One of my oldest Pilates clients is a 76 year old, retired Professor. He’s not the oldest client I work with; that honour goes to someone TEN years older – an 86 year old gent, who still plays a weekly round of 9 holes and who can squat better than a 20 year old!
My 76 year old Professor has been coming to my classes for over 2 years now, having never really exercised before. He so enjoys the class that last Saturday he invited us all to an informal buffet lunch that he and his wife were hosting for a few friends to celebrate, in his words, ‘the ending of summer’. It would be ‘a laid back affair’ he said and I immediately knew that my ‘laid back’, graphite grey skirt would fit the bill.
The week before I was wondering what I would wear with it – so many possibilities. Recently, I did a big wardrobe sort out and had two piles – definites for the charity shop, possibles for the charity shop. The raspberry top was in the possibles piles. Several times in the past it’s had a charity shop reprieve and fortuitously I reprieved it again.
It’s a beautiful colour but it’s an odd top in that it’s not quite a cardigan but it’s too thick to be counted as a long sleeve top. The temperature and what you wear under it have to be right, otherwise you feel you’re in sauna wearing it or you’re in an igloo if it’s a chilly day. But on a late Summer/not quite Autumn day, with a cami top underneath, it was just right. I’m chuffed I’ve created another outfit by teaming old with new.
Back in early Spring in one of my wanderings in TKMaxx, I was rummaging around the skirt rails. The branch doesn’t tend to have many skirts but on this occasion they obviously had recently received a delivery and there was more than ususal. As I’m something of a magpie I noticed a sparkly black, pencil skirt which was winking at me. I was super excited to see it was a Reiss skirt and even more excited at the price, which definitely wasn’t a Reiss price!
Next to it on the rail was the graphite grey skirt. It was just hanging out, unconcerned with what was going on around it; so laid back, it was almost falling off the hanger. The kind of skirt that if it had a school report would say; ‘Must try harder’. But somehow it still found it’s way into the changing room with me – sneaky thing!
Reiss skirt was tried on first and that was when disappointment struck. I could barely walk in the thing it was so tight. Taking a couple of steps outside the changing room, I did a very good impression of a geisha girl walking.
Teeny tiny steps,
Teeny tiny steps.
This skirt could only be worn to places where no sitting or using stairs would be involved, unless I wanted to hoik the skirt up into my knickers in order to do so. A step too far, me thinks.
Back on the hanger it went. Next up, graphite grey, maxi skirt. Once on, I suddenly was standing taller and sashaying around the changing room, which isn’t easy in a confined space where there’s no room to swing a cat let alone a sashay!
A bias cut is always flattering, otherwise it could look like I’m standing in a column made of hula hoops. The pattern isn’t really block stripes. It’s as if someone has taken a graphite pencil and drawn lots of thin lines, one on top of each other, to give the impression of stripes of varying thickness.
It has an uber deep waistband which is uber comfortable to wear. It just glides over your hips and sits snug around the waist, rather like a cumberband but without the discomfort of feeling your organs are being slowly crushed to death.
Although I call it the ‘laid back’ skirt, in reality, it defies its appearance and description. This is a garment that will work across all the seasons; the kind I welcome open-armed into my wardrobe. I’ve worn it many times this summer with camis and tees. It will work in Spring and Autumn with layers and I know with a chunky knit, woolly tights and biker boots I’ll be able to wear it on crisp Winter days.
As the skirt is cut on the bias, creating diagonal lines, I thought it’d be fun to wear this triangle necklace! I wish I could say that I bought it somewhere exotic, such as an Egyptian souk or that it’s been handed down through the family and is centuries old, but no. New Look, Moorgate branch, City of London is as exotic as it gets! I was browsing in there recently and noticed they had a buy one, get one free offer running on a selection of jewellery. So I did!
For such an unusual design it has a rather unflattering name. They describe it as Silver Grunge Triangle Necklace! Grunge??? Not sure where that comes from! I thought the design had a middle eastern feel which appealed and the grey/silver colour is the perfect foil for the graphite grey skirt.
Fortunately, my plantar fasciitis has eased off, so I was able to wear my beloved black wedges again, probably for the last time this summer. More triangle patterns.
I’m turning into a modern day, female Pythagoras!
TKMaxx Graphite Grey Skirt
Cami (old, bought in France)
Principles Petite Long Sleeve Top (old)
New Look Silver Grunge Triangle Necklace AW15
Bag (old)
New Look Black Wedge Sandals (old)
Our hosts were clearly old (pardon the pun) hands at partying. You know you’re at a good party when on arrival you’re greeted with the ebullient words of;
‘Would you like a glass of champagne?’
Linking with / Throwback Thursday / Fashion Should Be Fun / Fabulous Friday / Flash Back Fashion Friday / Friday Fashion / Favourite Fashion Friday / Passion 4 Fashion / High Latitude Style / #iwillwearwhatilike / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Brilliant Blog Posts /#iwillwearwhatilike /
Perfect party outfit, comfy and glam. I love the colour combo, The rasberry top suits you so well.
Thank you Tiina. Comfy and glam is the perfect mix!
It's a beautiful skirt and was meant to be yours from all indications. I hope it was a fun event, :))).
http://fashionablyidu.blogspot.com/
Thank you Idu. We were one of the last to leave so we really did enjoy ourselves.
So glad you kept that sweater…it's lovely!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie. It's funny how things turn out, isn't it. I will definitely we keeping – 'no more possible to the charity shop pile' anymore.
What a pretty look, Jacqueline!
You have proved that petite ladies CAN wear a maxi (skirts and dresses) and look good.
Beautiful.
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
P.s. I am glad to read that your foot is allowing some last-gasp wedge wearing (before your toes are in danger of freezing)
Thanks for the lovely compliment. It's all about getting the proportions right. It seems maxi dresses and skirts are becoming my signature – it's the 4th one on the blog! Yes, definitely last-gasp wedge wearing! It was boots on today.
Love the color combination and I adore that necklace!
Alicia
spashionista.com
Thanks Alicia. I'm so pleased with the necklace – always satisfying to find something that looks good and is inexpensive.
That's a beautiful look! I really like the way it looks like the material is wrapped over itself!x
It does, doesn't it? Gives the skirt a soft look without being saggy.
You could be a mathematician! Great design to this outfit. Wedges are so comfy, aren't they?
The irony is I was absolutely hopeless at maths at school, apart from trigonometry! Wedges are my favourite shoe!
This skirt is so pretty on you and I love it with the berry colors.
Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you Thursday.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Raspberry and grey are such a good match. Good alternative to yellow and grey.
I am charmed by the necklace! Same as you I just wonder how it got into grunge category. The skirt's design is simple yet interesting and I like how it looks with the raspberry top, such a lovely colour combination!
Thanks Olga. I thought the necklace was such an unusual design.
Loving these colors together! Such a great skirt, and loving the cut.
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
The cut really makes the skirt stand out and it hangs so well.
This is a lovely color combination. The diagonal stripes and layers are just so eye-catching and flattering! I was amused by your description of this laid back skirt – it suits my youngest son perfectly. 🙂
Aw, does he sometimes get 'must try harder' too? Maybe he's like the skirt – just too cool!
Great look … especially love the shoes and statement necklace! Thanks for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday & we look forward to seeing you back this week!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Thanks Dawn, I'll be there this week, for sure.
Love your maxi skirt! The stripe pattern is definitely flattering. Cute look!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Thanks Jessica. It's my first maxi skirt and is proving to be a real favourite in the wardrobe.
The perfect outfit for a celebration , this is such an interesting skirt and paired with your saved top I am sure will have many more outings. Your client sounds so interesting. Shame I am so far away , I would be in your class like a flash.
And you would be welcomed to my class with open arms, Jill. Just keep active, that's the trick!
I love your necklace! No-one would never know it's from New Look and not a vintage heirloom!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
If anyone asks me in future I'm going to say it's a vintage heirloom!!!
Yes, it is always a bonus when one's attire doesn't squish one's organs. Well put. Hahaha! Great writing. I love your skirt. I haven't been greeted with that line at a party EVER! What lovely hosts. I'm glad you were able to do a little old/new mixing with such great results.
It's a wonderful greeting, isn't it? I'm all for one's organs having enough room – no jostling for space inside!
Love the colors and accessories you selected for this laid back maxi skit! I think it's great that you have pilates clients who are getting into exercising and staying active. I could probably stand to do more of that!
It really is amazing what some of them can do!
What a beautiful skirt! It's perfect for a lunchtime event!
Thanks Laura, I do love florals but sometimes it's good to have alternatives and mix it up.
Great purchase. That skirt does look good on you and indeed, makes you look taller. The cardigan is a wonderful colour with it. Glad you didn't give it away.
Greetje
I'm like a long column in it which feels rather good considering I'm far from being a column in real life!
What a nice invite, and so good for him, keeping active and fit and enjoying it. That is key. Love the direction of the stripes and the versatility of the color! Love the berry with your skin tone.
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Absolutely, he's an inspiration for us all.
Love your maxi skirt and think the pairing with these strappy wedges is a match made in heaven – well done for being so creative. Got to say that the necklace is fab too. Great post! xx
Thanks Anna. I'm going to get alot of wear out of the skirt and the necklace. I can't wait to style it again once we move deep into Autumn/Winter.