The Itch I can't quite scratch.

Oh it's a bloody skirt. 

So.  I thought that the pencil skirt was a good idea.  I still think the pencil skirt is a fab idea.  If money were no object and i could buy a fabulous leather one (numero uno on my sales list), I hadn't set myself a quota which I'm clinging onto by my fingernails, thanks to the evergrowing amendments I keep adding to it.  Oh and I didn't mostly have a lifestyle which involves bombing around in jeans.  

I would wear a pencil skirt of that I am sure, but how much?  I fear it may be a bit like my black capri pants which I had such high hopes for and I simply can't quite get to grips with.  All the inspiration is there - it's just that translating into my everyday life hasn't seemed to pan out.  Totally randomly, I find it much easier to wear the print ones I bought and I reckon I've worn them as much, even though I bought them a couple of months ago and have had the black ones for an entire year. 

A pencil skirt for the school run and my mainly very casual life just doesn't work hard enough.  And as I've said before - one of the main reasons for my quota was that I don't want to fill my wardrobe with things that get an airing once in a blue moon.  It's already full of stuff that does that, thanks to my (old) rather impulsive shopping habit which primarily centred on quality over quantity (until I saw something expensive I loved and then it was all about the cost per wear and longevity of an item)  Fickle shopping.  

I've turned into Lydia from Fame when it comes to my wardrobe.  (yes clearly I have totally lost the plot).  This is what I want to say to new clothes "You want fame? Well fame costs and here's where you start paying".  Can I please point out that I've never actually uttered these words outloud and to be fair, I haven't even "really" thought them, but the analogy stands.  I need things that I buy to work hard.  They need to be able to multitask.  I want to get real value out of my clothes. 

Which brings me back to the thorny subject of skirts.  Right now I need a skirt that will cover a multitude of occasions and a pencil one doesn't fit the bill.  (I could of course arrange more dressy/posh things to do but this seems to be coming at the thing from the wrong angle) 

Let's go full.  Let's go midi.  First things first - the great things about these are that there is less leg on show so less to shave and less to tan.  These are things that are v important to me (my laziness knows no bounds) 

I'll come to what tops I can see myself in another day (fear not, I have plans) but shoe wise, I think pretty much anything goes.  Especially for the Summer, sandals are a total winner including the not so fugly anymore sandals from yesterday.  Sliders, skater shoes, heeled sandals, courts (mid or high) and even ankle boots are a total winner. 

Length wise... Well.  To be honest it, not wanting to state the obvious, it depends on how tall you are.  Which will not only dictate how long each skirt will be on you but also how long you want it.  For me at 5ft10 I would like it to be (she says making it up as she goes along...) a bit below my knee.  Absolutely not lower than mid calf.  But definitely below the knee.  For me, anything on the knee with fullness and flat shoes screams Lindy Hop.  And now that picture is there I can't get rid of it.  But skirts can always be shortened (not lengthened which is a bummer - I'm still scarred by memories of my beloved mother adding another layer in a different fabric to a rara skirt in the 80's as she thought it was too short.  Not good. Oh dear god, not good at all)  So trying them on is obviously essential. 

Starting with something neutral and straight in with something quite full on - a leather version. 

This from RIver Island is a great price. 

Black Leather Full midi skirt £130 

Now this is an obviously contentious number - white leather.  I like it.  I really like it.  I'm also very worried about my fake tan with it though.  Dang it. 

White leather midi skirt £130




A non leather white one from ASOS 

ASOS Premium Full midi skirt in Bonded crepe £75



This navy floral skirt from RIver Island is actually one of the reasons I started thinking hmmm, these may be an option.  Saw it in store and it looks amazing.  Fantastic quality, great length and just that little bit more interesting than a plain navy number.  They do this in yellow as well which they don't seem to have online but definitely have in store. 

Navy Floral Embroidered A line midi Skirt £40






Now this is why I think they slightly work better if they're not totally plain.  Were this in bottle green this plain textured one would be my school skirt.  Clearly it would depend on how you wore it in an outfit so I'd need to try this on.  But I think I'm going to move as far away from uniform as I can (ie leather.  Ha!) 

Whistles Textured Midi skirt £125



If you are after navy, I think that this might work better. 

Weekend by MaxMara Vittor Skirt in navy £140




Pale pink with an on trend black waistband.  The flat pleats from the waistband would make this more flattering on those less than flat tummies. 

Light Pink Box Pleat Midi skirt £35





In a coral colour from Great Plains. 

Cafe Crepe Pleated Midi skirt £55



Another pink - the stitch waist detail makes it slightly more fluid and less full. 

ASOS Midi Skirt £28



Classic plain black ASOS full midi skirt £22



There are lots of different colours in this style all at £22

ASOS Full Midi skirt £22 in yellow




Grey Marl £22



Soft Blue £22



A denim version from Warehouse 

Midi Skirt in light Denim £38



Obviously can't ignore black and this one has pockets.  I would love to have that as my must have but beggars can't be choosers (mine will probably be quite reliant on length) 

Black Scuba Skirt from Warehouse £32 (this does look shorter but the model is 5ft10)




A fuller version from ASOS also in pockets and also in scuba material. 

ASOS Full Midi Skirt in scuba fabric £35



And the scuba fabric proves popular. 

Closet Full Skater Midi skirt in scuba material in red £30 (they do this in black too)




A different option on a plain colour would be pleated. 

Love this in either yellow or pink from ASOS. 

ASOS Pleated Midi pleated skirt £35




And in pink £35 (which is more of a lilac pink to me) 



If we're looking at print which would look marvellous paired with any number of plain tops then there are lots around.

White Abstract Stamp Print Full midi skirt £35 from River Island.




You would probably be forgiven for thinking the one above is Boden and of course you couldn't do a full skirt post without including one from there.  Actually I thought there would be loads but no.  Just the one really and this probably could do with being slightly longer than Boden would normally do but since there is a Long option they get a mention.  Oh and they have pockets which are a huge plus. 

Nancy Skirt  in Jumbo Spot £69



I love the idea of this one teamed with a black thin knit crew neck boxy jumper and black skater shoes.  (or fuglies...) 

Riviera Skirt £69




A smaller spot version with a pleat at ASOS 

ASOS spot pleat midi skirt in oyster and black £40



And navy and oyster £40



An abstract print from ASOS in pink/yellow £35





Moving onto metallic which I think might be a pretty bold step for my first summer skirt venture but I guess it would go with everything.... (I'd just need to toy with whether I could stomach the "finishing a marathon"/metal mickey jokes from The Husband) 

Metallic Midi skirt from Warehouse £46  Slightly less full than some others.





This I absolutely love but am quite realistic that as regards versatility, I'm not going to be wearing this on the school run. (whereas randomly I would wear a leather one.  Make of that what you will..!)

Daisy Foil Skirt in silver from Whistles £125



Slightly less obvious metallic from ASOS 

ASOS Midi Skirt in silver camo jacquard £50



And I'm sure there are loads out there, hopefully I'll get to try some on this week or next and get back to you with ideas for tops to go with them.  It's also occurred to me as I've put this blog together that most of these are on the waist.  I would personally go with a size bigger than usual as a) I have no waist and most things that are designed to sit on the waist are snug on me and b) after years and years of having things not at the waist for fear of Simon Cowell comparisons, it feels supremely odd and I prefer things to sit on the hips.  There is a c) as well - as I'm short bodied with very out of proportion legs, if something is at my true waist I do look rather like Simon Cowell in a wig. 

So - where do we all sit on the skirt front?  We've done pencil and we're all used to maxi length skirts but a full midi?  Would love to hear if you're already wearing them or planning on wearing them and what with. 

Finishing with outfit today - up to London en famille which was great.   Braved the Transport Museum which, with hindsight, was a bold choice with a 7yr old with ADHD/being diagnosed for ASD.  Shan't be doing that again in a hurry.  We'll stick with what we know - train, watching all the street performers in Covent Garden, lunch (at the restaurant he knows where we order the same thing!) and ice creams on the way home.  To be fair, now that we've done it once, he'll actually be totally fine second time round (which is handy as the tickets you get are valid for a whole year.  There is loads to do so highly highly recommended - if your children aren't runners...!) 

It was also chilly.  But I have to say I was super pleased with my outfit today.  Am so so pleased I took this blazer out of the charity bag! 




Grey tee - H&M
Grey tie dye jeans - Sandro
Pink blazer - Zara
Black skater shoes - Next
Black Faridah Hobo bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Hope everyone is having a fab Sat night.  We cancelled our plans as we are so so exhausted, which is great as after a day in London with three kids, pizza and champagne on the sofa is exactly what the Dr ordered.  xxx