Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Fashion Over 50: Getting Your Spring Skirt's Worth

BB Dakota Farfield Skirt

The skirt and I have a history. The first garment I ever sewed (for a Girl Scout badge) was an A-line skirt in fourth grade (though, I suspect my mom helped a lot). Later, I moved on to the hip-hugging mini skirt, which I could whip up from a quarter-yard remnant. Over the years, I've worn just about every skirt style, from the kilt, dirndl and maxi to the pencil, button down, wraparound and jean skirt. This spring, I'm happy to report that over 50 women don't have to settle for anything too tight or too mini (unless they want to). Many of the season's skirts are fuller and have longer hemlines--at or below the knee--a nod, apparently, to 1950s. Large flower prints and knife pleats, like the BB Dakota Farfield Skirt ($65) above, are popular. A few designers, like Prada (see below), are showing skirts paired with bandeaus. At 20-something, I would have loved the playful look. Now, however, I'd no sooner bare my midriff than I would slip into hot pants (yes--their back, too!) But I do love the Prada skirts as well as those by other designers. For a sample of this spring's skirts, read on...






SKIRT SENSE
The skirt is a great way to be a little adventurous, have fun. And these days, the Number #1 fashion tip for putting any outfit together is to "mix it up." That's easy with a skirt. If the skirt is feminine, try mixing it with a strong, tailored top. If the skirt is white or neutral, add a blast of color on top. For example, a feminine skirt like this Jones New York Floral Cutout Skirt ($139) might look great with a simple, man-tailored top--maybe black or a hot citrus color or whatever makes your complexion glow. Wear the blouse tucked in or out, depending on what flatters your shape, and with a belt.




Jones New York Floral Cutout Skirt



Here are a couple more skirts with trendy knife pleats. I love the print top with the color block skirt.


Jones New York Pleated Color block Skirt

Jones New York Pleated Color block Skirt
($99)



Jones New York Pleated Flare Skirt

Jones New York Pleated Flare Skirt
($99)



Beall's online department store has a ton of mid-length or maxi skirts, most  of them very reasonably priced. If, however, you've already got a closet full of skirts, you might be looking for something new and different. I love the diagonal ruffles on this next skirt. Again, I'd wear this skirt with a bold color or black top. Because of the ruffles, I choose a structured T-shirt with 3/4 sleeves. Click on the photo to see Beall's other skirts.



AGB Fast Forward Diagonal Ruffle Skirt

AGB Fast Forward Diagonal Ruffle Skirt
(was $48, now $33.60)


The fashion pundits would have you mix prints--stripes with florals, plaids with polka dots, for instance--just as long as you keep a common color theme among the separates. Personally, I think that's a little risky for most over 50 women. Instead, I like the way this large flower print skirt has been paired with a simple two-tone sweater on the Shabby Apple site.


JubJub Bird Skirt

JubJub Bird Skirt
($58)



This final skirt is probably a little over the top for most women over 50. But I think you can push the envelop with skirts, if you keep your top and jewelry simple, understated. This skirt is all the statement you need to make, don't you think?


Caterpillar Skirt

Caterpillar Skirt
($72)