We recently received this reader question with accompanying picture:
I recently purchased this Herringbone skirt from Tulle. It is a very thick material and looks very full on me. I am just not sure what to pair it with! I loved the look of the skirt because it reminded me of the Zooey Deschanel’s style in 500 days of Summer. What would you guys pair it with?
What a great purchase! We love this full skirt and Zooey Deschanel’s vintage chic style!
The possibilities for a knee-length full skirt are endless. E. regularly wears her full skirt as part of her “mommy uniform” but has also paired it with riding boots and long cardigan for an “Annie Get Yer Gun look.” A. has worn a full skirt belted high with a simple tank and with a belted cardigan. S. has paired her floral full-skirt with a belted sleeve-less blouse and with a simple oxford button-down. We think any of these combinations could work with this beautiful blue skirt.
But, for a more Zooey-inspired look we recommend pairing it with a simple white tank and one of these vintage inspired cardigans:
For a pop of color, we like this Beribboned Buds Cardi from Anthropologie:
We also like this “ariel deep seagreen ribbed tie cardigan” from Ruche for an Analogous color combo:
Or, try pairing it with a ruffly or embellished blouse:
We love this lacey “ruffles in the night blouse” from Ruche for a dressier evening look:
Tuck this navy Scalloped petal top from J Crew into the full skirt for a classic silhouette:
Anthropologie has so many great blouses to choose from, including several sweet and simple white ones, but we love the idea of pairing the blue skirt with this bright embroidered yellow Solar Star Blouse:
It’s a lovely skirt! I have several skirts of this shape, and have worn them with just about anything, from tshirts, to rollneck jumpers, to smart shirts.
The key thing about this kind of skirt is that it emphasises the waist, and any top should work with that, i.e. be fitted at the waist too. More often than not, I would tuck the top in underneath the skirt. Alternatively, if the top is slightly looser, belting it at the same point where the waistband of the skirt sits works.
Franca – yes! Those are great points! S.
Don’t forget that because of the emphasis on the waist you can also get away with a little bit of volume on top as long as you tuck in the blouse and have the skirt fitted to fall at or above your natural waist.
Agreed with Kathryn. A structured or embellished shoulder will balance the fullness at the hem, if you so desire to participate in these very of-the-moment trends. Just make sure to keep the waist defined to max out the hourglass you’ll be making.
Styling a full skirt can be a bit tricky at times, but I think your suggestions here are spot on.
Great suggestions! I always go for the simple top tucked in look :)
Haha! What great timing for this post, I’ve just thrifted a full-skirted skirt. I am definatly going to be wearing a tuck-in top. I have NO waist definition so this will hopefully kind of create the illusion of one.
I love that yellow top at the end! I think it’d look fabulous with the skirt. Nobody’s mentioned footwear yet — I think I’d pair it with black wedges. Simple, classic shoes, for sure.
oh i have a skirt like this too and it is sometimes hard to dress, esp in the winter.
i love it with something fitted, or with something a big looser and a nice snug belt at the waistline.
Great suggestions! I love Zooey’s style and like to wear full skirts too but definitely have to make sure that I wear something to cinch me in at the waist. I’m also short so I have to be careful on the length.
I think with a skirt as full as this you definitely have to go fitted/dainty on top (and preferably not full-length sleeves), whether it’s a knit or button-down. I have a high-waisted tulip shape skirt that I find looks frumpy with anything too loose. Belting always helps define the waist, as others have said…
I think mid-height vintage heels would be perfect with a skirt like this.
http://http//www.academichic.com/2010/01/19/reader-question-what-to-wear-with-a-full-skirt/
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