It's goodbye comfort zone again

... and it's randomly not something that a lot of other people struggle with.  It's certainly not a way out there or outlandish fashion foible.  Dear lord no.  It's mundane to the point of being obvious and every day for lots of people but it represents the largest stumbling block to me. 

It is of course The Skirt.  I have two skirts.  Just two.  And one I don't even wear as a skirt, I wear with the matching blouse to make it into a dress.  The other is a leather skirt which I have to say I am very fond of although it has only been worn a handful of times and always in the same guise (I will try and wear it this week just because) 

I have never made any bones about the fact that I simply do not do skirts.  I don't think it's because I can't, I'm not sure if it's because I am inherently lazy, I do think it's because I have a massive mental mountain to climb to get over the fact I feel like a tit in them. 

Is it because I don't know which tops to wear with them? Is it because I used to wear them to work and they just feel very dressy for every day?  Is it because I can't be bothered to get tights out and my legs are currently verging on blue with a hair topcoat you could plait, so baring them is in no way shape or form an option?  Is it because I always have a footwear crisis when it comes to knowing what to team with a skirt?  And I haven't even got to coats or jackets yet.  In all honesty, it hurts my head to think about any of the above and whilst there are so many trouser options to choose from, it's simply easier to swerve the skirt. 

However I did have a similar nemesis in the form of dresses which I managed, with a touch of retail therapy, to overcome last year.  Ditto with shorts.  And now I have a plethora of both in my wardrobe and am itching for the better weather (and a lawnmower and vat of fake tan) to get my legs dress and shorts ready. 

To be honest, I have been umming and ahhing about skirts since the start of the season.  If last year I managed to break free from my comfort zone and embrace my legs in dresses and shorts, surely it couldn't be a giant leap to get into skirts?  But inspiration was lacking.  Until this month's Red mag and I came across this pic.

Perfect.  Totally perfect.  Suddenly it came to me - a little thin knit sweater, maybe with a shirt or a collar underneath.  Or even a longsleeved tee or vest for a layering look.  How about with a thin sweatshirt?  I was starting to see how this could work.  (it also gave me perfect justification to peruse more pointy pumps but that's for another day - oh hurrah). 

So off I go to look online.  The idea is that I will have a scout around and see what I uncover and later in the week I shall hopefully do a show and tell.  Here's what I have come up with so far. 

Jigsaw Paint Tulip skirt in navy £98  This is up there for me with pretty perfect. I have vision of navy Hawes & Curtis shirt, cream Whistles structured top and either grey suede Bella Seven Boot Lane brogues, blue New Balance or black ponyskin skater shoes (which I don't have)  For the evening, with a black structured tee or black tunic style short top and either black Burberry glad sandals, black and blue Reiss sandals or black Zara courts.  I think that would work no?





Thanks to a suggestion on Twitter from a lovely friend of mine, I discovered this absolute beauty from French Connection.  Again, a whole host of ideas similar to above but in different shades.  I also have a pale pink old Zara blazer that would look great with a black tee underneath and black skater shoes (no, still don't have them) 

Belle Garden Pencil Skirt £69









So....how does everyone else get on with skirts, especially if you don't go to an office for work.  I'm actually feeling rather inspired, will be back with some pics to see if they're a good idea or not and whether or not I'll be sporting them in the summer.   I am aware that this is just one small drop in the skirt ocean - I'm also rather taken with the flippy skirts that are out there.  But baby steps...

Finishing with my outfit today - up with the lark for hockey practice (clearly not me - the 9yr old moaning like a good 'un although she refuses to give it up - just random) and then a merry go round of party drop offs and pick ups with a whole host of washing in the middle.  Oh the glamour.  Although the dinner is on, all kids are bathed, The Husband is pouring the wine and we're about to put the smallest to bed and settle down to watch a movie with the older two so all in all a pretty perfect Sunday night.