Outfit Elementals: Dresses & Skirts

Normally I like to share what I’m wearing on a given day to offer specific ideas on specific outfits, but this week, with spring cleaning not too far away, I’m focusing on wardrobe essentials. Sometimes we have separate garments in our closets instead of outfit elements; sometimes we think everyday pieces are just there to serve a purpose. So let’s get back to basics and see what should be in our closets today!

Dresses/Skirts in general . . .

The general rules for a bodice of a dress are the same as those for tops, covered here yesterday. For skirts, for most body types, it’s best to go with something that hits at the knee (pencil, A-line, or H-line cuts). If you’re under 35 and feel comfortable in a mini, it’s okay to go a little higher than the knee in the workplace (provided you’re not going too mini and it’s a relatively conservative style – no denim minis, for instance). A midi (hits at the calf) or maxi (full length) are fine if you’re tall, slender, or if the print/cut of the skirt compensates for you not being particularly tall or slender. But since pencil, A-line, and H-line cuts work best for most people, I’ll focus on those cuts here.

Five Types of Dresses/Skirts Every Professional Woman Should Own:

· Little Black Dress (the “Good Day and a Handshake” version): To most women, the LBD is a pretty familiar necessity. But I’m breaking it up into two versions here, because 1) I think it’s good to have casual and fancy occasions covered, and 2) let’s face it: there is simply no such thing as too many LBDs. A casual LBD should be just that: jersey material/cotton, a comfortable H-line cut, and seaming to nip in at the waist. The neckline and sleeve length should be whatever you’re comfortable in, but I’d recommend a modest V-neck and 3/4-length to full sleeves, so that your LBD is as versatile as it can be (a plunging neckline or spaghetti straps might be great for the club, but they might give the wrong idea to that client over your business dinner). However, regardless of how understated you want to be here, remember your personality! A ruffle embellishment, a faux wrap bodice, short fringe at the hem: whatever it is, make sure this basic still feels fun.

· Little (Maybe) Black Dress (the “Yes, I Know How Sizzlin’ I Am” version): So this is your hot mama dress. Your “I’m going to a party where my ex will see me and plotz” dress. I’d say rule #1 is: make sure you feel hot in it! A full A-line (to highlight your narrow waist) or pencil cut (to highlight your hips and legs) will be your best bet for the skirt here, and your bodice should have some kind of shine or texture to it; sequins or lace would work beautifully. You can even take this a step further and, instead of sticking with black, make this your Little Red Dress or your Little Blue Dress. Just remember that no matter what style or color you choose, don’t show an insane amount of skin (navel-bearing necklines are best left to the red carpet) and always keep that fit in mind – Black (or red or blue) isn’t slimming in the least if it’s two sizes too small.

· Dark-wash Denim Skirt: A pencil-cut denim skirt, in a classy dark wash, is a wonderfully neutral piece: not only is the color neutral, but the material is too. You can dress this skirt up, down, with other neutrals or colors, and it goes with just about any shoe or boot.

· Patterned Pencil: A print can go a long way in making an outfit visually interesting, and when you pair a printed pencil skirt with a solid blouse or blazer, you’re not only maintaining a professional style, but you’re making that professional style unique by thinking outside the solid-colored box. Smaller patterns work best on smaller frames, as a rule, whereas larger frames can pull off the splashier prints.

· Flirty & Full: By cutting out into that triangle shape, an A-line skirt enhances the hourglass shape, making the midsection look smaller and balancing out any extra weight on top (it’s a great cut for ladies with larger busts). It also hides any thigh bulgies we may get. This is a classically feminine, flirty, and fun style, especially if it’s a full skirt (more material to create soft pleats) as opposed to a sharper A-line style. By choosing a full skirt, you’re adding depth and texture to your look via those pleats.

For the Minimalist:

If you don’t have anything else in your wardrobe, make sure you’ve got that casual LBD (well, and some underwear). It’s possibly the most versatile piece you’ll own. It can be a dress in and of itself, you can throw a sweater over it and it becomes a skirt, and you can dress it up if needed. There are some fashion rules that are outdated, some that are new, but through it all the LBD has been woman’s BFF.

Voila! There you have it: great fashion (and great shopping) fast. And you, gorgeous lady, are ready to take on the world, Fastionista Style!