Classically Curvy: Sharpen Your Wardrobe with a Pencil Skirt!

Hey Ladies!

Oh man, I can't wait to share my new love with all of you! I have always thought that my figure (curves galore and a booty for days) couldn't pull off the timeless and classic look of a pencil skirt. Boy was I wrong.

Let me start by saying, I have two children, one still a baby, both delivered by c-section. So I have a mama pooch. I could workout forever and try every exercise under the sun and that pooch isn't going anywhere, and I'm perfectly okay with that. I didn't used to be. I used to loathe this part of my body. Not these days though. Now, when I look at my mama pooch I see the miracle of my body and how it was home to my two precious boys. Us women are capable of amazing and incredible things. That's what I see now, not a belly I want gone, gone, GONE, but the miracle of life and how I was able to carry my beautiful babies. That being said, I always like to look put together and as classy and streamlined as possible, that's just my style. So, I wasn't sure my mama pooch and my booty would get along with a pencil skirt. I was wrong. I couldn't love this look more! And I think you'd love it too.

I was on the hunt for the perfect pencil skirt. I thought about going with black, as that would help hide the mama pooch. But then I decided, what the heck, and I just went for it with a gorgeous red or "bright cerise" pencil skirt from J Crew Factory. I purchased this skirt a while back. It hung in my closet, almost taunting me, "You know you want to try me on", but I was so afraid it was going to look awful, and I wasn't ready to let go of the dream just yet, so I just admired it on the hanger for a while longer. Then date night with my hubby came along, and I took this beauty out for her maiden voyage. It was love at first wear. So on to how I styled this fiery little number!

Look Number One

This is my favorite look so far with this skirt! Honestly, it's a look I have always just loved, but never thought I could pull off. I wore the skirt with navy blue high heels by LK Bennett. On top a navy blue, cropped, nautical military inspired, blazer from Ann Taylor Loft and a New York City graphic tee by J Crew.

New York City is my most favorite place on earth. I try to visit as often as I am able, but it's never enough. I dream of living in the city. This t-shirt makes me so happy. The hints of red in the artwork pair perfectly with this vibrant skirt and the navy blue neckline couldn't go more perfectly with this blazer. I love this look so much!

LK Bennett Art Court Shoes in Navy Blue

I love the chunky heel on these beauties. There isn't a platform in them and they are quite high, but the chunky heel allows for easier walking. Which explains why the Duchess of Cambridge has worn them for several engagements. They're my go to navy blue heels.

Look Number Two

While pencil skirts are commonly thought of as business attire, that doesn't mean they have to be! In fact, when Christian Dior first introduced the pencil skirt post WWII women embraced, and practically fawned over the feminine and curvy look. Having just come out of the flapper era, where women's clothing leaned towards a more shapeless cut, this curve hugging skirt was fresh and new. Once celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe, to Audrey Hepburn, and Betty Page started sporting the look, well that was all she wrote on that. Everyone had to have one. Today, they are everywhere, in every color, print, and fabric imaginable. Have some fun with your look. If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I am obsessed with my bright red Hunter boots. It was super rainy in my neck of the woods the other day and I decided to try out my new pencil skirt with some Hunter wellies.

I wore my hair in an easy (messy) "rainy day chic" bun and rocked my favorite gingham button up shirt from the Gap with a navy blue puffer vest from J Crew Factory, for a casual but put together look. I couldn't be happier with the results. I love having classic items in my wardrobe, but more than that I love versatility. This skirt is both! And I'm not even going to lie, I love what this baby does for my booty.

My beloved Hunter wellies! If you'd like to learn more about them and how I style them, click here.

Look Number Three

This look just screams holiday vibes all day long. I hiked it up a little bit and wore it on my natural waist. A tartan button up, my favorite herringbone vest, and multi strand pearls from J Crew Factory really class it up. I went with black tights, and black suede heels from Nine West, for a more wintry feel and dressy approach.

Lose the vest for non-layered and less casual look.

Strike a pose and own it!

Lips here are Ruby Woo by Mac Cosmetics. My all time favorite red lipstick. I feel like I could rule the world in this lipstick!

I love this skirt. I know I'll have it forever. What I love even more, is that I stepped outside of my comfort zone and am beyond pleasantly surprised with the outcome! So don't be afraid to give something a try. You might end up loving it. I went into this thinking I would end up returning the skirt, but it's mine forever now. That's another thing, pencil skirts are timeless, you'll never be out of style. So if you've been on the fence about trying a new look, do what I did, "pencil it in" (see what I did there haha), and if you don't like it, you can always try something different! But I bet you'll be just as happy as I am!

Just remember to embrace all of you, every single bit, and wear what makes you happy. The world needs more happy. Tag me on Instagram @classicallycurvy if you decide to try this look!

Love,

Kate

Shop!

J Crew Factory Pencil Skirt in Bright Cerise

J Crew Destination Art New York City Shirt

Sadly my Ann Taylor Loft Nautical Military inspired blazer is several years old. They are out there on the internet if you desperately want this exact one. Click here for one available on Poshmark. You can do a simple google search for nautical or military inspired blazers and spend hours perusing the results. Below I've linked to a few options.

Plus Size Nautical Studio Blazer