December 3, 2024
Chicago 12, Melborne City, USA
Fashion & Beauty

Sunshine, A Summer Skirt and a Lesson of Some Kind

The weather in Norwich has been beautiful this last week.

I believe some of the rest of you have had thunderstorms and torrential rains, but here in Norwich it’s been all blazing sunshine and balmy summer breezes.

I have therefore been engaging in a particularly British pass time of wearing as many of my Summer clothes as I can before the weather breaks and I’m back in jumpers and wellies.

Pale Blue Summer Midi Skirt with Bardot Crop Top

This particular beautiful Summer day I was heading into town for a cocktail and dinner with Mr Chick, before a game review with my Roller Derby team which involved being in a tiny room with a running projector for 2 hours, so cool clothing was a must!

And *gasp* look, I’m wearing a crop top at 37 again, will I never learn that is inappropriate?

I actually found getting the proportions right for this outfit a little difficult. I am short and curvy with short legs, originally I put platform sandals on with the summer skirt and crop top thinking it would make me look a bit taller, but it just didn’t work. With the skirt being a little shorter than usual, and teamed with the crop top it made me feel a bit too exposed and I looked weirdly cut off. The Platform sandals highlighted all the knees and stomach on show and with a shorter skirt they made my legs look short and stumpy, the opposite of the effect I was going for!

When I swapped them out for flat jelly shoes it looked much cuter and more in proportion on my figure. There’s a lesson in there somewhere, I’m not sure what it is, maybe it’s about experimenting with your wardrobe and paying attention to proportions, or maybe it’s about only wearing what you feel comfortable in, because if I’d worn those shoes out I can virtually guarantee I wouldn’t be posting these photos as I’d have hated them!
Summer Crop Top and Full Skirt OUtfit

Summer Outfit

The summer skirt I bought in a shop in Hastings, in a little square next to the WestĀ Hill Railway. I couldn’t really afford it, and it’s a little shorter than I normally wear, you can almost see my KNEES. But that print, I just loved it! It’s Mexican themed with pictures of Frida Kahlo and hearts and flowers on a pale teal colour background.

It also has pockets (win!), and 2 buttons on the waist so you can loosen it a little, if, for instance, you are about to go out and eat large amounts of food, like I’m about to here.

Summer Crop Top Outfit

Frida Kahlo Skirt Print

I actually managed to track down the skirt for sale on Amazon (for less than I paid, but you win some you lose some!). Actually I am surprised at the quality considering the low price and am considering treating myself to a strawberry print one. There’s a couple of great pin-up prints in there as well.

I mentioned the other day that actually I’m becoming increasingly sold on skirts, rather than dresses. I still love dresses for their totally easy “fling it on and everyone thinks you made an effort” quality, but the versatility of separates has become quite appealing, the mix and match possibilities with different tops seems particularly appropriate to dressing for the British weather.

This skirt, however, is an example of exactly the sort of skirt I probably shouldn’t buy. I am in need of some good multi-season skirts, and I think this one is most definitely aĀ Summer skirt. I can’t really picture myself wearing it with a polo neck and boots, though I have no doubt that some people would pull it off with aplomb, I would look like I was wearing my Summer skirt with a polo neck and boots.

Mexican Summer Skirt

Still, that gives me an excellent excuse to shop for more skirts, I’d say.

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ā™„ Skirt – Grace KarinĀ ā™„ Bardot Crop Top – ASOS (Similar) ā™„ Shoes – From a Clothes SwapĀ ā™„

 

 

13 Comments

  • Ev June 13, 2016

    Love your skirt!
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  • Suzanne June 13, 2016

    LOVE the skirt! Anything with pockets is a million times better in my books. The print is adorable.

    I also love that you’re doing the off-the-shoulder thing and wearing it with a bra. The only way I’d ever be able to carry off that look. Now I just need to find a bra with cute straps rather than the thick heavy duty ones I have.

    bisous
    Suzanne

  • Zoie June 13, 2016

    The strawberry print skirt – they’re upside-down! That’d drive me batty… Please say they do it the right way round too?

    • Gemma June 14, 2016

      Is it? I totally didn’t notice! That’s why they’re so cheap šŸ˜‰

  • Jessica June 14, 2016

    I know what you mean about proportions – sometimes you try on the combination that’s supposed to be flattering – high heels, short skirt, fitted top – and something just looks… off. Trusting your own eyes about what looks good on you is always the best thing to do.
    Love the print on the skirt, it’s crazy cute! And you seriously rock a crop top.

  • Melanie June 14, 2016

    Cute outfit, that skirt is beautiful! Showing your midriff and almost your knees? Scandalous šŸ˜‰
    For someone who used to wear skirts that barely covered their bottom, now the very idea of showing my knees rattles me. My first Lindy Bop dress does just this and it still unsettles me, hehe! x

  • Sharon June 14, 2016

    Fab skirt. What kind of material is it? People have said both stiff cotton and synthetic on the listing. Totally want all of them.

    • Gemma June 15, 2016

      It feels like stiff cotton, but I suspect that it is probably a poly cotton blend maybe. I don’t think there’s a fabric label, will check later!

  • Nothing wrong with having winter skirts and summer skirts – I always look forward to getting my winter tartans and tweeds out again, after a summer in cotton dresses.

    (I cannot do summer separates… I have no head for them.)

  • Tor June 15, 2016

    Snap! I have this skirt too, got it from Amazon for a tenner – win. Not sure I’ll wear it in winter, but there’s plenty of polka dot versions that I think will look ace with coloured tights and boots, so might have to invest. Love the crop top, will definitely try ASOS for one for myself!

  • Dinesh Jetwani June 16, 2016

    For organic and cotton clothing have a look at Cotton Dresses Online Shopping

  • Sandra June 16, 2016

    I absolutely adore this look on you! And OMG how cute is this skirt?? I definitely need one now.

    Many hugs,
    Sandra <3

  • Emma@craftyclyde June 23, 2016

    Ooo i have that fabric at home! That is a bargain considering the print is like Alexander Henry and pretty expensive!!

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