How to wear a skirt

[raindropsandsunshine]

I never wear skirts, I just can't get on with them so now I just don't try. The problem is, I see so many I like!

I am short and curvy - a size 10/12 with a tummy and generous hips. I also have very generous bust, which means that when I try to tuck anything in to a skirt I look too 'busty'.

How could I wear a skirt? How can I wear one without tucking in a top? Maxi's look gorgeous this tome of year but it seems the only thing to wear with one is a very fitted t.shirt or cami top. I don't like how that looks on my body shape at the moment.

Let me know your secret! I am not naturally stylish and find things like this hard!

Why do you feel like you have to tuck things in? I agree it often looks more polished but you don’t have to. I think you’re right in trying to pair loose with fitting, so loose maxi = fitting top, tight skirt = loose top. In other words, why not try a more fitted skirt with an oversize top? Disclaimer - I don’t get along with them at all haha, I feel top-heavy.

Could you try a loose fitting maxi with a stretchy wrap top (with a deep v cross over front)?

I think the key thing if you're busty (like me) is having a properly fitted top and not a t-shirt that's even slightly loose fitting to tuck in. And then make sure the skirt is fitted around the waist and not around your hips.

I'm loving Kemi Telford (on instagram)'s maxi skirts at the moment. Great prints and fit around the waist with stretchy elastic.

I feel your pain, although I'm tall I don't own any skirts as I never know how to put a top with them so I gave up! Dresses are the answer.

I have 2 looseish fitting below the knee linen skirts I wear constantly in the heat - just with a tshirt or vest. They are so cool and easy to wear. (They we're both formerly linen dresses my boobs got too big for).

I don't usually tuck things into them but it is a more hot weather casual look.

I don't own any skirts as I have no idea what style to wear either. I would like a couple of maxi skirts for this heat but yes, it's how to wear tops with them that stumps me.

I can say that in Sweden people wear maxi skirts with loose tops quite happily. They might “french tuck” them. :)

I live in maxi skirts but they do need a fitted top with them. How about stretchy pencil skirts that end midi or at knee, with more flowing tops or a nice shirt tucked in?

I'm the same kind of figure as you OP and short too! I favour A-Line skirts - just above or just below the knee. You don't need to tuck a top in, just wear a fitted vest top or fitted tshirt / top with it.

If you're busty with good hips an A-Line will accentuate it without being OTT.

Ah just read you don't like the look of fitted tops! That said if you wear with an A-Line the out of the "A" shape will offset the look of the tightness of the top. So it balances the outfit. Wear with a loose cardigan, if you're not keen on showing off too much on top.

I have a very similar figure to yours, OP. I have accepted that there are a lot of skirts I just cannot wear due to the wide hips and large bust issue. I find that the trick is to buy skirts with a wide fitted band at the waist (ideally tailored, not elasticated) in a size loose enough to sit on the hips (or just above) rather than on the natural waist itself. This elongates the body and maximises the distance between bust and waistline, avoiding the Hattie Jacques shelf effect. It's important to find skirts that aren't just any old A-line ones but that are very loose and floaty over the hips and tummy - most denim skirts, for example, are a disaster because the fabric is so stiff and heavy and the cuts are usually designed for women without that hourglass waist-to-hip ratio, even if they call themselves A-line. And finally, if you wear a body-skimming shirt or blouse (neither baggy nor skin-tight) in a similar colour to the main colour of the skirt then again you minimise that visual cut-off point across your middle and distract attention away from the bust. The buttons on the shirt are good for opening up the neckline.

Sounds more complicated than it is. For example, I might wear a navy or green blouse/short-sleeved summer shirt together with a navy printed skirt something like this, in size that is loose enough to sit gently on the hips rather than high up on the waist. (Fat Face is often good for this shape of skirt, though I couldn't find anything in their current season that looked very promising.)

What @TheHonGalahadThreepwood said!

Or try tulip shaped skirts

I actually prefer baggy tops with maxi skirts. I have a lovely patterned maxi I got from Sainsbury's last year that I wear with a navy kimono top from COS. Of course the top is perfectly cut in the way seemingly simple things from COS often are. But I'm short hourglass and think I look OK like that. Today I'm the opposite of course and am wearing a shirt dress with very fitted top but full midi skirt with a bright belt emphasising my waist.