What do you all consider to be a "good fit" for pencil skirts? I'll be working in a fairly conservative environment, so can't wear anything too tight. For example, if there's puckering in the front because the skirt's stretched so much across the thighs, that's probably too tight. On the other hand, I feel like a loose pencil skirt A) sort of defeats the purpose and B) makes me look like I'm wearing my mom's clothes. I guess I have a hard time figuring out how loose is too loose, though, especially in a fabric like lightweight wool that moves a lot--as opposed to something like thick tweed. I also suffer from the petite curse where I'm tempted to buy any pencil skirt that fits even remotely well, just because there's such a small pool to pick from.

To be specific: I just bought a pencil skirt from Ann Taylor that fits well in the hips and butt. However, it's not tapered at all and when I put my feet together it looks as much like an A-line skirt as a pencil skirt; the fabric swings around and it doesn't have that pencil skirt slimming effect. At the same time, it does look better when I put my feet about shoulders-width apart. I haven't cut the string holding the back vent closed yet.

Thanks for your advice!

What you are describing about the Ann Taylor skirt is all too familiar to me. When I find a skirt that is slim and tapered to my thighs, the waist tends to be too tight. Which Ann Taylor skirt did you order? I know they have some pretty figure-hugging options and perhaps you can just try a different cut. Otherwise, I have taken skirts to my tailor to get the sides slimmed and it cost about $20.

It was this one: http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/produc ... ype=Petite

I was afraid it would be big based on the front view, but the back view gave me a little hope.. oh well. When you say "sides slimmed," does that mean tapered or just sort of cutting some fabric out straight up and down? I've never taken anything more complicated than a hem job to the tailor. Thanks for your help!

This is the most figure-hugging skirt I've tried on there, by the way: http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/produc ... ype=Petite

It's always so hard to gauge the fit based on the photos. The back view does look curve hugging in that first link, but it was probably due to the model posing with one leg in front of the other, which stretched out the skirt. My tailors have taken a skirt which fit at the waist, and pinned it on both sides almost straight down, but ever so slightly tapered. You could probably take with you a skirt that fits perfectly and ask them to make it have the same fit.

Not to derail this thread too much, but has anyone had trouble with pencil skirts riding up? I have a 3-4 block walk between my train station and my office and I have to pull/readjust my skirts constantly on the way. They twist and ride up sometimes 3"-4", making my pencil skirt into practically a mini skirt. It doesn't matter whether I have a bag or if I am empty handed. I love pencil skirts, but it drives me mad because I see some girls not having this riding up problem at all. What's the secret?

If your skirt is riding up it is too tight. It is moving up to the point of least resistance which is your waist. My suggestion would be too buy the skirt a size larger to fit your hips. If the waist is too big have it tailored. And, don't just have the waist taken in at the side seams....it should be adjusted all around including any darts. Hope this helps.

I'm a little late to this convo.

I think it should fit in the waist and hips at least and somewhat give you a butt and loosely follow the outline of your curves. I've never had a pencil skirt be too tight oddly enough. Opposite problem. It'll be so long and so large that you don't know I have a figure.

I will admit I've seen pencil skirts so tight on other women that the fabric just pulls EVERYWHERE and you think omigosh, a seam will rip soon.

Does anyone know how to avoid the S-curve shape in pencil skirts (when you turn to the side and there's an "S" shape from the skirt gripping your tummy, thighs, and butt). I have one BR Outlet skirt that has a decent pencil shape on me, but I can't figure out exactly what is making the S-shape. The waist is a little loose and the material is frumpy from being cheap and washed so many times. I'm thinking it's the material, but could it something else as well?

It's tougher to pinpoint without photos, but my guess is that the fabric is stretchy, so instead of actually fitting you like it's supposed to, it's probably stretching over your shapely parts and creating the S shape. Length helps too. If a pencil skirt is too short, and especially if the waist is a little big, it'll dip down at your tummy instead of sitting straight like it's supposed to, and then you get a weird sloping effect toward the back. Having some length (around knee length) helps to weight the skirt down into place, keeping it from going rogue.

That said, you want at least a little bit of S curve going on. Us girls naturally have a little bit of a pooch no matter what, because...we have extra organs in there that take up space! And you also want a little bit of contour around the booty, otherwise you'll look flat as a pancake.

Thanks for the input! The material is not that stretchy, but just a tad. The skirt is the right length, but your comment about the weight of the fabric is an interesting point. I might have to resort to making my own skirts, and heavier fabrics with more drape and less stretch might help.