SUBSCRIBE

ABOUT

CONTACT

FOLLOW:

10th Commandment: August 27

Aug 27, 2013

90577689

Raoul Pleat Detail Pencil Skirt ($85)

Long story short, I needed a new pencil skirt to replace one that wore out, and there was no way that I was buying one from J.Crew.  My once beloved Super 120s skirts now require $48 in tailoring to fit properly, and even then, I am unhappy with the quality and the cut.  So when I spotted this Raoul skirt on the sale rack, I thought, “Why not?  Sure, the waist is a bit higher than I usually like it, but I’ll give it a whirl.”

I love it. Seriously, love.

It cost $28 to take in the waist so that it fit perfectly.  Now, it will snugly and securely keep all of my blouses in place.  It also defines my waist in ways I didn’t realize were possible and the fabric has a really nice feel.

I also adore this Reiss skirt that I tried on, and kept as a backup in case the Raoul didn’t work out.  It has a cool notch detail in the back and was VERY slimming.  All I could think was, “When did I lose 10 pounds?”  (Just remember to size up, these are British sizes, after all.)

If you need something under-$75, I would vote for Halogen skirts all the way.  I also tried on Halogen’s leather and ponte skirt last week.  I didn’t buy it, but I’m rethinking that decision.

A plus-size reader tells me that NYDJ makes a heck of a pencil skirt, might be worth a shot.  Petite ladies can try Halogen, or shop at trusty Ann Taylor.

Look for Less

share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. DB says:

    Belle, do you not have problems with the synthetic materials in the summer? I solely try to wear wool/cotton/silk when possible because I’m usually baking on my commute this time of the year (and then it’s nice for a few months, and then there’s a winter coat on top so I’m baking again). While I agree that the J.Crew skirts aren’t what they used to be, I’m struggling to find a good replacement, in the same price range, without the polyester…

    Any tips?

  2. Diana says:

    DB: Although it can be hit and miss, try Banana Republic for pencil skirts. they often have a linen blend for summer and a light weight wool as well as wool. I got the white sateen one this year and I think it was a good buy.

  3. Ellen says:

    Belle-

    When are you posting your JCrew rant? I purchased a Super120 skirt this summer, and I think I found better quality at target.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Style | 2023/08/20

A Rebuild Update

Well, life was beautiful in blog redesign land, for a minute, anyway.  But not everything is running smoothly.

5

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

Happy Hour, Style | 2023/08/18

Happy Hour: Atlantic Beach Pie

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who eat cake on their birthdays and people who don’t.  And some of the weirdos in the latter category (I said what I said) eat pie as an alternative.  So if you’re a “birthday pie” eater with a late summer celebration coming up, may I […]

4

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Style | 2023/08/18

The Find: The Only Wire-Free Bra That Didn’t Fail Me

After Sloane was born, I developed a seething hatred for underwire bras.  The trouble was that I had also developed a larger, slightly droopier bust.  It was a cruel irony.

12

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Style | 2023/08/20

A Rebuild Update

Well, life was beautiful in blog redesign land, for a minute, anyway.  But not everything is running smoothly.

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Happy Hour, Style | 2023/08/18

Happy Hour: Atlantic Beach Pie

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who eat cake on their birthdays and people who don’t.  And some of the weirdos in the latter category (I said what I said) eat pie as an alternative.  So if you’re a “birthday pie” eater with a late summer celebration coming up, may I […]

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Style | 2023/08/18

The Find: The Only Wire-Free Bra That Didn’t Fail Me

After Sloane was born, I developed a seething hatred for underwire bras.  The trouble was that I had also developed a larger, slightly droopier bust.  It was a cruel irony.

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

Style | 2023/08/16

The 2010s Trends I’m Loving and Leaving Behind

Our tween and teen nieces spent the first half of 2023 reviving our high school fashions.  From peasant tops to low rises, I felt like I was back bopping to N’SYNC in my mint-green sedan for a minute.  Now, our 20-something direct reports are bringing back the 2010s in a big way, and I am […]

({comment_count})

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO