Pencil skirts: how should they fit?

[OnlyLovers]

This may be an odd question/completely blindingly obvious to most people, but I'm making a rare foray into pencil-skirt territory (am usually more into tunic dresses and jeans) and don't have a feel for how they should fit.

I've ordered two sizes of the same skirt. The smaller one visibly 'pulls' more across the front between my hips than the bigger one; but a) I don't know if most people think that looks bad and b) other than that, I really like the fit as it's just that bit slinkier and smoother than the bigger one.

Should it 'pull' a bit? Or not at all?

Well IMO it should be slinky but they don't suit every figure. I'm quite curvy and short so never felt I could pull one off. Does it feel comfy?

Yes; I can sit down and walk up steps, but can definitely feel that I'm slightly constricted. But not in a bad way, if that makes sense! I quite like the slinky, slightly tight feel; it feels much nicer than a bigger size I tried, which sort of hung loose.

I think it's OK for my figure. I'm tall and slim but do have quite wide hips; but I don't feel that's a problem. I guess I just don't want people to look at me and think 'that skirt's too small.' But I don't mind if people think I'm poured into it a bit, like Joan from Mad Men.

To clarify, I do NOT have the assets of Joan from Mad Men

I like them very fitted but not pulling if that makes sense. Have you tried a good quality tube skirt? I like the double fabric ones as you get all the fitted-ness but they're still comfy and easy to walk in.

Well it sounds fab to me. Go for the tighter one

'Joan from Mad Men.'

^

With regards to pencil skirts, this is what you should be aiming for.

They should be extremely flattering and sexy, but not overtly so

I like pencil skirts, always with heels and pretty right, enough elastane stops obvious pulling

Smaller one sounds right to me too. Love the slinkiness of a good pencil skirt and they're what made me love my sticky out bum. (Incidentally, I'm short and curvy and think that they are by far the most flattering skirt on me.)

Would love to know where good quality tube skirts are from. I've got black and grey Baukjen ones and swear by them, but would love more in different colours. Thank you!

The best jersey tube skirts I found were from Me and Em and Whistles. Mind you, they should have been good for the price! But they still fit really well after a couple of years of serious wearing and they haven't bobbled on me. I don't think they do them any more but worth looking out for them on Ebay.

Hush do a ruched one that's a bit too short for my liking but you can wear it low on your hips.

Pure Collection do a good one too in navy - just below the knee.

And H&M do a double layer one that's pretty good value for £7.99 though I've only seen it in black and grey.

Can you tell I wear them a lot Never with heels though!

Reading your response makes me realise that I've tried more than I realised.... I have the Hush one, but agree re length, and I had a black Whistles one, but, again, quite short and also faded when washed. Me and Em would be good if they still did it and will definitely check out the Pure Collection one (don't have navy...) and H&M. Thank you!

Floisme and Filiboom, have you tried the Baukjen ruched tube skirt? I have it and really rate it, it's more higher waisted than the hush one sounds. I need to try Whistles ones still!

Sorry OP. I think pencil skirts need to be fitted/snug to the body from top to widest part of hips then obviously widen out. You should be able to sit down comfortably though. I imagine "pulling" to be a bad thing like the fabric straining, but it sounds like that's not what you mean! Anyway, if you like the fit of the smaller one better, and it's comfy, then go for that.

Blair I've looked at the Baukjen one online but haven't tried it as it seems to be single fabric. Is that right? I could definitely do with an alternative now that Me&Em have stopped doing them but I think I need a double layer these days!

Sorry for diversion, Op!

Ahh Flo you're right. It is fairly thick and there's a good amount of ruching but yes, just a single tube of fabric :(

I've got the Baukjen one (in black and grey) and love it! Great length and waist, although I do wear control knickers and/or tights with it. I think the ruching makes it way more flattering than my Hush one. Just regret not getting the navy one they did last year....

I got quite a nice tube one from M&S of all places!

Thanks for the Baukjen reports Blair and Fili I may give it a go anyway as I'd like a grey one and I'm very partial to a bit of ruching.

Plus I've now noticed they still have some high waisted pencil skirts - which I've always hankered after - in the sale. Op I can't link at the moment but they might be worth a look.

I own gazillions of them - my office staple! Fit IMO should be snug across the hips and bum but not so much that it creases when you stand up straight. Any sign of visible panty line also means they're too tight.

OTOH if it looks loose on the hips it's not actually a pencil skirt anymore.

If you get horizontal creases across your lower abdomen then it's too small I'm afraid, ditto if there's any VPL at the back. It is possible that you're simply between sizes on this skirt and need to find another brand that fits properly (or get a large one taken in).

Watching this with interest as have tried and failed to find a pencil skirt on many occasions. I do have a wiggle/pencil dress that looks good on me so not sure why the skirts never do. 5'4", size 10 but with hips. I think it might just be a difficult length for me. The dress is a bit shorter than most skirts.

FWIW I have several very well fitting ones from Vivien of Holloway. They're a tad long as they're meant to be vintage styles so I've hemmed mine.

They have a rather extreme hip curve and hence work well for my proportionally too small waist.

OK, this is a pictures scenario isn't it?

I've put a pic of each on my profile (labelled 'smaller' and 'bigger') if anyone cba to have a look and tell me what you think.

I'm leaning towards the bigger one at the mo, but I change my mind every second.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!

OK, so have just been to check my profile and the pics are in the wrong order –so it goes bigger first, smaller second.

The bigger one looks right to me -- the first one.

I prefer the second pic (smaller) - but it may just be the lighting!

The bigger one looks better.

I think the smaller one looks better - more like a pencil skirt