Firecracker's Blog

WIW: EF knock-off linen skirt

August 4, 2014

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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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.

16 Comments

  • sweet pea replied 10 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 10 years ago

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

  • Beth Ann replied 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 years ago

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

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 years ago

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

  • unfrumped replied 10 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 10 years ago

    Killer to the power of Killer xo

  • Diana replied 10 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 10 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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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.