Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Dear Empress Giveaway: Can Lower Figures wear Colorful Skirts?

Dear Empress,

“…Can I still wear colorful skirts even though my bust/waist/hip measurements designate me as a lower figure?…”

Perfectly Pear (aka Edith of See the Songers)
———————————–

Response Sponsored by:

Lady Edith,

Even the juiciest of pears can tastefully wear a colorful skirt. Color is but the final consideration in the garment evaluation quartet. Thus, lower figures are certainly not destined to a life of black below the belt. Color can help to compensate for violations of higher rules, but it’s not cardinal cannon unto itself.

Following is the
Garment Evaluation Tetrad
(While our example centers on lower figure and skirts, this same theory may be applied to all body types and garments)

one. Cut
The shape of the garment trumps every other determinant. Does it taper against your flare, ruffle along your round? The shape should highlight your narrowest features and balance your fullest. Imagine the garment as a minimalist ink outline, then evaluate whether the shape complements your own figure.

two. Cloth
For your area of concern, look for flat, structured fabrics that drape rather than cling. While you don’t want bulky wool sweater kilts adding inches to your hipline, you also want to avoid the dimple prone vulnerabilities of a cotton jersey pull-on skirt. Look for fabrics that will hold a clean line without excessive volume or transparencies. And opt for matte over shine, our strongest curves need only to be outlined not amplified.

three. Composition
Properly applied patterns, textures, and prints are camouflage to body insecurities. In fact a bright pattern is often more effective than a neutral solid since it has a little something to offer distraction.

four. Color
Lastly we consider color. Certainly some colors are less flamboyant than others. But if the garment excels in cut, cloth, and composition you don’t have to follow color minimizing rules fanatically.

Take for example the Still Life Skirt from Downeast Baics.

Cut – A-line
Ne’er hugging a single curve of the thigh
Cloth – Cotton broadcloth
Flat smooth, and able to hold its own starch
Composition – Playful
The wood block inspired floral will keep all eyes moving
Color – Light & Bright
While the color isn’t a textbook ideal, it certainly follows enough more important rules to get a complimentary ruling.


Pair it with this equally bright and playful Frosted Flowers Cardigan and you’ll achieve a stunning balance.

Care for your own DownEast Basics Skirt?

Either: Go to DownEast Basics, inspect their skirt offerings, and leave a comment on this post identifying your preferred skirt of choice.

And/Or: Become a Cardigan Empire Follower so you can be privy to future offers and giveaways. Leave a confirming comment on this Cardigan Empire post.


The winner of the Colorful Skirt Giveaway will be selected on Monday, February 22nd.

Feed me fashionably fresh

Comments

  1. Ooo! I love the skirt you posted and pairing it with the knit is gorgeous!

  2. And I now follow your blog! Thanks for the fun giveaway!

  3. The Soiree Corduroy Skirt in Stratosphere would be an amazing addition to Spring!

  4. I like the “Get Gorgeous” skirt. The colors are fabulous!

  5. I just posted on my own blog about how much I want both that cardigan and the Stroke of Art skirt! I’m so happy that you answered this question by the way, I’ve been waiting for it since I saw that comment.

  6. Oh, and of course I already follow your blog!

  7. I love the Top Tier skirt! Downeast is great.

  10. I really love the top tier shirt!

  11. Oh, and I already follow your fabulous blog!

  13. The Top Tier Skirt is definitely m favorite!

  14. I like the stroke of art and soiree corduroy skirt. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. I really like the soiree corduroy skirt and it would work with my figure!

  16. The “Hot to Trot Skirt” is my choice!

  20. I love the Garden Glam skirt!! So colorful, and such a fun shape.

  21. I’ve been looking for lower-figure skirts! I think the Still Life skirt is perfect. 🙂

  22. I am a follower!
    katieharrison13 at gmail dot com

  24. I am loving the Really Regal skirt. So awesome- and regal!
    katieharrison13 at gmail dot com

  25. The Atlantic skirt is so pretty and dressy–that’s my pick!
    I also follow your blog. =)

  26. I really like the stroke of art skirt and hope it too fits the lower-figured guidelines. And I’ve been a folower of your lovely blog for quite some time now, thank you very much!

  27. i like the stroke of art skirt for spring.

  28. I have been oogling over the still life skirt, particularly because it has pockets — my latest obsession in skirts and dresses. The dress I want is already out of stock in my size though. Hmph.

  31. I’m loving the garden glam or stroke of art

  33. i love their skirts. and dresses. and all my sisters have “pear” shapes. we used downeast for all of my bridesmaid outfits. and there were 14.( i had 18 bmaids but the other 4 came up with their own outfits) yup. and i am already a diehard follower. i love the EMPIRE!
    loves!
    britt

  34. Love this skirt, especially since I’m a pear…and i have your Proud to Be a Pear button my blog…because I am. Proud to be… (most of the time)

  35. The Top Tier skirt looks really fun!

  37. I really like the cut of the soiree corduroy skirt… cute flare.

  38. Definitely a Cardigan Empire follower! I wish you worked at my Anthropologie!

  39. I love the awesome blossom skirt and this one.

  40. I love the Atlantic Skirt and think it’s perfect for spring/summer.

  41. I also follow you, but through Google Reader. Does that count?

  42. Of course I follow you as well. You are fantastic!

  43. I like the Hot to Trot Skirt.

  45. I want to get gorgeous in the skirt of the same name!

  47. Love to many to pick one but i love down east basics

  48. I like the stroke of art skirt. thank you for the opportunity! also, I follow you via google reader – hope that counts 🙂

  49. I love the Get Gorgeous skirt!

  50. The Stroke of Art Skirt paired with the Pink Frosted Fowers Cardigan is definetly what I would pick…and I have followed since the begining.
    Jamee
    xooxo

  54. I actually got the DownEast catalog in the mail today and am coveting the Top Tier skirt!

  56. I like the top tier skirt in lilac ash!

  57. My current favorite for spring is the Stroke of Art skirt. I love the bold colors.

    kristen(dot)mason(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. I love the Stroke of Art skirt! Beautiful! I already have the perfect top to wear with it. 🙂

  60. I love the garden glam skirt (I love all of their skirts actually).

  61. I am already a follower. Thanks for the giveaway!

  62. I have been following your blog and love it! And I freaking ADORE the Awesome Blossom Skirt! It just makes me happy! And I am seriously debating about buying that cardigan. Maybe I will get it for my birthday!

  63. ohh, hard to choose, but I think I’d go with the really regal skirt!

  64. I really like the “top tier” skirt!

  65. I love love the garden glam skirt. I tried it on but didn’t get it and now I’m regretting it because it fit great!

  70. Oooh I’d love to win the Awesome Blossom Skirt!! I can already think of several outfits to pair it with…

  74. I forgot to add I’m a follower!

  77. I am a follower! A new skirt would be a nice addition to a sad spring wardrobe…

  78. i like the top tier skirt the best even if it’s not colorful.

  87. I love the Garden Glam Skirt! It’s so playful and fun. It reminds me that Spring is almost here. I would so love to wear that skirt.

  90. I think that my fave would have to be the “Stroke of Art” skirt. Thanks for doing this giveaway!

  92. The Atlantic skirt is lovely!

  93. how can I afford not to follow? I get great style advice that is personal and useful! Thank you for the tips on the skirts…You answered many of my questions! Thanks! I hope I can use them on a new Dawn East Skirt 🙂

  96. I need the Hot to Trot. I was just telling my sweetheart that I am lacking in that area of the wardrobe. The Get Gorgeous is lovely too. My birthday is on Sunday. Wouldn’t that be a fabulous little gift to me?

  97. I am a follower and I introduced Shannon from your high-waisted skirt post to the site. I think I should get bonus entries for all the people I send your way. There’s even a button on my blog. And did I mention my birthday is on Sunday?

  98. I love the Get Gorgeous skirt. So perfect for Spring…if it ever arrives!

  103. I want that top tier skirt weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

  104. I love the really regal skirt. But really, any of those skirts are awesome!!

  105. I can’t believe I’m saying this but, I need the Hot to Trot (couldn’t it have a more modest name?)

  106. I love the stroke of art skirt! it could be paired with so many different colors.

  109. I really love the top tier skirt. Oh so pretty! What a fun giveaway!

  110. The Awesome blossom skirt would be my choice

  115. Oh my goodness, that Stroke of Art skirt is amazing and would do wonders for my ‘lower figure’. 😉

  117. Hi! I am a follower and my favorite skirt is the Stroke of Art Skirt. Thanks for a chance to win!

  118. Thanks for the great advice. I had no idea what to look for when it came to skirts. I really love the still life skirt. I’m off to find out what body type I am!

    Brit

  121. I love the Awesome Blossom Skirt. It makes me so happy that Spring is coming!!!

  124. Love the Hot to Trot skirt. Who wouldn’t?

  126. I love the Top Tier Skirt!
    Thanks! Megan T.

  127. I totally am a follower and I loved the Stroke of Art Skirt. Its so what I need for this spring! I looks like the clouds would part and the sun would shine if I wore it, ha haa.

  128. Ooh, I LOVE the Impressionist skirt. Great post, thanks!

  129. Awesome Blossom or Top Tier would work for me.

  130. The Top Tier skirt makes me very very happy!!! 🙂

  131. i’m a follower! have been for awhile, but no “officially” , i guess. 🙂

  132. the top tier skirt has my name all over it, yes sir!

  133. I love the blog! I also love DownEast basics. I like several skirts, but choose the Garden Glam. Yeah!

  134. I love the Awesome Blossom skirt! Thank you for the fun giveaway!

  135. And I love and already follow your blog through bloglines!

  136. You are too good! This is such a cute little outfit. I need to gain the confindence to wear cuter clothing even though I am not happy with my squashy pear shaped body. Thanks for the inspiration and the opportunity to win!

  138. I love the Still Life skirt! It’s awesome!

  139. I guess I’m jumping on the bandwagon here, but I also like the top tier skirt.

  140. The Awesome Blossom skirt is truly fabulous!!

  141. It’s a toss up for me – I love the Crystal Clear skirt because you can pair that with a bright cardi or knit tee and it’s perfect for spring/summer. I also love Top Tier skirt in Kiwi – just a classic, chic look.

  142. I thought I would be the only one that likes the top tier skirt. Guess not!

  143. the hot to trot skirt is for me!!

  149. I would choose the Top Tier Skirt (followed closely by the Get Gorgeous Skirt and the Soiree Corduroy Skirt).

  152. I would pick the “Stroke of Art” skirt, paired with that fabulous pink ruffled sweater! I can’t think of a better way to welcome spring!

  153. I absolutely adore the Garden Glam Skirt!

  154. Ooooo, do I have to choose? I like the Top Tier and the Soiree Corduroy!!

  158. I love the top tier skirt in lilac. Recently discovered your blog and it is great!

  160. I suppose I really ought to comment, given that it’s my question. And that I love all Downeast skirts.

  161. I love Downeast! Thank your for the intorduction! And so reasonably priced..even better!

  162. I am loving the stroke of art skirt…love it, love downeast!!

  164. The skirt you posted is my skirt of choice! Very out of my comfort zone (not black!) but would love to try.

  165. I love the Daffodils Dot skirt! So cute!!!

    -Amy
    Crafting by Candlelight

  166. I love the Daffodil Dots skirt!

    Thank you for the giveaway.

    leah DOT arnold AT gmail DOT com