Restyling a Mannequin and Bias Cut Skirt
Happy Tuesday ladies. On my last trip through Nordstrom, I came across a mannequin wearing an unusual combination and wondered what you would think. I like to think I’m as creative as the next gal when combining separates in an outfit, but this combo is outside my style comfort zone. Here’s what I tried for restyling a bias cut skirt.
Note- bias cut shirts are cut on a 45-degree diagonal grain so they have greater stretch and hug the curves of the body.
I find bias-cut skirts hard to get right on my hips. I need to size way up so they will drape properly. I’m wearing a small which doesn’t have enough room through the hips so don’t consider the poor fit.
I found a tank in a similar blue, but I’m not crazy about this look. It feels too bare on me. Then I tried this cashmere sweater which is miles too large for me and I have at least 8 inches tucked into the waistband. I prefer this proportion but the cashmere is so tissue-thin, my nude bra shows right through.
Then I tried this silk cowl neck top with short dolman sleeves. I topped it with a Pima cotton cardigan because dolman sleeves are very unflattering on me. This was getting closer to my style but I’m not wild about the cardi with the soft drapey skirt and top. Finally, I tried a soft but structured, slim silk blouse, tied casually at the waist. This is an XL and it’s super large on me but drapes nicely so this is my favorite of the 4 styles I tried.
What ideas come to mind when you think about styling a bias cut skirt?
I like the skirt with the white tied shirt. It looks good on you. I would like the gray sweatshirt with the skirt without the cutout.
p.s. I enjoy your blog. Thanks for keeping it real.
I love bias cut skirts for their fluidity and swish when I walk. I would shorten the skirt to knee length. Of all your looks, I like the one with the white silk shirt tied in front the best.
I like the skirt, but not as shown on the mannequin with the sweatshirt. I think the skirt paied with a white tee and maybe a short cardigan if needed would be a better combination.
BTW — I couldn’t open yesterday’s Monday Musings – Updating our Home. Can you add a link for it? I tried various combinations in your search feature but could not locate it. Thanks!
Sorry about that. Nothing urgent, I took the post down because people were upset by it.
May I ask what the topic was that upset people? Itās always interesting to read what you have to say. Itās certainly not necessary for us all to agree and we can stop reading if weāre upset.
Why on earth would anyone be upset that you were sharing with us some new decor in your home? The little that I did see was lovely and you have great taste in everything you do on your blog!!! Please repost it as many of us would love to see the whole post. We matter too, and please donāt let an individual(s) make you change what you share with all of us. It was wonderful. Honestly I donāt know what is wrong with some people. We have enough negativity in our world, we certainly donāt need any more on your site.
Please re post your home renovations story. I love looking at how other people style their homes, especially in other countries. It is beyond belief that people would be upset by it
Very attractive skirt.
I did not care for the sweatshirt with the skit at least I think it is a sweatshirt.
The blouse looked good and maybe a lighter weight sweater would work well also.
I like the outfit,maybe without cutout. Would be a fun outfit with white converse sneakers. My favorite look is with the tied front white shirt. Thanks for all the work you put in keeping us hip and trendy.
You are just the cutest thing ever and have so much style but this doesnāt do a thing for you. Definite no way!
Lol, it wouldn’t be my first choice for sure. Thanks
The look is a hard ānoā for me. The combination is not attractive, but beyond that, the sweatshirt is both too plain and too much for the delicate skirt. I donāt wear midi skirts because they make my already short and stubby frame look shorter and stubbier. I like the ways you styled the midi, but I would need to substitute a knee length skirt.
Many things came to mind looking at this combo: to my eye the two pieces don’t work together as the bare-shouldered top is a texture too heavy for the ‘ditsy ‘ print flow skirt. Perhaps the drape of the skirt looks better on a tall long-climbed person, but not for me at 5’3″. Then because it’s International Women’s Day, I wondered about the source location, Nordstrom’s info says ‘imported’, but not from where.
Not my style either. The skirt is pretty though, not paired with what looks like a cropped sweatshirt. On another note I started to read yesterdayās post and had to pause and come back to it later and it was gone. What I did see was a wonderful job with the new drapes and what you have done in the kitchen. It looks so pretty. Wish I had been able to see rage rest of the post. Maybe another dayš have a wonderful rest of your week Jennifer.
My post upset so many people, I felt it best to remove it. I’m not a professional writer and often don’t explain myself well so rather than debating it, I felt it best to take it down. Have a great week!
I am so sorry to hear that. I just cannot imagine what would be so upsetting to people reading your post that they would make them post anything negative to you. If they donāt like something then donāt read it. No one is forcing them to read and then post unkind things. ššš
I really like how the mannequin is styled: it certainly catches my eye with the juxtaposition of a (āmasculineā grunge-y, if thatās a word!) sweatshirt, and such a soft āfeminineā skirt.
If age matters, Iām about to turn 70. I do not subscribe to the view that I must dress to suit my chronological age, but rather what suits/flatters my body shape. Since Iām quite fit, but am conscious of my thickening waist and tummy, I would avoid anything bias cut. As you mentioned, the bias sure hugs oneās curves!
Of your restyling suggestions, I like your cowl neck choice best. I also think that this skirt looks good on you.
I agree, we should dress to please ourselves
Oh! As addendum to my longer comment, I did not see the cut out shoulder on the sweatshirt! That softens the contrast between the 2 pieces . Maybe great for a much younger woman who wants to be cutting edge trendy.
I think a bias cut skirt is lovely in a more substantial fabric–maybe a lightweight wool that still retains the drape? I cannot get into the bias cut slip skirt trend because I fear wrinkling and maybe hints of the “contours” underneath. A high quality fabric and print may remedy these concerns, but then finding a top is a challenge. Does it bunch up or show if tucked in? I am surprised to say that I like the sweatshirt with it best, but that may just be the structure of the top. The opposing textures and themes of the outfit remind of the combos Jenna Lyons introduced to J. Crew years ago.
Yes, it reminds me of Jenna’s styling too
I generally like bias cut skirts. My favorite look (by far) is the white shirt tied at the waist. It might also look good with a white denim jacket. Thanks for taking the time to photograph the different options and share!
That would be fun too. I love a nice denim jacket
I think the skirt would look great with a silky cowl blouse with 3/4 sleeves the same colour as the one you have on.
I have 2 biased cut skirts and they fit me perfectly because I have no curves, hips or butt. I wish I had all three! I am not thin; 5ā8ā and 155-160 lbs. I think it depends on how you style the outfit it will work. The cowl neck and cardigan look is my style.
I have no curves either so it always surprises me that they’re not flattering on me. I think I need to size way up
I think I might try a structured jacket – what do you think? Maybe over the blue? or something similar like a shell? Letting the hips decide the length of the jacket?
Great idea!
I would like to see this with a nice white, short sleeve tee shirt tucked in or cropped with cute white sneakers. Denim jacket to wear over as option.
Another way to wear this dressed up, would be a silky thin strapped white camisole with strappy high heels.
I think a lot of clothes out there are fun , but not necessarily for over 60. I might look like I am trying too hard to be younger.
Hmmm, I do like a style that blends the high/low vibe. This may be a look that an adventurous gal could pull off. It would definitely address her unique personality and by adding unique accessories, it would look modern and fun.
I agree with other ladies that your best restyle was with the gorgeous white shirt.
As of today, I have zero skirts in my wardrobe. When working, they were a basic garment in my weekly rotation. There may be a special occasion that requires me to take another look at adding a skirt to my shopping bag! Never say never! š
I am hoping to add a skirt or two to my wardrobe in a casual way
The skirt with a sweatshirt looks trendy, young, and fresh. However, as a 60-year-old, I really loved the silk top and cardigan combination with the skirt, although Iād substitute a v-neck cardigan instead of the crew neck. Your necklace looked great with the outfit too.
Your last one with the tied silk blouse looks fine. I donāt care for any of the others. The biased cut skirt is not my style at all. I donāt feel a sweatshirt belongs with a skirt
Your last one with the tied silk blouse looks fine. I donāt care for any of the others. The biased cut skirt is not my style at all.
They’re not that flattering on me either. Not forgiving at all.
Love the white silk blouse tied at the waist with the skirt—gives it a polished yet casual look. For those of you who like jean jackets that would be a good option here, maybe white denim jacket with blue or white tank underneath.
Yes! I think a denim jacket would be a natural here
Love that idea. Most bias cut skirts are too long lined for me. I’m 5’1
nice thought… I have one with a peplum flounce I wonder…
So appreciate your time and effort, Jennifer. That said; I too like the cowl lick top with the skirt as feel its soft neckline is equivalent to that of the skirt hemline, giving the outfit balance. -Brenda-
Thanks, Branda, I agree, the cowl is a great compliment to the drape of the skirt
I don’t like the bias cut, and the pattern is nothing that would make me want to try on the skirt. I don’t like cut-out shoulders in sweatshirt material. Your restyling is much better. I think Paulette hit the nail on the head: navy = yes; and the cowl neck silk shirt is the most complimentary style. I wonder with dolman sleeves, would one even need the cardigan? I think a twin set in a blue might be nice too. A necklace might add interest to the white shirt look. I have a double strand of blue and green matte glass beads that would pick up the skirt’s colors and add a little punch above the waist.
The classic in me would love the twin set too. The dolman sleeve is basically a cap so just droops off the shoulder under the cardi.
I like the version with the white blouse, and at least in the picture, it looks perfectly proportioned. Iād wear that version if I wore this at all. To me all the other versions you tried miss the mark. I like the idea of what the Nordies mannequin is showing, but not that grey color, now if that sweatshirt came in the blue color of the tank you showed
I do like the skirt, if I were younger and still wearing them, I really like the white blouse, and the silky combo in the picture next to it….I like the blue tank also. the bulky sweater doesn’t seem right because the print strikes me as spring/summer.
I definitely like the cowl neck with this pretty skirt the best. You look wonderful in this outfit. I really, really want to wear more skirts. They are feminine, pretty, comfortable and cool. I want to look casual but feel too ādressed upā in a skirt and not sure where i would wear it.
I feel the same about skirts. I want to wear more and need to figure out how to make the look work for me
I like skirts in the summer with sandals or trainers. Skirts are breezier than pants in the summer. I don’t like shorts on me anymore!
I have never been a fan of shorts on me so skirts will be a nice option.
It wasnāt until I clicked thru on the sweatshirt (because I love it!) that I saw it had a cut out shoulder (and now I hate itā¦)
Were it not for the one cut out cold shoulder I would totally love this outfit. I love a fancier skirt with plain t-shirt and a skirt with a sweatshirt is the same vibe. Love.
I like that you restyle the mannequin clothing on yourself, but I would also enjoy seeing the original ālookā on you too. Just to get an idea of options on a real person.
Great suggestion
ooh yes would love that 2 Jennifer
As a seamstress I know how a bias cut fits, especially in a thin or stretchy fabric. It stretches around and across every curve, lump and bump, unless the body is quite straight figured. It is forgiving or flattering on most women only if a skirt is cut in a style full enough to fall away from the body. The skirt shown is not something I would bother to try on.
I like the skirt with the cutout sweatshirt. I would change the shoes to an ankle boot or even sneakers. Of the tops you tried, my preference is the shape of the cowl neck topā¦something a little boxy over the skirt.
That’s a fun way to switch it up
I agree with Paulette.
Like you I find thus cut out sweatshirt just a bit ā over the topā with this lovely skirt. Iād like a shorter sleeve navy silk blouse knotted at waist as youāve done with the white shirt. The long sleeves of the white shirt seem a bit irregular with this skirt (to my eye).
Of the styles youāve created I really love the silk low cowl neck blouse with similar beige cardigan best. Of course you look adorable in most everything!
That’s a great idea. I love the idea of navy with this skirt. I was surprised to find my options limited at the store, I guess because they’re bringing all the shorts out onto the racks š