Give Me an H

Amongst the wardrobe treasures of many women there is a high likelihood that you will encounter the presence of more than one pencil skirt. Christian Dior, who created the pencil skirt in the 1940s, would hopefully be proud of the endurance of this classically fashionable garment. It is impressive that a skirt, with such a simplistic design, could so radically alter the way women dressed. Much of the clothing worn by women, before the popular advent of the pencil skirt, was lacking in shape. Remember the 1920s flapper dresses? It is, therefore, with sincere gratitude that I give accolades to the many women whom led the movement towards clothing that celebrated a woman’s form. Perhaps, without their insistence that more appealing clothing be created for women, we would still be wearing corsets. I shudder upon thinking of it. The pencil skirt’s structure makes it universally flattering to many figure types and an easy companion piece to many other garments. This, I believe, is the most apparent reason as to the popular origination of work wear that flattered the feminine form. Soon after the arrival of pencil skirts on the fashion scene women paired them with jackets or tunics, hence the origin of suits for women. As you can imagine, the most daring women began to pair the skirts with sweaters and tops. Thank you again, trendsetters of the mid-20th century! I dare not imagine the types of garments women of today would be wearing if not for those fashion wondrous fashion adventurers.
The pencil skirt, nicknamed the H-line skirt in the 1940s, is perceived as the type of utilitarian garment that can be relied upon to always ensure a woman presents her best self to the world no matter her emotional state on a given day. It is consistently on a list of the top five or top ten garments that every woman should own; but seldom referenced by editors of national fashion publication as a garment they just have to buy with that $1,000 or $500 budget they have. You know which publications of which I am speaking. Does an actress make it on an Annual Best Dressed List because of the fabulous pencil skirts she wore on the press circuit? Or because the pencil skirt she was photographed in while sitting in the front row during Fashion Week was sic? I think you get the point. Are pencil skirts so lacking in glamour that they are beyond boring? Don’t believe it! There are more fabulous ways to rock a pencil skirt than there are movies in the Friday the Thirteenth franchise.

Below is a list of several ways you can wear a pencil skirt:

 Pair a pencil skirt with a pair of wedge sneakers or oxfords for a casual weekend look.
 Pair a pencil skirt with a button-down shirt for the office.
 Add a blazer for a more conservative office outfit
 Pair a leather jacket with a pencil skirt for a casual after-work event.
 Top the skirt with a favorite T-shirt for weekend wear.
 Pair the skirt with a pair of boots: Hint: Pencil skirts pair best with booties or ankle boots because of its streamlined shape.
 A cardigan or sweater and a skinny belt paired with a pencil skirt will create a polished look.

Can you think of more pairings? Please share your comments.

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