As usual, the website pics don't do this skirt justice. I know that many are turned off by the length of the skirts this year but this one is not "that" short and this shape works better as a mini than the bell shape IMO. I mean, if you could bear the length of the felted wool bistro mini, you should bear this one. I happen to have the felted bistro one in the same size (bought this summer on a popback), so I took a pic for you to compare (the grey felted wool is less than an inch longer):
I find the felted bistro to run larger than this one so you can easily size up for more length.
While I was in Italy I couldn't wait to come back and wear it. I like it THAT much and it makes me happy seeing it when I open my closet every morning. I am honestly puzzled that this beauty hasn't sold out yet. It's expensive for sure for a mini but so are many other things that sell out in days. One sure thing is that it is much more striking in person and they didn't do much for it on the website.
For example I don't know why they have picked a grey sweater to show on the product page pics, as the skirt has in it a plethora of yummy colors mixed with golden threads:
In my opinion grey is one of the few colors to avoid completely (as probably navy and all the reds), as it tones it down. Plus, there are so many colors to pair with it that a neutral like grey seems lazy to say the least. It's like a concentrate of those JCrew colors that many of us love so much: the yellows, the pinks and the beautifusl greens. Speaking of green, look at the forest green lining:
I know what you are thinking: we could have lived without the the gold-zipper pockets and absolutely speaking I would have preferred this mini without those zippers that I found initially very ugly. But then they grew on me and I am now convinced that they actually add a modern touch to it, so it can appeal to the younger customers (as tweed generally doesn't). The thing is, you can still wear this skirt a la "old JCrew", if you can wear a mini.
So I want to show you these two different ways to wear it. Modern and aggressive (with the right shoes) and pretty-sophisticated, like in one of those beloved old JCrew catalogs that some of you treasure.
For a modern look you need a pair of shoes with an edge, to echo the zippers. While I was in Italy I splurged on a pair of lace-up peep-toe stiletto-heel booties by Sportmax (the younger line by MaxMara) that happen to do just that, they echo the zippers. I have been wanting a pair of shoes with a WOW factor for a while and these are just what I was looking for (they are also incredibly easy to walk in):
So, the rest of the outfit could be a long cardigan and a tee, like this:
Or a simple turtleneck. During the 20% off sweaters promo I ordered two merinos turtlenecks to try specifically with this skirt, one in black pine and one in paradise blue. Both colors are present in the skirt (the darker threads in the skirt are not black but dark green), but I preferred the black pine for a turtleneck. If you have never see this shade IRL, it is a very dark forest green, more unexpected than black (it comes across a little bit lighter than it really is in this pic):
I am going to show you the pairing with the paradise blue color, even if I had to crop this pic and I am going to return the sweater because I would wear it only with this skirt:
Now for the "pretty" version of the outfit, I picked an old cami that was screaming "me, me" from my closet as I haven't worn it in a long time. For the life of me I can't remember the name of this one but I am sure that it was Fall 07 as I bought it for as part of my "back to work" attire after my maternity leave (I went back to work in August). I am pretty sure that the color is the beautiful honey glaze, that is back this year. The advantage of this top is that it's long enough to cover the zippers. I have paired it first with a cashmere crewneck in a similar hue (the warm maize from last year) and the crystal colletto in dusty blossom (as for the shoes I would go for flats or a mid-heel like the Juliet):
And for a total "candy effect", with the Michelle cardigan in dark rose. A darker gold glitter-y belt or a mustard-y one would be better than this pale gold one, but this is what I have:
You can also wear it with a little cardigan, even if in this case you will see the zippers. Two example, with the same warm maize cashmere cardigan and with the Jenna in black (here in s S):
What do you think? Which way do you prefer it? Would you give it a try now? If not, why?
PS
I spent a lot of time to take the pics for this post and I am kind of curious to know if you like the skirt or not, so I appreciate anything that you have to say!
