Ways I've Worn the Midi Skirts...
The one where I go on a meandering journey, sampling the yesses and nos of styling our Midi Skirt.
The Stalf Midi Skirt. It’s an old-timer.
It’s been in the collection maaaaany a year now (maybe 6 or 7 I’d guess) and I have not changed one detail in that time. I adore it as much now as when I tried on the very first sample.
Here are the deets.
Garment Name- The Midi Skirt
Fabric Composition- Most of our Midi Skirts are 100% linen, occasionally we do a cotton/linen mix, and our most recent incarnations are 100% organic cotton gauze.
Fabric Origin- Usually Lithuania, many of our linens are sourced from a carbon-neutral factory. We do also buy from other small suppliers whose ethics match up with ours.
Design Details- Full Midi Skirt, hits most people lower calf. Dips at the side seams for a subtle nod to the handkerchief hem without actually being one. Nips in with a soft, elasticated waistband, can be worn on hips or waist, or indeed anywhere in-between that takes your fancy.
Handmade at The Pink Studio? - Always.
Would Wear To- For me this is an everyday hero, great for when I want to feel like I’m the star of the movie of my life and not just living it (haha!)
This is what it looks like on the models…
I wear the Midi Skirt a lot, yes, but it’s always in a similar vein. I tend lean into three main ways when I style this one. I give you Exhibit A, Midi Skirt meets Shirt.
or perhaps like this…
Or maybe even…
You can get the Wisteria-coloured Midi Skirt here, and the Freshwater checked delight is available for a limited time here.
Those of you who follow over on instagram will know that this is a solid once-a-week pairing for me - shirt plus midi skirt equals comfortable, easy formula that feels like “me” and presents ample opportunity to play with print/colour in a way that won’t take me 4 hours to pull together in the morning - an ideal dressing scenario in my book. I reach for this style again and again- for transparency, I have 5 in my wardrobe, all different colours. The oldest’s been going 6/7 years strong.
Sometimes instead of a shirt, I’ll go extra basic and just pair with a sweat or plain tee. The Midi Skirt is the saviour of the whole outfit on those mornings- the mornings when I really need ease. Not scruffy ease, but quick, simple dressing that requires minimal thought and maximum pay off (perhaps my kids were up 10 times in the night and there’s no time for coffee, or it’s already been a long week at 8 am on a Tuesday.)
Those mornings look like this…
Nothing ground-breaking, I’m deffo not re-inventing the wheel, but it’s still got something.
The final way I’ll wear the Midi is to co-ord it. By this, I mean pair it with its collection-twin. For example-
Or perhaps …
Whilst there’s nothing wrong with any of these looks, I decided to use this article to push myself past my three habitual, styling safety nets. Some looks worked, for me some were less successful, but it was a little Midi Skirt learning curve that I’m happy I went on.
Plus, like I mentioned before, there is something about this skirt that calls to my main character energy. Maybe it’s the way it swishes and drapes? Perhaps it’s the fullness of the skirt that feels vaguely victorian/fantastical/victorian fantastical or at the very least more-special-than-a-normal-skirt? Or maybe it’s the simple potential of a Marylin moment with every gust of wind. Whatever it is, it was asking me for a little bit more.
Here’s my moodboard…
So, I had a go at recreating the above looks with what I had in my wardrobe.
Let’s start with the tee plus boots plus skirt.
Upon trawling through my wardrobe, I quickly realised that I am not a graphic tee kind of gal. I have one. Usually worn with sweats and trainers at the weekend. Dressing it up (slightly) for work/play really didn’t feel like me. Here’s what I got…
Tee is old Missoni, Boots are Dr Martens, Skirt is Stalf available here in a multitude of colours.
Back to the wardrobe I went to tweak this look slightly in favour of a more “me” melange.
I found my Slow Love Tank. Not a tee… knitted and sleeveless in fact, but still has that graphic element with the smiley on the front. Much better IMO. Still has the slight grungy look. I like the weight of the vest with the weight of the boots. Pastel midi skirt, existing in all its fairytale-glory, slap bang in the middle.
Next up. Tonal textures.
I decided to stay in the same colour family (distant relatives in this case rather than immediate.)
This is Dusty Double Gauze Stalf. The Midi Skirt and The Flutter Blouse. Both available on this page.
I like the idea of The Midi Skirt dressed up. It’s actually not a garment I often turn to for evening attire. There’s something about the double gauze in this Dusty shade paired with soft red that is so gorgeous and rich. You know how I feel about texture pairings- they can make or break an outfit, and these two textures (ruffled gauze and jammy velvet) were made to be paired together. I went for a strappy, heeled shoe to make the look just a touch sexier.
This next look felt properly within my comfort zone. Skirt, check! Shirt, check! With this look, I love the clashy sweater tied around the waist.
Here’s my take…
I’m enjoying the Freshwater Checks with clear pink, crumpled linen and the clash against soft purple stripes.This look was the easiest to make my own.
Here we have le peplum. I am aware that the above is styled with a pencil not full skirt, but at this point I was pulling garments off their hangers left, right and centre, and willing to give it a go. You may well remember this beautiful Cami Top in natural linen gauze…
I actually love this frothy, gorgeously textured (here she goes again) linen combo. One of my faves overall. Chunky suede loafers are in the sale at Grenson (winner!)
The last look I toyed with was the striped tee and midi combo. I opted not to use it as an excuse to dress up the midi, but instead to embrace my love of an oversized-on-oversized vaguely skater(ish, I’m cringing writing that) ensemble. See below.
I love XL on XL in terms of silhouette. Obviously super comfy, but the slinky-ness of the jersey helps me feel less boxy.
At this point I got a bit cocky and left the moodboard behind entirely. Make of these three looks what you will. I particularly like the idea of the blue denim with blue velvet.
Perhaps waistcoat plus midi will become the new skirt plus midi??
The last look I completely threw the rule book out the window and pulled the skirt on over a layered, frothy bustier dress. You win some, you loose some!
‘til next time!
Paris
