July 15, 2012

I give up. I have TRIED to make crops work since last summer. I guess the lesson is, there are some looks that are not meant to be for me. I suspect it's my leg shape that's making crops so difficult -- my full thighs and skinny calves are magnified with this silhouette.

But I do have a secret love for maxi skirts. Here's what I wore yesterday, for a fun day in LA (doctor's, NAS, dinner out). I felt cool and comfortable, even driving in standstill traffic without a/c.

Details: slit skirt from Bar III Macy's (last year), Viscose muscle tee from H&M, sandals DV, big fringe clutch from Tylie Malibu.

Accessories. After an excursion into minimalist territory, it seems I am now (happily) back on team layered jewelry aka team maximal: long skull & fringe pendant from Yochi NY via Ideeli (last year); shark's tooth shorter pendant from A Peace Treaty (picture #2) via Shopbop. Neon orange watch from Invicta (trying to use up a year-old Rue La La credit).

Thanks for looking, those who are maxi and maximal ambivalent included!

Posted in the What I Wore category

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

33 Comments

Scarlet replied 11 years ago

I think this is so flattering and elegant on you!

ETA, I have so many bad photos of me from 10 years ago wearing cropped (admittedly breaking all Angie's rules) that I don't even try to make them work. I wear shorts, clams, and long pants.
Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

Loving the maxi as Scarlet says very elegant.
ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

Cute accessories, Denise! And you look so tall and cool and willowy in that skirt and top. Thank you for showing Team Untucked how this is done!

And may I join you and Scarlet on the Crops Resistance Corps? Me, I'll be over the moon if I even manage to find a pair of clams that fit. Even shorts are a big new deal for me. I'm so much comfier in a maxi skirt --- even if I haven't a clue how to style the really swingy, frothy, gathered ones (those work best for my floor-level lifestyle) on a short and stout me!
christieanne replied 11 years ago

Elegance personified! Totally amazing look for you Denise. The cool thing about style is that everyone has their own unique spin :)
CocoLion replied 11 years ago

ManidipaM -- I love reading every word you write. Chuckling at "crops resistance corps" as well as the anagram created (crops and corps).

Kiwi -- do you wear maxis?

Scarlet -- smart of you to keep it at shorts and clams. For me, I'm sticking with Bermudas (are those the same as clams?) i.e. knee length shorts. Oh and short-shorts in private/to sleep in (my bf loves them as most men do!)

Christineanne -- I never thought of myself as elegant, thank you!
jayne replied 11 years ago

But you are so elegant. You look tall and slender and lovely in this outfit.

I am nodding on Mandipa, she is a hilarious!
Lyn D. replied 11 years ago

Love the bag and shoes together, and the maxi skirt really helps them shine- like a black velvet jewelry box.
Deborah replied 11 years ago

Ok so now I know how to wear a maxi, I ,au just give it a go this summer! Denise this is indeed a very elegant and fashion forward look. And may I join you, Scarlet and Manidipa in "The Resistence" as I am another who can not make crops work:)
replied 11 years ago

Happy sigh.

Love this so much.
replied 11 years ago

I have never tried a maxi but you have inspired me to try! Beautiful look.
Midwest Girl replied 11 years ago

I love this skirt on you--very elegant and stylish. I agree, crops are not always flattering. I have one pair, which I enjoy wearing, but I'm not sure it's my most flattering look either.
Parsley replied 11 years ago

You look stunning, Denise!
I love this look on you. If you don't love crops there's no need to wear them. Even though I do wear crops, I *love* maxis, although most of mine are more loungewear and not half as elegant as yours.

The layered necklaces look great, and I adore that big clutch.
Great look!
Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

Are you sure you're a sortie like me Denise! You look like a tall glass of water in this outfit! Beyond cool, chic and a little bit of edge.
Mo replied 11 years ago

I hear you on the crops trouble with skinny calves and, um, fuller thighs. This skirt is perfect. I like the layered jewelry. I think if your outfits are quite streamlined, jewelry can add just that right touch.
Angie replied 11 years ago

This is the only casual maxi skirt outfit that has made it through my style filter on this forum - and it's because the front slit allows me to see your leg. It makes *all the difference* to my eye!!! The same way high-low hemlines make all the difference on a casual maxi dress. I HAVE TO SEE SOME LEG!!! And what fab legs too!

Well done, Denise. You rock my style world.

KILLER to the power of KILLER.
Gaylene replied 11 years ago

CRC, can I get my membership card? My leg problem is the opposite--skinny thighs with large muscular calves. I've grown to love my strong, defined calves, but a horizontal line across those babies immediately makes them resemble tree stumps.

You look absolutely fantastic in that outfit: cool, chic, and fashionable. My fashion credo is to love the styles that love you back and to stop chasing the bad boys that only leave you crying.
Jamie replied 11 years ago

Goodness! I love this, and I don't love maxis. Before I read anything, I jumped to the photo, and what made the big difference is the slit in the front which shows your leg. That's it! It's really terrific on you. Then, your accessories are great with it, and I LOVE those shoes!
morethanbeige replied 11 years ago

Yes, Denise, I must agree, you look so fab and elegant and chic. You have such a sense of style.
krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

CocoLion, I so understand your frustration with cropped pants. Just yesterday I folded my relatively new Gap pair into the "selling/donating" pile. Your legs are beautiful, perfect really. If you decide crop pants is not your look, then I feel better myself for giving up the look too.

I am curious. Are you also giving up the oversize BF jeans too?

This maxi skirt outfit is so stylish. Now that is a style you love, and I think it loves you too!
replied 11 years ago

Sleek and lovely--and Angie gave you a K2! Woot! This was not the boho maxi-dress I had pictured when I read your title. Very, very chic!
MNsara replied 11 years ago

Wow, Denise - this is SO chic and stylish and I'm usually a maxi-phobe (bad 70s memories, I think).

You always look so tall and slender that I forget you're quiteshort, yet here you are pulling off a runway model look (or is that an Angelina look ;-) with such elegance.

I might just have to join your CRC as my proportions are just too hard to figure out, and every cropped pant look I've posted Angie has talked me down. . . hmmm, maxis with slit in MN?
DeniseP replied 11 years ago

This style suits you to a T.

Echoing what others said, it projects a sense of elegance, and simplicity.
I know it took some thought to put this together, yet it looks like a natural for you, and that you didn't try too hard.

On another note, this post helped me too, b/c I bought a maxi skirt yesterday (Michael Kors) and planning to see if it would work for my 5'4". Then I read Angie's approval of your skirt, b/c of the leg slit. My skirt will be going back to the store.
Kristin L replied 11 years ago

I love that look on you! The slit on the side of the skirt looks great. And if you can stay cool in a car with no a/c and in standstill traffic, that's icing on the cake.
CocoLion replied 11 years ago

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments. I felt like I just got an extra shot of espresso! K to the power of K from Angie, my word, I am swooning. THANK YOU!

I have to run -- six hour drive from LA back to the ranch -- but your support has propelled me!
Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

Denise
You truly look tall, slim and chic in that maxi! I have never been comfortable with them for myself but I also don't love midis on me. You make them look so lovely! I had to chuckle at ManidipaM's CRC and also at Gaylene's comment about the bad boys who leave you crying!
RunnerChick replied 11 years ago

Love this look on you - it's very elegant and chic. I've been ambivalent about the maxi trend, as I am not sure it's going to work with my figure/ body shape, but you're inspiring me to try separates. That feels more versatile, and I might have a shot at it. I'm putting a maxi skirt -- ideally with a slit like yours -- on my summer wish list. What's the fabric of the skirt? It falls so well! The skirt also looks tapered...is it?
Ornella replied 11 years ago

Denise, I first must get over the photo itself. You have the best *the best* backdrops!

~

Now, for the outfit... sometimes I feel like you're the second part of my style soul... I might sound a bit pretentious here, tagging along, but you wear everything I cannot even think of styling, let alone pulling off, yet there's so much to enjoy watching and so much I learn from you. Like, here, simple, bold pieces, very sculptural, styled to look very unique and unusual. Then come fab understated jewelry and that awesome, one-of-a kind handbag.

I die.
Amy replied 11 years ago

Very elegant!
MsMary replied 11 years ago

This is just completely fabulous on every level! A well-deserved K to the Power of K if ever there was one!
Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

In answer go your question - yes I do wear maxis but more for summer and I love them.
Jonesy replied 11 years ago

I love this outfit! Very chic and summery. I still bet you could rock some cropped pants, but if you're not feeling it, then this fab look is a worthy alternative :).
catgirl replied 11 years ago

You could not be any more fab! Who needs crops when you can do this!?
Alecia replied 11 years ago

You look so great and continue to be an inspiration for me. So who cares if you don't incorporate crops?

CocoLion

WIW -- I'll take a maxi over crops

33 Comments

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