Reviews & Outfits: Short Skirts

There are multiple outfits from Anthropologie that I can’t stop thinking about. The one above is probably my favorite. It’s still too warm to wear it…and I’ve decided after the rainy mess that was Friday in NYC that it’s best not to rush the cold in…but that shouldn’t stop me from trying on the items, right? So I spent one of my recent Anthro store visits concentrating on skirts above the knee, anticipating layering tights under them later. I should warn you: this post contains legs! Pasty white ones.

My first foray into this strange land known as minis came courtesy of the Tiered Blueberry Skirt (now $50). Edme & Esyllte always pleases and I was drawn to the beautiful pattern featuring foliage and blueberries. The waistband has five tiered strips helping to conceal a rear zip and then the skirt flows out into a full A with gentle pleats. I sized down to a 6 — I pity the true 0s and 2s that were sized out of this — and probably could have gone down to a 4. When length is an issue usually I’ll say size up and wear it on your low hips. But that doesn’t work with this skirt. The proportions will be off if you hipsling this one. So it’s waist, high hips or pass. At full price in the summer I wasn’t too into the skirt. But on sale…

…it had to come home with me. I was cruising the sale section at the 5th Ave Anthropologie and they had this skirt in a 6, a 6, a 6 and…a 6! I think it was a sign. (One less 6 and it might have been a different kind of sign.) Even though I’m bare-legged in the outfit above I plan on wearing this with tights at almost all times. I’ve paired it with Yoana Baraschi’s Soft Drapes Blouse ($88) in orange (review of the shirt coming up tonight), a J.Crew belt in gold from last spring and Nine West’s Walcott Heels.

I couldn’t help taking a picture of the super cool necklace I got at the Rachel by Rachel Roy pop-up shop in Soho. It’s a single gold wing with jewels between each layer of the wing. And it has a safety pin closure. But back to the skirt…I am happier with shirts tucked into it than hanging out, mostly because of the volume of the skirt. With a longer cardigan I think you could get away with an untucked shirt.

My second victim was the Ushered Waves Skirt ($118) by Floreat. This skirt is young and fun and purple. I adore all things purple especially in saturated tones like this skirt. I expected not to like it on but surprised myself by how happy I was with it. I wasn’t planning on buying this yet somehow it ended up in my shopping bag! And on my receipt! It’s a mystery I tell ya.

It’s an alpha-sized skirt so I grabbed the small and the medium. Normally I size down in Floreat dresses and I was thinking maybe with the elastic I could get away with the small. But no, I have hips. And they needed the medium. The elastic band was what made this skirt work for me. I could set the skirt at my waist, on my high hips or low on my hips. The skirt body sat nicely in any location. Plus, the waves kind of undulate as you walk. I love the flounce.

I have already worn this skirt out to a party. When I quizzed everyone guessed that I got it at Topshop. No, though the price is right for that guess! Boo exchange rates. For the party I paired the skirt with a black ruffled tank from Banana Republic that I got years ago and my beloved Steve Madden silver heels. On the right is a work option (yes I would wear this to work on a non-client/non-management meeting day; I work on the Internets for cripes sake). Seeing the photo now I would tuck in the shirt for better balance. I have the skirt sitting on my low hips and it’s almost knee-length.

And here is the object of my affection from the top of the post. It’s Anna Sui’s Party Petal Skirt ($148). Made of hammered silk, the skirt has soft side drape tiers that I admit add bulk but I’m so stubborn I don’t care. I wanted this skirt to look great! Unfortunately I ran into a few issues with it. First, like all Anna Sui for Anthropologie items I had to size down. Really I needed a 4 but it was so ungodly short that I put it on and immediately took it off. So the shots above are a 6 which still border on inappropriately short for my 5’8″ frame with non-model gams. If you are petite you are all set!

I plan to wear tights under this so it could still work right? I wasn’t convinced enough to pay full price for it but I will be stalking this for sale time for sure. Other then the length and the potential “here are my thighs!” cry this skirt is glorious. Love the pattern. The hammered silk is soft and slippery like high quality silk should be. It has confetti and flowers on it! Who can resist that? Well, at full price it turns out I can.

When this skirt goes on sale I have a few pairings in mind. Besides the pictured (at top of post) and aforementioned Soft Drapes Blouse ($88) in blue this time, I’d also consider tucking in the Ruffles-Upon-Ruffles Tee ($78) in cocoa or the Swept Away Top ($48) in pink. I credit the Swept Away Top thought to a sales associate at the 16th/5th Anthro, who wore it tucked into the Whorl-And-Twirl Skirt ($128, reviewed in this post) to great effect. A shorter blouse could also be paired with the Party Petal Skirt untucked.

Sadly I didn’t find the other skirt I was looking for, the Cosmos Constellation Skirt ($228). Or the Checkered, Please Jacket ($178) for that matter. Judging by the lack of product reviews I don’t think they’ve made it to stores yet. Major bummer for my wish list. So to recap, I didn’t buy any of the three items I was looking for but still walked out with two skirts and a top. Anthropologie, you’ve won again.