Thursday, January 28, 2010

Spring is Sprung....the J Crew Nico Skirt



Spring is sprung
The sun is riz
I wonder where
The birdies is.


And that concludes my very poor attempt at poetry. (Sorry...it's a fave of my dad's.) And today the new arrivals are online at J Crew, and I'm headed in to my B&M to check them out...assuming I get my work done this morning. Speaking of online at J Crew...did you see that the 30% off sale was extended through Sunday. I've been so strong so far....

But first, I wanted to share one of the pieces from the earlier release that I really haven't seen in bloggy-land. (and if someone has posted it, please let me know and I'll update here)

Presenting - the Nico skirt (#22994, $59.50) in faded black, vintage gray, and sandalwood. Also now available in the black blossom print. I do think this is a really cute skirt. But...it just did not work on me.

This is the size 8. The problem on me is the length. This skirt is 18" and that's way too short on me, at 5'10" with my long femur. As you can see on me...as well as the models.

Speaking of proportions...I will refer you all back to JCAUNCMom's excellent post on skirt length. Are you a short shinner or long shinner? I'm a short shinner and that's why this doesn't work. JCAUNCMom also had great posts on short vs. long waisted and the skinny bits trick. Definitely worth a read, whether you've never seen them before or you have - good time to refresh the memory.

Back to the skirt...Ok, 18" isn't as short as some of the minis, however...in spite of JC's assurance that you can wear this low on the waist, unless you have about 5% body fat or size way way up (ok, I did do the way size up trick when I got the wool shirred skirt, but that sucker was on sale for $35, not FP) that's not going to work. Why? Because the waistband is one giant piece of elastic. I cringe at how awful this looked when I tried to tug it down a couple of inches. It created muffin tops and bulges I didn't even know I had. Not a fun experience.

Also, this skirt really works best if you're a tucker-inner. And I don't tuck anything in (see info on short vs. long waister above - I loved these posts because they validated the way I've always dressed - hemlines above the knee and sweater/shirts always untucked - now I just have the technical info to back it up). As you can see in my dressing room pic, it's cute with a top tucked in, even if that top was just the cami I was wearing under my sweater. (btw, it looks shorter on me IRL, more like the online pics. I think the angle of the camera made it look a bit more substantial than it actually was.)

So why am I recommending this skirt? Because it's really cute. I love the shape - just a bit of fullness, but not too much. What fun summer skirt, with a tee and sandals or sneakers. And with a bit of pressing, it can be dressed up easily. So I am really bummed that it didn't work on me. But I don't want you to miss out. Unless you are tall & short-shinned like me, chances are that it will look great on you. I would grab it in a heartbeat if it had 2 more inches of fabric on it (or 15 years younger) and just wear my tops untucked anyway. But my loss is your gain...more of the skirts out there. Enjoy!!

21 comments:

dinagideon said...

Girl, that camo skirt was so SHORT on me...it was crazy! :)

I bought the denim short full skirt, with tights it looked great (probably less indecent because it is a darker color).

I will put up both pics of me wearing them later this morning.

I agree, if you can get it because it isn't an unfortunate length on you, do it!!! It is a great skirt!

Cloggsy said...

I love that skirt too, but bending over with a 2 year old....not what people want to see in the middle of Target!!

Kristin said...

Thank you so much for those links! Now I know why pencil skirts look awful on me and why I have always worn my shirts tucked out! I'm not crazy - it truly does look better that way and there is a mathematical reason why (as an engineer I love having math back me up). I have never even bothered trying on JC minis, just figured that at 38 and 3 kids that boat had long sailed but maybe they wouldn't be bad on me. Worth a shot in the dressing room anyway.

DaniBP said...

Great post! I saw those skirts in Palm Beach but didn't even try them on.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on the new arrivals in-store! Have fun this afternoon!

Debye said...

I thought these skirts were adorable but also way too short. I wish they would come out with an over 30 with kids version because I love how cute and versatile it is ;o)

Drewablank said...

I did get the shirred wool skirt - 3, in fact! - but for some reason, the non-elastic band makes it a bit more tolerable, even if you do end up tucking in. I can just imagine that elastic band irritating me into the day!

But I have eaten my words before when it comes to J.Crew...so we shall see! :p

Summerilla said...

I want this skirt - in the camo print. I'm so sad it's probably going to be too short. Why does JCrew keep doing this to us? How about making two lengths like they do for pants?!

Cate said...

awesome post about leg length... my upper and lower are EXACTLY the same...
I'm dying to try the Nico skirt on in the floral pattern

Anonymous said...

The Nico skirt is so pretty. I want it, and it probably won't be too short on me. Must put this skirt in my "try on" items when I visit JCrew next time. It looks so good on you though.

According to Moi said...

I can see why this would be cute with a tucked in top. It's made for that. But there a couple of things I just can't get over: 1) The Paula Abdul Straight Up Now Tell Me elastic waist band, which brings me back to the pimply faced days and 2) the length. As a mom, this just would not work, and I'm short!

MMM said...

Too bad it's so darn short! :(

HeidiG said...

dinagideon - can't wait to see the pics!! that denim skirt is so darn cute, but man it's tiny - of course, you're a long shinner, so you can rock those shorter skirts without looking like a working girl, if you know what I mean...

Cloggsy - 2 year old, hehehe - I didn't really start wearing skirts again until both kids were potty trained - and I started with the hemlines closer to the knee that were a bit more toddler friendly. This one is def not toddler friendly unless you are VERY petite.

Kristin - Ah, so you're built just like me!! Isn't it nice to know the method behind our madness? (and I was a math major, so yeah, I'm totally into the numbers, too) I would definitely give this skirt a try - you never know...

DaniBP - thanks - got lots of pics, need to get myself organized and post. That will probably wait until tomorrow.

Debye - no kidding! And we're close in height, so we have the same issue. I just need 2 more inches...just 2 little inches!!

Drewablank - I can totally see your rocking those wool shirred skirts - but I can also see you totally rocking this skirt. Give it a try...just to see...

Summerilla - this one might work on you because it's 2" longer than the usual 16" mini. And you aren't quite as tall as me. Definitely try it out - I can easily see it working on you.

Cate - exactly the same? too funny. Looking forward to seeing pics when you try the Nico!

Rosa in DC - you are too kind - the camera angle made it look better than it did IRL - but I bet this would be awesome on you!!

NoJCrewinJapan - thank you - I have had that darn song in my head all afternoon and it's ALL your fault. Grrrrr. Hopefully someone else will pick it up so I can get it out of my brain. But seriously - hehehehehehehehe.

MMM - word, honey.

Unknown said...

They totally need to add an inch or two to their skirts like this...and that's coming from a shortie.

Slastena said...

I am with you on shortness. Can't wear much of those either. I had such high hopes for the Tiered brique skirt , but it's insane even when sized up. Boo! No skirts for me this spring.

Moda said...

Heidi,
I like the skirt and to be honest I like the length. Thank you for the post, its was fun to read.
Have a great weekend!

Jemma said...

OMG, I am the same height as you and there is no way I could ever wear an 18 inch skirt. In fact I think there are fvery few above 5'2" adult women that could pull that off. (I know there are exception but they are in the minority!) I have to wonder what are they thinking with so many mini skirts these days...

AppGal said...

I love the look of this skirt. I'm thinking of trying it just to see what the length is like. I definitely couldn't wear this to work, but it could be the perfect little pull-on skirt for spring/summer. We shall see...It's one I'm going to have to try on, first! Thanks for the pics/reviews!

HeidiG said...

gigiofca - I always whine about their short skirts...but it really has credibility coming from, as you said, a shortie like you. :)

Slastena - that tiered brique skirt is adorable, but one of those I walked by in store and knew it was WAY too short for me.

The Outfit of the Day - thank you! This skirt has possibilities...just not on me.

Jemma Ruby - I know...all these short skirts...seriously??

AppGal - now see, you are the perfect person for this skirt. yes, I agree, may not be so appropriate for teaching, but what a fab summer skirt. Enjoy!!

Unknown said...

I tried this on today. It was longer on me, but they need to lose that shirring fullness around the waist. Like Debye said...they need an over-30 version of this.

Zoë Moët said...

I think it's a cute skirt on you, it just needs a good ironing (and maybe a darker color, paired with tights?)!

kanishk said...

I agree, if you can get it because it isn't an unfortunate length on you, do it!!! It is a great skirt!

34b bra