Back to Basics: Pencil Skirts
Jun 29, 2021
Coverage may be spotty this week. It’s 111-degrees in Spokane today and the rolling blackouts that started last night are expected to continue through the week. The PNW was not built for this kind of heat, especially not nine days in a row.
During the legislative session, I wore this Ann Taylor Ponte Pencil Skirt frequently. The slightly stretchy fit was much more comfortable than my standard pencil skirts. And on a frenetic day the last thing you need is to have your mood impacted by a tight skirt.
The skirt comes in navy and black. Sizing is in regular and petite, 00 – 12. And right now, the skirt is priced at just $29. And did I mention that it’s machine washable?
Looking for a standard pencil? AT has a curvy fit, seasonless wool skirt that gives you a little more room through the hip and thigh. They also offer it in standard fit.
Plus-size? Old Navy makes a simple ponte skirt. And Eileen Fisher makes a great basic pencil that’s part of her ‘System’ line of clothes.
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Have you had any issues with the fabric stretching out? I had a Land’s End dress in ponte fabric and after sitting for just a couple of hours the rear would stretch and look saggy – not flattering. I’ve been hesitant to purchase anything ponte every since.
I did not.
Kris, I own two of these skirts and found that they lost their shape and got weird and stretched out after a few wearings, even when laundered as instructed. I’m glad they work for Audra, but they did not work for me. The darts also got stretched out and funky looking and no longer polished and pulled together.
Have you tried their curvy fit pencil skirt? Curvy fit pants from AT/LOFT are the only pants that fit me without alterations and I’m intrigued by the skirt but I don’t have a store near me and I hate paying for return shipping. I haven’t worn pencil skirts in years but it’s getting harder to find other work appropriate options and I’d like to give them another try.
Those curvy fit pants are the only pants that work for me too, but the pencil skirts did not work for me. The waist was a lot smaller than the hips, so I had extra fabric sticking out from the sides of my hips. Could definitely get it tailored, but that just seemed like a lot of work. I’ve had better luck with Talbots – their a-line skirt fits me similarly to a pencil skirt.
I have the curvy fit skirts. My hips are two sizes bigger than the rest of me so they cut my tailoring bill. It’s not a lot of room, but it’s enough.
Pencil skirts used to be a staple of my work wardrobe in the bubble necklace era of the 2010s, but then they started to feel dated. How would/would you style this for a more business casual office?
Does seasonless stretch mean I can wear it outside in the summer without overheating? Or is it still dangerous?
Seasonless means mid-weight. I wear mine in summer without issue, but your mileage may vary.
Thanks! I heard it’s easier to wear the color black in New York City in the summer than D.C., and the fabric as well, I suppose.