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?

Hung jury so far then!

Yes, sorry about the lighting. Took them about a minute apart, so I don't know why it's inconsistent.

So does the smaller one look too small? That's all I'm worried about really.

I think the second one looks better tbh. It gives a nice outline. The other one is a bit meh.

I think the second (smaller). Except I'm wondering about the length now....
I don't know about anyone else but on me, a pencil skirt needs to end just below the knee. Anything shorter makes my thighs look massive. It's hard to tell the length of the smaller one because of the way you're standing.

Sorry if I'm over complicating it

Thanks Flo. There's actually very little difference length-wise, although I agree, being just above the knee they are perhaps a tiny bit short for a classic pencil.

But I'm tall and if I go for a bigger size, the length is more 'classic' but the skirt itself is sacklike. And I actually quite like the length, even if it's not 'orthodox'.

So is it OK that the smaller one 'pulls' slightly across the front?

Well I'm wearing a pencil skirt today and guess what - mine pulls a bit across the front too. So I vote for it being ok! Let's call it 'creasing' rahter than 'pulling'

where is it from? I love it

Is that the Boden metallic (great bargain), I think the bottom pic. I have it too!

I'm tall too (5'9'') and fond of a pencil skirt, and I think both of these are too short. Size probably fine with either, but it isn't going to hang properly until it's on or really a tiny bit below the knee. I don't like all the styles but rate Zara for longish pencil skirts with a small waist relative to hips (at eg Whistles a skirt that fitted me in the hips/ thighs would be gaping in waist). LK Bennett also good though a bit dearer.

Boden terrible for baggy pencil skirts. They're straight skirts. Not tight enough

Banana Republic, in the sale.

I see what you mean about the length, but I just can't get a good all-round fit. The ones I'm wearing are the petites 6 and 8 (UK sizes); the regular starts at a size UK 8 and, although the length is better at a bit below the knee, it looks like a sack on me.

I really want to keep it (the smaller one probably) even though it's not 'classic' pencil skirt length. I just love the fabric.

Thanks for all your advice anyway.

I can only see an advert for skirts but would guess if you are a 6/8 it will look fine a bit tight!

Asda sometimes have good tube skirts. Mine was £6

OK, here's the small one.

oh ok this is mine, currently £20.70

So is yours the jacquard metallic or sequins? Mine is coated denim, I didn't realise silvery pencil skirts were so in vogue, in the sales at least.

Small one.

The bigger one looks better.

I would get the bigger one and take it in slightly at the lower end.

The smaller one pulls too much across your hips, and the ruckles will form creases across your skirt.

I liked the smaller one!

The jacquard.

I think I'll go for the small one. Thanks all for your comments.

I've been wondering, if I hadn't used the word 'pencil' and just showed a pice of the small one and said 'How do you think this skirt looks?', would I have avoided the debate on how long and what shape it should be and would people just have said 'Yeah, looks nice.'?