Hi everyone
Here are the 7 skirts I featured on Gail’s (Is This Mutton) #7dayskirtchallenge. It was such an interesting challenge to do and it reminded me that I love wearing skirts rather than dresses or jeans. And skirts are really so me! The challenge also reminded me that Instagram can be fun, because it can be a very odd place indeed! Actually don’t let me put you off as I love scrolling through looking at all the lovely women on my timeline. I also tried to shop my closet, as the saying goes, and much of what I put up for the challenge was bought some time ago.
Anyway, the first skirt I put up was this one.
The brand is Warehouse and it was a fantastic bargain at £5. I wear it when I’m entertaining or going out for a coffee or a lunch. The belt is new and I’ve grown rather fond of it and wear it often. The boots were bought last year and that’s a very old top.
Day 2 and I put up another pleated skirt also bought for £5.
I don’t know about you but I do love a pleated skirt. Everything else, the white top, jacket, sparkly grey beret and silver shoes were either bought last year or ages ago. This skirt really likes to be paired with white and black. The exhibition on Lee Miller, btw, was fab and I highly recommend a visit to Brighton museum and art gallery to see it.
On Day 3 I put up an old favourite, my Nathalie Vleeshouver skirt. Wow, was it pricey but I have worn and worn it, so I’d say the skirt has paid for itself.
The black coat was thrifted (but long gone into the charity shop bag) it was actually very thin and worn only once. I have recently bought 3 coats, which you will see soon, so it’s very definitely one in and one out. I am strict with myself about that rule.
This below was the skirt for Day 4.
This black pleated wool skirt was bought in a charity shop years ago. Interestingly, I found that because I was looking closely at the photographs before they were put up in Instagram, it suddenly dawned on me that a belt made the outfit more interesting.
And here’s a tip for you. It really is helpful to get more understanding of one’s shape and potential if you take a photo of yourself in an outfit and look at it closely. It certainly helped me as I learnt that belts really are great accessories!
On Day 5 I put up a skirt that I tried to sell in my local dress agency. It failed to sell and as has happened before I now wonder why I tried to sell it as I’ve grown to really like it.
There’s that belt again! The brand is Neirami and I got it from idaretobe.com a platform that has some amazing, out-there clothes that I greatly admire but can never afford. This skirt was selling at a more reasonable price level.
On Day 6 I couldn’t resist putting up my best charity shop buy ever, which is my tulle skirt bought years ago for £3
And here I am wearing it to meet with Jill who writes Grown Up Glamour and Gail of Is This Mutton. Boots, hat and top, plus the bracelet are all thrifted as was the long black wool coat I wore on my journey to London.
This was the first time I wore the skirt up to London and I must say I felt really good wearing it. However, I had to be really careful when I sat down as both the long wool coat and the skirt trailed on the ground. You can guess what’s coming as yes, I had to be extra careful when I visited the washroom, the skirt had to be hoiked over my arms to prevent it getting onto the floor – yikes! Never mind, the rest of the time the skirt was fantastic.
The last skirt of all was this one. I put it up on Insta because, wow, were we busy on that day. I just didn’t have the time to take a photo because we were putting up our Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree, and were totally shattered by the evening. So I trawled through my photos and found a summery skirt to lighten the dark, cold and very wet evening!
The photo reminds me that the days will lengthen and get warmer and when it does, out will come this skirt to be worn with the white jacket. Everything I’m wearing was bought some time ago.
Well, that’s all for now. With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
P.S. I shall be blogging a little bit more from now on. I’ve had a rethink about my commitments and I think that meeting friends, seeing family and helping with my two tiniest grandchildren are my most important priorities (I’ll get permission to put up a photo of them) plus there is my love of writing the frugal blog. So, there will be a blog quite soon about coats and possibly party wear, although I don’t have many of those to go to these days!
Take care all of you 🙂
I’ve just discovered you! My family live in Brighton and I love it but my home is south Manchester.
I love your clothes and I’m so envious of your style. How do I learn to be braver?
More photos please, I’m going to look for a pleated skirt.
Your hair looks fabulous 👏
Thank you so much Jo 🙂
Penny, you are 100% right when you say skirts are you because they truly are! I love that you are wearing a belt because it shows off your figure so well. And, that tulle skirt? If you’d paid 100 times the price, it would be well worth it. You look fabulous in it. I didn’t participate this go round because skirts are not my friend at the moment, but I’m working on it and hope to participate again in the future!
Have a wonderful weekend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you Marsha – it was great to finally wear the tulle skirt to London and meet up with someone wearing tulle as well!!
I look forward to seeing you take part in the challenge next year! You have a wonderful weekend too 🙂
I love skirts as much as you do and I love all your skirts. Particularly the pleated ones. And of course your tulle skirt! So punky! We still love that don’t we!
Absolutely yes, Nancy! And at last I wore the tulle skirt to London! Anything to be edgy and even punky rather than boring!!
Thanks so much 🙂
Morning Penny
Looks like you enjoyed yourself sharing this collection of skirts – all very interesting plus your fab new belt. Re: “I shall be blogging a little bit more from now on” = good news! I’d be very interested in how you’ve come to change your mind, and I shall look forward to seeing the pics of your grandchildren.
Stay warm!
Mary
Well the thing is I’d decided to do fewer posts in order to write the family stories I have in my head, but I cannot do it since I’ve lost a whole writing day on the Monday, which used to start my week off. Throughout the week I’m recovering from looking after the two babes and taking Pilates classes and seeing friends consequently I have so little time to write and tbh I can’t concentrate on anything like a ‘memoir’. Sooo as I love writing blogs I shall do my usual one a week and I’m thinking that what I need to do to get into the serious business of the ‘memoir’ is go on some writing retreats. Dungeness in January is a whole week away from my commitments so I shall use that time to see how much I can get out of my system.
Pics are coming in the next blog as I have permission to put them up. The 3-yr-old is soooo active! Thanks Mary 🙂
Hello Penny , I’m with you on skirts being our favourite thing to wear. They are so versatile and can be dressed up or down. I loved all of yours , you really can wear any shape.
Glad to hear you will continue blogging frequently. I am having computer issues that I hope to solve this week.
I am loving my winter skirts! I agree they are so versatile. And yes I am going back to doing the once a week blogging.
Oh and good luck with the IT issues – they are such pain!
Thanks Jill 🙂
Hello Penny. Great post today. I like the first photo best which reminds me that I do like a bit of animal print ! I have a little furry neck piece in grey and black animal print which I haven’t worn recently which I’ll get out again to wear on my red coat. Strange you should be showcasing skirts as, after not having worn one for several years, I wore a black heavy weight jersey skirt for a trip to London. It has a short bias frill at the bottom and I wore it with my black cossack style boots and a turquoise boucle jacket which is part of a suit I used to wear years ago. I was meeting my daughter in London to have tea at Fortnum’s (actually at lunch time) so I wore my Mother’s diamond brooch which I’ve only done once before. It has no safety chain so I had to keep reassuring myself it was still secure! It’s the sort of thing that if you want to sell it you are told that no-one wants such things but costs ££££ if you do. We enjoyed the decorations and festive lights and looked at some fabulous jewellery where I impressed the assistants with my knowledge. We were hoping to see the Holbein exhibition but it wasn’t open that day so will have to go again.
Hi Lynda – you must have looked so good in the skirt that you wore up to London. And tea at Fortnum’s how lovely. I was hoping to go up to London before Christmas but what with train strikes and now Mr F has a heavy cold I’m not sure I will. Animal/leopard prints are so good and will be very stylish with your red coat too.
I’m aiming to see many different exhibitions but haven’t in actuality got to them yet!!! Thanks Lynda – have a good Sunday 🙂
Hello Penny…put plain and simple, you look fabulous! Your hair, your slim silhouette, the belt, the skirts, and the way you style them is wonderful. I did add two slim skirts to my wardrobe earlier this year..the first two in decades! I’m looking forward to bringing them out this winter with my boots.
Thanks for the inspiration! Stay well! I’m just getting over some respiratory bug that had me down and out for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, CoVid tests were negative.
Trying to get well plus get ready for Christmas is a challenge!
Merry Christmas!
Charlene
Oh yes, do get really well soon. As ever there are some nasty bugs around in the winter. And thank you for those kind words about the skirts – I do love them and they really are me!
Merry Christmas to you too Charlene 🙂
Hi Penny, always like to see how you are styling yourself, I would be a dud at the skirt challenge as I only own one Winter skirt. and one Summer skirt as well. Actually, I did wear it out the other day but I ended up feeling too” proper”, the edgy and stylish look you are so good at pulling off eludes me. I really do like the look of your skirts with the moto jacket.
Yesterday I was taking a walk around my area and decided to be daring and not just go around the park a couple of times like a hamster in a wheel and venture out into new streets. It was a chilly day, and at one point a light snow began to fall. many of the homes already decorated for the holiday. I was bundled up so not cold and it felt good. I walked across the river which separates my town of Port Chester from the next. And I discovered a vintage/thrift store. It looked quite inviting and I am excited about checking it out. it looked very inviting.
This has been a busy week, seeing an old friend, celebrating my son’s birthday, visiting a historic home decked out for Christmas followed by a feast at an Italian restaurant in New York’s Little Italy.
There is so much unrest and sadness in the world but hoping you are finding things to celebrate and enjoy at this time as well. With love from New York, Darby.
Thanks for this post Derby, so interesting!
Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays as I think you say in the US !
I also enjoy hearing about Darby’s life. Thanks Darby.
Hi Darby – you know I often fail when I try to be ‘edgy’. But I think I begin to get it if I wear bold accessories and boots when younger women might wear a pretty little shoe.
I’m so glad you have found a vintage/thrift store – you never know what you might find there! Glad also you are getting out and seeing the sights. Our town has some lovely Christmas lights and big lit-up Christmas trees – it’s so nice to see!
The agony in some places in this world is horrific. I believe we should not turn away and instead try to understand the context and the why’s and wherefores. And then we must protect ourselves through our love for family and friends. There is kindness and there are things to celebrate. Thank you so much Darby – I love hearing about your life in New York 🙂