The D Skirt
It has never occurred to me NOT to layer skirts over other skirts or over/under dresses. Perhaps my first impressionable images of skirts were in illustrated rhyme books where it was clearly visible that girls wore petticoats under their dresses. Whatever the origins of the multi-skirted habit, with the multitude of skirts that I have, and the amount of mixing up that I often like to do, I'd feel a little disturbed if I wasn't allowed to layer up my skirts. People might comment and say it's a 'messy' look that serves no 'purpose'. Looking messy and being impractical has never really bothered me all that much but I would counter argue and look to Miu Miu SS08 who executes the double-skirted dress perfectly well in a satisfactorily 'neat' fashion. The combination of the bodycon mini dress and short full skirt over it also clashes sexy and flirty (supposedly two very similar things but they are miles apart in my book!). It's sort of similar to those 80's peplum suits, except the peplum is quite extended and dramatised.
So by all means, laugh it up at my patch-match, random pairings of gold lame knee length skirts under black PVC skater skirts or two floral patterns fighting with each other on two different shaped skirts. But I think an old navy Topshop skater skirt over a vintage lycra dress is hardly going to set the 'Oh no, what has that layering lunatic done again?' alarm bells off.
What's more, is that just one store like American Apparel can easily serve your double skirted needs with the pairing of something like this cotton spandex dress and this thick knit jersey skirt resulting in a college cotton version of Miu Miu's circus affairs.
nono..
i love the way you did it.
(dont you think a different colour on top than underneath would be a bit more radical and unexpected though?)
and well ofcourse the miumiu ones are perfect as you said.
Posted by: Cee-Cee | 15 January 2008 at 11:53
i feel a bit silly, i always looked at the miu miu dresses and though god that would be hard to make, without even thinking of a flared skirt over a tight skirt. i always imagine things are harder than they could be! definitely more diy for me!
Posted by: selina | 15 January 2008 at 11:56
Is it me or have you lost weight? I like the simplicity of this outfit.
Posted by: mimi | 15 January 2008 at 12:55
Gorgeous
Posted by: Natalie | 15 January 2008 at 14:05
You just gave me such a good idea! I have that AA top, but in a dusty pinky/mauve colour. I think I'll pair it with a dressier skirt though, maybe I'll make something out of a taffeta. Beautiful dear!
Posted by: Angie Montreal | 15 January 2008 at 14:33
i can't handle those tons of inspiration every week.
lol
Posted by: Saskia | 15 January 2008 at 14:42
susie! i love this pairing... and you pull it off beautifully!
Posted by: o_m | 15 January 2008 at 14:49
I like your version. And nice shoes too.
Posted by: Prêt-à-Porter Prostitute | 15 January 2008 at 14:54
I really love that look and you pull it of very well!
Posted by: Sonja | 15 January 2008 at 15:26
I reall like the dark pink dress at the start, and you're black dress. It's really a flattering fit :)
Posted by: Shredz | 15 January 2008 at 15:28
'Oh no, what has that layering lunatic done again?' that made me laugh! :D
you look gorgeous
Posted by: Miss at la Playa | 15 January 2008 at 16:27
I love such skirts and I've ordered the AA dress so I can layer it hopefully!
Posted by: Nadine | 15 January 2008 at 16:33
Susie, call me weird if I was more drawn to your face rather then your dress...YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!! <3
Posted by: Diana Rikasari | 15 January 2008 at 17:05
U looked so thin here! I love the look! I just wonder.. how do u deal with yr laundry , with the amt of layering u do? just wondering (the practical one in me asking)
Posted by: Minty | 15 January 2008 at 17:12
I love this idea! What a fun way to play with shape. You look great.
Posted by: Natasha | 15 January 2008 at 18:25
i really like your version too! personally, i love wearing multiple skirts and dresses. AA has made it so much simpler for layering. i must say thanks to them, i live in cotton jersey.
Posted by: lady coveted | 15 January 2008 at 19:51
Ooh, I think I could have a go at this with my new skirt! I've never tried it before though. Don't have enough clothing to layer up, hehe.
Posted by: buttonsandstars | 15 January 2008 at 20:04
i think this looks wonderful ! so effective.
what would be wonderful-er is a skirt in the style of those 60 swim caps with...er.
yeah
there my idea ends
but a ruffly skirt would be WOW.
Posted by: annah | 15 January 2008 at 20:13
This looks great - Not quite as dramatic as the Miu Miu version but much more wearable.
Posted by: Style Eyes | 15 January 2008 at 21:03
cuteness!! I never thought of layering skirts that were such different shapes like that before, but... it's a really good idea.
I will probably run to my closet and dig through it now. (hah)
Posted by: Beth | 15 January 2008 at 22:25
That looks so great, It looks like one piece. I would definetly buy that. I now feel a pressing need to acquire a skater skirt.
Posted by: Jill | 15 January 2008 at 22:28
this is ADORABLE! i am so going to try this. thank you, susie!
Posted by: dreamecho | 16 January 2008 at 00:01
omg! you look sweet in the lycra dress! did you mean to channel Herve Leger at all cos you certainly did!
Posted by: Fashion Tidbits | 16 January 2008 at 00:40
You totally have lost weight...you look tiny here!
Posted by: Lisa | 16 January 2008 at 00:42
This looks really great, i too admit i am also compete miu miu nerd- verging on obsessive!!
This is also really great for make use of redundant slightly too tight figure hugging dress/skirt and a slightly too short skater like skirt. You are a clever susie!
Posted by: Emily | 16 January 2008 at 02:25
the style suits you. i want something like this now.
Posted by: SwanDiamondRose | 16 January 2008 at 05:52
That outfit is so perfect!
Posted by: sofie | 16 January 2008 at 08:15
That's really elegant and understated :)
Posted by: Helen | 16 January 2008 at 09:19
great idea and you're gorgeous &hearts
Posted by: mash | 16 January 2008 at 11:19
By jove, I think she's done it, I can do 'pared down'...when pressed of course. It's been a struggle somewhat... thanks for your comments though.
Cee-Cee: Yes, experimenation on different colours will of course ensue but I wanted to try something quite different for me...which is something quite simple. You may or may not know that I never do simple...
Minty: I use hefty amounts of Febreeze.... so I try not to wash things too often unless I have to.
Annah: You have got my mind cogitating!
Fashion Tidbits: The lycra dress is Leger/Alaia esque.... I need more elastic bandage though!
Re: Weight lost.... doubtful as I've been eating CONSTANTLY. I feel like I'm having the same appetite as my mum when she was pregnant.... craving the same things etc. It's very odd... but I'm certainly NOT pregnant...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 16 January 2008 at 13:22
I didn't even know how to wear the Miu Miu dress before you show me how to wear it lol
You look pretty as always :D
Posted by: Ake | 25 March 2008 at 10:24
i love it! p.s. where did you get those shoes, i must have them! xxx
Posted by: Hilary | 15 April 2008 at 12:29
multi-skirted, very beautiful.
Posted by: dunk high | 23 June 2009 at 09:01
sexy. love them
Posted by: dunk sb | 09 July 2009 at 09:24
the design is awesome
Posted by: supra skytop | 09 July 2009 at 09:25