How to choose a pencil skirt - by size, length, material, style

How to choose the size of a pencil skirt

Choosing a skirt by size is the first thing you need to master in the topic of choosing a pencil skirt. It is with this style that it is especially important not to make a mistake with the size, since a small thing will be very tight, and a large one will hang shapelessly, losing the whole essence of a stylish skirt.

The size of the skirt is determined based on measurements - for skirts, the waist and hips are determined. All measurements are made without unnecessary clothing - preferably in underwear, and in an even standing position.

For measurements, use a centimeter tape and place it strictly horizontally in the measured area:

• The waist is at the narrowest part of the torso just below the ribs;
• The hips are determined by measurements at the most prominent point of the buttocks.

It also does not hurt to measure growth - this can be done against the wall. Height affects how long a particular skirt will be on you. Often, models that demonstrate skirts in online store catalogs have a height of 170-175 centimeters.

If your height is, say, 165, and the model is 175, the skirt on you will be slightly longer. It also works the other way around. If you order a skirt on the Internet, be sure to read how tall the model is in the photo - almost all manufacturers leave this information.

But back to the size. After you have measured the waist and hips, correlate the resulting numbers with the table of the size of the skirts. Keep in mind that the measurements can fall not in 1, but in 2 sizes - in this case, the appropriate option will be determined by the fitting.

How to Measure a Pencil Skirt

• Appreciate how easily you put on the skirt. If in the process you noticed that in the hip area it climbed "with a creak", it is better to take a larger model;
• Try to walk around a bit. The narrowed bottom of the pencil skirt suggests that you will take small steps, but this does not mean that it should be cramped. Yes, walking widely will not work, but small steps should be comfortable;

• Sit down, bend over. The pencil skirt fits the hips and part of the legs, but if it is chosen in size, then when you try to sit down or bend down, you will not feel the tension of the tissues in the buttocks or the bottom line;
• Evaluate the appearance. The pencil skirt, as one of the classic styles, should not be collected in folds and form creases. In a standing position, it is perfectly smooth, and sitting it gently bends in the groin area. If you see creases and folds, it's a signal that the skirt is big;
• Check the landing. The pencil skirt emphasizes the curve of the buttocks and the beauty of the thighs, but at the same time does not tighten you, as in a vacuum. If the hips are too tight - try on a larger option.

In general, the right pencil skirt does not cause discomfort and it does not matter whether it is worn for everyday wear or for visiting the office.

How the pencil skirt should sit - figured out, now we move on to more specific selection criteria.

By shape type

A pencil skirt is considered to be a classic of an exclusively business wardrobe. Indeed, it fits perfectly into the office style and in most cases is allowed even by the strictest dress code of world companies. But not only the office is limited to its use - the skirt will perfectly fit into the everyday style, add severity to preppy or academicism and even minimalism will play with it with other colors.

Here it must be said right away that a pencil skirt or a skirt-case goes to everyone - regardless of the type of figure, height, proportions. The task is to choose the right color, material and length, which will skillfully hide the shortcomings and emphasize the advantages. It is necessary to take into account the features of your type and correctly place accents, shifting attention from problem areas.

Pear shape type

Here the whole problem is concentrated in the hip area, and the upper body is most often quite miniature.

Task: disguise wide hips, highlight the waist and visually lengthen the bottom.

Which skirt to choose: pay attention to the models of dense fabric that keeps the shape - this is a suit, tweed, gabardine. Give up bright prints, as well as folds, patch pockets, basques - the model should be monophonic, preferably a muted shade. Dark gray, black, dark blue, as well as dark chocolate or olive, bordering on khaki, will do.

When choosing a length, forget about the mini - this will only emphasize the roundness of the hips. It is optimal to choose models up to the knee or slightly lower.

Hourglass

The most problem-free and, in terms of proportions, the ideal type of figure is a narrow waist, feminine curves.

Which skirt is suitable: you are lucky, because the choice of skirt is limited only by desires and fantasies. Models made of light and thin fabric, bright prints, stripes, any colors and other elements are acceptable. An exception to the list will be only girls with lush hips - it is better for them to adhere to a restrained color palette and abandon crazy prints.

The length is at your discretion - proceed from the general style of clothing and your own preferences. If we talk about the classics, it's just below the knee.

Apple

The apple figure type is distinguished by a large chest and a wide waist. Often girls have a tummy.

Which pencil skirt to choose: Look at the options with a high waist - it will help to visually brighten the stomach and outline the waist. Forget about light shades - your choice is black, dark blue, graphite, burgundy, very dark green. It is worth abandoning light fabrics - no silk or satin. To correct the imbalance will turn out only with dense materials.

Don't choose skirts that are too long. Your maximum length is knee-length. Everything below will only emphasize the features of the structure.

Rectangle

Girls with the Rectangle figure type have hips and shoulders of the same width, as well as an almost absent waist.

Task: to create a feminine silhouette - to make the curves softer, and the body proportional.

Which pencil skirt will do: As with the Pear type, choose among the models made of dense fabrics - tweed, wool, gabardine, corduroy. Abandon the options with a dedicated belt - it will emphasize the angularity and disproportionality.

The length is variable - if the legs are slender, look, among other things, at shorter options, and if there is fullness - an average length skirt a couple of centimeters below the knee will be ideal.

Inverted triangle

Girls with a triangular figure type have broad shoulders and narrow hips. The waist is most often absent or weakly expressed.

The task is to add volume to the hips and make the figures less masculine.

Which skirt-case to choose: an inverted triangle, perhaps the only type of figure for which it is better to choose not a pencil, but say a trapezoid or a lush model. The narrowing to the bottom, which the pencil gives, only emphasizes the narrow hips, which means that it makes the shoulders visually even wider.

But if you really need a pencil - the dress code requires it, for example, look at models with a basque, as well as options with prints - in a check, a stripe. It is better to forget about dark shades, including classic black. Choose skirts that will distract from the upper body.

And a few more recommendations for different features of appearance:

• Curvy shapes. If you are the owner of an appetizing figure, do not give up a pencil skirt. Choose models in dark shades and with a high waist. Take a closer look at the asymmetrical skirts, as well as midi-length products. To balance the figure, choose a loose shirt or blouse as the top;

• Excessive thinness. Girls who want to add volume to the body will suit pencil skirts made of bright fabric or models with large prints - flowers, abstraction, drawings. Elongated skirts will help emphasize slender legs, and a wide belt will add a little curve to the waist;

• Short stature. Girls of short stature do not go with a pencil skirt - this is often said by fashion experts. In fact, for a short stature, you can choose the right pencil - with a high waist, knee length and a cut in the front or side. Do not forget that it is better to combine a skirt in this case with boats or sandals.

By material

Pencil skirts are made of almost all known materials - from tweed to silk. We will describe the most popular fabrics and their properties to make it easier for you to make a choice.

• Costume. This is a collective name for the fabrics from which costumes are sewn. In theory, you can sew a suit from anything, but here we are talking about classic models for the office. Costume fabric retains its shape well, is not prone to premature wear, easily tolerates washing. From costume fabric, office pencil skirts are most often made;
• Gabardine. High-strength fabric made of wool or cotton threads of special weaving. Upon closer inspection, a small inclined scar is visible on such a skirt. Ideal for pencil skirts for the winter, as it retains heat, but does not cause the effect of a greenhouse. Of the shortcomings - prone to puffs, so you need to wear a product made of gabardine carefully;

• Tweed. Tweed is a dense woolen fabric with a small pile. Tweed skirts, including pencil models are the hallmark of the fashion house Chanel. Tweed products are dense, perfectly hold their shape, pleasant to the touch, wear-resistant. The only drawback is that they dry for a very long time, so it is better to wash the tweed skirt long before leaving;

• Denim fabrics. Denim fabrics are unpretentious in care, quite durable, keep their shape, but can shrink after washing. Some types of denim become stiffer after washing;
• Linen and cotton. Lightweight natural materials. Excellent for summer models of skirts, as they are perfectly conditioned. But there is a significant drawback of linen and cotton crumple very much;
• Knitwear. Knitted skirts are now at the peak of popularity, so pencil skirts made of knitted fabrics quickly filled store shelves. Knitted fabric, from which products are sewn, is distinguished by wear resistance and elasticity. Unpretentious in care, but often stretched;
• Corduroy. This is a type of cotton fabric with a characteristic small scar in the form of thin stripes. The fabric is not deformed, it lasts a long time. Pleasant to the body, retains heat well. Of the shortcomings - attracts small debris and requires delicate washing - you can not squeeze, rub, twist;

• Leather. Pencil leather skirts are most often made from artificial raw materials or popular eco-leather. Natural models are very whimsical in care and at the slightest violation quickly become unusable. Artificial and eco-leather are more resistant. Leather pencil skirt is suitable for autumn or spring;

• Silk, satin. Thin, light, flowing shiny fabrics. Beautifully fit the figure, but do not keep the shape. Recommended for girls with proportional figures without visible flaws - air silk will emphasize all the disadvantages.

By length

The pencil skirt has three main lengths:

• Mini - above the knee;

• Midi - any skirt, the length of which is in the gap below the kneecap and up to the middle of the calf;

• Maxi – ankle-length skirt.

The last variety in the style of the pencil is very rare. The thing is that with such a length, the skirt loses its basic shape - there is no way to narrow the maxi skirt to the bottom. But sometimes in the catalogs such options are found, although they do not look much like a classic pencil.

How long a pencil skirt should be depends on the purposes for which it is intended.

• If you need a pencil skirt in the office , look at the length of the midi. According to the generally accepted dress code, the skirt is chosen to the knee or slightly lower. Too long pencil skirts are better not to buy;
• For everyday outfits, any length is permissible, but here you already need to take into account the features of the figure.

The length of the pencil skirt is selected taking into account the features of the figure - we described this in detail in the section "By type of figure", so here we will determine only the basic selection criteria:

• Girls with slender legs are allowed to choose a skirt of any length;
• If your legs are full, your length is midi;
• To hide the flaws of the legs, for example, violations in the bends, will help the skirt length of the maxi, but only if growth allows. Low girls from such skirts are better to refuse.

Pencil skirt for different styles

• Office. When choosing a pencil skirt for the office, it is important to abandon the extremes in length. Optimal will be a pencil skirt of midi length. The color scheme is restrained - black, gray, as well as dark shades of red, blue, green. A restrained print is allowed - a check, a stripe, a crow's foot;

• Casual. An everyday pencil skirt can be anything, but since casual is built on basic things, it is better to stop at simple shades that are easy to combine. The length is variable, but the most universal will be the average - up to the knee or slightly lower;

• Pin-up and rockabilly. Here, bet on knee-length skirts with a slit on the side or front. The incision is small - 7-10 cm or more expressive. If the top is neutral, a bright skirt with a print will do, and for an already expressive blouse, choose skirts of neutral shades;

• Military. For army style, a khaki skirt or a model with a camouflage print is suitable. The length is usually average, but for a more sexy image, don't be afraid to deviate from this rule. If the figure allows, look at the models with patch pockets;

• Streetstyle. Street style allows experiments, so there is a place for classics, and for more daring options - with bright prints or in the style of patchwork. Outfit in the spirit of street fashion is variable in terms of length - this is the very case when it is permissible to try something new;

• Grunge. For a sloppy grunge style, an asymmetrical pencil skirt is suitable. Best of all - with a cell print, although monochromatic models also have a place here. Length – from extreme mini to maxi;

• Safari. A sand, beige or brown skirt of medium length will fit into the safari style. Patch pockets are also welcome. A skirt with large buttons along the entire length will be laconic - they can be decorative or functional, as well as models with a smell.

What to wear a pencil skirt with

And now about which top to choose for a fashionable pencil skirt to get a concise look.

• With a t-shirt. The combination of a pencil skirt with a T-shirt is the perfect solution for a casual bow. If you choose a neutral top, be bolder in choosing a skirt - choose a model with a print or from an unusual fabric. If the T-shirt is "elegant", then try to take a calm bottom;

• With a top. Crop top, a model in a linen style, a silk top blouse - all this looks great paired with a pencil skirt. Depending on the cut and design of things, this combination can turn out to be bold and rebellious, or restrained and businesslike;

• With a shirt or blouse. This is a real classic - a fashionable white shirt and a pencil skirt. You can choose a shirt with short sleeves or full length. And do not forget to tuck the top behind the waistband of the skirt - at the release of the shirt in such a duet are not worn;

• With a sweater. In autumn and winter, combine a skirt with a sweater. Especially spectacular is the tandem with oversize models. It will not be possible to completely tuck the sweater into a pencil skirt , but the outfit turns out to be very stylish for the release;

• With a turtleneck. If you have an ideal figure without visible problems and average height, a tandem of a pencil skirt with a turtleneck will suit you. This combination is appropriate for an office, a trip to a restaurant or a social meeting.

And a few words about shoes: with a pencil skirt, boats, sneakers, and other types of shoes look appropriate. In combination with white sneakers you will get a stylish sports casual, and with boats - a business and strict image.

In autumn and winter, change shoes for boots and ankle boots - models with and without heels are appropriate.

Does your wardrobe have a pencil skirt? Write in the comments what you usually wear it with!

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