Pencil skirts form a key part of your wardrobe when you want to look elegantly put together for an office work environment.
Christian Dior designed the pencil skirt in 1954 as a close-fitting skirt that fell to the knee or just above. Pencil skirts are cut close to the body from a cinched waistline to accentuate your curves.
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about this very elegant garment.
What Are The Significant Features Of Pencil Skirts?
Pencil skirts are close-fitting skirts that usually sit at the knee or just above, although you can get longer ones. They are cut to be close to the body from the top of the skirt to the bottom. This means that when you walk the skirt won’t move all that much because there isn’t much room for it to do so. In fact, if you wear a super tight pencil skirt then the chances are that you’ll have to adjust the way you walk slightly!
It’s also important to know that pencil skirts and straight-cut skirts are not the same, even though some people will say that they are. The difference is that straight-cut skirts resemble a long rectangle when laid out flat and when worn, the fabric hangs loosely past the hip due to how it’s cut.
What Are The Origins Of Pencil Skirts?
The pencil skirt gained its name due to being long and slim kind of like a pencil. And it was Christian Dior that designed the pencil skirt and launched it as part of his ‘H Line’ collection in 1954. His intention, when creating the pencil skirt, was to draw the eye to the hip rather than the waist and it was the tapered hemline of his skirts that allowed women to show off their curves! The skirt was a hit with celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn and was wildly popular at the time.
What Figure/Body Shape Is Best Suited To Pencil Skirts?
Hourglass and pear body shapes are best suited to pencil skirts and look sensational in them as the hips are accentuated. But if you don’t want too much curve to show then go for a pencil skirt that is less tapered at the hem.
Apple body shapes also look fab in pencil skirts so long as the skirt is structured. This is because a structured skirt will take the focus away from the stomach area unlike a stretch skirt made from lycra.
Which Kinds Of Tops Can You Pair With Pencil Skirts?
Pencil skirts are super versatile and can be worn to work, dinners, and even weddings depending on things like the color, pattern, or style.
For work, pair a structured pencil skirt with a pussy-bow blouse, turtle neck jumper, or simple cami and blazer combo. And for an edgy look, pair a leather pencil skirt with a thigh-high split or front zip with an oversized jumper, sweetheart crop top, or t-shirt. When it comes to weddings, you can’t go wrong with a long-sleeved lace blouse and you can add pearls for a classy touch!
What Shoes Work Best With Pencil Skirts?
Heels always look good because they can elongate the legs, so the pointed stiletto, open-toe heel with ankle strap, strappy sandal, or T-bar heel will look amazing depending on your outfit. And when it gets cold, a stylish high-heeled ankle boot is the way to go.
Wearing flats can be tricky sometimes because most people would say that heels just look better with a pencil skirt. But if you don’t fancy wearing heels or you want to give your feet a break from them then a simple pair of pointed or round toe flats will work well. Trainers can also be worn if you’re rocking the t-shirt and pencil skirt combination or similar but only a fashionable pair of trainers will do!
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