Black sweater with flutter sleeves, Ann Taylor Loft. Red Thai silk skirt with gold embroidery, Thailand. Red patent flats, New York and Company. Red and gold bangles, Ramayana. Gold coin earrings, Urban Nomad.
You’ve seen my closet and I’ve confessed to having 30 skirts. Although only seven (9%) of you said it was time to make some donations to charity, I took your feedback to heart. I need to do a better job cleaning out my closet!
Each week, I will wear something that doesn’t often see the light of day and ask for your opinion. Should I keep it? Swap it? Alter it? Or give it to charity?
The first item up for trial is this Thai wrap skirt. What I love about it: the fabric. It’s genuine Thai silk, dyed a rich red and woven with metallic thread. What I don’t like about it: the length, the style (wrap), the fit. I’m afraid the floor-length skirt overwhelms my (almost) 5’5” frame. This morning, getting on the bus, the uncouth person behind me stepped on my hem and nearly sent me toppling back down the stairs. I dislike wrap skirts. This style always looks awkward at the waistline, creating a paper-bag waist effect. I struggle between concealing the waist with a long shirt or baring it with a tucked in blouse and then adjusting the ties each time I stand up. While it seems that a wrap skirt would fit anyone, that isn’t the case. The skirt looks terrible unless it falls in an uninterrupted column. It does not accommodate curves well. Finally, try walking in a floor-length column. I’m reduced to mincing geisha steps.
20 comments:
Thank you for your thoughtful comment regarding my background. Your pics always look great. Does your hubby take the pic or do you use the timer?
I would hem it to just at the knee and turn the bottom border print into a scarf!
I think the fabric is lovely, but it overwhelms you a bit. I would shorten from the top, to keep the great border, into a knee-length skirt, and perhaps turn it into a 'real' straight skirt rather than a wrap. Or is there enough fabric to make a sleeveless dress? That would be lovely too. (First time commenter, I think; I really enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pictures every day.)
I use a tripod and a timer. I wish I had a remote, because I think the focus would be better.
The tripod was the best investment! I think it was $25 and well worth it. You might want to check out the gorilla-pod if you're in the market.
Keep the skirt - just don't wear it to work. it's a special occasion thing. or swap it with someone who will do the same.
The fabric is stunning and being a wrap skirt, what you're basically left with is a length of fabric. I'd guesstimate you have probably 30"x60" of fabric...enough to make a simple skirt (aline or pencil) or a slim dress.
Personally, I think a dress would overwhelm. And you certainly can't get rid of the border.
I think, to keep the idea of the skirt (column), turning it into a pencil skirt (of flattering length) would be the best solution. You can keep the border (and if done correctly, you won't need to worry about hemming!) and the effect but get the trimmer, more curve-sympathetic fit you're going for.
Oh, and by-the-by, that skirt looks far better with this top that with a top tucked in.
I think the fabric is gorgeous... if it were me, I'd save it and repurpose it into something else.. I agree about wrap skirts. So uncomfy!
When you say wrap skirt do you mean a rectangle with ties at the waist, or do you mean a skirt with waist-darts, shaping, and a flap around the front to look like a wrap?
There is a certain flair to an ankle-length red silk skirt with gold details that you can't get with a mini skirt out of the same fabric. If you can add some tailoring so it actually fits you, but keeps the visual look of a long wrap-skirt. I'm thinking of a pencil skirt shape with two front pieces, one wrapping in front of the other.
But failing that, I would recommend making it into a short shirt, preserving the border print.
I think it is lovely and you should keep it. But wear it on special outings only - like going to dinner. You could also alter the waist. Put some darts in so that you don't have excess fabric bunching up.
The fabric is so pretty. Altering the skirt is the way to go. I like the suggestion ~lisa~ made to use the bottom for a scarf!
Definitely alter. It's too pretty to give away!
Alter it. Shorten it, but keep the border. It's a great color on you, but it is a bit boxy and the length is awkward. (I just bought a long gray skirt that I will probably have a friend shorten for me since she helped me see the light)
Keep it. It's very dramatic, perfect for cast parties!
i'd listen to lisa's advice
hurricane_gia - the skirt is an actual wrap skirt, a big rectangle, BUT it does have 4 tiny darts at the top. I usually position it so I have two darts in front and two in back.
Thanks to everyone for their comments! I am learning towards turning this into a regular (i.e. non-wrap), long skirt. I'd like to shorten it only an inch or two. I think I'd lose the drama of this skirt if I went with a mini or even knee-length.
Okay, I may be an outcast here, but I think you should make it into a pillow or drapery! The fabric (which you love) would go beautifully in your home and then you wouldn't have to deal with your VERY lengthly list of why you don't like wearing this skirt!
Either way, you will have to let us know what you end up doing!
I'm with Londyn, turn it into something completely different - a throw or a scarf or something. All you like aobut it is the fabric so I don't think you'll be too upset to lose the skirt and use the fabric for something else.
I'm going to agree with londyn -- you also seem to like vivid colors in your home -- why not avoid "fitting" altogether and use this to decorate? You still get to enjoy all of the qualities you like about it that way.
I too love the fabric but not as a skirt. Make it into beautiful cushion covers
I say turn it into a dress of some sort. Depending on how long it turns out it would look great layered over jeans.
~Beth
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