The second task was to repair a burn hole in a beloved skirt of mine.
I've been wearing this skirt with flannel shirts and clogs at home this winter, so while the length may not be flattering, I like the gathered profile of this thrifted skirt. I liked it so much that I searched for a gathered denim skirt for several months and finally found a LandsEnd version. But, when I wore it to campus last Tuesday, the length felt decidedly frumpy. I'm thinking that I will shorten it, but first I want my readers' advice. The first two photos feature the skirt at its present length. On the left, I'm wearing clogs (a bit of a heel) and on the right, I'm wearing penny loafers. I want the skirt to work with both shoes.
In these two photos, I've rolled the waist once and added a belt to cover the unsightly mess. Again, the clogs are on the left, loafers on the right.
In this last pair of photos, I've rolled the waist twice, which is why the gathering looks a little wonky.
What do you think? Should I shorten it? Two inches or four inches or even shorter.
This post is part of Visible Monday, a weekly event sponsored by Patti at NotDeadYetStyle. All bloggers may participate. In addition, the post is part of the Ethical Fashion Bloggers: DIY.
Now, I have some ironing to catch up on.
That is a fantastic shirt!!! The buttons were money well spent. And clever mending! I like all your outfit variations, but I'd have to say the last pic, double roll with loafers, is my fave. You have nice legs, why not? Of course, WORK is involved so it would be completely understandable if you kept your skirt as is, it still looks great.
ReplyDeleteMelanie--thanks for the length advice. I may actually try to use some fabric tape before I actually take the time to hem by hand.
DeleteSounds like a productive break, well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting started. I actually baked brownies on Sunday and bread today!
DeleteLove this shirt! And the color block mint green-blue outfit is so spring ready! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
ReplyDelete-Jyoti
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Jyoti--Well, it will be spring ready, once the skirt is shortened!
DeleteYou have been busy!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the last two pictures of the new skirt look best, maybe go even shorter. What you do not want is for the hemline to fall at the widest part of your calves, this is enormously unflattering on anyone. Preferably, a midlength skirt's ideal length should be at the slimmest part of the leg, so either just below the knee (as in the third arrangement) or just above the knee (3-4 inches) if your have nice knees and legs. Which you do!
Carolyn--I really appreciate your seamstress' eye about these things. Yes, it's that widest part of the leg that is the problem! I'm thinking I will chop 4 inches and hem.
DeleteI say shorten the skirt by 4 inches!
ReplyDeleteRaquelita--I haven't actually taken the scissors to it yet, but I think it has been democratically decided.
DeleteHave a good spring break! I like the shortest version of the skirt.
ReplyDeleteSandra--there seems to be consensus about the shorter length.
DeleteI like the print on the 'boy's shirt' and can appreciate shopping in the men's department. Why rule out choices? I like the shorter version of you skirt; you have beautiful legs and this length is very flattering on you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as thorough about the boy's department as other thrifters, but I was amazed that this fit as well as it did.
DeleteI like the shorter skirt. .....guess everyone else does too!
ReplyDeleteLinda--Yes, the group has decided. Now, if the Group would just do the hemming as well.
DeleteShorten the skirt. You've got great legs, don't hide them. x
ReplyDeleteVix--will do.
DeleteI am with the majority - I like the 4 inch-shorter skirt : > Thanks so much for linking up to Visible Monday, Terri!
ReplyDeletePatti--the only thing that makes me nervous about this is that it took me so long to find a gathered denim skirt. I do not want to ruin it!
DeleteThe last two versions of the skirt are fine. Since the shirt is loose, a shorter skirt would look odd.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really like the short sleeved shirt in the top picture, simply great!!!
Hiding the hole is clever, but I´d use a fabric close to the skirt, the application might be the same you have used. Or, perhaps a button?
Mette--it pleases me that you like the altered boy's shirt. My patch was in the closest color I could find!
DeleteI like the last one the best - it shows off your lovely calves.
ReplyDeleteGreat print on the space shirt!
Sheila--the shortening is underway. And thanks for liking the space print.
DeleteShorten: 4 inches :)
ReplyDeleteand i sometimes shop at boys department, knowingly... i have picked up a few sweaters and vests that have worked wonders for me.
Lorena--I come across younger bloggers who actually purchase blazers in the boy's department. I think I am a little too well-endowed for most boy's items.
DeleteWow, your shirt is wild! :) I'm so behind on household stuff too, haven't even thought about taxes yet, eak. Didn't we just do them?
ReplyDeleteSunjo--your comment about taxes made me laugh. It is a never ending process, but we took all our bookkeeping to the tax preparer this morning. It is finally out of my hair!
DeleteI'm another vote for the double roll/4" shorter version. It's way more flattering and as has been said, you've got great legs, Terri! xxx
ReplyDeleteCurtise--when I was a girl, I rolled skirts all the time. It doesn't seem quite so do-able as a grown-up. Will cut and hem.
DeleteHa! I've done that too, spent more on buttons than the outfit itself! The shirt is already interesting, and you've upped the wow factor considerably.
ReplyDeleteFor the skirt: it depends what you want to project. They all look nice, although I like the last option on you - the shortest one. I've nothing against long skirts, they are great for a bohemian or librarian look, but for a modern woman look - shorter is better.
Narda--actually some sparkly blue buttons would have been cool on this shirt too. Couldn't find them.
DeleteWish I could make an infinity scarf out of what I cut off!
I would wear it shorter it would be a younger look!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion
Take care
Arianne--yep, shorter is younger. Don't want to "age" myself prematurely. ;)
DeleteThat top shirt is so cool...great job! I would shorten it two and then see...I am afraid that four inches would be too short..start with two!! It's worth hemming though! Enjoy spring break.
ReplyDeletePam--you understand my hemming and hawing. It took me so long to find this skirt, that I do not want to ruin it!
DeleteThe shirt is so cool! I love swapping around buttons, and I've bought thrift-shop shirts for the buttons alone.
ReplyDeleteI'd take that skirt up to *just* above the knee. Not much, but just full knee-cap visibility.
Ana--I have only ever purchased one blouse for the buttons, but at the current price of buttons, it is cheaper often times to thrift them.
DeleteHm, I was thinking maybe mid-knee.
Terri, I like your last picture with the shortest length. I think you have spectacular legs and that length really flatters them! Hugs to you! ~Serene
ReplyDeleteSerene--shorter it is. I like it when I'm told to shorten my skirts.
DeleteI say shorten it my dear, your legs are beautiful and add to a younger and fresher appearance. As always I enjoy your showing multiple versions, well done!
ReplyDeleteTamera--Yes, I think shorter will achieve the casual look I'm after. The longer lengths kind of convey a librarian vibe--stereotype that that is.
DeleteI love the color of the shirt, and the skirt looks great both ways. But I'm leaning toward the shorter length. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one rolling waist bands :)
ReplyDeleteLynne--really, you're rolling waist bands? I worry more as a grown-up about trying to hide that fact, so will actually get out my needle and thread. A photo of me trying to thread a needle might be amusing.
DeleteI like the above the knee length, but I don't think the present length is bad at all. I think the longer hem needs more shoe height to avoid a frumpy look, but you look so svelte and lean in the skirt, I like it as it is.
ReplyDeleteBella--I haven't had much luck lately with shoes in the thrifts. It's so bad that I'm thinking of buying new...thank you for the kind words.
DeleteIt just seems to me that the more you turn over the waist, the more this looks like just a loose pencil skirt, which would be perfect in a mid knee length with your two shoe choices and your nice legs - but when you actually hem this skirt, it will look completely different.
ReplyDeleteI do love to sew, but before I did a nice hem on this, I would try it on with boots and higher heels and see if this skirt would be a wonderful wardrobe addition in it's current length. And start the hunt all over again for the right skirt to wear with those shoes. Since the Tulsa Goodwill stores are brimming with denim skirts, this is easy for me to suggest. But it does sound like you had to hunt a long time to find this skirt in your town, so maybe hemming to mid knee would be your best solution.
Beryl--there are loads of denim skirts in every style but gathered, but I do think I will delay the hemming in hopes that another turns up. I do not want it to look like another "pencil." I have too many of those already.
DeleteI wish I had your altering skills! I really like the shape of that skirt, and my favorite length is the second--two rolls on the waistband. I really like skirts that hit just above or just below the knee.
ReplyDeleteGreat shirt - well worth the added effort! I think that just-below-the-knee lenth is best for clogs and loafers - and even then it only works because you have great legs. An alternative to chopping off the skirt might be to wear it with tall boots in winter. You might find a small bit from the hem to make a matching patch - and someone mentioned putting a button on top, which is a cute idea.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your creative repairs. Nice job on the boy's shirt!
ReplyDelete