Have to keep it short this week, so I’ll just update you on a bit of a look I’ve been attempting. It involves a skirt that is neither short nor long. It is not knee length either. It takes pride in evading classification.
Kind of like how Macron is neither left nor right (mwahahaha cue every French person screaming insults at their screen). Or like… how bread is neither unhealthy nor healthy. Whatever, you’ll be needing it for your sandwich.
For the sake of efficiency, let’s call this skirt a midi length, and let me tell you that I’ve started to need one. I tried a similar length last summer in off-white with pleats which can give off an enigmatic lil Gatsby woman vibe but needs (I learnt the hard way) to be styled with a hint of modernity (I now go for a round-neck white tee).
Anyway I guess the winter version requires similar attention to styling choices in the interest of avoiding looking frumpy. This length does have its ankle-baring charms but you’re probably going to want to wear it with some form of heel, or at least a bit of a platform like my loafers below, and you definitely need to tuck in whatever you’re wearing up top.
Two recent events in particular made me want to attempt this length. The fist was when I went to see the Spring/Summer collection from By Malene Birger. BMB has been distinguishing itself of late, hitting this high brow-yet-playful monastic hippyish note you don’t see so often from Scandi brands… or any place really. They certainly don’t shy away from awkward-cool lengths and proportions, daring you to try and pull them off. (If you do, you may just be the coolest-looking lady in the room).
In fact some of the chicest women I know do go in for BMB’s less-obvious pieces and manage to look wonderfully tasteful and mysterious. Prime example: my almost-sister-in-law Madeleine. I saw her nailing a fringy look (not unlike the skirt above) at Christmas was inspired to give it a try. My pal Sandrine also wears BMB with aplomb.
The second reason was the Patou show last week. If you follow me on Instalols, you may have seen my live stories from the show, and if you managed to make any sense of them, perhaps you gathered I loved Guillaume Henry’s interpretation of the past-the-knee skirts. Maybe I was drawn to them out of pure nostalgia—they reminded me of photos of my Gran in postwar Paris—but Henry added interest via deep front slits and cool, colour-pop accessories. Ladylike yet distinctly unfussy. Into it.
SO I’ve thrown caution to the wind and risked frumpiness for the sake of experiment. My conclusion: despite my passionate and lifelong love of miniskirts (irreplaceable), I’m quite into these lengths for days when I want to indulge in some serious grown-up dressing, and also for the approaching fashion weather-niche that is late winter/early spring, during which I want to nod to the coming season, but still crave some coverage warmth-wise.
FYI as soon as it gets warmer I’ll be going for the transparent version a la Carven because Louise Trotter has seen inside my fashion soul, as usual.
Thoughts? Don’t let's skirt the issue. I’ll be waiting for you in the comments section.
In the meantime… Weekly Recs!
Try: Anne Cali’s Belly Gad
Revolutionary stomach massages using ancient techniques consisting of deep manual manipulations. The Gad boasts impressive draining effects but I’m mainly there for the impressive effects it also has on the…err… “transit” as the French call it. If you’re an IBS sufferer, and in Paris, trust me on this one and it’ll be smooth sailing for weeks…
Download: Amigo App
Heading to a new city soon? See what tastemakers on Amigo are recommending in the way of restaurants, art, happenings, you name it. Every so often, a why didn’t I think of this app that comes along (damnit!) and this is totally one of them.
Use my code: MADLVGO
Cuddle In: Bed linens from Merci Paris.
Especially in cotton gauze. All natural fibres and you feel like a big baby wrapped up in a snuggly swaddle. Many a lovely colour and size available (and coordinating towels, face cloths etc. too). Bonne nuit!
I’ve also been experimenting with this length for its sit-on-the-ground-with-toddler-in-public benefits. I agree that you need a committed shoe & waistline. A dash of skin somewhere also helps. I prefer an a-line or full shape as this seems to bring some emotional levity to the length.
And would love to Paris for IBS relief