Over the course of the decade since I hit puberty, I've always been a girl who favoured skirts over trousers. There's hardly a skirt form on earth I haven't worn or won't wear, with the exception of crinkled gypsy skirts*, but it wasn't until a recent wardrobe cleanout that I was reminded of one rather peculiar kind (I say peculiar only because I literally never saw anyone else wearing it) that I'd loved like no one's business at age fourteen- the zip-up/button-down skirt. It wasn't a love that stopped at that age, either- a pale, pink-and-green- flowered denim button-down went to uni with me and got more than a few wears- at least till the year before last, when I accidentally cut it a couple of inches too short for dress-code regulations. It's still around somewhere...and one of my lost cupboard loves was a pale blue Benetton button-down with a wide waistband and shiny silver buttons- I went into a two-hour fit of the sulks when I realised, five years ago, that it was nowhere to be found (kind of an occupational hazard of moving house thrice in a year).
In any case, I've had button-fronted/zip-fronted skirts on the brain for a while now, and no way of getting my fix other than wearing an oversized man's shirt as a skirt- I rather enjoy the puffy-hip effect, and the way the 'hemline' gets slightly uneven...and I can always get my vicarious fix of VFA aka Visible Fastener Action via my favourite source- fashion bloggers! Susie, Dreamecho and The Clothes Horse wear their skirts with the buttons and zips (and what a zip it is, on Dreamecho's awesome Michele Lau number) in very different, though equally stylish, ways. It almost makes me want to get out the scissors and thread for a DIY on one of my existing skirts- I want some buttons to fiddle with- until I remember that my last attempt at sewing has resulted in a pile of stiff pinky-purple brocade completely failing to take the shape of a skirt. Still, I'm happy looking at these girls and the Ellegirl Korea online shop...(for some reason, it has button-down skirts. In a fair few shapes. Just when I want them- only it's a pity I don't understand anything on the page)
*heaven knows why they seem to be a staple of so many college-girl wardrobes in India. They're bloody unflattering, and sloppy to boot- not even in a good sense. Also, it's no fun to wear a straight-line skirt that drags in the dust...
photographs from (L-R) Style Bubble, Dreamecho and The Clothes Horse.
*heaven knows why they seem to be a staple of so many college-girl wardrobes in India. They're bloody unflattering, and sloppy to boot- not even in a good sense. Also, it's no fun to wear a straight-line skirt that drags in the dust...
16 comments:
You don't really wear shirts as skirts, do you??
Perakath: Yeah, I do.
Whats wrong with wearing shirts as skirts??? Anyhow, I'm after a SERIOUSLY zipped up skirt....
I love this detail on skirts. I seriously covet Dreamecho's silver and yellow zip skirt--it is stunning!
i must admit, i was wondering for a minute about having a collar around your knee and sleeves flapping around like some early 20th century inventor's latest flying contraption..
but then i realised that i'm probably picturing it the wrong way up/down. :)
I think I'd always be worried about possible gaps between the buttons when I sit down, I still buy shirtdresses a size bigger to avoid this!
*sigh* So many skirts, so little time to purchase them all.
I am a huge skirt lover!
Sorry I haven't been around - I've been bogged down with teaching...
I am a huge fan of Dreamecho, and congrats to ellegirl Korea for featuring bloggers like these
i love skirts which is why i'm puzzled that most of mine are of the black puff or a line variety!
anyway, i know what you mean about 8 days being a long break from the blog. i always have this nagging feeling like i had forgotten something when it takes me longer than 4 days to update. but judging from the frequency with which i DO update, that nagging feeling never goes away...
I'm a jeans girl in every single way, though wearing skirts is one of my dream goals in future. I guess I just need inspiration like this :).
juliet xxx
I love these too!
But I always have trouble finding button-down skirts where the button placket doesn't gape. I'll also have to follow fashion bloggers' lead and do the man's shirt thing
The only time shirts as skirts is a problem is when your going up an escalator and give the whole world a show...
what an adorable title!
i really want that silver and yellow skirt =]
Skirts rule! That pencil in the middle paired with the blue opaque tights is simply divine!
The Clothes Horse: yes, it really is gorgeous- I coveted it too!
Bobo: you did get it the wrong way around...I tie up the sleeves.
Meg: I find that gaps between the buttons aren't an issue when the skirt is in a softer fabric, but for stiffer skirts that gape I sew the gaps closed if it's too bad (leaving the buttons I need to undo to get into the skirt, of course).
Elisabeth: We should form a skirt lovers' club! So nice to have company..
Riz: don't apologise, you're busy :) I'm really happy about the added recognition to the bloggers too, and I can fully understand being a Dreamecho fan.
Evie: I just took an even LONGER break from my own blog, and yes it has felt naggy at times..
Juliet: good for you, being a jeans girl! I've always wished I was one, but alas it doesn't seem to be happening :( Either way, I'm glad you found inspiration in this.
Emerald Cloche: I think the man's shirt route is the easiest way to go, too..
Teresa: I've never had a problem with shirts as skirts, particularly oversized shirts- if anything, they tend to have an inward-curving hemline that doesn't allow people to see up your 'skirt'..
Cupcakes and Cashmeme: *blushes* thank you!
Newyorkchique: Ah, a lot of us want it...but Dreamecho's is unique :)
Couturecarrie: Skirts do rule :)
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