My StyleRachel RosalesDecember 20, 2013Wilfred, Club Monaco, Bailey 44, Michael Kors, Vancouver, Travel5 Comments

Skating Around

My StyleRachel RosalesDecember 20, 2013Wilfred, Club Monaco, Bailey 44, Michael Kors, Vancouver, Travel5 Comments

Yep, they went there. Fashion houses turned to the ice rink for inspiration, and the Spring/Summer 2012 cat walk was littered (no pun intended) with appearances from the skater skirt. Fitted at the waist and flared out in an A-line shape, the skater skirt continues to be a strong trend and has become a fun wardrobe staple, much like your favorite pair of skinny jeans or ballerina flats.

However, this is one trend I’ve been dragging my heels to adopt, mainly because of how tricky it is to find a skater skirt that actually looks good. Stylists and bloggers who wax poetic about how flattering these skirts are must be on crack! Unless you’re stick thin, over 5’6”, or your name is Rihanna, these flared skirts can easily over-emphasize your hips, thighs, and butt depending on how high the skirt fits on the waist, how short (or long) the skirt falls, and how much the skirt actually flares. Not all are made equal! But I think my persistence with finding a skater skirt that works has paid off.

Today, I’m in my beautiful home town of Vancouver freezing my butt off wearing what I call a modified skater skirt. Instead of flaring directly from the waist, this skirt is fitted at the top and flares with a bias cut at mid hip level so that the widest part actually falls below my hip and effectively de-emphasizing it. Moreover, a bias cut creates a gentler flare compared to gathering at the waist which creates a wider A-line silhouette.

Once you do find a skater skirt that works for you, have a ton of fun with the versatility these skirts offer! Dress them down with a basic tee and sandals, dress them up with a cropped sweater and hot thigh high boots, or go sporty and throw on a blazer with your favorite wedge sneakers.

By the way, after Vancouver, I’m headed off to Hong Kong and spending New Year’s in Bangkok. I hear that locals don’t dress up too much to ring in the new year, so I’ve decided to wear this outfit which is less fussy but still flirty and fun. I think it works! What do you think? What’s your New Year’s outfit?