fatale fashion: style challenge

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Style Challenge - Maxi Skirt

We've all done it: we go shopping and fall in love with a piece, bring it home, and then have no idea what to do with it or how to style/wear it. I know it's happened to me before! Reader Emily wrote to me with the same problem regarding the tiered ombre maxi skirt from the new Calypso St. Barth for Target Collection. Emily writes:

"I bought this maxi skirt yesterday at Target, and I'm having a really hard time coming up with something to pair it with on top. A little about me: I am a size 16, I live in Minnesota (so I'd love to have layer-able options for this -- the weather can change from 45 to 85 degrees in a heartbeat here), and I am not a fan of showing my upper arms. I think that last part is what's causing my struggle to come up with cute outfits. Anyway, if you have a sec to make some recommendations, I would really appreciate it!"

I did a bit of pondering (and a lot of playing around with Polyvore), and here's what I came up with:

This maxi is such gorgeous color, especially with the ombre fade, and even though it seems daunting I really think the possibilities can be endless for this skirt. My first idea was to pair the flowy skirt with a floral top, since florals are such a big trend for spring (aren't they always?). Cinch your waist with a belt to create a blouse-y silhouette, and top it off with a cropped cardi in a bright color like this coral for arm coverage as well as warmth.

On the other side of the spectrum, I liked the idea of giving this very feminine skirt more edge by pairing it with this neon leopard print tee, which just so happens to match perfectly. Bring in some of the darker turquoise shade with a belt (I especially like the hardware detail on this Moschino belt, though it's well out of my price range) and voilà!

Mixing soft and hard, or feminine and masculine is a fashion trend that I've always liked, and I tried to bring a little bit of that in here with a chambray button down and a sequined top. You could wear the chambray buttoned or open and belted over the tank, or ditch the belt and tie the bottom of your shirt in a knot cowgirl style (an inexpensive alternative to this J.Crew button down is this one from F21+)

Or, you could take a page out of Lexy from The Curvy Chronicles' book: wear your maxi skirt as a midi dress! Hike the skirt up around your girls like a tube top, belt, and top with a gorgeous chunky sweater/cardigan, like this gorgeous teal number from Miss Selfridge that leaves me weak in the knees.

Calypso St. Barth for Target Maxi by Fatale Fashion featuring floral tops