Skirts for someone who doesn't wear skirts

[hugoagogo]

I haven't worn a skirt or dress for 10 years plus, I don't even really like them.

However I know that for a smart occasion they are an 'easy' way to look like you have made an effort. I have a wedding and a job interview coming up and am considering a skirt.

My issues are- I am short, but my legs are normal length, so dresses don't fit in the right places.

I have chunky calves.

I have flat wide feet and have no wish to wear heels.

I know it doesn't sound like it, but I would like to have the option.

What kind of skirt/dress could I wear with thick tights and maybe boots that I could wear for smart occasions?

An a line knee length is universally flattering... + scoop neck knit/t /smart silk jersey top: something comfy and easy to keep neat looking

Alternatively a sheath dress if you can find one that fits you right.

Buy: black, classic, mid range - so you can keep for years if you don't wear much. Compared to dresses and jeans, it's rare to wear out a skirt, and as you can wear with your existing tops may be better value. Tops or jackets need to be shorter with a skirt vs jeans, try to tuck in perhaps

Can you wear navy or light grey to the wedding? I wasn't sure if you want to buy 1 skirt for both ?

(I'm not a fan of work type clothes at a wedding but you would have more idea of what is appropriate for your circle...)

I was thinking of something below the knee, but not too long. 2 skirts are fine-I don't expect one to work for both. The wedding is likely to be more casual than most, but I was thinking something brocade/ jacquard? With a silky top.

What about footwear? Can I wear boots and tights to a wedding do you think? If so what kind?

Bump?

I've got the chunky ankles problem.

I find skirts difficult to wear unless I wear heels - with flats I look frumpy because of my ankles.

What really works is boots, flat or heeled. Heeled boots are easier to walk in than heeled shoes.

I find either a shorter above the knee or a just below the knee where the narrowest part of my leg is helps. Also I look daft if I tuck tops in due to the proportions.

I don't know if I'd wear boots to a wedding, maybe ankle boots though or shoe boots.

I always tend to go for boots to cover my skinny ankles as much as anything; chunky calves contrasting with skinny ankles is not a good look.

I have never worn heels, they do me no favours- emphasising the contrast between ankle and calf and I associate them with 1970s mums in headscarves I'm afraid.

If you have chunky ankles i think you would need to wear a skirt that is above the knee. This would draw attention away from your calves. It would also help if you are wearing a flat shoe. The worst look would be a midi skirt for you and flat shoes. Try looking on dressipi and key in your details, shapes colour. They will help recommend styles that wills suit you. A-line might work as long as its above the knee. Its also fine with a flat shoe.

You sound v similar build to me.
I rarely wear dresses/ skirts for same reasons.
Last wedding i went to, I bought a dress from monsoon, and had it professionally altered. Obviously I'll be wearing that to the next wedding!
I have skirts from gap, white stuff that are more 'mini' type, but right length on me, boden too, as their mini length isn't exactly pelmet-like.
Fairly straight cut, tiny bit a-line . calflength skirts are awful.
Lots of dresses I have are from petite ranges or meant to be tunics (white stuff do a lot of these). The ones I have that arent are longer, mid-calf length, bit I always have to go slash neck or round neck, as scoop neck just leave my CH est exposed. White company have nice wintery ones, though too casual for. a wedding.

I'm beginning to think I have been right to stick to trousers!

Above the knee fills me with dread! I am short and a size 14, I seem to carry most of the weight on my arms and legs.

I don't want people to think I am trying to make some sort of a statement by wearing trousers, but honestly, my legs are not fit to be seen.

I love skirts and wear them most of the time. They are particularly easy in winter. Can you try on a very basic strerch jersey pencil skirt to the knee or just above? You can even roll the waistband to get it to the right length. Then wear with opaques and ankle boots and a slightly more loose fitting sweater? This is a nice mix of smart and casual.

With thick tights and the right length of skirt they will be fine. Experiment!

dressipi.com/?utm_source=AdWords&gclid=CjwKEAjw-vewBRDH1-b52Lig1hkSJACTPfVFriGHohWLwjZo-TpfxCEB-K29C0hKjcMUx6gUIf8uiRoCDczw_wcB

Sorry, read it as chunky ankles rather than skinny ankles - with skinny ankles you'll look great.

I love wearing dresses in winter as I find it so easy once I've got the style to suit me - thick tights, long boots, chuck dress on - ready to go.

But I had to try a few things first - so took the boots and the thick tights out shopping with me! phase 8 might not be your thing - but I'm a 14 and would wear something like this.

I probably rubbish at explaining it, but my ankles are relatively narrow but bulge out very dramatically in a sort of step to chunky footballer calves, then fat knees and chubby thighs.

I paint a pretty picture don't I?

Maybe some jacquard trousers?

I think I've broken dressippi - it's kinda fun rejecting all it's offerings; but I would rather it showed me something lovely I might look ok in.

my fav skirts are by Nicola Quilter: www.nicolaquilter.com/products-page/long

I wear the long length being chunky of calf.

They are very striking, not formal enough for my needs though sadly.

I'm a shortish size 16 with the chunky calf, slim ankle thing. I find jersey wrap style dresses or A line skirts are best with knee boots. If I'm wearing shoes the dress/skirt needs to fall mid calf as if they are knee length they make my legs look like upside down ten pins.
Finding boots that fit my wide feet and calves is another problem.

I can see that knee boots that fit are gonna be hard to find, not to mention that they need to be special enough for a wedding. Hmm

I think its an impossible task.

My dm has the same shape legs, but just wears heels, sheer tights and knee length skirts and doesn't care.

She is pushing 70 though- I still care. I know its vain, but I can't help it.

I've got disproportionately skinny ankles and muscly calves too OP so can relate! Am 5'5" and size 8/10 dress/trouser/skirt (though size 12/14 top as quite busty - finding clothes for my weird size is a frigging nightmare but that's a whole other thread!).

I've found the trick to skirts and dresses is a chunkier shoe, especially the sole. If i wear kitten heel shoes with a knee-length skirt I look like a man in drag. But something with more of a platform sole balances the proportions out by giving more chunk at the bottom, balancing out the chunk of calf.

Much easier in summer, with lots of platform sandals of course, but you could try something like shoe-boots with a high but chunky heel - i.e. not stiletto or kitten heel.

For the wedding I think you could wear tights with sandals/shoe boots. Daytime interview look at court shoes with built in platform (I think Clarks and makes like Unisa do lots like this). I wouldn't wear boots to an interview if it's something v professional.

I can't wear ankle boots with skirts, all it does is emphasise the calf while hiding the ankle.

Also I'd go for straight but not too tight pencil skirt.

Clarks do a platform heel called kendra v very comfy and flattering

Wedding = shoe boots?

Don't give up on the skirts... its so easy to get stuck in a rut, trying new things can be really refreshing. Can you take a friend shopping with you?

Is it a winter wedding?

I would go for an investment piece like the ted baker zelida midi skirt in black worn with thick black tights.

For the interview/work black boots or pumps if you really dislike heels with a plain blouse and cropped jacket. Statement necklace and/or scarf.

For the wedding I would add a pointed tow black shoe with a low heel - miss kg had a nice one on sale in Debenhams. Either a coloured or cream silk top and statement necklace would look lovely.

Such a versatile skirt could be worn with a fine knit jumper, t-shirt and cardi, leather biker jacket etc.

There are a lot of stretch material (fake suede look) knee high boots around at the moment which fit over chunky calves. Try Pavers for low heel or Evans do a range of wide-calf boots.

This boot has leather front and fabric back. I too have shaped like a duck's wide feet and I've had a few pairs of shoes from this brand. You may note it is described as a comfort fit.