3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Scarf: Nepali by TDM Designs
- Black sweater: Banana Republic
- Black belt: Target
- Plaid skirt: Harrod’s, hand me down from SIL
- Boots: Banana Republic
End Notes:
I inherited this plaid skirt from my sister-in-law several years ago. It’s thick. It’s kind of an awkward length. And every year I wonder if I should give it away and every year I put it back on and think, “Gah! This is like wearing a blanket. A warm, cuddly blanket. How can I not wear it?” And so, even though it’s difficult to style — and one year I wore it to pass out Halloween candy as an Ellis Island immigrant woman — I have to admit that between the plaid, the fringe, the shape, and the super high waist it is a dramatic piece.
Or at least, that’s what we’ll say to be nice, right?
3 February 2010 -, originally uploaded by academichic.
Today I decided I might as well go whole hog and just keep layering on the drama with my scrunchy scarf from Nepali by TDM Designs. In my relatively simple wardrobe, this ruffled cashmere scarf is something of a decadent piece. I’ve used it to make a simple jersey dress romantic and to fancy up a black dress.
Frankly, I’m not sold on this look — should I be out herding sheep in Scotland? But at least the hyperbole of the ruched scarf, I think, makes things look more…purposeful? Or is this the path of the crazy professor with her blanket skirt and crazy neck thing? Perhaps this is the skirt’s last season in my closet after all…
3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
I actually really like this outfit, but sometimes people say I wear weird things. It looks like a warm and cozy teaching outfit to me! Perfect. And I think the scarf actually kind of makes this work so well. Good job! =)
What if you hemmed it? The print and color are quite pretty, and I think it would be a great classic piece in an above-the-knee length.
I agree with Laura… I really like this. There is definitely something dramatic and statement-like about it, but sometimes that is what you are looking for. All in all – very chic :)
Honestly, I have a hard time picturing this working on anyone else—but you completely pull it off! :) This scarf is a perfect touch.
I think you would love this skirt so much more if you hemmed it right below the knee. Then it would be a cool chevron-print a-line skirt, without the highly referential blanket trim.
That scarf is so pretty. I love how it adds such a great dimension to this outfit.
i know it is the way of fashion bloggers to look for the bright side on all types of garments–and power to us!–but this skirt is pretty different than the rest of your wardrobe! i can see why you have difficulty throwing it away–a warm and cozy piece (especially in wool) is difficult to part with, no matter how quirky. so i say amen to the hemming suggestion.
I think you pull it off here, but I understand the dilemma! It won’t be terribly cheap but I think having it shortened* would make you love it more. Cozy blanket-like skirts are worth keeping! I have one that comes right to the knee but it’s still very warm for that.
*You could probably do it yourself but I’d be inclined to hand it off to someone with a professional grade sewing machine.
Love it, I think the skirt is gorgeous!
- Ana
http://www.ToilTroubleStyle.com
I like the skirt. I like the scarf. I’m not entirely sure I like them together. It’s definitely not into “crazy” territory, though.
Honestly, my first thought when I saw the initial photo was “OMG – what a great skirt!!”. I do have to admit that I’m a total sucker for anything plaid. Maybe some of the other readers have a good idea about getting it hemmed. Either way – I think it’s awesome!
I like it but what matters, is that you like it! If you don’t like it, pass it on.
I think your skirt is fantastic just the way it is! You’ve done a great job styling it too.
wow, I actually REALLY loved this look! It may be a little quirky, but there was still simplicity to it – black to tie everything together! I might even say elegant – to me it looked very put together – I loved the lines created with the plaid skirt and black sweater and I think the scarf softens it.
I’m not sure how I feel about the skirt/scarf combo. But the skirt and belt create a ten-mile-long leg line; the result of that is flattering and lean.
I think hemming it a little above the knee would work better- it would be a lovely A-line shape.
If you’re tired of that skirt, I’d be happy to take it off your hands!
The last photo sells the combination, but I wonder if the same style scarf in a different colour would pull it together more.
It also strikes me that the skirt is not in your typical colours – this makes it very much harder to wear.
But I think it is beautiful. Beautiful. Hem it if you think you would wear it more (if it isn’t a colour issue). And anyone who made that amazing jersey maternity dress can certainly hem a skirt!
uh-oh; if this is crazy professor territory, I think I’ve long since crossed the line – and I’m not even ABD yet. (Can we just say I’m precocious?)
So, while I think this is darling on you, I’m with Emily – if you do end up passing it off, I’d be happy to take it off your hands! (Then again, in fairness, I actually dress like a shepherd on purpose sometimes. But it’s Seattle, so I figure at least I’m dressing for the weather!)
DO NOT HEM THAT SKIRT. The first thing that went through my head when I loaded this page was: I WANT that skirt. It’s a dramatic piece, yes, and that’s the point. If you get rid of the fringe, it won’t be the same. It’s so beautiful. If you don’t want it, send it to me. I’m serious, don’t touch that skirt with scissors, don’t give it away (unless you give it to me), don’t donate it, don’t sell it. At 5 foot tall, I’m probably too short to wear it. But now I’m going to be on a look out for something of a similar style, length, and colour. I really love how you wore black and let the skirt stand out. You could even pair it with a black turtle neck, the boots and belt you currently have on, and a statement necklace — don’t you have a gold leaf pendant? That would go very well over the turtle neck. I like the way you matched the grey scarf with your outfit. This outfit is perfect. DO NOT GET RID OF THAT SKIRT! I LOVE IT!
Here’s a suggestion: if you don’t like the skirt, keep it in your closet for a few years… 5, 10… and then one day you might take it out again and wonder why you didn’t like it before. I’ve done this sort of thing before and there were also some pieces that were handed down to me that I didn’t like and sold, and I regret selling them because my style has changed and I now see how I could have worn them. Don’t get rid of that skirt! You look terrific wearing it.
I think this outfit is really pretty. The skirt is unique. When I first saw it, I thought it was a scarf you repurposed as a skirt (for scarf month), and when I read your post I was thinking, What a versatile piece of clothing–could be a skirt, could even be used in a costume. The pattern is pretty and the fringe at the bottom is cool. You look great! ~A.M.
I think it looks amazing! I like E’s suggestion of holding on to it for a while, and reconsidering. I’ve had the same thing happen, and I still mourn the loss, even though I couldn’t stand the items at the time.
I think what makes the look is the boots – with a lot of other shoe choices, the skirt could look frumpy. With those boots, and the sleek top, it looks great!
I think this looks amazing! It’s those gorgeous boots that make it all work so well. You are definitely pulling this off!
This is not something I would wear personally, but you work it! It looks great on you. That skirt is unique. Keep it and don’t alter it. You’d never be able to find a skirt like this again.
I’m a big fan of long skirts, but this one is a bit of an odd duck. I do love the v-shaped seaming in the front, though!
Honestly, I think this is one of your most attractive looks! I love the skirt with the boots and the slim cut of the top really shows off how tiny you are. You should totally keep the skirt. You pull it off like no other could!!!
I love the skirt! It’s different, but it’s nice to have something outside the box to wear when you’re in the mood. Personally, I think going a little costume-y is only bad if you do it all the time. Otherwise, it’s fun to experiment with expectations. My only hangup is the scarf. I don’t know that the scarf goes with it … I might have used a yellow to pick up the color in the skirt and bring it all together.
I like the idea of the skirt but I’m not crazy about the length. I think it would be worth your time to take it to a tailor and see if they could shorten it (you might have to lose the fringe but that’d be ok). It looks super cozy though. Don’t give up on it yet!
It is a very unique piece. I love the pattern and it looks like good fabric. What if you hemmed it to knee length?
I think the skirt is beautiful! It’s dramatic and unusual, but very flattering. I can see why you’d want to hem it, but then it would be just another plaid skirt and not the unusual but striking skirt it is now.
You played with proportions really well here!
Great outfit.
I really like this outfit on you and it totally works!! Its different and refreshing. Would have never thought to put the two together, but it works. I guess you could hem it, but that would take away the “interesting” factor and sometimes its great to wear something “interesting” especially when u can pull it off as well as u do here.
I like this outfit! I don’t think you look crazy at all. The skirt is no exception to my liking it, really, I think it looks “classy.” By definition, that is appropriate for class.
Wow, what a response! It’s gratifying to push my style comfort zone a little bit when we have such great readers to offer thoughtful and constructive opinions. I’ve been really torn over hemming and losing the unusual shape. On the other hand, I usually only pull this out once a year or so, so I have a little while to think about it. Let the ruminations begin.
- E
Don’t get rid of this skirt!!!! This outfit is awesome and you look very slim and cozy in it. Not many people can pull off this look, but you definitely are pulling it off. I think the shape of it and the fringe only adds to its uniqueness and originality. I know for me, it’s one of those pieces that I’d see on someone and wonder where they got it and wish I could have one. So I hope you don’t hem it. :-)
I like the outfit, but GOSH, I LOVE that skirt on you! You need to hold onto this one and not touch that hem or you’ll break my heart.
I agree though that this isn’t something that belongs in say a weekly wardrobe rotation. It comes as a great and lovely surprise in small doses!
I agree with E. Hemming will eliminate the statement the skirt makes. It is a classic–they were around in the 60s, made a comeback in the 70s and had a quick revival not too long ago in more Bohemian circles. And so what if you wear it once a year? Doesn’t take up much room, right ;)? You look elegant in the longer length, esp with the boots. The way you’ve balanced the look with the volume of the scarf is perfection. And professional with a touch of funk. I get that you don’t “feel” the look, but it flatters you and expresses a chic, casual individualism. Nicely done!
Love the scarf! and I love the plaid skirt….as for the dramatic silhouette I agree with others about hemming it. But my personal vote would be to leave it long and just take off the fringe. Then it is still long, dramatic, and WARM, but a little less “blankety” without the fringe. And as someone else already posted you look so long and lean in the first pic! Turned sideways like that you almost disappear. :-)
I love the fringe on the skirt and think it looks eccentric but nice. That said, it’s not the kind of piece that will gets lots of mileage. But on occasion, it’s a dramatic statement. I agree – don’t cut it!
Oh please don’t change the skirt hem. I know I’ve posted twice already, but I wanted to say that the colour of the skirt picks up the red tones in your hair very nicely. It looks like a sort of bohemian 70s skirt, but the way you have worn it makes it look sleek, sophisticated, and modern. The scarf softens the black top and makes the whole outfit looks quite… “harmonious”. If you wear the skirt with an peasant or eyelet blouse (assuming the skirt is cotton) it will work in the summer as a… sort of… Joan Baez type ensemble. Or stick some feathers in a long, messy wig (which you wear on your head), some beads around your neck, and wear the skirt with a tunic and pretend to be Janis Joplin for Halloween.
By the way, I really like this blog.
well there are of course many things to consider: how many ways can you style this skirt? how do you feel when you wear it? if your answers are “this is it” and “awkward”, then hem it or give it away. but I think it looks just lovely on your slender frame, and the scarf makes it a bit more modern and sassy. honestly I think the look is incredibly flattering on you, but if you don’t feel good in it, then it’s time for a change!
I scour thrift stores for longish plaid skirts like that one! I like to wear mine exactly as you’re wearing yours – with tall boots, a fitted top, and a scarf. I think the ensemble looks great, and I’m especially digging the fringe. I suspect that if you’d gone with a fringed scarf with the skirt it may have been a wee bit too much, but the ruffled scarf is a great foil to the lines of the plaid and fringe.
This is such a chic and unique look. The scarf and the tall boots balances the skirt perfectly!
another vote for having the skirt hemmed – either just taking off the fringe and keeping the V shape, or could even be gorgeous and more streamlined to shorten a tiny bit and square it off (the chevron will still be so dramatic). without the fringe i think it might be easier to fit with your wardrobe/other styles…
in any case, it still does look nice here!
Don’t hem it, don’t touch it! It honestly looks perfect on you… so unique and yet very pretty. If you hem it or alter it, it’ll become another skirt in your closet, as it stands now, it’s a piece that stands on its own… you CAN pull it off 100%!
I actually love it and I’m not at all a dress/skirt person. If I saw it on the rack, I’d think that there would be no way anyone could pull it off, but it totally works. If it was shorter, you’d lose the charm and impact that it has now, and it would end up being rather run of the mill.
I think you’ve totally pulled this look off. If you alter the skirt, it goes from being a bold statement piece to a mid-90s boring skirt. I love how you’ve balanced it with the boots and ruffle scarf. Cute, cute, cute! Please keep it! You might regret it!
I really rather like the skirt! Though the fringe, perhaps, might lessen its wearability. As suggested by other comments, maybe hemming it is an option?
I agree with E. I love the skirt. I love the fringe — I think it contributes to the skirt’s long, graceful line. It is beautiful on you. Please do not hem it!
That long fringed skirt is so wonderful. I love the V pattern, and that scarf compliments it all beautifully!
I love this look! My mom gave me the same scarf for Christmas and I haven’t had the chance to wear it yet!
You totally rock this look! I love it!
To reader/commenter “E”: I just want you to know that I completely understand and share your passion and distress over the mere thought of Academichic E altering this skirt hem in any way.
It has caused me actual anxiety to think of this uncommon, quirky skirt, that looks so chic and gorgeously styled and worn here, being irreparably mutilated and maimed by a pair of scissors.
PLEASE, PLEASE DON’T DO IT! Let someone who will love it and appreciate it as it
is have it!
It will make a nice a-line skirt, with the direction of the lines like that. BTW, love the scarf.
I was looking at your scarf on the Nepali desgns website– could you please tell us the scarf color that you have on? Thanks!
I think this outfit looks just drop-dead gorgeous. I’m a conservative dresser (knee-length a-line skirts, little jackets, plain v-neck sweaters), and I’m usually not a fan of Bohemian looks. But this outfit? Is drop-dead gorgeous.
Oh, I love the skirt SO MUCH! It is divine. Obviously you have to live your own life and make your own call, but I would definitely be in the ‘heartbroken’ camp if you shortened or altered it. And I am so late catching up here, but I will join the queue of readers who would happily provide it with a new home.