What to Wear With a Black Pencil Skirt

Ignore the semi-funny name of the apparel. The fact remains that a black pencil skirt will always be one of the most versatile clothing items that your wardrobe can have. You can dress it up or down as the occasion demands, wear it to work or to party, and remain the cynosure of all eyes.

It was in the 1950s that this skirt pattern became the darling of the fashion world. It helped that the skirt had a slimming effect and allowed the wearers to flaunt the much-coveted hourglass figure.

The silhouette of the skirt is such that it naturally follows the curves of the wearer. It is slim fitting and extremely flattering on a curvaceous woman. They do not have pleats and usually are knee length, with a back slit that allows for comfort.

If you are buying a pencil skirt, choose one that fits well at the waist. If you have a body type that is pear shaped, then it would be a better idea to choose a skirt that fits well at the hips and then have the waist altered accordingly. You can choose to buy a skirt in any fabric that you desire, according to the climate. Choose from cotton, linen, jersey, wool, or even cashmere.

A pencil skirt allows for a very sophisticated look and, therefore, is perfect for work and because of its sheer adaptability, one can style it in many different ways. From wearing it with a classic shirt to a flirty top, there are many ways in which you can dress up your skirt and make it more fashionable.

• One of the best ways to wear a long skirt circa the fifties, is to team it with a tank top in a neutral color, and top it with a blazer or well cut jacket. Keep the length of the jacket short. Do leave the buttons of the jacket open. Accessorize with metallic chains and bangles for a contemporary look. It may be a good idea to wear a leather skirt.

• If you are looking for the perfect way to wear the skirt to work, then your best option would be to wear it with a classic, well cut shirt. You can give it a great twist by wearing a belt in an eye-popping color and wearing pumps in the same color as the belt. If you want to keep the look simplistic, then team it with black pumps and elegant jewelry.

• Opt to buy a pencil skirt dress. You can wear this as a normal dress teamed with the right accessories or even as a tunic, in colder climate. Wear sheer stockings to accentuate the look and team it with a pair of good heels. You can also opt to wear a short fitted jacket that is nipped at the waist to create an elegant, sophisticated look.

• While we would not recommend wearing a black pencil skirt to a wedding, if you are planning to wear the same, then add a flair of the fifties with a silk scarf and a silk blouse in a flattering color. Another option would be to wear the skirt with a flirty white blouse and wear a scarf in a vivacious color as a sash around your waist.

With a black pencil skirt, you are making a great fashion statement. There is no need to go overboard accessorizing. In fact, it may be a good idea to stick to simple accessories that don't take away from its simplicity.