theasceticlibertine

The Denim Skirt Dilemma

Why oh why, I ask, is it so difficult to find a good denim skirt these days?  If they're not cut up to your crotch (I call those things belts, not skirts) they're frayed or some hideous light wash that saw its best days in 1983.  A reader wrote me to say that she was looking for a denim skirt, possibly a couple of them in different lengths, and did I know where she could find one?  She's a businesswoman, and tall, so the appropriate length would be either just above the knee or just below.  I searched far and wide and I can tell you that there isn't much out there.  If I found a skirt, it would be available in only one or two sizes.  People just aren't feeling the denim skirt right now, so it's a tough one.  But, behold, I did come through, and I found *the* skirt for her (see the True Religion Charletta skirt below).  Here are a few other options as well:

French Connection has the standard pencil skirt, which is nice and classic in a lovely dark wash:

If you're not willing to spend over $100 for your denim, then SmartBargains comes through for you with this Antik Denim whisker-front skirt (I happen to love the embroidery on Antik Denim's back pockets):

This was the holy grail skirt; just long enough, and classy enough, to merit 4 stars from my reader: True Religion's Charletta Dress Skirt:

Now, here's something interesting.  I like when designers think differently about denim, and try new shapes and styles.  The high-waist phenomenon is not a totally bad thing, provided you have a long torso, but here's the issue I have with it, as the skirt below will demonstrate:  it's just generally not flattering.  This Earnest Sewn skirt looks hot from the front, and I really like it:

But behold!  From the side?  It makes the stick thin model look like she has a poochy tummy.  It gives such a great curve in the back (and who can't use that?) but the drawback is the bagginess in the front.  Are there any high-waisted skirts or pants that don't do this?  I speak of denim, of course, because if there was no button, no pleating in the front, I'm sure it would lie smoothly (unless you have a tummy).  But that's the downfall of the high waist jean or jean-style skirt for me.

This See by Chloe skirt buttons up the front, and is just a great, classic workhorse denim skirt.  Definitely casual, but done the right way, contrast stitching and all.

For us shorties, Classiques Entier has this skirt (sorry, currently only available in 12 Petite) which, though not thrilling, is perfectly serviceable.  I'm a dark wash snob, so this falls right in line with that:

This skirt by Rich & Skinny might work for you if you like rocking that 70's schoolteacher vibe, and you know some of you do: 

And that's it for now.  I hope to write an update sometime in the future when denim skirts are in the forefront and designers are experimenting with more styles.  Until then, enjoy!

Vachetta!

I had my eye on these sandals when I first got the catalog, but didn't order them at the time and now it's totally my loss.  JCrew still has them, but only in brown and I am just so in love with the green that I can't fathom any other color on my feet.  I find these sandals to be utterly perfect and exactly what I want right now, something simple, strappy, leather and flat. 

 

Jcrew

Sold out in the green.  Woe is me.  :(  But if you're a size 9, you can bid on them here.)

Get Your 40's Fix

Roland Mouret makes the kind of bombshell dresses that screen sirens wore in the 40's, except with a lot more sexy and a lot less shoulder pad.  You've seen them on celebrities as diverse as Nicole Kidman and Kiera Knightley.  Say what you will about either, I don't think they're getting confused for each other any time soon.  Which means that Mr. Mouret appeals to both types of woman--the sophisticate who loves classic lines, and the younger girl who likes something a bit vampy.  He makes each silhouette new by adding modern and unusual touches, like a zipper or an asymmetrical neckline.  I am in serious heavy like with the Gaite dress, which shows off a stunning fishtail hem and slight keyhole back, complete with zippered waist:

Rmgaite

And the front view:

Rmgaitefront

I love that his dresses are so ladylike and prim and then suddenly subversive.  He often adds origami-style folds that take his dresses to another level. The Moon dress is an excellent example:

Rmmoon

Mouretmoon

White too staid for you?  Bergdorf's has it in red:

Rmmoonred

All of these dresses look like they were made for Hitchcock blondes, those mysterious and often icy cool babes epitomized by Grace Kelly, Kim Novak and Eva Marie Saint.  Couldn't you just see one of them entering a room in one of these figure hugging frocks and stopping our hero in his tracks? 

The Pigalle is another example of taking that 40's silhouette and spinning it on its head.  It's got that nipped in waist, and a peplum detail that would be perfectly at home on any suit of that time, and yet the sleeves and the zippered back keep it fresh and new: 

Rmpigalle

Rmpigalleback

Not wanting to look costumey in something so chic, I'd probably eschew the requisite 40's platform for something more modern.  But if I did want to go all 40's?  I could do a lot worse than the Kate shoe by Remix:

Remixkate

I am kind of seriously lusting after that shoe, not gonna lie.  Until next time, remember this:  you get only one life (that you know of), so you might as well dress up.

xo
the AL