What do you wear with black pencil skirt????

[libertychick]

I got a new black pencil skirt recently that fits well but weirdly I am finding it hard to decide what to wear with it. I have a grey fitted cardi that looks ok with it and a black and white breton style top but apart from those I am struggling. I don't really do formal shirts but would like some smart tops that would look good with it....

I am amazed I am finding this a problem as I assumed lots of things would work with it!!!

Silk cami and a cardigan/jacket?

You need a blouse, hang on will get a link...

Cropped fitted card would work well I think.

Plain cami or top with a cropped Chanel-esque jacket?

This or
something like this in cream (not a fan of bright colours with black, but that's just a personal thing!)

FWIW I don't think a breton would work, as would possibly look too 'casual' ??

Thank you both.

Remus - cami and chanel style jacket is probably the way to go but not the sort of thing I currently own so while I bought the skirt assuming it was a good classic basic buy it seems I will have to go shopping again

I like those blouses Mrs Bean. I agree with you about the bright colours with black which is one of the reasons I am finding it hard to decide what to wear with it. The breton does look a bit casual and I bought the skirt for work.

haha! I am going to disagree and say I think a breton top tucked in works really well. I wear mine with a red and white stripe breton, thick black opaques and red heeled shoes.
I also wear with a cream pussy bow blouse, a plain white long sleeve T and lacy tights. Or a beige fine knit cashmere sweater and animal print pixie boots.

You sound a lot more daring than me Scarlett!! Animal print pixie boots sound like the type of thing I would see in the shop, buy in a moment of madness and then only ever have the nerve to wear in the house!!!

What do people think of this? Laura Ashley

Am slightly worried that I'd look like Mrs Thatcher....

Something like this over a camisole maybe?

Not sure about the Laura Ashley cardigan, would have to see in real life, but I suspect it might be a bit too long. I think with a pencil skirt you ideally need a sharp finish on the waist, or it could look wrong.

but I may be talking rubbish

I think a black and white Breton could work in a sort of 'Female Mime Artist' kind of way but would need a cropped black cardigan or cropped military style jacket or something over it to balance the attention back at the waist, maybe?

I think pencil skirts with pussy bow blouses in muted neautrals look great but sadly my norks are too big for a look like that.

neutrals

Not sure about the LA cardigan - it is the sort of thing that my dp refers to as a 'Harrogate Lady Flower Arranging Cardigan' for some reason.

Is the consensus that blouses should always be tucked in? Or if they can hang 'loose' what's the maximum length they can be?

Agree with Mrs SB - black pencil skirt + bright colours probably not. I wear a jersey black pencil skirt from zara for work and pair it with something cream; I've got a cream pussy bow blouse (Great Plains but last season so no linky), this monsoon blouse or a oatmeal crew neck jumper with matt sequins on shoulder (Warehouse, again last season). Agree that any knitwear has to be quite fitted and finish at the right point to look good with a pencil skirt.

moonshine - would definitely go for tucked in if a pear shape but maybe more flattering loose if an apple?

Remus - 'Harrogate lady flower arranging' was exactly what I was worried about!

Some food for thought here - thank you all very much. I am a pear shape (14 bottom, 12 top) so I agree tucked in is the way to go.

Think I will be going shopping for a cami and cardi and take the skirt with me to get the length right...

I wear mine with a peter pan collar blouse

like this

this

or this