Fashion Tips on How to Wear a Pencil Skirt

I have 18 skirts in my closet and only four of them aren't some form of pencil skirt. I have a curvy figure, so the pencil is the best shape for my figure. I have suede, fake suede, jacquard, denim in three colors, corduroy in two colors, cotton, satin and rayon skirts. The other four are either very slight a-line or straight to below the hips.

The pencil shape is the most versatile skirt shape. Depending upon the fabric, the shape can go from very casual to very formal or very business like. I have a green carpenter skirt that I can pair with a t-top and slides. With my hair up in a ponytail or swept back I'm ready for a movie date, a casual out-to-dinner, a concert or shopping at the mall. I also have a black jacquard skirt which I've paired with either a blue long sleeved sparkly top with a cinched waist and v-neck or with a long sleeved purple velvet corset top with a fitted waist and scoop neck. I've paired it with either my velvet pumps or low heeled boots and topped with my velvet tuxedo jacket. I usually keep my hair down and maybe clip it back with a pretty barrette. I've worn these combinations to memorials, officiating at weddings and to meetings.

One exception to the fabric dictating the formality of the garment rule is when the skirt is denim and it has special treatment. I have a blue denim skirt that has self-appliques running down both hips. I've paired this with a layered, sleeveless native top for casual to semi-casual occasions or paired it with a red peasant styled corset top with a tuxedo tail for dressier events.

I'm always on the hunt for a new skirt with a different treatment or presentation of the pencil shape either in the silhouette or in the fabric.

In this article I'm including some current pencil skirt selections that are available and how I might wear some of them. Some of them I wouldn't wear because I don't look good in jersey. But I'm including those items because many can wear jersey easily. So here are the selections, where you can find them and how I might wear them or what I think might look good with them:

Ann Taylor Loft:

Corduroy Skirt:

This skirt is an internet exclusive. It has a front zip with a tab and two-button closure. It also has wide belt loops, five-pocket styling with a flapped coin pocket with button closure in front and flapped pockets with button closure in back. It also has same tone top-stitching. and copper hardware. It has an 18" length is 98% Cotton and 2% spandex. It's machine washable and comes in sizes 00-18. It's available in black for $49.50. It's only available on-line.

I love corduroy skirts, When they're made well, they usually give a rugged kind of warm elegance, especially when paired with knee high boots, a pretty long sleeved top or sweater and topped with a tweed or leather jacket. I have two pencil skirts and two A-line skirts, one around the knees and one at mid-calf that's mixed fabric and multi-layered which have a more refined dressy style.

Refined Jersey Tie Front Skirt:

This item is also an internet exclusive. It has a waistband with hidden elastic and an adjustable self-fabric tie. It has ruching below the waist and two front pockets. It's made of 95% modal and 5% spandex and is machine washable. It comes in sizes s-xxl and in India ink and black. It costs $49.50. It's available only on-line.

The website suggests wearing this skirt with a jersey top and it was paired with simple classic pumps. It would also look nice with a classic sweater.
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=22113&N=1200010&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=210&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_210&loc=TN&defaultColor=ShadowGrey&defaultSizeType=Regular

JC Penney:

Worthington® Ruffle Back Pencil Skirt:

This skirt is very elegant with a soft ruffle back detail. tab detail at waist with a side zipper closure and a yoked waist which can take you from the office to an elegant party. The fabric is polyester, rayon and spandex and is washable. It comes in Misses sizes 4-18, in colors black and coffee twill with a 25" length for $36.00. It also comes in Petite sizes 2-16 in coffee twill with a 23½" length. This skirt is only available on-line.

I chose this skirt over a pleat back skirt because the style made it more flexible for both office, meeting and party wear. It has a very elegant line. The yoke adds to that style, both front and back. This would look nice with a simple long sleeved sweater, or a pretty sparkly top, paired with color coordinated pumps, peep toed pumps
or strappy high heeled sandals topped with an elegant street length coat. If you wear your hair up, it would look nice with this skirt. I would pull my hair back at the sides with some elegant clips.
http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID=58021&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=17cf803&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=58018&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=28&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=58018|58021

Worthington® Lace Pencil Skirt:

This skirt has lace detail throughout the entire skirt. It has a 27" inseam and is made of Cotton and nylon and is machine washable and needs to be line dried. It comes in black lace with Misses sizes 4-18 and Petite sizes 2-16. It costs $36.00. It's available both on-line and in the store.

I have a slightly A-line lace skirt and I love it. The last time I wore it I paired it with my purple velvet corset top and velvet pumps, topped with my velvet tuxedo jacket. I would do the same with this skirt. I wore my hair swept back at the sides with some elegant, sparkly hair clips. I also wore my antique style pearl and amethyst necklace and earring set.
http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID=58021&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=173badb&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=EXTERNAL%7c58018&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=external|58018|58021

Walmart:

Norma Kamali's Women's Jersey Pencil Skirt:

This skirt is fluid jersey which measures approximately 23" from waist to hem. It has an elastic waist and is made of polyester and spandex. It's machine washable and comes in sizes xs-xxl and the color black. It costs $12.00 and is available both on-line and in the stores.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11963822

This would look nice with a pretty top or simple sweater and classic pumps or knee high boots.

Sources:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=22113&N=1200010&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=210&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_210&loc=TN&defaultColor=ShadowGrey&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID=58021&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=17cf803&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=58018&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=28&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=58018|58021

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11963822