Pencil This In

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Pencil skirts are a bit of a challenge for me. I haven't found one that sits at the right height with a flattering length to suit my body type. For example, the black one that I'm wearing today is a tad too rectangular for my liking. At the time of purchase, I deluded myself into thinking a black pencil skirt is a "must have" and picked up the first one that fit decently. I've tried on various others over the years (ie: the popular J.Crew No. 2), but haven't come across any that felt perfect. Where is your favorite pencil skirt from?

top: Modcloth Brandi's Something in the Era (sold here)
belt: Express (similar)
shoes: Ann Taylor Iris bow patent leather sandals (sold here)

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35 comments

  1. I've got a ton of pencil skirts! H&M fits pretty well, but I like my pencil skirts on the tighter side. I've also got a few from some Canadian companies, like Ricki's and Urban Behaviour. And finally, I have two midi-length pencil skirts from Topshop. I just go everywhere and try on to try to get a good fit!

    I love your blouse by the way! It's so beautiful and you wear it so well! <3

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    1. Thank you for sharing your past successes. I'll keep my eyes out for these stores!

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  2. This pencil skirt is perfect on you! I love the top you paired with it! I have a black pencil skirt from Express and I love it. I got it on sale for $19. It was the last one left (still on the mannequin) and it just happened to be the right size. It is extremely versatile. Definitely one of my best fashion investments!
    http://livefreeandfashionable.wordpress.com/

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    1. You know what? Why have I never tried Express?! I love their dress pants, so if their skirts are anything like the pants, I'm missing out!

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  3. The skirt looks amazing on you. I have found a few and I love them. YOu may need to get the skirt altered, that might be a solution. Good luck on your hunt for the perfect pencil skirt.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks for the reminder, Agi. I could name many things in my closet that could use some tailoring ;) Just have to figure out which pieces are worthy of the extra $. I'm not sure if I'm willing to shell out more money to alter this Gap one... if it was a bit longer on me, I think I would.

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  4. hands down jcrew. they just fit me well. banana republic is a close second. i can't wear h&m because i have too many curves. target also makes affordable ones, too!

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    1. I don't believe I've ever tried BR or Target, so I'll be adding that to my shopping to-do list. Thanks Laura!

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  5. i haven't found an awesome one yet either :(

    i tried on a couple at j.crew factory last weekend but they were too big on me, which is really sad because they look so good on others and come in a great variety of colours, patterns and fabrics!

    good luck with your hunt and please let me know if you find something you love!

    xo julesinflats.com

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    1. Will definitely keep you updated, Jules!

      What do you think of pencil skirts from J.Crew Factory compared to J.Crew? From their website, the Factory pencil skirts look much shorter... but that could just be bad Photoshop.

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  6. I have skirts from H&M, Ann Taylor, Loft, Express and Banana Republic. I think my favorite skirt so far is the high waist skirt from Express. The skirt you have on looks great on you. I couldn't tell that the shape is rectangular.

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    1. Ying, your Instagram OOTDs is one of the reasons why I've got pencil skirts on my mind ;) Thanks for the store recs!

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  7. The high-waisted pencil skirt from H&M that was all around the blogosphere a few months back fit me really well. So far I've had luck with the J.Crew no.2 pencil skirt but it only seems to fit me well in certain fabrics. I'd say try BR because they always carry good business basics - and Ann Taylor's probably gotta have something to try to?

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    1. I have a LOFT floral pencil skirt that doesn't fit all that great, but I LOVE the print, so I make do. I've found some AT skirts that fit similar to my LOFT one, so on me, they're only okay. Perhaps I just haven't tried enough variety though. Thanks Lisa!

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  8. Really cute top, particularly when paired with the streamlined pencil skirt. :)
    I have a petite black pencil skirt from the Calvin Klein outlet store that is just the right length and fits well. Good luck finding your perfect skirt!

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  9. i'm a big j crew no. 2 skirt fan! hop you find your perfect one - and this one is really great! xox P

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    1. I know, P! You wear the No. 2 so well. Count me as a fan living vicariously through you :)

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  10. I love the Modcloth top and am still pondering whether or not to DIY one. I'm running out of time, LOL.

    I rather like the J. Crew No. 2 :) I wonder if you would do better with a ponte pencil skirt? The heavy knit material is work-appropriate and sturdy while the stretch will allow for a better tapered look without being too body-con. I think AT, BR, or both have some.

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    1. DIY please! You know I always love your creations :) A little version on E would be super adorable... but I don't know if the fabric/style would be too high-maintenance for a baby.

      Hmm... I don't believe I've tried ponte skirts. I remember seeing some at AT, so I'll keep that in mind. Thanks S!

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  11. Most "pencil" skirts these days are more straight skirts rather than a true pencil skirt. I really like the fit my Club Monaco one and my Zara skirts though. J.Crew and BR tend to be very straight, but if the only problem is that it has too much of a boxy fit, it can easily be altered to taper a bit towards the bottom.

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    1. Cher, you're one of many who wear pencil skirts fabulously. Especially high-waisted ones, but I'm sure you've heard that numerous times from me already, haha. Zara is a hit-or-miss for me, but I shouldn't rule them out. I haven't tried Club Monaco, so I'll be on the lookout for them.

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  12. Cee,

    I love the look of pencil skirts (and I'm so happy to see you wearing this with the beloved Modcloth top) but they don't work on me. :( I used to wear them but noticed that they tend to shimmy up my waist so I constantly tug which is not a good look. Still searching for that perfect pencil skirt.

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    1. Ah ha! Finally someone who shares the same plight. MY SKIRT SHIMMIES UP AND TWISTS, TOO! I think that means the waist/hips area isn't fitted properly? I'll be sure to share if I come across any better-fitting ones.

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  13. Love the top! And of course the Chanel. ;)

    xo - Sheila

    http://sheislovely1.blogspot.com

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  14. i have the hardest time with pencil skirts. the only one i've actually kept is from H&M last year. I've tried every j. crew one possible. they just dont work for me. AT has some ok ones, but those also are a little off. not sure where to look next.

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    1. Many people have left suggestions to other stores that you could try out. I definitley plan to, and will let you know how they work on me :)

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  15. I think the majority of my wardrobe is pencil skirts! My favorite ones are my navy lace one from moon apparel (that I ripped :( ) and my black lace H&M one! It sits nice and high on my waist. I have a few from Ann Taylor factory but they are a bit loose on me in the waist to accomdate my hips.

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  16. I'm wearing that same top today (but with skinnies and boots) - love it! My favorite pencil is from Express. Just plain and black, but the fit is amaze, which is funny because I typically don't like the fit of their clothes.

    seemomogo.blogspot.com

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    1. I love Express dress pants, so I don't know why I've never given their suiting skirts a try before (!) Thanks for the rec!

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  17. You should just alter your pencil skirt! I never noticed the boxiness of my pencil skirts until Jean pointed out on her blog that she likes her skirts "pencil" shape aka tapered a bit on the bottom. Then I started noticing that none of mine taper, and are all so rectangular. :(

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    1. But the difference between you and me is that you're a whiz at alterations... whereas I'll have to pay a tailor :( I think once I find one with a nice, longer length, I'd consider tailoring if the rest doesn't fit.

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  18. I have had good luck recently at Ann Taylor. I also have the Gap black pencil and one from J. Crew. I find J. Crew pencil skirts run the biggest...I take a 00 there and a 0 at the other stores (one of my Ann Taylor skirts is a 0P and the other, which ran shorter, is a regular 0).

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    1. Your experience runs pretty much along the same lines as mine too. I've seen some other ladies smaller than me have luck with 00P/0P at Ann Taylor, but the color/style just wasn't calling out to me. I will keep on looking though!

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  19. i really need to invest in a black pencil skirt! so chic :)

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I'd love to hear from you. Constructive criticisms welcome!

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