Many of my readers wear dresses/skirts either exclusively or at least regularly, so I thought I would share a couple of tips about skirts that work for me.
Drawstrings Rock
The first is type of skirt. I have discovered that gathered drawstring skirts are very practical, because they adjust easily to a changing waistline! (If the skirt is full enough, it will even fit over a pregnant belly.) This is an important consideration for those of us in our childbearing years, whose shapes are constantly changing. Also, unlike an elasticized skirt, a toddler cannot pull it down over mama’s hips. (Another important consideration, as I have learned from experience!)
Toggles for Little Girls
The second deals with drawstring skirts and children. As these skirts are easy to make, I am able to sew them for myself and my children pretty easily. And my mother-in-law made a couple for my daughter. Unfortunately, my daughter had a lot of trouble with getting the drawstring tied. So I went and bought a package of toggles – like you see on jackets or “hoodies” – and put one of these on her skirt drawstring. It works great, and it’s much quicker and easier for her to use. Even for little ones who are too small to manage even these well, they’re nice, because they’re quicker for mama to tighten than tying a bow would be. (And they can’t come untied.)
(I tried to find a good photo of the doohickeys I’m talking about. This is the best I could do: drawstring toggle. You squeeze it shut and feed the drawstring ends through the hole, then release. When you want to tighten or loosen the ties, you squeeze it shut and pull in the appropriate direction, then release to lock it into place. [UPDATE 3/2015: I found them on Amazon.])
Hi Rachel. Since the birth of my son, I’ve started to just wear skirts (no dresses since I’m breastfeeding and that would be impossible). My biggest problem is finding shoes that look good when it is starting to warm up but not quite time for open-toed or open-backed. In the winter, I wore long boots which looked neat or ballet flats or dressy shoes for church. In the summer, I can wear lots of wedges or even flip flops if I’m not dressing up. But what to wear when it’s like 50 degrees out? Ideas?
I am really, really bad with shoes and style. I have just been wearing boots with my skirts. (Actually, lately, I’ve been back in pants most of the time, as that’s all I’ve found that fits. 🙁 ) But I don’t think my boots are really a stylish option. 😉
I think most of my friends wear slides, but I don’t like those because they fall off. So I’m not sure what’s left. I’ll ask my sister. (She has managed a shoe store for years and years, so she’s much better at this than I am!)
I wear skirts all of the time in summer. I’m wearing a drawstring skirt today!
I wear sandals (with a back, though those can be hard to find) most of the time in the summer. Otherwise, if it’s cooler, I wear loafers at home, and heels to church.
Yeah, that would be great to ask your sister. I look very nerdy (and I don’t usually care that much about how I look but this is exceptionally nerdy) with skirts that hit me mid-calf in a pair of flats. Yuck!
Shannon, I like to wear Mary Jane type shoes with ankle straps. There are a lot available right now. My favorite style is the Keen Sydney–cute yet durable and comfortable!
Thank you, ‘Becca, for the recommendation. The link in your post to the Sydney shoes was “broken.” (Keen has apparently rearranged their site.) Try this one: http://www.keenfootwear.com/search.aspx?q=Sydney
Thanks Becca. Those are cute but look comfy too!