Reviews: Tiled Mosaic Shorts, La Festa Pencil Skirt, Holding Horses Denim Pencil Skirt, Burnout Lace Pencil Skirt, Lace Fable Pencil Skirt, Paisley Pencil Skirt

Finally, skirts that hit at the knee or below. The Lace Fable Pencil Skirt ($148), reviewed.

While I wonder if it will ever be warm enough to wear skirts sans tights again, let’s take a whirl through some of Anthropologie’s latest bottom options.

Tiled Mosaic Shorts ($88) by Cartonnier, size down
Style #: 26519710; blue motif (049)
★★★★☆

Note: If you’re wondering my sizing measurements/height/etc, they’re detailed on this page.

Cartonnier’s Tiled Mosaic Shorts ($88) are wonderful. They aren’t cut stick thin through the leg openings, they have a tailored feel and are made from significant but lightweight fabric. The pattern is loud to be sure but with a casual top over them they calm right down to summer-ready. It was impossible to just pass them by in-store. The tile pattern jumped right out at me and demanded to be tried on.

The shorts are mostly cotton with a touch of spandex. They have front slant pockets, back welt pockets, two button and zip closure. The inseam is about 4″ to 4.5″, which is a good compromise between casual 3″ shorts and more roxy-appropriate 5″ inseams.

I’m usually a size 10 in Cartonnier bottoms. When I tried the 10s on though I found a lot of room everywhere, especially the waist. These shorts seem to run big and I’d prefer to purchase a size 8. It’s worth noting that the pattern varies from short to short. The ones I tried had a meeting of tiles at the center seam that I wasn’t especially into, but I did like how balanced the pattern was on each side. Because the legs of these shorts are cut wider than we’ve become accustomed to they fit nicely over my curvy thighs and thinned my legs out. I like that!

These shorts are truly lovely and have a spot reserved in my closet. For now, wishlisted!

Wear them with: The Tandem Henley ($78), the Indigo-Ruled Buttondown ($88, review), the Ornamental Pullover ($48) in any color except moss. 

La Festa Pencil Skirt ($148) by Moulinette Soeurs, TTS
Style #: 26451732; multi (095)
★★★★☆

The La Festa Pencil Skirt ($148) isn’t my usual style, but it’s making me want to stretch my taste a bit. I’m in love with the bright floral pattern upon a simple white base. I adore the pompoms along the bottom hem. And the fit is great!

This linen skirt is nice, thick and fully lined. Though I’m sure there will be creases where you sit, this isn’t the kind of skirt that’s going to wrinkle every time you move. Some of the online reviews noted that the embroidery was coming loose on the skirts they tried. I didn’t see that issue on any of the skirts in the Soho store, but perhaps they were just new to the floor. The skirt has subtle pencil shaping thanks to side and front darts and while the website claims this skirt has a side zip I recall it being in the back. The waist is maybe a little looser than you’d expect on a pencil but the hips are cut more narrow than I was prepared for.

I tried on my usual size 10 and found it comfortable. A little extra room in the waist but just enough room around my thighs. I noticed this skirt gave me major flat butt. Impressive given my curviness, though it looks a little silly. The skirt hit right across my knees.

With all the colors in this skirt you can pair it with just about any color. I think this is a beautiful winner. Another one for the wishlist!

Wear it with: The Piped Peplum Blouse ($88) in neutral, the Katrine Peplum Top ($88), the Brushed Lace Pullover ($58) in pink or mint.

Holding Horses Denim Pencil Skirt ($78) by Holding Horses, size down
Style #: 26981993; jeep red (060) or bottle green (030)
★★★☆☆

My closet has reached its limit for denim pencil skirts. Then again, all my denim pencil skirts are blue or grey so perhaps a there’s room for some color? Enter the Holding Horses Denim Pencil Skirt ($78), a faded red or minty green piece that has a 70s front to it. I remember inheriting many hand-me-downs from my sister that had this triangular front stitching on them. And even as a kid I remember them being a little tough to wear. If your tummy isn’t flat the triangle can pooch which looks weird. This cotton/spandex skirt seemed to have enough structure to hold me in.

An SA recommended I size down so I did to a 30. It was tight across the thighs but I was advised that this skirt stretches generously over the course of the day. Based on that I’ll recommend sizing down, even if the skirt feels tight at first. There are front slant pockets. I love the large back pockets! The skirt falls to just above the knee.

If you’re looking for a denim skirt this is a good option. Just beware the stretch.

Wear the jeep red version with: the Washed Chambray Buttondown ($88), the Swiss Dots Blouse ($68) in mint, the Fontes Blouse ($88) in orange or pink.

Burnout Lace Pencil Skirt (now $30) by Bordeaux, size up
Style #: 26684522; black motif (009), green motif (038)
★★☆☆☆

The idea of a long knit pencil skirt is very appealing to me. In the winter it’d be easy to throw this on with a pair of tights, a pair of boots and a long, sleek sweater. Unfortunately the reality of my thighs make a knit pencil skirt a challenge. Sometimes it all works out. And sometimes it’s like the Burnout Lace Pencil Skirt (now $30). Much like its fit twin the Wildflower Knit Pencil Skirt (review) this skirt’s knit is thick but shapeless, clinging to my thighs in the worst possible way. It’s incongruent to see so many positive reviews on a skirt that’s been cut down to $30 from $100.

The rayon-spandex material is thick and not itchy. But again it lacks any shaping properties. I tried on a large, hoping it would work better than a medium. Sadly sizing up was no help on me, though it did look better than a medium would have. I can see how this skirt would be great on those with a straighter shape, creating the illusion of curves and such. When you’re already curvy like me though the cling is no help. The skirt falls below the knee and has a stretchy waistband to slip it on and off.

Pretty design, unpretty fit. Pass.

Wear it with: the Diamond Pointelle Pullover ($78), the Sattva Top ($118), the Netted Stanza Top ($99).

Lace Fable Pencil Skirt ($148) by Moulinette Soeurs, size down
Style #: 26452268; mint (102)
★★★☆☆

More mint! This time it’s mixed with a black vine pattern on the Lace Fable Pencil Skirt ($148). This skirt was somewhat jarring to me at first. The more I look at it though the more I like it. The simple black waistband is a nice detail and I like how the skirt falls to just below the knee. The pattern placement on this skirt is very smart — it stops just before the side seam so there’s no seam mismatch.

The skirt is cotton with a poly material making up the embroidered pattern. It’s lined with poly. I tried on my usual size 10 but it was really loose. There’s plenty of room in the waist, hips and thighs. So I recommend sizing down; I’d buy in an 8. It falls pretty straight from the hip. This skirt has all-season potential. In the winter it will look great with a simple black top, in the summer something as fresh as the minty base will do well.

Versatile and pretty. Just remember to size down! Wishlisted.

Wear it with: the Empyrean Pointelle Sweater ($88, review), the Wynwood Top ($48), just not in green, the Lasercut Springtime Blouse ($178).  



Paisley Pencil Skirt ($138) by Tracy Reese, TTS
Style #: 26945857; multi (095)
★★★★☆

Holy pattern placement discrepancy, Batman! Could the Paisley Pencil Skirt ($138) look any different from the online product shot? I think I prefer the more vertical placement on the skirt I tried…though the slightly off-center bar drives me a little nuts. As do the mismatched seams. Yet I’m willing to look past it because I adore the color palette. Purple, turquoise, pink and green? Amazing.

This pencil skirt is made up of some unholy combination of viscose, rayon, spandex and polyester. Yikes. But it feels OK on, and the fit is good. I like that this skirt comes to my knees and though it is tapered like a pencil should be a back vent helps to allow a full walking stride. I tried on my usual size 10 and found it to fit very well. Nipped at the waist, enough room through the hips and thighs and long enough to be work appropriate. Can’t ask for much more than that.

The colors have me swooning. I’ll want to pick the pattern I buy so this dress is wishlisted for now!

Wear it with: Andie Eyelet Tank ($88) tucked in, Scrolling Lace Peplum Blouse ($98), the Embroidered Ikat Tee ($58).


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