The pencil skirt first designed by Christian Dior in the late 1940′s has made a huge comeback- which is partly thanks to Victoria Beckham’s so successful label that features mostly a pencil skirt in her dresses. The classic straight or tulip curve hugging skirt can be worn in many different hem and waist lengths to achieve a variety of looks. The ideal fit should hug the curves of the body yet still have some give.
In contrary to many rumours the pencil skirt is not versatile for many body shapes no matter how you accessorise it. You can change the tone by wearing a T-shirt versa a blouse, but it won’t change the rules about who can and who shouldn’t wear it.
Best practise for how to wear a pencil skirts
It is not in its nature to provide a style fix, but instead to highlight your curves and put them in plain view. Since it is following your body shape it will either complement your curves or do the exact opposite. Furthermore is only a choice for women with great shaped legs. It is a must for this fashion style. The rule of thumb is the narrower the skirt and the more style details it has the slimmer the leg shape must be in order to be put on display. The hemline of a pencil skirt can vary, but keep in mind the longer it is the longer the leg line must be in order to keep the theme and shape of the pencil skirt. Also not a style that will work well on plus sizes.
Neat hourglass
Neat hourglass body shapes will look perfect in this garment since it will show off their balanced body, no matter if the garments comes with style details such as pleats or pockets or embellishments or in different patterns. A higher waist line or waistband will look great to underline their waist and show off their balanced body.
Full hourglass
It is fabulous choice for the full hourglass body shape. But since it has already curves they don’t need any additional attention such as details or volume in their pencil skirt. A plain skirt works best that is mid or high waisted to give them best fit and shape combined with a back vent so it gives them room and looks visually less cramped.
Apple
A clear no here. It will figure hug in a very unflattering way the tummy area.No matter how plain the skirt or how low or high the waistline is. It doesn’t do anything for them even if they have a great pair of legs to show. This is not a style for them.
Inverted Triangle
It can work, but it needs some tweaking. Since they have a broader upper and a slimmer hips they need to add volume and attention to their lower part, so that the pencil skirt can visually show off curves rather figure hugging their slimmer part and make them look unbalanced. A plain style is never going to work. The more style details such as pleats, panels and/ or embellishments the better. Colour or vertical colour blocks work wonder. Also choose a straighter hemline over a tulip style, because one will visually broaden the lower part while the other will narrow it.
Pear
A big no no! A pear carries their volume on the lower part and a pencil skirt will do them no favour except highlighting their fullest part and make them look unbalanced versa their top half. A pencil skirt doesn’t belong into a wardrobe of a pear shape woman. Full stop.
Rectangle
Not ideal but it can work. The Rectangle body shape does n’t have a waist, so when choosing a pencil skirt go for a low rise waist and avoid any details in the waist line area such as a waistband or colourblock. It will make you look boxy and show off your straightness in your waist. Also, try to choose styles that have panels, pleats in the hip area so it creates the needed roundness. Choose floral or animal print patterns over checks or dead straight plain styles.
Lean Column
A lean column is more or less the slimmer shape of a rectangle. A similar rules applies here. While a rectangle needs curves a lean column needs as well fullness. So any styles that hits these criteria will work. The more attention in details and pattern the better. But also stay clear of styles that has too strong waist definition – unless it add volume to it and not showing its slim straightness.
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Michaela
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