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Original poster

A- line skirts. Why?

57 replies

OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 10:04

I thought they were dead and buried in the 70s. For a good reason. Because IME they make anyone with a figure more curvy than a lolly stick look as if they have the backside of a hippo. There is a woman at work who has taken to wearing them recently and it really really isn't good. Especially when they finish at the knee. I went looking for some work skirts again at the weekend and everywhere I looked where flocks of short A-line skirts. Surely I'm not the only person who finds it disturbing?

OP posts:
ladette · 03/03/2008 10:47

Ormirian, not all A-line skirts are the same of course, there are well cut ones and not so well cut ones. The material (quality/colour/pattern) makes a difference too. Also they need to fit properly, like anything else, and as someone else said it depends what you wear them with. They are a wardrobe-saver for me at the moment. They might not be the right style for you at the end of the day, but I'd say don't write them off until you're sure it's the style itself rather that the particular ones you've tried on?

hanaflower · 03/03/2008 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

snowleopard · 03/03/2008 10:51

Yes I think they work better with a stiffer fabric like heavy cord, denim or canvas.

ladette · 03/03/2008 10:52

and definitely with knee-length boots for me, I think it really changes the way they look

nailpolish · 03/03/2008 10:53

i disagree

i like them in floaty light fabric and court shoes - thinking summery

(amnot really a boot girl tho)

Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 10:54

I can see that boots would improve things.

Stiff fabrics better snowleopard? I can't quite get past the triangle-sitting-on-top-of-a-pair-of-legs image.

OP posts:
bundle · 03/03/2008 10:54

a-lines are the only way for us pears

Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 10:59

Naaagggghhhh! I am clearly in a minority...

OK tell me what to do!!!! Please. Bearing in mind that there doesn't seem to be anything to wear apart from A-lines anyway this year.

I'm 5'11". Wide shoulders and chest but not very big norks - size 14 top half. 12 bottom half. Long legs - I need 36" jeans. I currently wear straight longer skirts to work (and jeans the rest of the time).

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 11:00

I only managed to realise that wearing big baggy clothes is not the way to go to disguise largeness. So most of my tops are also quite 'tailored' rather than floaty and soft.

OP posts:
Mercy · 03/03/2008 11:01

Blimey Orm, your legs are almost 10 inches longer than mine

snowleopard · 03/03/2008 11:02

I like that triangle-on-legs look though. It balances out my shape and emphasises slim-ish calves while hiding thunderous thighs. Also you can walk and run around, unlike with a pencil skirt.

I think you should go to white stuff and try some on.

nailpolish · 03/03/2008 11:02

orm there are lots of pencil skirts too in the shops

ladette · 03/03/2008 11:03

(nailpolish, agree with courtshoes for floatly light fabric. Mine are currently winter ones so heavier material and do think they look better with boots, as the boots also hide my fat calves!)

snowleopard · 03/03/2008 11:04

ta daa

It's all spring/summer styles now but naily is right - they can work in a floaty way too - it's all about getting the cut and size right for you.

nailpolish · 03/03/2008 11:04

is it just me who thinks boots make my legs look even FATTER? (or is it just my legs?)

SheherazadetheGoat · 03/03/2008 11:06

i think boots with a-line skirts is frumperama. boots with shorter more fitted skirts is acceptable.

snowleopard · 03/03/2008 11:06

I've got the High Days one for spring which is a longer/floatier take on the concept. Nice with fitted little tops and when it's warmer I shall be wearing with birkenstocks.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 11:08

Thanks snowleopard. Those are very pretty. But they make me hyperventilate with sheer panic I need to try some one in rl I think. If I can convince myself they are OK, there is a dress in the Joules catalogue that I liked but dismissed because of the shape (and because the model was teeny weeny).

OP posts:
snowleopard · 03/03/2008 11:10

Do you like the longer one then? Also it's darker so not a big statement.

ladette · 03/03/2008 11:11

oh no, so my entire work wardrobe is frumperama. What on earth do I do now?!

Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 11:12

Yes. I think so snowleopard. I have a feeling it would fall better and be more flattering for me. Thankyou

OP posts:
Oblomov · 03/03/2008 11:12

Trinny ans suz recommend a-lines for pears.
Maybe she thinks she's a pear and she's not. But then sometimes I'm just not sure about t&s's advice myself.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 03/03/2008 11:14

Well according to T&S I'm a lollipop or a tree or something odd of that sort. And apparently I suit a princess-line top which I mainfestly donot!

OP posts:
nailpolish · 03/03/2008 11:14

i like monsoon very much for skirts

esp long summery ones

god i cant wait til the summer and skirts with bare legs and flippy flop sandals

snowleopard · 03/03/2008 11:56

Oh I know - and wearing just a vest or floaty top to go out!!!

Every winter I actually can't believe it could ever be that warm and I must have dreamed it. That I took DS to nursery or the shops wearing nothing but a skirt, vest and sandals. Just seems so impossible.