The Cardi Skirt

Suffice to say, my 'I have never...' outfit post resulted in no submissions from readers most probably because they feared that the ferocity of negative commenting might make them quiver and weep (I didn't quiver and weep but then again, blogging has made my skin so thick rendering it pretty much impenetrable).

However, in discussion, the idea of wearing cardigans as skirts evolved from my wearing dresses as skirts and from a mini to-and-fro between myself and Queen Michelle, I thought I'd show my love of wearing the cardi as a skirt.

I had the idea last year during the Marc Jacobs 'Mc Chunky' Layers AW06 season to wear my array of knits in different ways.  Jumpers around waists looked a little bit too like contrived grunge but cardis as skirts with the button down skirts meant I was a) able to get more wear out of cardigans, b) buy less skirts and c) get button-down skirts which I lo-ove. 

What you do with the sleeves is pretty dependent on the length and cut but tying them up in the middle or if they're shorter, tucking them inside out to make pockets are the two easiest ways of hiding them.  Or if you're going for Ann Sofie Back-esque odness, you could have them hanging at the sides or if you have cardi neckties, I like to leave those a-hanging.  Tight, loose, chunky, thin - I find they all work well but really deep V's are pretty a non-goer unless you can find some way of keeping them hoisted up.

Vintage black felt hat, dark grey long sleeved top, vintage cable knit oversized cardi, black patent belt, H&M patterned tights, Sandro black patent boots // DIY gold cap sleeved grey tank, vintage dark grey cardi w/ gold buttons, Patrick Cox wedges w/ ribbon ties, American Apparel gold hairband

Vintage blue tweed blazer, Uniqlo grey silk sweater, vintage stripy cardigan, Office navy suede brogues // Bernstock Spiers silver straw cloche, Uniqlo pale pink top, turquoise satin dress w/ ruched waist, H&M silver wide belt, Pringle pale pink cardigan, turquoise velvet embroidered flats

Uniqlo grey t-shirt, Mango berry vest, Whistles purple cardigan w/ white trim, pale grey wool tights, Azona grey suede platforms // Tro Hopp Karlek navy top, vintage white cardi w/ navy trim, navy leggings, Public Beware sandals

(Background pics from Plastique magazine, 'Zero Degrees' photographed by Jeffrey Graetsch)

Comments

[Debs]

Very clever! I think the plain black one and the white one with the navy trim work best. I wonder though, if they will still make good cardis after they have been worn a few times as a skirt, as they will probably stretch!

[Lola]

Wow - reading the post I was thinking this is kind of thing only Susie can pull off, but actually they look really wearable, and you look fab! - Now I have a project for tonight. thanks susie!!

[Stylish Thought]

This is funny, cause I have a "vintage" DKNY varsity jacket skirt. It looks like a letterman's jacket only in skirt form. I love it, it's so quirky. I wore it with a unitard!

[diana]

well I absolutely love how you wear them and be sure that I'll try this myself! Thanks for the inspiration!
xoxo

[Belly]

So Edie Beale in Grey Gardens!
www.greygardens.com

[dreamecho]

Great outfits, as always. The cardi is quite versatile; I just did a post last month on wearing the cardi as a halter!:

http://dreamachinery.blogspot.com/2007/06/doubletime.html

[Cristina]

I was thinking the same thing, re: Edie Beale. :)

[buttonsandstars]

This is really bizarre, but ever so wearable! I've never even thought about doing something like that. I may have to have a go...!

[Lillian]

Very interesting twist to the cardigan, Susie. Will have to keep this in mind for when fall starts because it looks quite wearable (and cozy with the right leggings!).

[DJM]

The grey one at the top is EXACTLY the right way in my opinion. I unfortunately don't have a thick enough cardie, so whenever I do this it's with my feebly thin cashmere cardigan's, but I always imagined it with a chunky grey one.

[lady coveted]

two words: fucking brilliant

[Lily in calif]

i love how creative you are w/ your clothes, you are a master at layering! i always say to myself when i see your posts, why didn't i think of that? like that lovely low cut blue dress you got on, i always stop myself from buying, but layered over a long sleeve tee is doable and wearable on any occasion. thanks susie!

[M]

you are so creative. love the black and white one. :-)

[tennessee lemon trees]

This reminds me of the crazy things I would do with my clothes when I was little. I used to wear a jean jacket as a skirt. (My mom would always make me change before I went out of the house...) Last month I wore a blouse backwards and turned it into a tubetop with a deep-v in the back. It's so fun to dress yourself that way.

[Theresa]

Suzie Bubble, I really love your layering ideas and thinking out of the box.
My favourite looks are with the gray cardi skirt and the pale pink ones.

Wish I had a figure that could take layering well... I look like a scrunched bag of chips (guess you call them crisps across the pond) when I wear layers... I need that waist definition or else I'm dead, fashion-wise... My yellow poncho was about my bravest layering I've ever done since I figured layering looks awful on me...

[Charlotte]

this is so super! i'm loving the grey chunky cardi as a skirt...i'm totally trying this out for myself!

[ella]

Oh, that looked really good! I've done a simular thing by turning a shirt into a skirt ;)

[swall]

Not sure about no.1 working.. The rest look great though, especially no.2!
Well done :))

[safiye]

thanks for this awesome idea
after readin this, i tottaly spent like half an hour tryin on all my cardis as skirts and finally came up with an outfit that i love and now im just waitin for somwhere to wear it hehe thanx heaps for the idea i absolutly LOVE it