You’re all skirt - be they maxi, midi, mini, pleated, printed, asymmetrical, textured, brightly coloured, striped, metallic or neutral, skirts of every conceivable kind have been seen on/off the runway, on celebs, bloggers and IG’ers or printed in the style pages in the past season. And it looks like this trend is here to stay.
Personally, skirts have always alluded me. With the exception of a pencil skirt, I’ve always been more of a pants or dress girl. Maybe it’s down to body shape issues - too afraid to wear a super short mini skirt? Skirts can accentuate your rear if ill-fitting so read - does my bum look big in this? Or is it that wearing a long skirt holds for me a slightly prim, I’m-dressing-like-my-mother association? Whatever, the issue has been, with so many pretty pleated options out there I am no longer skirting the issue (every pun intended) and determined to nail this trend forthwith.
For this Mood-Board series, let us focus on my favourite style - pleated skirts. Here are three different looks to transition out of summer to cooler climes or just take you from day to night to weekend. Combing through #pleatedskirt on instagram and pinterest, or just looking at the streetstyle shots from last week's NYFW, there are so many different and exciting ways to wear them. Channel a downtown cool vibe with pumps or sandals, sit pretty with a ballet-inspired look with patterned sweater and pastel pink skirt or make yours metallic and worthy of cocktail hour. Here are three suggested looks:
Look 1 - Skirt + Sweater + Sneakers
1. Be Parisian Rive Droite Sweatshirt 2. MSGM skirt from Matches Fashion 3. Thunder Minaudiere by Elyse &i 4. Riley Turquoise ring by Amber Sceats 5. Ash Magestic Sneakers
The most casual of the three looks but refined with a structured bag (our Thunder Minaudiere - a graphic printed snakeskin clutch/shoulder bag) and that skirt. MSGM’s sky blue striped panel pleated skirt, with retro, go-faster stripes is divine. It would look equally elegant dressed up but I’ve paired it with one of my favourite Instagram finds - Be Parisian. Cool, heavily tongue-in-cheek illustrated slogans adorn clothing and accessories centred on the “the Parisian...her look, her style, her jaded aspect, her grumpy mood, her snobbery, her rive-droite style...or rive-gauche style…” Check out their full collection here or if you are in Paris snap it up from iconic, Rive Gauche department store, Le Bon Marche. I’m starry-eyed about these Ash Magestic sneakers - a turquoise stone ring from Amber Sceats ties the look in nicely and you’re set for the weekend.
Look 2 - Nine-to-Five then out for Girls Night
1. Jack Wills Decklant Sleeveless Cotton Lace Shirt 2. Roksanda Silk Seersucker Skirt from MyTheresa.com 3. Percy Tote in Taupe by Elyse & i 4. Jimmy Choo Duke Suede Anklet boots from Netaporter.com 5. Elizabeth Cole Prater Earrings in Swarovski & glass beads
Let the skirt do the talking - the Roksanda Ashford silk seersucker skirt packs a glamorous punch with curving panels of sand, ivory, navy and a pop of pink on the back panel as added surprise element. With much dress-up/dress-down appeal, I’ve opted for a sleeveless cotton lace shirt from Jack Wills and tied the look together with soft grey booties from Jimmy Choo and the Elyse & i Percy tote in taupe. Finally, add these gorgeous hoops earrings by American jewellery designer Elizabeth Cole which perfectly pick up on the sandy notes from the skirt. I am lusting after so many of her ear candy which have an exquisite modern-heritage appeal - the Bobbi earrings are on my wish-list!
Look 3 - Be Bold in Black & Gold
1. Donna Ida x Jaeger Tatoo Me Jumper 2. Deepa Gurnani statement necklace from Shopbop.com 3. Marieke Minaudiere in Disco Gold by Elyse & i 4. Linea Paolo 'Brooke' Pump at Nordstrom 5. Velvet Midi Pleat Skirt in Gold at Topshop
Gucci’s metallic gold pleated skirt (see above photo) is sumptuous in its metallic silk-blend pleats but alas now sold out on netaporter.com. Metallics continue to be a versatile staple but as velvet is also a key trend in both apparel and accessories this Fall, this Topshop velvet pleated skirt in gold seemed like a great anchor for this look - and about a tenth of the price of the Gucci skirt!
Denim queen Donna Ida has teamed up with Jaeger with a capsule collection of denim and knitwear this season and I love the Tattoo Me sweater for it’s star detailing on the back. Pair with the double-sided Marieke Minaudière in Disco Gold and add this frivolous feathery statement necklace from Deepa Gurnani for a heavy-hitting black and gold ensemble.
J Crew's Fashion Director Jenna Lyons famously stated that "as far as I am concerned leopard is a neutral". I couldn't agree more and so complete the look with this pair of, on-trend, block-heeled printed pumps by Linea Paolo.
Enjoy!
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