love these looks, and most especially the pumps at the bottom. But you’ll have to forgive my grad-student brain…what is AM? I’d love to know where you got them :) Thanks!
Yowza! What a fun skirt. I adore them all, but the third one really blew me away. Love the pattern mixing. I can’t wait to see how you style it next!
I love that skirt and all your outfits! I miss Ann Taylor a lot. I used to get all my boring work separates from there, but I’d drool over the cool vintage-inspired stuff they seem to put out each season. That skirt is a great example of why I kept going back to AT even after I’d purchased on v-neck sweater too many!
Agreed, third outfit is the best, although I like the dressed-down look of #1 as well. Can’t wait to see what you do with this skirt and color — for some reason I can see a rich shade like teal or a reddish-purple looking nice with it.
I also had an unfortunate sweater-dress-shrinking-in-the-dryer incident but layered a skirt over the dress. Then it looks like you’re wearing a thin sweater tucked into your skirt, but without all the untucking when you sit. You should try it!
That’s one amazing skirt!
The third look is definitely my favorite.
Like many, love the proportions and patterning of #3!
I’m also drawn to #2, and wonder how a shorter (high hip) cardigan would look. I’m thinking it might change up the ~ 50/50 top-to-bottom split and make your legs look longer, but I’m also thinking going shorter might mean you end up with a more staid look, and I love the vibe you’ve got going.
ps RIP, unshrunk version of black wrap dress
Love the first look!
I think round 3 is my favorite, too, but they’re all lovely! What a great skirt.
I love how you wore this lace skirt. It looks so normal, but unique. I’ve been eying vintage lace slips at a vintage shop. Maybe I will buy one and try to work something like this out. Oh, also love the cute pictures, especially the last one with the pumps :)