After black pants, the ultimate heave lifter in every woman's closet, the black skirt is indubitably the most multi-tasking, versatile, and frequently worn item of clothing.
It can be dressed up (higher heels, dressier top, brighter lipsitck) or down (no heels, casual top, pale lipstick); it can go from an office (with a blazer and pumps) to the beach (loose shirt and flipflops); and it can be equally useful in winter (with a sweater, opaque black tights, and boots) as in the summer (Tshirt, nude legs, and sandals) as well as any weather in between.
Bear with me as we run down the basic guidelines in searching for the ultimate black skirt.
There are three maxims you need to remember when choosing a black skirt:
Precisely because the black skirt promises and delivers such extreme use-value I believe that you should invest in it. Get something that's made well and it will remain in constant rotation in your closet for a long time.
Precisely because the black skirt serves many functions and situations I believe that it should remain relatively simple in cut, timeless, without distracting and quickly outdated design elements. This is not your faddish item.
Precisely because the black skirt gets so much wearing time it should be maximally flattering to your figure. Like so:
CUT:
The cut almost universally flattering is a pencil skirt - ideally from a material with some stretch in it but also a decent weight. The skirt must be tapered close to the figure throughout.
Fuller, pleated skirts are fun but they are tougher to pair correctly and many feel they are a dressier, fussier choice.
An uneven hem (either a tulip cut, or a modified wrap) can be flattering as well. Depends on the execution.
Yes, this is the best cut even if you are not as trim as you would wish to be or if you have a muffin top that you hate. The best skirts will keep your flab in check and if you calibrate the top correctly and/or wear proper foundation garments you avoid a muffin top.
(check out Mindy Kailing, definitely not the slimmest lady around, rocking it:
LENGTH:
The length almost universally flattering is right at the knee bone, not above and not below it, obscuring half the knee cap. I would not suggest going any longer unless you're tall. Shorter, on the other hand, can be great if:
- you are narrow hipped
- you have enviable legs that you want to show off
SLIT:
I am biased against front-placed slits. Don't know why. Feel free to overlook said preference.
COST:
There are plenty great, well executed black skirts in the mid-price range (WANT). If you go higher I suggest going for some unexpected detail/
All this in mind, take a look at some suggestions, ladies:
DREAM
1) The Row:
3) Narciso, a less traditional option:
4) Alexander Wang, likewise less traditional:
WISH:
1) Ted Baker, perfect tailoring & seams:
2) Vince:
3) Alexander Wang - with pockets!!
WANT:
1) DKNY:
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