Hey Beauties! (really need to stay away from “Netflix originals”.. they consume me) I think by now it’s pretty obvious that I am NOT a skirt person (unless the occasion calls for it). I don’t think I’ve ever reached for a skirt on a random day or evening out, BUT… I was scrolling through a few sites I frequent and noticed the “silk” trend was coming in hot! Making my way through a few stores, same thing, the beautiful fabric was shining at me across every inch of every retail store. I think seeing it EVERYWHERE is partly to blame for my temptation to style a fabric such as this. I’ve always seen silk as elegant and dainty, something you wear on a date night or for a holiday party. My style doesn’t call for such elegance hahaha. I tried on multiple occasions to purchase something I could make work for myself and always ended up putting it back (the shame) it just didn’t sit right in my fashion spirit and I held off.
Sat Well In My Spirit
There’s a local boutique I frequent to purchase sticky bras.. (TMI) and happened to see this dope, high waisted, BLACK (<-of course), silk midi skirt hanging on a rack. Now I know what you’re thinking.. “black really?” Sis, it’s baby steps over here and to keep it 100, I just love and prefer black always (to each their own) so anywho, I was intrigued by this skirt in particular due to the 2 strings that went down the front of the skirt. Getting up closer, I realized that they were there to allow you to ruche the skirt on one side to create a sort of high/low up one side or allow a more “sexier” vibe with a little more leg showing. This was always my dilemma when I would get my hands on other silk skirts that caught my eye, they were always too long for my taste and I knew I could throw a knot on one side and rock it that way but it was still always “so cute” as opposed to “edgy” which is what I reach for. I was always waiting for the next best silk and I think at this point this was the only piece that truly got me excited and ready to swipe that card. I was genuinely shocked that I didn’t think twice about purchasing a skirt, but I guess the “styling fire” in me was lit and knew I was on to something. I made my way to the cash wrap and the awesome salesgirl that was working, commended my choice and said she tried it on and loved it. What’s even funnier is that she mentioned it was a little too risky for her. This told me one thing… girl, its perfect for me then okkuurr!
Festival Vibez
Scanning my closet, I lowkey was a little baffled as to what I was going to pair it with. There’s only one way to get the styling wheels turning and that’s to throw the piece on and start building from there. Putting on the skirt for the first time without utilizing the strings felt like a BIG mistake and I had a “what in the actual eff” moment for 2.5 seconds until I told myself to calm the hell down and take the time to zip it up first of all and spruce it up a bit. I am probably one of the most optimistic people of life until it comes to clothing. I’m lowkey waiting to find something to say “I knew it” about hahaha… taking the time to put it on correctly and start pulling those strings, was really making the skirt come together. It wasn’t just hanging there anymore and really took shape, I literally pulled the strings as high as they could go and tied a knot to keep it from slipping. It was short but I was cool with it since I add cycle shorts to EVERYTHING and this made it more of a skort and therefore MODISH CHAMPAGNE approved. I didn’t create a look for this skirt until a week later when I was planning my trip to SXSW in Austin Texas.
SXSW (South by Southwest) is a media, film, and music festival/conference that takes place in downtown Austin. Companies rent out local bars and businesses to showcase their products and services and various artists have pop up shows both announced and unannounced so in other words, you don’t know what or who you’ll catch at this festival. Best part of the whole thing is it’s not in the desert and there is something that will appeal to everyone. I highly suggest you check out this event… fosho . My plans were set, and my silk skirt came to mind.
Straight 90’s
I purchased some OFF-WHITE canvas low tops ( I got you beauties with the leather version of this shoe which is equally as BOMB!) and there was no question they were coming with me to this event. I gave you all the deets on these kicks over on Kicks&Bits. I loved the idea of pairing a “girly/dainty” fabric and roughing it up with sneakers, giving it that edge. The skirt and sneakers gave me low key 90’s vibes and it was exactly what I wanted for an event like this. Sis, you know the drill… when there’s an event, we need everything brand new. I was short on time and knew I would have to go local for “top shopping”. Visualizing the way the skirt fit, I knew a crop top of some sort would be perfect. With more dainty fabrics, I prefer to go sleek as opposed to adding something bulky or oversized and take away from the skirt and its details. Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 are my usual stops since they are the mecca of crop tops. I just so happened to find everything I needed at Forever 21.. I love when that happens (YASS) I scanned the area and was drawn to a newspaper print; black and white tube top, something about its artistic feel and pattern was perfect. I envisioned myself in this monochromatic look and the orange details on my new sneakers would be that POP of color I needed. You know your girl got you with some different variations of styling silk pieces *air five*.
Nordstrom 
Free People 
Vans 
PrettyLittleThing 
PrettyLittleThing 
ShopAkira 
boohoo 
PrettyLittleThing 
Finish Line
A tube top and high waisted bottom is perfect for keeping clean lines and showcasing your figure in a “clingy” fabric (satin is definitely clingy and can be unforgiving if worn incorrectly). I’m a little more blessed below the waist so I prefer not to add additional layers on something that is ruched already. I felt this was perfect for the event and if I got it home and didn’t like them together, this top wouldn’t go to waste *wink* I’d find something to pair it with.
C. Bradshaw in Full Effect
I know the temptation is real by the registers (pretty much everywhere) these days… *crying emoji* My weakness is Sephora, it’s all the things you don’t need but NEED in your life sitting in these slots you just have to put your hands in and investigate. (You know what I’m talking about) There was a display of socks right where I was standing in line and my eyes went directly to a pair of fishnets socks with a black and white elasticized top. This matched the tube top perfectly and at $2.90 they were coming home with me regardless. Placing them on top of the shirt in my hand while I was waiting my turn to pay got me even more excited! This fit was going to be DOPE! I am known for being OVERLY prepared so I went home and immediately tried everything on in case I needed to make any styling adjustments. I knew the skirt was laced up and at the perfect length from the last fitting I did so I started with cycling shorts, since the back of the skirt was covering all the goods, I was able to go with a shorter option and didn’t have to worry about a slip up. I also was able to go for a thinner fabric to avoid bulking since my lady parts were covered as well. The skirt was everything I remembered and I was in LUST all over again *wink* putting the tube top on was everything I envisioned in my head when I picked it up off the shelf. It was a perfect pairing and gave me major Carrie Bradshaw vibes, remember in the movie when “she takes space to write in her old apartment” and Mr. Big swoops her up for dinner in the limo for dinner.. You remember.. She had that dope a** “Dior” newspaper dress on!! *Uuuuffff* that was the scene I envisioned when I looked in the mirror.
The Extra Bits
I tried on the shoes with and without the socks and it could have honestly worked either way but the socks gave it that extra sauce, so I went with it. I still felt a little too cute in this and wanted to add a few more deets to make my point that this was a streetwear fit. I could have either added a jacket of some sort or went for a belt and being that I was going to do A LOT of walking and it was summer, I opted for the belt route. I went for my signature yellow Off-White belt and snatched that waist. The best part of this belt is you can wrap it around as many times as you want or you can let it hang; I’ve even worn it as a harness (coming soon). The possibilities are endless and definitely worth the investment. As soon as I was done securing the belt, it was DUNZO.. this fit was perfect and everything I could want for a day to night festival vibe. I could chill all day in this fit yet it was nightlife approved as well. I’ve played with silk a little more and am glad I ventured out and added my own twist to each fit.
What are some of your favorite ways to style a more feminine fabric? What do you think of me pairing a skirt with a canvas sneaker? Are we here for it, or prefer to dress up a skirt? Oh and what store gets YOU every time you’re waiting in line with their cleverly placed displays? Fill your gurl in!!
