I'm on the fence about this skirt. I think my main issue is that I don't know what to wear with it. This top is the only thing in my closet that looked ok with it. Wearing a shirt with a collar seems to counter the primness of the silhouette. I tried on several tops with short sleeves but instantly felt frumpy. Not sure why. Any suggestions on what to wear with a full, midi length skirt like this? I'm thinking I should make a sleeveless collared blouse out of linen to go with it. Maybe white, maybe a purple?? I'm hoping I didn't just make a closet orphan. I'm also contemplating shortening the hem to knee length thinking I'd be more likely to wear it then. I do like that this length is something different in my closet. Anyhoo, on to the pattern details.
Pattern Description: I made Butterick 5929 again. You can see my first version (view A) here. This time I made view D, the midi length gored skirt. It is definitely a departure from the type of thing I normally wear. But I've been trying to branch out a little lately. And I'm on a mission to make some warm weather work appropriate things before school starts in August.
Pattern Sizing: I made a 16 but took in the waist a 1/2 inch on each side. So could I have made a 14? I don't know. I'd rather go bigger and take in than make something too small. Not much else to fit other than the waist.
Fabric Used: The main attraction of this skirt is the linen. It's a beautiful, smooth and crisp linen from fabrics-store.com. I've been buying quite a bit of linen from there and I've always been pleased. This particular linen is listed as a 'luxury' linen due to the fact that it is has a higher thread count. And it does indeed. The weave is tighter than any linen I've sewn with before, which really does make it feel more luxurious. But it still has that wonderful airy rumple that I love so much. Oh linen, how I love you! Let me count the ways. In case you haven't noticed my love affair with linen.
Likes/Dislikes: I wanted to branch out and try a midi length skirt. A true midi length, hitting just below my calves. I'm not sure how I feel about now. Hence why I am on the fence about this one. I actually like it in these photos but I did feel a little frumpy when I was wearing it. It is wonderfully cool to wear. And I do majorly love the color. My only other nit-picky complaint is that I can see the edge of the facing through the linen. I serged the edge and there is a visible ridge there. I kind of wish I did the waistband instead of the facing for this particular skirt.
Alterations/Deviations: None, other than nipping the waist in. This is a good pattern with lots of options for a fuller skirt. Could of used in seam pockets, though.
Conclusion: I'm going to try wearing it a few times before I decide to shorten it or not. I don't want this pretty linen to sit unworn in the closet.
I think it looks great with what you have on but how about a simple white or striped tank(vesttop)? I made a Midi recently and wore it like that.
ReplyDeleteI vote for wearing it with a thin-strapped camisole, preferably in silk! I like what you're wearing it with, too.
ReplyDeleteLove the color! I think the midi length looks great, but I totally get ya in feeling frumpy. I always feel the same when I wear a midi.
ReplyDeleteI actually like the skirt combined with the top. I think you need a funky belt to define your "waistline" and then you'll like it better...but feel free to ignore me! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skirt and I LOVE the length on you. Maybe a sleeveless linen top with a ruffled collar that comes down the front into a V? Goodbye Valentino often wears a top in this style.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely! and myself would probably pair it with something close-fitting up top like a plain white tank top or little scoop-necked cap sleeved tee. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this style of skirt on other people, but like you're feeling always struggle to try and style it on myself. I think I'd pair it with a navy and white striped vest/tank top, and also add a belt to define the waist. I find belts make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteI like all the suggestions here...great options! If you do make another top to try, just make sure it will work with another bottom and not just the skirt so you don't end up with 2 items still trying to find mates for! If all else fails, where your skirt into an Old Navy store if you have one and try different styles of t shirts with it.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun. I love the colour and the skirt looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteI love the colour and the linen! I think the top you have chosen looks great, but so would a white sleeveless button down, or a simple woven tank would work well too. I think keep the top fitted to avoid looking frumpy. I just made a midi Brumby skirt that I am struggling with wearing too. I'll probably just shorten it so I wear it more.
ReplyDeleteA striped tee would rule with this! The shirt you wore with the purple version would look great too. Also try this out, it has worked with me before: Try out ALL your tops with it whether you think it will work with it. You might be pleasantly surprised. ; )
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful skirt. I too would wear it with a more fitted top. It does look good with the lovely soft draping top you are wearing in the photos, but maybe with a belt?
ReplyDeleteI second a tighter, stripey top. What a lovely skirt though. The colour is fab. Xx
ReplyDeleteI second a tighter, stripey top. What a lovely skirt though. The colour is fab. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is the best colour! It looks lovely on you. It goes great with the colour of your shoes. My thoughts would also be tank tops or camisoles, maybe in theatres colour of your shoes or a raspberry/purple colour.
ReplyDeleteYou need to steam that sucker. She's wrinkly. I'd pair it with a black tank top and black heels. And then maybe a lime green necklace to match but then again maybe not if you don't want to be too matchy matchy.
ReplyDeleteFor me I have to balance a voluminous lower half with a slim top, otherwise I feel frumpy.
ReplyDeleteI really like this pairing and I really like the colour of the skirt.