NYFW: Lesson 2

Skirts and sweaters.  To be even more specific, pencil skirts and slightly oversized or chunky knit sweaters.  We all own them, we just don't have many ways to wear them.  It is hard to disassociate the pencil skirt from the corporate image and therefore they sit in our closet and get pulled out to wear to work... usually with the same blouse or jacket.  And I know those larger, bulkier sweaters tend to be saved for skinny jeans and snow boots.  So (straight from NYFW) a few new ways to put these underused pieces to work.

Remember that we are not going for Mad Men secretary look... i.e. the fitted sweater and skirt.  To keep this ensemble thoroughly modern, pair chunkier slightly larger sweaters with a fitted pencil skirt (*the bigger the sweater, the slimmer the skirt).  A model might be able to pull off baggy on top and bottom, but it doesn't always play out as well on the street. If you are feeling that you need a bit more shape, belt the sweater.  Do keep in mind that a chunkier sweaters may need a slightly heaver/wider belt.


For those of you with maxi skirts and dresses dying to be worn (especially when you get sick and tired of your jeans)... add a sweater and go.  With the longer length of the skirt, slimmer (i.e. not as wide) sweaters (they can still be long) work better.  Cropped sweaters or hip length also work well... it is all about experimenting until it pleases your eye.  The key with the maxi skirt is to make sure that the look skims your body (fitted on top, belted, etc)... you don't want to look like a blob.  Got it?!

Here are some looks straight from the runway to give you some ideas...

Theyskens' Theory

Rachel Comey

Tibi

Derek Lam

Timo Weiland

Carolina Hererra

I attempted my own skirt and sweater looks from what is already in my closet...

J.Crew black pencil skirt and platform pumps.  Forever 21 sweater.

Anthropologie skirt and Club Monaco sweater.

                                         - Allison

*Photos courtesy of nymag.com.