I will preface this post by saying I have since taken up this skirt by an inch. I like it better now that it is right at my knees. I don’t have any photos of it yet though.
#lazyblogger
I bought this at an estate sale last year for $8. It is made in Bologna Italy and simply gorgeous. The way it is constructed is so unique. The closure is at the side pocket with buttons. I wasn’t too sure about the colour when I bought it, but now I love it.
I bought this Theory jacket at the same estate sale.
Here is one of the ways I’ve worn it …right after I bought it.
Wearing a full skirt like this isn’t always easy when you are petite. I’m wearing 2″ heels to compensate for my lack of legs.
Also taking up the hem by an inch has helped. I now have an added inch of leg that you can see since these shots were taken.
Keeping the sihlouette form fitting on the top balances out the fullness of the lower body with the skirt.
A little visual trickery with the jacket is helping me elongate my legs here. Can you guess what it is?
Notice that seam on the jacket right above the lower pockets? That is creating a visual waist about two inches above my real waist making my legs look longer. Tricky!
There is something very “old school” that I love about this type of skirt.
This is right up there with my top estate sale finds.
Tips – how to wear a full skirt when you are petite
1. Make sure the hem falls right above, at, or just below your knees.
2. Pair it with heels. Even a 1″ heel is better than a flat when you are petite. Wedges are comfy and add extra valuable inches to the vertically challenged.
3. Balance the fullness of the skirt with a fitted top, or jacket.
4. You can also add a belt to emphasize your waist creating more of an hourglass shape.
5. High waisted skirts will make your legs look longer.
Do you know of any additional tips I should be adding?
That’s the *most* charming skirt. Great tips too. Again, I must warn you to lock all your doors when I get to Canada. xox
Good advice on all of it. I personally sometimes fall into the habit of wearing mid-calf hemlines, but…. my legs looks short, so!
I like the flower print. Was that tricky to manage when you were changing the hem?
I was lucky because there was exactly a 1″ space without any embroidery on it so I was able to take up the skirt without messing up the pattern.
I am a fan of full skirts like this, they just make me feel so feminine. I never really paid attention to how much shorter they can make me feel. Great tips and all great finds at an estate sale!
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up
I Love that skirt! great find. I think your advice for petite women works for tall women, too. I have always wondered why full skirts like that don’t work for me, either. Now I know. Thanks!
You look great in this! What a lovely skirt and the jacket you’ve paired it with goes so well. I’m curious as to the shirt underneath; love the bowtie peeping out. I’m trying to picture it an inch shorter and I can see it—still lovely and I suspect the border is even more evident.
This is a case of me wearing a jacket as a top. I have no issues doing this as I’ve worn my jean jacket as a top before as well. I’m just wearing a bra, but if I was concerned about a wardrobe malfunction I’d wear a cami under it.
That is one gorgeous skirt and the color is part of what makes it special. Most of my midis have been hemmed, although I have to pay to have it done because I have no skill in that area. One additional thing that can visually add some height is wearing longer necklaces. I don’t often do that though because if the necklace is too long my girls make it lay funny. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
You are right about the longer necklaces! I also have the issue of “pooling” between the boobs or just weird errant necklaces due to my chest. I find that wearing my heavier weighted drop necklaces help or very light ones seem to work best.
I think you mentioned all the great tips for this. You look absolutely lovely—I’m sure the hemmed version is good too, but I wouldn’t look at this picture and think it’s too long! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…You could have pulled the skirt up to cover your girls and worn it as a mini dress….ha ha!!!
Methinks no. Ha ha!
What a gorgeous skirt! Such a great find. I don’t often wear full skirts of this length because I am so short. These are great tips. And seeing you look so great makes me want to try!
Great tip on the jacket silhouette! Thanks! I’m forever trying to find my ‘perfect’ skirt length. I hope you do a before and after with your skirt…You do look fab here by the way.
That skirt is so pretty, I love the embroidered detail and that wonderfully rich colour. Side fastening clothes sit so well, why aren’t more made that way?
Clever tip with the slightly higher waist detail on the jacket.xxx
Great tips that definitely apply to me! I was just looking through some recent outfit photos and had a case of “Trust the Photos, Not the Mirror.” I didn’t think the length looked frumpy in the mirror, but the photos gave me away. I’ll restyle the dress again soon taking these tips into consideration. I got lazy and wore flats – should’ve worn heels. And I wore a jacket open over the top when I could have buttoned it at the waist for a more fitted top like you suggested.
Great estate sale score! Kyle’s been wanting to go to estate sales lately to look at furniture. Perhaps I should humor him. He’ll quickly regret that decision if there are clothes or accessories. I’m a sucker for a vintage handbag or clutch!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
There are so many weird and wacky things you find at estate sales. Once you start going I guaranteed you’ll be hooked.
Couldnt have said it better myself! Although I’d add that it’s best to wear shoes without straps – I.e. court shoes – as this helps visually elongate your legs further.
I actually had to look up “court shoes” since normally those would be basketball or tennis shoes here. LOL
I agree, wearing shoes with a strap is a no-no if you want to look taller. Sadly I need to wear shoes that have a strap otherwise I walk out of them due to narrow heels.
That must have been one great estate sale to score such great pieces! I do love the skirt and I liked the original length too but I am excited to see what a difference an inch made. Your tips are fantastic and ones to follow although I do love a long full skirt every now and then myself. I completely agree with adding a belt or emphasizing the waist. That jacket you are wearing does a great job of that!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
Thanks Rebecca : )
I am seriously LOVING that jacket you’ve paired with that skirt. VERY Ralph Lauren looking. You can tell it’s well made even from here.
Just the seams on the jacket sold me on it before I even put it on. Normally I’d never buy this colour, but I like it when I can brighten it up with a scarf.
great tip! thanks for sharing suzanne 🙂
Nice skirt. Your analysis belongs in the Advanced Class on fashion.
Great advice and the length is perfect on you with the extra inch of leg. I adore this look with the detail in the jacket (that is a superb find). I’m a sucker for a good jacket. And the pop of colour of the shoes brings out the softer colour in the skirt.
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk
Lovely pieces, silhouette and tips as usual.
Of course I would break all of them because I’m lazy that way!
Can’t do tight waists due to IBS and have no waist to feature.
I’m 5’91/2″ so not really petite. And my feet and hip don’t like heels!
But YOU look great. Not sure the length was such an issue from here, but you need to feel right 🙂 xo Jazzy Jack
I love the unique pattern! And the color isn’t one that would normally catch my eye, but it works great in this outfit. I sometimes feel like full skirts can be fairly overwhelming for my frame–I definitely use the technique of wearing a fitted top when I wear them!
Yup, you got this right, indeed…perfect! Love that skirt, the quality of it can be seen over the cybersphere !
I can see how you would hesitate with the color, i would have, too. but that burgundy scarf is too perfect!
Love the fitted jacket, it does just what you state.
This outfit is brilliant, I love when you find something beautiful, but maybe not quite perfect for you, and then make it more perfect than you could have imagined!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
I love a full skirt, and don’t wear them enough. This is so pretty on you, and as usual, you don’t look short :)!
Both jacket and skirt are really lovely finds, and the warm russet shade of the skirt is a great colour on you. The issues I have with full skirts isn’t length, it’s all the bulk at the hips. I love the look on other women, but not so much on me. xxx
I think you nailed this look! I really like the tailored/fitted top with the full skirt. Us short girls have to watch out for balance and proportion!
You look beautiful.
You always have some great tricks up your sleeve! I’m petite too, and I’ve started thinking more about proportions and lines after reading your blog. Thanks for sharing!
This is head to toe perfect. <3 My favorite pieces are the scarf and skirt. Beautiful!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
I am in love with this outfit, it is all just utter perfection! the illusion of the higher waist on your jacket is brilliant, I didn’t know about that – you are right about skirt length, I have a black circle skirt which is way too long and just looks wrong on me, full skirts make me very happy though and I think they balance out my body, I do like volume! x x x
I love wearing skirts like that in the summer but haven’t had any luck finding any new ones this year. I like wearing full circle skirts because they give me the illusion of having hips! The colours are perfect for you, and I would imagine that shortening it a wee bit makes it perfect on you.
Being rather tall I cannot offer you any advice. But I think you have figured it out quite well yourself. Indeed this skirt and this jacket are beautiful and make you look vert good. I love Theory. Such a good brand.
Greetje
Beautiful skirt and great styling. I can imagine that it looks even better now that you shortened it a bit.