Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

The Pencil Skirt

epr25

Practically Family
Messages
622
Location
fort wayne indiana
I am looking for a good thick heavy material well made high waisted pencil skirt. I am a larger curvy girl that might make this a little more complicated. I was hoping if there were any other ladies out there that had been pleased with a skirt they had purchased they could share the brand and buying info.
 

scarlett

One of the Regulars
Messages
296
Location
Los Angeles

Rockapin-up

A-List Customer
Messages
478
Location
Los Angeles, CA
I got a couple from Torid in the past, and there is a websight called Mode Merr that has their own pencil skirt. I haven't had the pleasure of trying it yet, but they go plus size as well.
 

virgi

New in Town
Messages
43
Location
so cal
I'm very tall and have very wide hips and a big can. It is VERY difficult for me to find skirts. So far, I have been happy with mondi brand skirt, and jones new york platinum collection skirt (not regular jones new york, there isn't enough room in the hips and thighs.)I like mondi the best, but I found it in a thrift store, I think mondi is made by escada here in the states.
 
Last edited:

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
Mode Merr is great, I forgot about that one. She also offers natural or high waist options. I'm not sure if they have any stretch to them, the one I have does not.
http://www.modemerr.com

The Mode Merr skirt I have doesn't stretch either, but its extremely well made (it has to be, for that price!) I only have 35" hips, but I found the skirt fit looser than I expected.
 

Miss sofia

One Too Many
Messages
1,675
Location
East sussex, England
I agree, i splurged on the Mode merr skirt and i'm chuffed with it although as C-dot said it was a generous fit.

I did have a Vivien of Holloway black cotton pencil skirt, but the quality wasn't great, the cotton was very thin and creased horribly within minutes of me wearing it. The fit wasn't great either. I sold it pronto rather than waste money having it altered and went for the Mode Merr . The VOH black satin evening pencil skirt is great for the price though.
 

Drappa

One Too Many
Messages
1,141
Location
Hampshire, UK
My favourite pencil skirt was a charity shop find and it's from H&M. I bought it used and have had it two years and it's still going strong.
 

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
Ladies, forgive me for saying so, but this thread is useless without pics!! :D

I'll bite to show fit.

This is my Mode Merr skirt, which is the same as this one, only with different detail. I love it, but it does not fit like it does on the model. Hers might be a size too small. As said above, there is no give at all.

PencilSkirt002.jpg


Next, the pinafore pencil skirt from Vivien of Holloway. It fits well down the leg and backside and the quality is great, but I had to alter the waist because it was much too snug. If you order from Vivien, make sure you order the next waist size up (example: if you have a 24" waist, order the 26"). I did this on my next order, and the waist fits perfectly.

PencilSkirt001.jpg


And finally, the Perfect Pencil Skirt by way of pinupgirlclothing.com. This one is my favourite fit - quite snug all the way down, high waisted, lots of stretch - but the quality is awful. The back seam ripped all the way up when I got out of my car, and the darts needed re-enforcing pretty badly. Since I fixed it, it's now a great skirt, but not for $64.00. Don't waste your money.

PencilSkirt003.jpg
 
Last edited:

zombi

A-List Customer
Messages
491
Location
Thoracic Park
My favourite black pencil skirt has come from Banana Republic. I've had a high-waisted from there I love and a wool uh, regular one, I guess, that was my favourite every-day skirt. They do require dry cleaning though, and Mr Zombi ruined my everyday one by washing it.
 

LinaSofia

A-List Customer
Messages
475
Location
Brighton, UK
C-Dot - your mode merr skirt is awesome! I love it. I like the fit too, even if it's a little loose. I'm so jealous of your slim hips, I just can't wear pencil skirts at all! A straight cut or a very slight a-line is the nearest I can go!
 

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
C-Dot - your mode merr skirt is awesome! I love it. I like the fit too, even if it's a little loose. I'm so jealous of your slim hips, I just can't wear pencil skirts at all! A straight cut or a very slight a-line is the nearest I can go!

Thanks Lina! :D I'd like my hips to be a bit wider to even out my bum, but it all works out. I think curvy girls look fantastic in pencil skirts, and I bet you do too!
 

Louise Anne

Suspended
Messages
525
Location
Yorkshire ,UK
Oh you are a dreadful lot :- I love the Pencil skirt look always have done! But I have the right bumps but in the wrong places or the wrong bump in the right place canot work that out , any how pinupgirlclothing, Mode Merr etc do not do one in the right propotion for me .. cry..
Last week I came across this one in M&S and I am very tempted, it's not what you say as vintage looking as it could be the personal shopper and I decided it could work for a slight odd shaped person like me with giving the right effect.
http://www.marksandspencer.com Ribbed-Stripe-Jersey-Pencil-Skirt

What's putting me off is the length it says 27" is that too short for a pencil skirt ?
should a pencil skirt be at the waist or go above it?
 

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
What's putting me off is the length it says 27" is that too short for a pencil skirt ?
should a pencil skirt be at the waist or go above it?

Firstly: It depends on how tall you are. That measurement, as I'm sure you know, is from the waist downward, so try it out and see. On me, 27" would hit perfectly below the knee, but I'm 5'4". In larger sizes, that measurement may extend.

Secondly: It depends entirely on the style. Skirts that are described as "high waisted" will rise right up to your waist, which is underneath your ribcage. Any other ones will sit between there and your hip, and modern retailers may make them lower.

For reference, this is a great blog post on how to take measurements, and will help you understand where exactly your hips and waist sit, and how many inches you will need for inseams and skirts and so forth.

Hope that helps! :)
 

deadpandiva

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,174
Location
Minneapolis
I like that skirt alot Paul.
If I want a pencil skirt I have to make it or have it made. I was never able to buy off the rack even when I was wearing sizes 6 and 8.
 

Viola

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,469
Location
NSW, AUS
C-dot is right about height. It was my personal bane because I swear "below the knee" off the rack generally means "well down the shins" and that is not good at all. 27" would make me sweat a bit - I have a rather absurd 28" inseam, though. For those who are not Hobbits, you have a lot more leeway.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,460
Messages
3,037,496
Members
52,853
Latest member
Grateful Fred
Top