ISABEL SPEARMAN
WHY IT WORKS
Find a shape that suits – and fits – and skirts can become a workwear staple
QI live in trousers at the office but feel that my wardrobe needs a refresh and, deep breath, a skirt. Where should I start?
AThe first grown-up skirt I ever bought was a Prada black wool pencil skirt from a charity shop in Newcastle for the almighty sum of £85, a purchase well beyond my budget.
I was so proud of my find and I wore it often at the start of my career when I was trying to be taken seriously. However, it rode up horribly on the hips and would swing around the waist, unravelling whatever I had neatly tucked in earlier. I spent most of the time selfconsciously pulling the skirt back down, completely defeating the purpose.
To avoid the same, finding the right style and fit is important – once you do, skirts are an excellent workwear staple. Hem length will depend on how you feel about your legs. I hate my knees (a pretty common issue) but I’m happy with my ankles, so anything from below the knee to ankle is my sweet spot. I’m partial to A-line skirts as they’re flattering
for my pearshaped figure as long as I tuck the top half in: as a general rule, tops look best tucked in or at least fitted at the waist to balance out the proportions. A tailored blazer, the more fitted the better and not too long in the body, also works well over skirts to emphasise the waist (or create the illusion of one).
Don’t feel that you need to stick to black and navy. A print, like Jigsaw’s splatter print or Hugo Boss’s check, will look good with a crisp white shirt or a simple navy knit. Preen’s excellent collection for Debenhams includes a striped midiskirt with the perfect amount of flip. If you prefer block colours then try to keep everything tonal to avoid looking too corporate, for example a khaki skirt with a cream top.
As for shoes, the shorter the skirt the lower the heel. A mid-length looks great with a court shoe heel and an elegant but chunky loafer balances out anything above the knee.