Spring seems to have sailed right by in these parts and gone right to summer; yesterday the temperature hit 80! Luckily the pool man had fixed the pool heater and Barry was able to take the first dip of the season! I skipped it today, and likely won't be in for a few days yet - am waiting for my new bathing suit to arrive from Lands End. This very warm weather won't last around here - it will likely be back to 68 or 70 F during the next couple of days and not hit these kinds of temperatures again until June, but we will take it while it lasts. We also ate a lovely chicken salad and homemade biscuits outside in our little patio, so that was a treat too!
Well the first of the J Crew boxes arrived today and have begat my question of the day.
If you recall, I ordered the daisy lace skirt, which can be seen here:
Since it was coming anyway, I decided to throw in a pair of little white and gold sandals I have been lusting after, the cyrille studded t-strap in alabaster:
Shall we start with what I know for sure?
Okay - the sandals are a no-go. But they are just as lovely in real life as they are in the picture above.
And on my unpainted tootsies:
They are very nice, but the strap across the top is very tight and uncomfortable - back they go. Maybe my feet are getting wider and fatter?
The skirt, i am unsure of.
Immediately out of the bag, it is pretty. The cotton is the same kind of waffled cotton as j crew used on last year's porcelain paisley skirt.
The detail of the daisy hem, which is backed by organza:
Well the first of the J Crew boxes arrived today and have begat my question of the day.
If you recall, I ordered the daisy lace skirt, which can be seen here:
Since it was coming anyway, I decided to throw in a pair of little white and gold sandals I have been lusting after, the cyrille studded t-strap in alabaster:
Shall we start with what I know for sure?
Okay - the sandals are a no-go. But they are just as lovely in real life as they are in the picture above.
And on my unpainted tootsies:
They are very nice, but the strap across the top is very tight and uncomfortable - back they go. Maybe my feet are getting wider and fatter?
The skirt, i am unsure of.
Immediately out of the bag, it is pretty. The cotton is the same kind of waffled cotton as j crew used on last year's porcelain paisley skirt.
The detail of the daisy hem, which is backed by organza:
The inside of the waistband is white grosgrain and the lining is 95% cotton, 5% spandex:
It fits well, because I ordered up a size so that i could pull it down to my belly button as it is only 17 inches long!
Here it is paired with an old J Crew smock and kelly green jackie cardigan. But here is the question: even with yanking it down, is it too short for me?
What do you think? I am also worried about a white, dry-clean only skirt: is it a fool's game? I do like this a lot and it is lovely and it clocks in at a quite reasonable $88 CDN, but would love your thoughts!
Today i started off in a green mood:
By mid-afternoon, I was in short shorts! I would NEVER wear 3" shorts outside of my backyard, despite having thin legs - it feels a bit indecent to me now, but I could be getting more conservative in my middle age!
The shorts, and the white skirt, got me thinking about hemlines. I know that the white skirt, pulled down as I have it in the pictures above, is not a micro mini or anything, but I am mindful of propriety and am counting on you all to keep me on the straight and narrow (with a twist mind you, always a twist!!!)
So all opinions most welcome. How about you? are you adjusting your hemlines these days? Stay safe out there!
The skirt is adorable and I don't think it's too short on you, as far as I can see behind the plants. :D
ReplyDeleteRose - that plant is getting to be my signature piece, isn't it? It hides a multitude of sins, including pasty white skin!!! Thanks for your thoughts!
DeleteHi Wendy, any chance the plant could be shifted? It can be difficult to see your cute outfits with the plant in the foreground. Love the green outfit, by the way!
DeleteYes, I am lowering my hemlines these days. I'm 41 and 5'2, and although the stems are still looking nice, there's just something not right about a mini on me at this age. I have this skirt in the red, and also sized up. I think we're both FINE to wear it, although I won't be wearing it to work or anywhere near work! This skirt doesn't apply, but J Crew adds about 1.5 inches to the hem or their mini's if you take it out, so I do that and have the seamstress hem it up as little as possible to gain some length. I just did that on the scatter dot J Crew mini, the wool herringbone mini from winter, etc. It works great. Love your blog and your wisdom and fashion!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good information, ELizabeth! It is a fine line, isn't it, as to what we do or don't feel uncomfortable in? The frustrating thing with J Crew is that they make these lovely patterns in mini only! i looked at the site this a.m. (have been stalking a certain item that I believe will eventually pop back!) and there were no new nice patterned pencil or aline skirts. really too bad!
DeleteHi Wendy, I'm a similar height to you and Elizabeth above and am 45 going on 21. I would certainly wear a skirt that short and I think you should too! I won't wear skirts any shorter than about 4cm above knee, apart from with opaques in winter, but I think it looks lovely (from what I can see!).
ReplyDeleteI think there's a definite elegance in a longer hem length over a certain age, but that shouldn't preclude lovely summer skirts!
thank you Ruth, who is 45 going on 21! I was asking myself the three key questions this morning:
Delete1) do I love it (yes!)
2) does it fit well (yes - when pulled down)
3) is it the image I want to project? (this is the hard one - is a slightly shorter lace skirt the image i want to project? Hmmm - that is still my conundrum!)
Hemline length is something I struggle with. I prefer knee length, but sometimes need something shorter to wear with flats. I think the length is fine (juuuuuuust a smidge on the short side), Mickey may ask you to model shorter numbers and as a professional you can't refuse. If you feel really self conscious, there are ways to lengthen the skirt, but as long as it's not for a professional environment, I think you can rock it! With that said, I have a couple of hems around that length and I feel compelled to wear them with tights. Then again, I dress a little mattonly sometimes (in the spirit of full disclosure). So yea, I guess I started trying to be helpful aand ended up not beinh helpful. My brain is mushed from work this week.
ReplyDeleteOh, and "your skirt", the one I emailed you about as an "M" skirt contender got cut to $40 yesterday, FYI. Not that I'm enabling you or anything.
Oh, and no good reason why that skirt could not be handwashed.
DeleteAnthro Blogger - you are a woman after my own heart - see my response to Ruth as well!!! I will have to go visit that skirt now.... thanks for the heads up about price change!
DeleteIt's a beautiful skirt, it's also for summer, so don't be afraid of it! I think it looks terrific on you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks ABC!
DeleteThe skirt looks great on you and I love your green and white outfit! It is more "Wendy" than the last few days of subdued colour ;)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the skirt - does it actually stay down when you do the pull down trick? For me, that doesn't work, it always goes back to my real waist. But, I'm a smaller waist bigger hips person, and you are not, so you might not have the same issue. If it stays where it is without you fussing (I hate fussing!), then I say it's a keeper. It looks nice on you and suits you. Length smength, you look good.
Hi Abby, I think I am okay about the fussing, because I have no waist or hips! On the other hand, it isn't perfect, so I need to decide whether I will fuss!
DeleteWMM, aside from the tug-down (which is my hippy issue too with sizing up) have you tried walking around in the skirt (away from kitchen) for a good bit? When I was skinnier and sized up on JC minis for length, any walk of more than 10 minutes meant the skirt would start rotating around because of room in waist. Might not matter with this cut, pattern, but sure looked odd to have the side seam in middle front sometimes. (NOT trying to dissuade you, just making sure you "road" and outfit test.)
DeleteOMG - it would become THE EXORCIST SKIRT!!!!! I gotta try that for sure!
DeleteHAH! Abby when do you leave for your trip - soon?
DeleteTonight! Thanks for thinking of me :)
DeleteYes, I also hate the skirt twist around.
You know, on second look, the skirt looks big on you. It's making a big rectangle around your thighs - not casual oversize, just a bit big, know what I mean?
DeleteI think it is because it IS too big :-(
DeleteOh give it up Wendy! I just have to let this one go!
Aw, bye bye skirt. How short would it be at your waist? You could get it in your real size.
DeleteIt would be 2 to 3 inches shorter - too short for me!
DeleteSorry, if you have to ask you already know the answer. The skirt is adorable and looks great on you. Is it too short? No. Is it too short for you? Yes, because you already think it is. Nothing to do with age..it's attitude. If you are not going to " own" it, you won't wear it.
ReplyDeleteHa! BB - you are likely right - I love it, but it may be aspirational dressing, not really "right"
DeleteWMM, it's really pretty but I am with Abby and BB on this one. If it is niggling you then keeping it only likely a waste. Totally fine to have a dainty, all white, shorter skirt you have the pins for (so long as it can be carefully hand-washed bleached.) But how much will you wear it if you don't totally adore it, 100%, not just look but feel on?
DeleteGF - I agree - I have added it to the JC pile going back. Am holding off mailing it back until those fancy pants arrive. No sense costing myself more postage than necessary!
DeleteSensible and sound advice from BB that I could do with heading myself. Next time I am questioning the suitability of an item I'm going to try to remember this.
DeleteRuth - it is the most sensible advice that is the hardest to hear!
DeleteFAIRY PRINCESS Boo about those sandals, very pretty. I do very much likey the top with your green as grass outfit yesterday (which also goes with your bawth rug LOL)! Curious about this other skirt that may be circling? Ah yes, the fancy pants, picked my novice ones up from tailor yesterday. See, you are rubbing off on me. Hemlines, that always makes a good Wednesday natter, ta. Think Abby's on money, no fussing.
ReplyDeleteDrops back to 9 here on Sunday apparently, I will be so cheesed and shivering.
DeleteDear author, like how you slid a begat into a style blog post. Now have "stylish marriage" nursery doggrel running around my brain. Must stop reading tags.
Deleteoh that is scary cold again! It is another glorious sunny day here - I bought herbs at the garden centre yesterday - though it isn't safe to plant them yet, is awfully fun to look at them!
DeleteYou can plant everything except basil at this point.
DeleteMmmm pesto.
DeleteLane you are braver than me! What about tomatoes? Am planting carrots and squash today
DeleteNo not tomatoes ( I was referring to herbs before-- sorry). Nothing that loves the heat yet ( cukes,melons, eggplants, peppers). Nearly all the herbs are fine now-- I have lemon verbena out ( I dry for tea),new thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc. The tarragon plot is 6 inches high already, there is cilantro all over the place ( selfseeds). Chervil is one of the first to seed in the cold.
DeleteI think it looked lovely on you and not too short. But if you do not feel comfortable, by all means send it back. It would have been perfect for pre-dinner cocktails with George in Lake Como. I've always worn to-the knee skirts even when I was younger and shorts are purely for the beach since I don't have a garden where I can lounge in comfort and privacy. I've found L'Oreal Sublime Glow in Medium (applied with a tanning mitt) perfect for giving my pasty legs natural-looking color for the summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie - I think the skirt would have been perfect for George and I! I am doing the last try on today, but it is likely a no-go if I am having these many doubts! I have st. tropez self-tanner en route, but will keep the l'oreal in mind if that doesn't work. I like a very bit of a tan. I am so pale there is no sense pretending otherwise!
DeleteI am glad you posted this. I have the same skirt and I'm undecided about it. I already know it is not an everyday skirt. I could see taking it on vacation and dressing it down with flat sandals and a tee. Do I vacation in places where I would wear this, though? Absolutely not, unfortunately! (although I want to!). The length doesn't bother me much as long as I would keep it casual with flats. I think I have the solution: Keep skirt, plan vacation to Bermuda!
ReplyDeleteCate - we have aspirational dressing issues!!!!!! I have no real summer plans this year, as well, but it would be perfect if I was going somewhere tropical...
DeleteWould I be bad if professional self confirmed trips to Bermuda good value this time of year? Happy to suggest ideal hang-out spots for skirt (and selves.) I do love idea of it with tee and simple flat sandals (to me dressing it up might veer into tablecloth territory.)
DeleteStill think unless undying love must go back to Mickey (plenty more where that came from.)
Bermuda, tempting! But not happening. My skirt may go back to Mickey too...
DeleteThat skirt is gorgeous. SO pretty. I don't think it's too short but true, wear it around for awhile and sit down in it as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marie, perfect for Lake Como or lunch by the pool with Barry!
Ha! Barry NEVER eats lunch with me, even though we are both home!!!It is a pretty skirt, but I would need to wear it a lot to justify it!
DeleteLove the skirt-it is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt is not too short,but if you feel uncomfortable with it,better return it.
I am expecting a package today too(two bathingsuits,sheer strped cover up and a striped tee from pre order),so hopefully it will be a positiv surprise.
Tomorrow is a holiday for us and on friday my husband comes back with more goodies(striped tote,another cover up and the thistle print boyshirt).
The green outfit looks very Wendy:)
Thanks Ina, am going to do one last try on today and make the call, but am leaning towards no
DeleteFirst off, I think the skirt looks fantastic-it's not too short. You have great legs for a 50 year old, so why not show them while you can! I think the skirt would look great with your new pastel blue peasant blouse and a pair of summery flats. Keep it casual and you'll feel more comfortable wearing it. You've got to wear it like you own it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon! I will try it with that blouse and see what I think! I think the flats are the key!
DeleteI will go up to 2 inches above top of knee for some occasions. You would not be wearing this the same places as you would wear shorts, so maybe is too short; the bottom looks "see-through" as well so that perhaps makes it feel shorter. I think this type of white lace skirt is great on you so maybe another one will appear?
ReplyDeleteJust got 2 easy day dresses form Land's End-- the square necked blue and green knit one and the wintergreen polo-- for total of $61. Now feeing guilty these were so cheap, but both keepers.
Hi Lane - I ordered a navy sleeveless polo dress from LE as a ride-along with the bathing suit - it was on sale for an amazing price and so easy to return if it doesn't work! one thing I know for sure - there is always another skirt!
DeleteHi Wendy, this is one lovely skirt!!! For the length, I tend to be myself, very conservative and wear nothing just above my knee, but that is me... I think it looks good on you but you have to check how you feel when moving around... If unsure, probably better to return as it has been said... I love your green and white outfit, it looks so fresh... A great combo!
ReplyDeleteHave a good day, tomorrow is public holiday here, but weather forecast is no good :-(
Thanks STeph! I wish the weather as nicer for your holiday! WHat is the holiday?
DeleteIt's Auffahrt! Isn't that a great word? Aka Ascension.
DeleteMay is filled with holidays in Europe - May Day, Auffahrt, Pfingsten (Pentecost, I think). France gets a few more on top of that too. It is awesome :)
I LOVED May when I was working in France :-). However to book any kind of weekend or vacation in May was crazy, the TGV to the South was booked almost a year in advance!
DeleteI look forward to May all year :) Part of why we go on camping trips in May is that they are less reservation dependent and it's easy to follow the good weather.
DeleteThis is a touchy subject. I am about an inch taller than you and I am on the fence on skirt length. I look better in mini style skirts ( not micro mini) because it lengthens the leg. I think the key is a flat shoe or sandal so you we don't look like an aging call girl:) I really like the skirt but you need to wear it around the house and decide. If you fidget with it all day it will drive you crazy. Maybe before you make your final decision you should see what else is out there in a similar style. I have ordered the neon lemon embroidered floral postage stamp mini in 2 sizes to try (back ordered ) so hopefully I won't have this same dilemma. I think it may have a bit of hem to let out.
ReplyDeletethink you are right about the flat sandals - i tried it with a tee and it looked cute, but in the end, am afraid it is too fussy for my lifestyle..i love the neon floral!
DeleteShopping Celle, this is my thought too. I'm on the shorter side and I look best in shorter skirts (or shorts). They are right on me, proportionally. But I'm 47 and supposedly over the age of mini-skirts being age-appropriate. I stick to 5" shorts (or longer ones rolled up to around 5" or 7" length). I have one mini-skirt that I feel very comfortable in, it's a 20+ year old denim mini-skirt from J. Crew and it's just the right length of mini. Too long feels dowdy, too short feels like I'm trying to look like I'm 20 years old. It's hard to find that right length.
DeleteCate & WMM I have had success taking a few jcrew minis to my tailor. Most have good wide hems that can be let out to add a few more inches of comfort factor. It does add an additional cost though but if you want the cute jcrew prints and don't want a pencil that is your best option. If I could just find a way to add the inches to the gorgeous selection of prints in those blankity blank 3" shorts! ( I didn't want to cuss and potty mouth up your blog)
DeleteI hadn't thought about that, I will have to keep an eye on the mini hems in the future. That might give me more options. Good idea! And yes those 3" shorts drive me bananas, why J. Crew why???
DeleteThe skirt looks fantastic on you and if worn with flats during the summer when it is hot out, it is total "relaxed summer chic". The white and dry clean only would be more intimidating for me than the length- but that's just me,I always get white dirty. I would also test the comfort level of the skirt while seated as well. I am in your age group and the question of length has been at the forefront of my purchases the last few years and actually my entire life since I am 5'11" but these days I do think about appropriateness. I would not wear that length in a professional setting but certainly would for summer wear or a party. Our generation is keeping themselves healthier and physically fit so if it looks great (and your skirt does) and you can feel comfortable in in, enjoy it! If you don't feel comfortable whether it be the length or color, I am sure that there will be many more opportunities to purchase a similar skirt from another company that will meet all of your requirements.
ReplyDeleteI am always so conscious of not becoming a parody of my younger self - so appreciate the comments! I am slightly nervous of the white factor, but I really do love the skirt!
DeleteI think it looks great and you will regret not keeping it. So... keep it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, think of the alternatives before returning it. The JCrew alternative is a pencil but do you really want another pencil skirt? If you are not boycotting Joe Fresh I could send you pics of the linen one I picked up in red (that also comes in white). It is longer but this one is dressier.
Deletethanks Ema! i am quite on the fence now as i do like it. i may just keep it and enjoy it! i keep checking our joe fresh for that one, but no luck!
DeleteWendy, the skirt is definitely not too short for you, but the dry clean part is annoying. Is it dry clean, or dry clean only? You might be able to get away with hand washing, in which case, KEEP IT. It will be so versatile!
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous and the length is very flattering. I am in my 20's still but I swore off 3" shorts around age 24, even though I have long thin legs. So I totally understand where you're coming from here. I do still wear mini skirts and suspect I will for years to come... if they aren't too mini, and they hit at that magical thin point of your thighs a few inches above the knee, they can be extremely flattering!
So jealous of your pool... man, if we had one, I don't think I'd ever get out of it!
i am now searching for an old bathing suit so i can go in! ANd then I have to check if it is stry clean or dry clean only...
DeleteYour foot looks so sore, what is going on there? Whatever shoes you were wearing are most unkind to your feet. Toss them. Life is too short to wear painful shoes!
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is very pretty. I must still be half asleep. I thought the second photo of you in the bathroom behind the plant was actually a wedding cake. :^{
xoxo - you are too funny! I do look like i am a pretty wedding cake topper don't i?
DeleteIt is funny - they are old cole haan ballet flats that have seen a better day and I thought the same thing when I took them off that day!
The skirt is probably dry clean only because of the trim, but I would wash it anyway, gently, hang to dry and press. Although the pressing can be a bear with synthetic trim. I think it looks fine, but if you feel it is too short, you will never wear it. Take it to a tailor for a consultation. I tried(in a rush) to find you another option...
ReplyDeletehttp://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79586&vid=1&pid=527809002
http://www.garnethill.com/lace-pencil-skirt/womens-fashion/skirts/view-all-skirts/281523?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=9
not a skirt, but I thought of you!
http://www.cwonder.com/clothing/shop-by-category/dresses-skirts/silk-botanical-garden-dress.html
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-skirts/26450460.jsp
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-skirts/26451732.jsp
these are great! I love that C Wonder dress - have never heard of this company! They don't ship to canada yet - is that tory burch's ex's company? Thanks for some more ideas!
DeleteYes- Tory Burch's ex. Pay attention to the site, because everything seems to go on sale, and then they always have a percentage off. You might be able to get a store to ship internationally.
DeleteI will definitely do a nice browse!!! It is all so nice!
DeleteI love it on you, but like knityarns says above, if you think it is too short, you won't wear it. ;)
ReplyDelete(But maybe all the positive comments will make you dare to bare, so to speak?)
I wish you Canadians had better access to Boden, because there are some cutie pie skirts and dresses just calling your name if you love this one. Unfortunately you have to buy from the UK site and pay high duties (from what I understand). Sigh. But maybe you can wait till clearance time and the difference in cost will make it less obnoxious on the wallet? (www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Skirts/Below-Knee-Skirts/WG480/Womens-Full-Broderie-Skirt.html) and (http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH436/Womens-Lace-Dress.html) and (http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH437/Womens-Cecile-Dress.html). Okay, so those last two were dresses and the first was a really long skirt, but still pretty possibilities. ;)
Good luck, can't wait to find out what you decide to do!
P.S. I love the Cyrille sandals, but even mine felt tight across the strap and I have a very narrow foot. I am sorry to read you can't keep them!
Dina, you are right that Boden can come with expensive duty for Canadians and they won't let us order from the US site, at least that was the last time I checked. When I look at Boden I add 26% to every price on the UK site, which was the duty amount charged on my last order shipped to Canada. It's unfortunate because Brora and other UK retailers do not charge that high a rate for duty. Getting the duty back for returns is such a hassle too. Maybe one day they will let us order from the US site. I would think that would be more efficient really.
DeleteThanks Dina - I wish we could get Boden more reasonably - I love all the clothes you have from there - they are so chic and fun and different!!! I will let you know - and yes, I am still in a dither. That is a sigh to go out and garden and come back to the problem I guess!
DeleteI throw almost everything in the wash, label be damned. I use those mesh garment laundry bags for anything I'm worried about snagging. I think the lace trim is the only thing you have to worry about - the fabric itself should be fine to wash.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the length goes, the eye adjusts from season to season. Mini skirts look fresh to me now. I wear my hemlines shorter now than I did just a couple of years ago. Plus, in the summer, you can get away with a lot. :)
Merry Wife - this could be one of those "what would Lilly wear?" moment!I realized that I was wearing a joe fresh shift of the same length and it hasn't bothered me at all!!
DeleteThe skirt does not look too short. If you love it and want to make it work, have the alterationist layer a solid piece of white fabric behind the organza and add 1/2"extra length to that. Have it taken in slightly so it doesn't spin around on your hips. Dress it down with flats and a Tshirt and enjoy. Most manufacturers label garments Dry Clean Only to save themselves from liability when some morron puts it in hot water wash and a hot dryer!
ReplyDeleteHowever...if you will feel self conscious in it, send it back and save your money. The green is fabulous on you!