Last week I was at JC Penney with my 20-something and she convinced me to buy a high-waisted pencil skirt (on sale, of course). I did get some help from other women in the fitting room, who approved. Getting anything high-waisted feels so odd (not to mention all those thoughts of "Mom jeans") especially since I don't have much room between my waist and my bustline. I have some great shoes to wear with this, but unsure about a top. I know the classic look is a button down, but I'm not overly fond of them...they bunch up and come untucked...plus anything too bulky that's tucked in will show the bulk thru the skirt fabric. I was thinking of a thin fitted knit shell (in white) with a thin knit sweater (the one I like is a bright green and hits about where the bottom of the skirt waistband is). The shell has a short-sleeved sweater to match, but then I'll have to find a little something to pep it up a bit. Could I wear a close-fitting thin knit v-neck tshirt? I am resisting buying something new just to wear with the skirt. It's black...I ought to be able to find stuff in my closet that will work!

I'd better warn you that a high-waisted skirt that leaves little room between waist and bust is going to be tough to pull off.

My suggestion is to stick with tops that hit at the hipbone and can be worn untucked so that you camouflage the high waist. A fitted button-down in the right length would be fabulous, but you can wear fitted knit tops too, again as long as they're the right length.

However, in all honesty, if you can return or exchange the skirt for something that makes you look and feel better, then do that. It's often hard not to get railroaded, which is why I prefer to shop alone.

Machazait, so it means short-waisted people should avoid high-waisted anything?

lapristine - 23 June 2008 10:01 AM

Machazait, so it means short-waisted people should avoid high-waisted anything?

Yes. That's my advice.

If you have a short torso, it means that you probably have proportionately long legs, so you need to play up the leg length, but if you emphasize a short torso, you're emphasizing the disproportion, which isn't the look you want. You need to visually lengthen a short waist by wearing slightly (and I mean SLIGHTLY) lower waists for balance. Plus, if you have a short waist combined with a large bust, you absolutely need as much waist space as possible so that it looks like you have a waist and not like you're all bust and tummy.

Don't misunderstand me- there is nothing wrong with a short-waisted body, or a long-waisted body, or a busty body, or a hippy body, etc. Every body is uniquely beautiful. The body is right. It's just that sometimes the clothes are wrong, so you have to be careful.

Check out the woman in the pencil skirt (hmmm...or is that a high-waisted belted dress...same effect?) at the top of this page. I have more room between my bustline and the skirt waistline than she does!! I don't necessarily think I'm short waisted...but I am unsure how much room should be between the top of the skirt waistband and the bottom of my bra. I have a small bustline and a flat stomach. Maybe it's just getting used to something that high...like when my daughter got a business suit and the skirt is at her actual waist and it feels strange to her, because she's used to lower cut items of clothing. Anyway, the tags are still on and I'll do some mix and match in the closet in the next few days to see what might work. I have some great Anne Klein shoes that I got at an outlet mall that look perfect with the skirt.

If it's just a matter of getting used to a higher waistline, then I stand by my advice on a top- make sure it's the right length, and wear it untucked. You may find that it works in ways you didn't imagine before. It is a good idea to experiment and try new things because you never know what will work.

I just thought of something. Classique, if you have a long, slim neck with no hints of any extra chins, you might want to try a turtleneck top, which will visually elongate your torso. If, however, you don't have the neck for it, you'll want to stick with v-neck tops or similar.

I have to agree.
If you don't have a lot of room between your bustline and hips, then really, you ought to think about taking the skirt back and getting something that'll really show off that figure beautifully.
Be very careful about anything cinching around the waist --not that you have to avoid it, but you have to take care what you're wearing doesn't make you look cut in two. High waisted pants and skirts, as well as wide belts can do this.
Frankly, I prefer dresses over skirts. It's easier to get a good line with something well tailored. However, like I said, avoid a wide belt.

calliegirl - 01 July 2008 07:12 PM

However, like I said, avoid a wide belt.

Absolutely right. A wide belt will only eat up what little waist you have.

I think the white t shirt with a v neck you mention would look nice, as would a thin knit print jersey top. I also like your sweater set idea.

And high waisted is IN big time now. I think it is a great purchase.

I go shopping with my daughter-- a darling mid twenties fashionable young lady but I keep in mind that if I buy anything, it should already go with at least 3 other things I own already.

Sounds like you actually do have some stuff already so that is taken care of.

That personal rule helps me avoid stuff the "just isn't me". It helps me safely negotiate sale racks without coming home with orphan clothes that have no "friends" in my closet.

I adore playing dress up with my new stuff and it helps me integrate it into my wardrobe right away. Like you I keep the tags on, and try on other combinations with my own stuff.

That way if it doesn't work, just take it back immediately .

But I actually think if you have that skirt, it is a great item for fall. Love the Anne Klein shoes, sounds classic and really sharp.