WIW: EF knock-off linen skirt

Today I wore the linen skirt that I kind of copied from Eileen Fisher (see finds below). I tried it on in the store and liked it, but even on sale I didn't really want to spend the money on it. Especially when I wanted a slightly different shade of beige that would coordinate better with my wardrobe. In the end, I probably spent about 2/3 of the sale price on the fabric alone, so sewing doesn't really pay off (once I count my time), but I did get the color I want. And I like the skirt.

Of course now that I have it, I'm hard pressed for what to wear it with. Here's how I wore it today, for work.

The outfit:
1-2 (as I wore it to work): Stone linen 8-paneled skirt with interior ties to draw up the hem, lined in cotton voile (made by me); taupe sweater with snap closures (AllSaints, Elgar); ivory layering tank (Shimera); brass and silver necklace and earrings (Marjorie Baer); taupe lace-up sandals (P. Monjo).

3-4: same outfit, but with different footwear. I tried it with my ivory platform sandals (Naot).

I do have some other ideas of how to style the skirt, but I didn't have time to try them out. And it's too hot now to do try-ons. I'm open to your suggestions!

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16 Comments

  • sweet pea replied 9 years ago

    Very impressive skirt copy!  You are talented.  I love the back detail on the sweater.  I also like both shoes.  Today was my day to wear the summer white and brown combo with Naot sandals as well.  I am hoping to post my first YLF picture with the outfit as soon as I figure out how.  I am new to so much about blog posting.  

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, Sweet Pea! I look forward to seeing your outfit.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Brava, FC!  Well done!

    Linen is notoriously expensive, but such a glorious fabric for drape.  Love the way you've styled it and both pairs of shoes work well.

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Looks fabulous! You have some amazing skills. The skirt looks amazing, and I love the way you styled it. Hope you are staying cool.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    Lovely skirt and great styling.  I love the drape and colour.
    As an alternative as you move into fall I wonder how it would look with knee high boots for a 70s vibe?  Too hot to try now though.

  • avicennia replied 9 years ago

    So elegant! Such fashion forward styling. And I'm so impressed bygone sewing skills.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thank you, Beth Ann, Thistle, and avicennia!
    Kiwigal, I like the boot idea. Just think of it with my new olive suede boots. I may balk at wearing lightweight linen come fall, but who knows?

  • rabbit replied 9 years ago

    What an interesting skirt!  I like how you have styled it and think it could also work with more delicate sandals as in the Finds picture.  I like how the drape and shape of your top picks up a little of the drape of the gather on the skirt and other tops with similar qualities could be fun.  I think cropped or tucked, or some body-con tops could all work.  From your tops going back in your WIW a little ways, these were some that I thought might be fun to see how they paired:

    #6 top with circles here tucked in: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....er-outfits#

    #4 delicate white cardigan here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-attempts  over a plain tee or tank in similar color?

    #3 gray tonal square top tucked in maybe. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....f-nas-bags

    the tank here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-of-brown 

    silver top here maybe: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-hot-days

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Oh, Rabbit, you are the stylist extraordinaire! Thank you for the suggestions.  I kind of wanted to try the silver top today, but couldn't find it. I think it's in the wash. :( I like your other ideas, too!

  • rabbit replied 9 years ago

    Naw, (blushes),  I just did some reading of Angie's posts when I was trying to figure out tops for a flared midi skirt.  This was great: http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....red-skirt/

    I just remembered, she also mentions tops with a welt (like what you are wearing) on things like knitwear and luxe sweatshirts in particular --- but that's kind of more cool weather.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    When I saw the skirt, I thought, "Don't tell me she made that skirt!" And of course you did - you are SO TALENTED! The only things I've made that I dare wear out of the house are some shorts and simple skirts, but I'm about to attempt a dress so we'll see how that goes :)

    You have gotten some fantastic styling suggestions already, so all I can really say is I often wear skirts like this with either a cropped, straight cut or boxy top, or a fitted top tucked in. 

    It's a gorgeous skirt! And isn't it great to be able to make something in exactly the color and fabric you want?!

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    The skirt is amazing and I love the top on you too!

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic skirt. That's a Lotta Linen-- I get the economics there.
    A flat sandal is good for the breezy maxi skirt look. Don't you also have some taupey gladiator- ish herls?
    You've shown a good example is the banded bottom top look. I'd also try simple straight boxy tops that are hip- skimming- again for a breezy look. A horizontal stripe would be a cool balance to the long skirt. And summery colors or prints would work , too. Because i
    I'm long- waisted , my closet tends to be " short" on short topson short tops
    Which I need for certain skirts( as in recent post) , or, a short top for me is not quite as short as what's on the market-- so the perfect boxy top is kind of a HEWI. But perhaps you can SYC for some try outs.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Killer to the power of Killer xo

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Great skirt! I totally get it about how making your own clothes is not really economical in this day and age. People are always shocked when I tell them how much knitting yarn costs, never mind the hours of work.

    I remember that EF skirt, and I considered it for myself but ultimately decided I didn't want any of the colors. Is yours adjustable as well?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Karie and unfrumped, thanks for the ideas! I do like the idea of a short, boxy top. I have a boxy sweater in a chunky, loose knit that will look great in a little cooler weather. Unfrumped, I am short-waisted, too, so short or cropped styles are usually about waist-length on me. But sometimes I like how that works.

    Unfrumped and Diana, yes, making clothing is a hobby--it's not really "home economics" any more, is it?

    Angie, really! I am humbled.

    Diana, yes, mine has the ties inside. I put two sets in front and two in back. I've tied the left front and right back in this photo. I don't think I'd tie them all at once. I might wear them all down (untied), though.

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