Why can't I wear a pleated skirt?

[thisisallnewtome8]

Just that really. I love the current trend of wearing a pleated midi skirt with trainers. Why do I end up looking like a pot bellied frumpy mess? I have tried three different skirts and each one had looked horrendous. Anyone have any links to flattering pleated skirts or should I give up?

i have mostly given up for similar reasons, though I love the look -

However, if you want to persevere you need one with no bulk at all around the waist (ie not gathered waistband) and one with probably as little fabric as possible/not too full - Meaning that if you are between sizes, size down.

This one I ended up returning but it was a lot more flattering than most:

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-pleated-midi-skirt/prd/13255380?clr=black&colourWayId=16534990&SearchQuery=&cid=15182

I think M&S does a decent jersey one as well.

Good luck

Well I don't know if you're like me, but the reason I can't wear them is that I have saddlebags. The widest point on my lower body is on my thighs, a few inches below my bum, so any loose skirt skims over my shape and then hangs from the saddlebag point, making me look much wider than I am. Pleats only worsen the effect as they add even more bulk. I once bought one in a faux leather fabric (so not even drapey) and it was horrendous

Well I realised this years ago as a teen. My dear Sis looks fab in them!!!

However, you can still get the look by wearing a midi dress (I live in them now) with trainers. They are much more flattering on those of us with the pot bellied tum!!! Zara are full of them - don't get one with a belt and you are good to go.

If it's the tummy area have a look at Me&Em - they have some lovely pleated jersey skirts usually but the waist area is actually flat. I have a couple and they wash well and keep the pleats!

The Zara faux leather one was one of the skirts returned. It honestly looked like a bin bag. Also a new look leopard print one. How about a non pleated midi skirt. Would that work? I think I will try a midi dress

There are some fashion trends which (IMHO) tend to look fantastic only on a very slim, well proportioned and straight up and downish figure.

With some looks it's obvious. At other times it's only when you get in the fitting room having a go at it that it becomes apparent (and can be quite a disappointment).

They don’t go too well with waists - the pleated volume sitting on thighs/ saddlebags doesn’t do anyone any favours. You can try a longline top which finishes mid thigh to make a more column effect/ skim over the waist but not if you carry much bulk around the waist.

Pleated skirts as part of a dress can work better if the waistline is high enough though.

I’m the same. All wrong proportions for midi length. Short legs and a long body. I look like a frumpy fright even though I actually have quite a nice figure.

I had a pleated midi leopard print skirt shortened to just above knee length and it looks fab. I wear it all the time now.

I remember reading an interview with Kate Moss years ago and she said the key to looking good is knowing your lengths (she said she couldn’t do midi either).

They are very unforgiving in general.

I'm not sure why they don't suit me. I'm 5'7 and size 10. I don't have
Inch of a waist and therefore pleats I think add more bulk around the problem area. I have just ordered this to see if maybe a wrap skirt suits me better

*much of a waist.

If you're an apple body shape without a defined waist and have any sort of tummy or arse then they're not gonna look right. They're really best for ectomorph types I find.

It's the same with boobs and high necks or the wrong sort of blouse.

I see women in a great pair of trousers with a lovely silk shirt hanging off them; half unbuttoned, looking casually sexy and chic ...

I try the look (with my ample bust) and i look somewhere between the victim of a sex attack and a lusty medieval serving wench. Neither of which being what i'm aiming at i should add

They will highlight the tummy and hip area so it’s probably easier if you have narrow hips

I agree with pp about a shorter length full skirt looking better and killing the dowdy look.

I am a small size 8 and pleated skirts look awful on me and add bulk to my stomach. I think you need to have a long body.

You need to look for the ones that the pleasets start further down from the waist, so they have a flat part at top and then spring out to the pleats. Also if you find one you love but doens't look right pay for a tailor to flatten the pleats at the top. if this doesn't work go with what Blair says some fab dresses out there, throw a jumper over them and looks like a skirt

Where's that one in the pic from OP?

Woman in work with lovely slim figure was wearing one yesterday. Made her look like a dumpy frump. They only suit a few.

It's from ASOS.

I am 5”8 size 10 and this look is terrible on me. The skirt length somehow makes my slim legs look dumpy and the rest of me much bigger than I am.

I have found my people. Let the quest for a perfect skirt begin!!

I've just ordered this one and find it very flattering despite having had a baby 4 weeks ago so weird tummy situation going on!

www.asos.com/prd/13160342?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

You do have to be slim I think to pull it off and I completely agree about no pleats over the waist.

I managed to find a skirt I loved from the charity shop, originally from Tesco. I wear it with a black top tucked in and high heeled knee high boots.

I'm not sure, but I think they might look better on slim, straight figures. Someone at work wears them. Beanpole figure. I'm a size 12 with some curves and I think I look fine in trousers etc, but those pleated skirts add a stone to my look.