Category: Skirt

New Year's Eve in July

7/13/2014

I spent a lot of time around New Year's Eve looking for a sequin skirt. Who knew we could buy one now for next to nothing, probably to save for the Big Event but possibly to wear for a fun night out?

Banana Republic Sequin Mini, $29.99 minus 50%

J. C. Penney Joe Fresh Sequin Graphic Skirt, $19.99 minus 15%

Forever 21 Ditsy Sequined Skirt, bronze or mint, $11.99

Zara Seqinned Skirt, $19.99

H&M Skirt with Sequined Embroidery, $20

Styling suggestion for now...

Garnet Hill Modern Sequin Knit Skirt, $49

And later...

Sole Society image, accessories, & shoes

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It can be intimidating & exciting to roam through 10,000 affordable pieces of clothing looking for one that suits you.
But it's exactly up my alley too. I've always wondered about the large clothing manufacturers overseas that sell clothing in bulk at amazing prices. Should I be wary of them? Are they trustworthy?

So I was excited when Sammy Dress, an international online clothing company headquartered in Hong Kong, contacted me & asked me to do a product review. I was offered the opportunity to pick any item under $10--almost everything on the site was under $10, so I had hundreds of choices. After narrowing down my selections, I came across this long cotton skirt & decided it was the one for me.

Sammy Dress Packet Buttock Slit Ruffles Cotton Blend Solid Color Skirt, $9.83

The skirt arrived about a week & a half later with a kind note. It's a little close-fitting, so I'm glad it has a drawstring waist that allows me to adjust it to size.

It's made of a super soft cotton blend, so comfy it fits into my category of what to wear when you're dead tired.

I like that it's trumpet style (not a tube skirt), so I can easily walk in it. It also has a slit on one side, so I can walk in full stride!

It's ideal for throwing on when I get home from work, but it's also elegant enough to wear to work...

for play

Sammy Dress skirt worn with Victoria's Secret vintage tee

for work

Sammy Dress skirt worn with J. Crew Factory Charley cotton sweater

I asked a friend of mine from Taiwan if she knew Sammy Dress. The type of company was familiar to her, & she praised Sammy Dress for its variety & price. I looked at a few other Asian clothing sites she sent, & I think Sammy Dress is much easier to search. I love that you can scroll down on any page & see several images of each item from different angles & on a model. They offer a search box too if you're looking for a specific style or piece.

I researched other reviews of Sammy Dress online, & most everyone seems happy with their service, style, & quality. I've learned from watching a couple video reviews that the "one size" they sell if you don't buy in bulk is around an American Medium. I like reading the reviews under each item on the website since they're truly from around the world--from Puerto Rico to Ukraine. They all mention the fast delivery.

I've noticed even in my short time knowing Sammy that things sell out, which doesn't surprise me.

Many of the items on the Sammy Dress site don't suit me (they are too young), but many things seem just right.

Here are a few of the items I've considered ordering:

Sammy Dress Trendy Stand Collar Leopard Print Chiffon Shirt, $8.17

Stylish Collarless Splicing Embellished Long Sleeves Slimming Cardigan, $14.30

Sammy Dress Street Fashion Checked Long Sleeve T-Shirt, $7.94

Sammy Dress clothing makes me want to try some of the trendier styles. And--you know me--I'm also eyeing their men's clothing (for me :-):

Sammy Dress British Style Round Neck Single Breasted Solid Color Long Sleeves Cotton Blend Cardigan For Men, $9.59

They also carry a limited but very cute (& affordable) children's line.

You can follow Sammy Dress on Facebook, on Pinterest, & on Twitter.

Many thanks to Sammy Dress for introducing me to their line & for the lovely skirt!

Have you shopped from Sammy Dress or a similar site? Please share your experience.

8 Comments

One skirt for a trip to Africa

2/28/2014

4 Comments

Dear Fashion Feline:
We're terribly excited! We're going to Africa over Spring Break! The packing list is very short & particular. We are required to travel very light for the safari, & we'll have to wash our clothes in the sink at times during this trip. I need a knee-length skirt that packs light, washes easily, & doesn't wrinkle--will you help me? --Samantha

Dear Samantha,
How amazing to go to Africa! Here are 4 travel skirts that are both stylish & versatile.
Wish I could come along to see all those big kitties there :-).
--FF >^.^<

1. The Eddie Bauer Aster TRAVEX Skirt

Eddie Bauer carries a line of travel gear called Travex. Below is the ad for it from their catalog & the link to the skirt if you click on the photo. It comes in 3 colors & can be converted into a dress. I think the length might be nice if you won't be able to shower & shave your legs as much as you might like on this trip.

Eddie Bauer Aster Convertible Skirt TRAVEX, $45

2. The Athleta Strata Skirt

I own this skirt in two colors, & I'm crazy for this patterned version. It can be worn year round, it doesn't wrinkle, it's the right length, & the price is right if you buy one of the solid colors.

Athleta Cassava Strata Skirt, $54

Athleta Strata Skirt, $24.99

3. The Patagonia Vitaliti Skirt

I own this skirt too, in blue. It's a lightweight, high-tech material that washes without wrinkling. It has a flattering shape.

Backcountry,com Patagonia Vitaliti Skirt, $59

4. The Horny Toad Chaka Skirt

I love this color below ("night shade"). It seems to me not so dark & drab as black, multi-seasonal, & versatile.

6pm.com Horny Toad Chaka Skirt, $41.99 as shown. Some colors $19.99. Available in 9 colors.

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Fashion Feline
at your service

Zand convertible skirts

Spring shirts, $10 & up

4 Comments

A little flounce in your skirt

10/28/2013

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A little flip in your hem, a ruffle in your step--something playful, flirty, & flattering about flounce skirts.
Do you own a flounce-hemmed skirt? Where did you find it?

From Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor High Low Hem Pencil Skirt, $89 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Faux Leather Ponte Flounce Skirt, $88 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Tweed Flounce Skirt, $98 minus 50%

Ann Taylor Leopard Jacquard Flounce Skirt, $69.88 minus 50%

From Anthropologie

Anthropologie Cateline Skirt, $69.95

From Banana Republic

Banana Republic Fluted Shine Skirt, $98 minus 40% (code BRSAVE40)

From Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers Peplum Skirt, $148

From J.Crew

J. Crew Fluted Skirt in Double Crepe, $98

From Piperlime

Piperlime Fannie Boucle Knit Skirt by DV by Dolce Vita, $88

From Boden

Boden Hayley Skirt in sage, $98

Boden Hayley Skirt in fig, $98

From Talbots:

Talbots Seasonless Crepe Flounced Skirt, $99

Talbots Italian Flannel Trumpet Skirt, $129

From The Limited

The Limited Ponte Flounce Skirt, $59.95 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited Houndstooth Flounce Skirt, $59.99 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited Ponte Flounce Skirt, $59.95 minus 50% (code BIRTHDAY)

The Limited High-Waist Flounced Hem Skirt, $17.49 minus 30%

Dress 'em down or dress 'em up.
Try 'em with a bird tee... with a lace top... or with a crisp shirt or sweater.

Bird tees

Lace-topped tees

0 Comments

Black & white: my work "uniform"

9/16/2013

4 Comments

It's no news that black & white makes it easy to get dressed in the morning. Even when the pieces aren't so new, black & white together almost always looks crisp & conveys the impression "I got this."

Black skirt, white blouse

Boden from head to toe. New skirt, old blouse. I typically balance a conservative shirt with a short skirt.

Boden Sixties Mini, $58

Black dress

I don't wear this dress very often, but I've owned it for years, & it's never let me down.

Age-old Banana Republic sheath, Target tights, Aerosoles Caricature Many Janes (below)

Almost identical:

GAP Sheath Dress, $59.95 minus 25%

Aerosoles Caricature, $49.99

Black pants, white shirt, black pullover

This is the outfit I'll be wearing today. I usually wear a sleeveless white shirt under a sweater to keep away bulk.
The v-neck as well as the black cotton pants are VS. The sleevelesss shirt is GAP.

Victoria's Secret The Kate Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton, $49.50

What's your work "uniform"?

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4 Comments

Our daily lace

9/2/2013

2 Comments

Lately we see lace attached to everyday items. Do-it-yourselfers: it seems we should be able to recreate this look easily enough.

Anthropologie Rione Skirt, $118

I looked all over Etsy to see if someone might have handmade a similar look to this. No luck.

The idea of adding lace to an existing item seems to me in keeping with TED's TEN guidelines for sustainable design. It fits with Design Strategy#2: Design for Recycling/Upcycling.

Banana Republic Lace-Front Pullover, $79.50 minus 40% with the code BRweekend

My favorite of several lace-fronted sweatshirt-type pullovers out there.

J. Crew Factory Lace-front Tee, $31.50

This top is really a pretty good deal. Comes in 4 colors.
Free shipping today.

Do you sew? Could you recreate this look yourself?

Are you searching for something?:

Search Party

2 Comments

The basic black skirt

8/15/2013

3 Comments

One morning recently I woke up saying, "I need a black skirt!"
I'm not necessarily a follower of the 10 Item Wardrobe, but I do believe in buying all-season pieces, especially for work.
If I had to limit myself to 10 pieces, I'd definitely include a black pair of pants and a black skirt since they look hip and go with everything. I'd pick the type of black skirt that suits you best, whether it be mini or knee-length, pencil or A-line.

Two from H&M (now available for online shopping!)

H&M Stretch Pencil Skirt, $24.95

H&M Flared Skirt, $24.95

Two from Forever21

Forever 21 Essential Flounced Skirt, $14.80

I admired this skirt in the store before I realized I needed a black skirt. I plan to return to get it! Hoping it'll still be there, or I'll order it online.

Forever 21 Essential Flap Skirt, $15.80

One from Boden

This Boden skirt is the one I chose since I have a weakness for '60s styles, especially minis. I like that it's made of ponte knit (not wool) because it's all season and can be worn as a casual or a dressy skirt. I got it for 10% off & free shipping & free returns. It's worth it to sign up for Boden's email list to get their discounts.

Boden Sixties Mini, $58

Here I am in it. Love black & white!

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Basic black pant

Basic white shirt

Basic black bag

The Open Mind Mindset

3 Comments

Inspired by a throw rug & an illustration from a kids' book?

6/6/2013

0 Comments

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Blue & orange (and maybe a touch of white). I wouldn't have thought I'd like this combo except for the Broncos! But I've been looking at this kids' rug from Target and thinking "hmmm--looks fresh, makes me feel happy." And then reading my favorite kids' book The Trouble with Mister by Debra Keller the other day, I noticed this adorable orange and blue outfit in an illustration by Shannon McNeill. That's it--I'd seek out a navy skirt, throw some orange on it, and see if it might work.

The Skirt:

Love this $14.99 skirt from Joe Fresh!

J. C. Penny Joe Fresh Print A-Line Skirt, $14.99

Paired with orange or coral:

Paired with J. Crew boatneck tee (more available)

Styled with Boden tee & cardi

Paired with black or gray:

Well, if I don't feel like the orange combo, I can always go with black or gray...

Paired with Anthropologie Sparrow pullover

I'm thinking about getting this Garnet Hill Pleated-Detail Scoop-Neck Tee, $24

Paired with old Banana Republic cardi

What do you think? Like the blue & orange or prefer the basics?

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Blue with black:
an elegant combination

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A positive influence

1/23/2013

1 Comment

Sometimes we don't know exactly why we want something or who influenced us. But this time I do. I just loved Heather's outfit "Unintended Style" that she posted on her blog Pearls and Paws January 7. I'm often drawn to Heather's outfits for the office--always appropriate, elegant, and affordable.

"Unintended Style" from Heather's January 7th post on her blog Pearls and Paws

Heather's post got me searching for a blue skirt for work. I found this one at Piperlime for $26.99. It doesn't have layers, but I love the color! It also comes in yellow, orange, and black, and there are blazers to match if you want a complete suit.

Piperlime The Brigid Skirt by Pim + Larkin, $26.99, free shipping & returns

I put together an outfit like Heather's--I like how you can wear just black or white to play up the skirt. Heather's scarf is so pretty; I'll work on adding a scarf, trying different black tops, and adding other accessories.

Thanks so much for giving me another outfit option for work, Heather! Heavens knows it's hard to get dressed in the morning!

Puffed up

1/19/2013

0 Comments

Some of you made fun of me (but only in the nicest of ways) in the fall when I said I was craving an insulated skirt, even saying it looked like a floatation device! :-) .

Altrec The North Face Runaway Insulated Skirt, $52.49

I did buy this skirt when the price went down a bit, and I've LOVED it this winter. One benefit is that it never wrinkles or shows any wear so I can wear it again and again. It also does keep me very warm.

Here's Athleta's version of it, available in regular or tall in 3 colors.

Athleta Snow Stomper Skirt, $39.99

I was at the zoo on a cold night around New Year's and noticed a woman wearing an ankle-length version of my skirt. She looked GREAT. You would think that a puffy skirt would look bulky, but actually she looked athletic and shapely.

Horny Toad Cloudcover Skirt, $70.80

Horny Toad outfit

Skhoop of Scandinavia has a strong appreciation for puffy for those in cold climates. They carry insulated skirts in all sizes and lengths, but they are fairly expensive.