skirt Archives

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? Boden Paisley Velvet Skirt

September 16, 2022

I knew, when I linked to the blue velvet skirt on Wednesday, that someone would see this one:

Questions started showing up immediately in my mail box - "do you THINK that I could wear this skirt enough to justify buying it?"

Well, yes, I do!

Let's look at some possibilities, ranging from just a blouse in warmer weather, to bundling up in the dead of winter:

If you assemble everything together that I've shown here, it's a pretty neat, bright wardrobe!

But no matter how much you love that skirt, you probably can't wear it every day! So I might add just a few things:

For many of us, this wardrobe would get us through the winter with no trouble!

If ... View the Post

I Love It, But Will I Wear It? Paisley Skirt

July 24, 2020

Her email to me was urgent, but self-effacing. She REALLY wants this skirt - I mean really really really REALLY wants it... but she doesn't want to be a bother...

Such nice people you all are!

But who could resist this challenge? It's mid-calf, it's pull on, it's got some great colors:

Our heroine was thinking of this as the pivot piece in a travel capsule wardrobe - would that be possible? I say - resoundingly - YES!

Let's start with a couple of tank tops and a 2nd layer for freezing indoor temps, as well as cool outdoor evenings:

A couple of uncomplicated pink tee shirts, and some sparkle earrings! And yes, you absolutely can wear Keds with skirts; it's relaxed and brings the dressiness level ... View the Post

Rescuing Forgotten Garments: A Leaf-Print Skirt

May 27, 2020

It wasn't a sad email, but it definitely was a cry for help! She loves the skirt, but so far has only worn it with a white tee shirt or white tank top. She owns lots of other clothes, so there MUST be more possibilities...

Note that this skirt does NOT have a bunch of gathers at the waist - thus untucked tops will not look awkward when they extend below the waist. Of such small details is a versatile garment made!

So, as I've done before, I tried to think of how this skirt could be worn each of the next 4 months, in 2 different ways.

First, for June, a pretty blouse is 1 option, or a linen tee shirt. I'm still smitten with these ruffled espadrilles; espadrilles aren't always terribly pretty, but a ruffle seems ... View the Post

The Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 38: A Twill or Denim Skirt

March 23, 2020

Let's all take advantage of having a lot of time indoors to really clean out our closets and be ready for those warm days ahead...

Keep in mind: we're allowed (encouraged?) to go outdoors and exercise, or just sit under a tree with a book. We're not forced to stay in our homes! So being ready for warmer weather and long walks might be a good focus right now.

I'm suggesting a skirt, but you know that if you absolutely HATE skirts, there are lots of other possibilities. I personally will probably substitute a simple sleeveless black dress...

Although it feels a little bit like a "spill magnet," a white skirt always looks so good in warm weather. And EVERYBODY looks at least a little bit tan wearing white, ... View the Post

March 2020 Six Scarves, Twelve Months, Twelve Outfits

March 4, 2020

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to wear a skirt! As the weather begins to flirt with spring, I become more and more eager to take my knees out for an airing...

So for March, I thought I would add skirts to these gradually growing wardrobes. Of course, if you don't wear skirts, you could easily substitute pants, shorts, capris, clam-diggers, etc etc...

Let's get started!

Most of the wardrobes this month are going to see a new neutral skirt and an accent sweater!

Adding an accent sweater to a growing wardrobe gives a fresh new look:

The 2 new garments this month blend in seamlessly, to give our heroine some fresh options:

Ah, THIS scarf screams spring to me...

And I'm finally ... View the Post

The Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 25: A Warm Mid-Calf Skirt

December 16, 2019

Yes, it was just about zero degrees Fahrenheit, and I had a job interview. Back in the day when YOU WORE A SKIRT - preferably a suit - to an interview.

Mid-calf wool for the win! The skirt was lined, the tights were wool, the socks were silk, the boots were too dressy to be really warm, but they worked...

So now, for me, it's a staple. On normal winter days, this can be a fun way to be dressy without being "dressy." If you can follow that bit of linguistic gymnastics!

Everybody is going to go about this in their own way, as should always be the case when assembling your wardrobe! But patience is the biggest thing that I can counsel; these skirts aren't easy to find. Unless, of course, you can work with a ... View the Post

The Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 12: Pants or a Skirt

September 16, 2019

I love skirts - they're well worth considering as an alternative to relentless jeans and pants. With opaque tights and comfy shoes, they can be as comfortable as anything else you wear...

And if I was in the market for a skirt right now, this would be a leading candidate:

When you choose your skirt (or pants, if you prefer), make sure that it is lovely with most of your shirts and sweaters; in a simple, neutral-colored, timeless design...

A denim skirt can be appropriate in a lot of places...

This dark brown skirt could be a perfect base for sweaters and tops in all shades of brown:

A matching skirt and sweater can be the base for all kinds of interesting accessories...

Your black ... View the Post

National Stripes Day? 10 Ways to Wear a Striped Skirt

June 21, 2019

I honestly don't know if National Stripes Day is anything more than a made-up thing by J.Crew to sell more striped things, but the idea amuses me...

So I saw this skirt and saw both the potential and the challenges:

These colors are lovely, but they're certainly not easy to find in the world of clothing...

Just to make things interesting - and tough - I'm sticking with the general structure that I used for the last skirt for which I conjured 10 Ways to Wear...

In warm weather, a denim jacket might seem odd, but in the world of excessive air conditioning and unpredictable weather, it might make sense. Right now, in Chicago, it's plenty cool enough to wear it!

A simple tee shirt is always such an ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: 10 Ways to Wear a Floral Skirt

June 12, 2019

A language digression: to me, something that is floral is MADE of flowers - a floral arrangement, a floral offering etc. Something printed with flowers is "flowered."

But NOT when you're searching through the world of garments and accessories.... If you want something with flowers, search for "floral."

I must be confused...

The first (and so far one of the only) really lovely early summer days here in Chicago brought out the floral skirts in abundance; I got so many ideas! So I picked a bright, unusual example:

I've been assured that the dark color here is navy; if it's black, nothing really changes here except navy garments and accessories could be swapped for black. I get really irked by the poor ... View the Post

What Should I Wear to a Black Tie Function?

August 28, 2017

On Wednesday's post about how to UNPACK your suitcase, a reader commented that she needed advice about what to wear to an upcoming formal event being held in Orlando, in October. Another reader posted a really intelligent, thoughtful response, but I thought that it was an interesting question, worth tossing out to the general Vivienne Files population. (the smartest women around, no questions!)

I haven't attended a black-tie event since the overly-posh '80s, when I was in my 20's and when everything was completely out of control - I could have just glued diamonds all over my body and it wouldn't have raised many eyebrows. (except when the bill came!) I know what I would wear, but that doesn't necessarily translate into ... View the Post

What to Wear with a Navy Cardigan and White Skirt

May 12, 2016

This is just a "flipped over" version of the white blazer and navy trouser, but quite a bit more casual and relaxed. And I chose all button-front shirts, just to show the range of possibilities available!Our very simple starting point:

Cardigan – L.L.Bean; denim skirt – J. Crew

You can wear any possible shade of red, pink, coral, blush, or whatever else the fashion people name these colors:

Cardigan – L.L.Bean; denim skirt – J. Crew; earrings – Loren Hope; sleeveless top – Lands’ End; flats – Alegria; pink shirt – L.L.Bean; ring – Michael Kors; sandals – Naturalizer

All kinds of orange are equally lovely:

Cardigan – L.L.Bean; denim skirt – ... View the Post

12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes: March

March 1, 2016 It's that time again! This month, I have chosen outfits that are the most casual way POSSIBLE to wear a skirt. While you might never feel comfortable wearing a skirt with a pair of Keds, it's a normal outfit for me, and it at least gives you a good laugh at my expense! Just a reminder, these are the scarves around which I'm building each capsule wardrobe. Your choice of focal point does NOT have to be an expensive scarf - it can be any beautiful object or image that resonates with you. If your favorite picture in the world is your computer wallpaper, work with it! But I feel like I should mention that if you really DO love one of these scarves, don't hesitate to get it. Hermes does NOT carry ... View the Post