Graphic Pencil Skirt

When I first saw this pencil skirt, I immediately determined that this pattern would not look good on me. Not because I don’t like it, in fact I do. I love this pattern, however, I decided it was going to add size to my already wide hips. Part of the art of styling oneself is knowing your body type and recognizing what will flatter and what will bring attention to areas you would rather not. For me, it’s my hips. They are and always have been wide, particularly in comparison to my very small waist. It’s where I gain first, lose last and it’s just something I have come to live with. You can’t fight genetics, and really, why try?

But even though my initial reaction to this skirt was, no…something wouldn’t let me put it down. I had to try it on and I am glad I did, because I couldn’t have been more wrong. The pattern did exactly the opposite of what I thought it would do, it slimmed my hips and helped my proportions look just right.

I can’t stress enough the importance of trying things on, even when you think something won’t look good. I have a friend I go shopping with every time she’s in need of a wardrobe update (when you are a blogger/editor you are also quite often a styllist to everyone you know) and she is always telling me how something won’t look good on her short frame. Every time I prove her wrong.

If you’ve decided something won’t look good, chances are, you will steer clear of it and never try it on. But if you do, you could be missing out on something amazing like I almost did with this gorgeous pencil skirt.