One of the major wardrobe staples that I’ve been missing is a basic black skirt. My work while largely casual has some more dressy occasions, and a black skirt is always a useful item to have on hand. Some of you may recall that my former faithful standby, a Theory pencil skirt in suiting fabric, met a grisly end when I somehow managed to tear a hole in the bum. Whoops.
I started my hunt last weekend and thought it would be a fairly easy one. I tried all of my favorite brands and trusty shops – everything from Gap to Max Mara, but I couldn’t find everything I wanted at a good price.
I decided to push myself to look outside my comfort zone of brands, and walked around Nordstrom for a while. And lo and behold, I found my perfect skirt! It was the right length and could be adjusted higher and lower, had a stretchy waistband (woohoo buffet binging), was made of great fabric and was even machine washable. A true rarity in the day and age when even a Vince cotton tee bears the dreaded instructions: Dry Clean Only. And the brand?
A little preview showing the front and back – I like to wear mine a little shorter (the top is folded over), but you can easily unfold to be knee length
…It ended up being Eileen Fisher. Eileen Fisher is a name that I normally would have never given a second glance, since I’d always associated it with an older generation. I think I remember even seeing my mom put back an Eileen Fisher item while we were shopping growing up, as the style was a little too “old”, and the cut too generous, for her. I almost didn’t try the skirt on, insisting to myself that the brand didn’t fit me or my style, but a random pushy sales associate badgered me into adding it to my pile of Helmut Lang and Theory . And it ended up being the winner.
The whole process started me thinking about what other items and experiences I’ve probably missed out on in the past because of brand perception. In fashion of course (come on, it’s just cooler to think of yourself as a Rick Owens girl), but in other areas too – foods, cars, electronics, and the list goes on. Which is all pretty silly, especially because I work in branding as a profession and I know just how much marketing and past performance can diverge from present reality. But, it’s such a hard habit to break.
Have you ever been surprised by a brand, or purchased something from a brand you never thought you would? How have your experiences been?
I have never even entertained the idea of buying Eileen Fisher, wow! The skirt looks like a great staple.
I think this happens all the time! And it happens with clothing sizes too! I`ve style a few people and made sure to hide the size. More often than not, they weren`t wearing the correct size for their body! I make it a habit to seam-rip the label and size off for a lot of people!
That’s fascinating LC! Where did you work that you did this? I should have done this when I was a sales associate, I bet I would have made more sales!
Great find Katherine and looks good on you. How is the sizing of it?
I bought a PXS and it fits me pretty well – a teeny bit loose which is why I fold it over – but great! I’d say it runs similar to Banana Republic sizing, a little smaller than the Gap if that helps
haha, your post made me chuckle as i’ve had the same vague impressions of EF ever since i was a teen. but the funny thing is, there are definitely similaries between EF’s designs and Rick Owens. styled right, you probably couldn’t tell by sight!
your skirt looks great on you – a true staple!
You can’t go wrong with a little black skirt!
Happy Monday Hun xoxo
Enter My Michael Kors Giveaway!
http://www.intotheblonde.com/2012/10/international-giveaway-michael-kors.html
That skirt IS beautiful!
I just walked into what I thought of a “granny-shop” (sorry, but so true) only to come back out with the most perfect white shirt! No more prejudices now.
Great skirt! always worth considering various brands, although I agree its easy to stick to certain ones. Ive started buying some Gerard Darel, which I used to feel too classic but I really like some of the pieces. We do not have Eileen Fisher here… Elle x
This looks great on you and is a perfect staple for anyone’s closet! I worked in a retail store that sold Eileen Fisher and I can vouch that this is a well made line with great fabrics and good basics from season to season;) xo
Great find, and machine washable! I think it’s natural to have ideas about brands and as humans we like to organise our thinking by labelling and categorising but as a result we occasionally miss out. I remember that for years I wouldn’t buy anything at Zara because I found it too mainstream and not exclusive enough. Now I shop there a lot because I’ve realised that they do sell some good pieces at very affordable prices and they constantly update their collection so you don’t really risk running into someone wearing the same dress as you.
That’s totally true about Zara – I had the same feelings about the brand before and H&M but now I shop there quite a bit!
Love that you can fold it up. And it looks like a non-wrinkle prone fabric? I used to never shop at some departments stores because it felt “old” but now I love going to those stores and finding amazing deals.
Yes it doesn’t wrinkle! A big reason why I had to get it!
Ive never considered that brand! Im like that too. Try and stick to the tried and tested stores but guess we definitely are missing out on a lot!
omg J I LOVE maternity pants. They always look so comfy and they totally expand for eating purposes, lol.
LOL – one of my favorite dresses is a Target find, from Liz Lange Maternity! Super flattering, prego or not
I have found few surprises at F21. It’s always hit or miss. Also I have a new brand that I found at Marshalls, Vince Camuto.
Yes this is so true! I found my standby pencil skirt at Gap of all places. I’m all about a machine washable skirt that requires no ironing. Otherwise, the item goes back on the shelf.
It isn’t just about trying unknown brands, but going back to brands you may not have visited for a while (Gap or Ann Taylor for me). Sometimes the brand’s collections can change for the better and it is worth revisiting!
xoxo,
Chic ‘n Cheap Living
I have been loving the Gap lately too – some great basics at much friendlier prices than say, J.Crew.
Oh this is a strange one. Eileen Fisher – a label I am not familiar with but I have seen their adverts in some of the magazines and they have been rather eye catching and chic. So I think they may be going for a bit of a reinvention this side of the pond.
I never used to shop at H&M but I find it’s been a bit of a stop-off shop for me to find some nice basics. Their tees wear surprisingly well and are cut quite flattering.
Honestly, I haven’t heard of Eileen Fisher until I started working in Luxury Sales Management. But you’re right; Eileen Fisher’s target market is undeniably. . .well, women who are more “mature.” Hehe
Totally!
I consider Eileen Fisher a brand that my mom would like so I would probably not give it a second look but this skirt looks like it would be a versatile wardrobe staple.
Rowena @ rolala loves
What a coincidence, Katherine because I was just discussing Eileen Fisher with a friend over the weekend. The skirt looked lovely paired with your Louboutins. I’ve been very anti-Topshop. Still am to some degree as some of their clothes are so badly made. However, I bought two items from them last week and was pleasantly surprised.
I’m a lazy shopper and tend to hunt for things by the brand name. I’d go to certain brand for jacket, another for jeans etc etc.
I have the same feelings about Topshop as you – it’s worse as it is so much more expensive here than in the UK!
In the past, I like to stick with the brands that I know because it’s much safer. For example, if I needed a blazer, I’d go to Ralph Lauren because I knew they’d have my exact size. Lately however, I’ve been learning a lot of different brands because of the nature of my job. I recently discovered Band of Outsiders and Thom Browne (Barneys is a dangerous place). Of course I have heard of them before but never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d own pieces from them because of their astronomical price tags. Yes they’re expensive, but extremely comfortable. And the quality is unquestionable. Downside? thats where 1/4 of my pay check goes. haha
Your style sounds just like my dear friend’s – I agree with having a go to for brands to make shopping easier – mine for outerwear is MaxMara though I am trying out some Helmut Lang.
[...] Kindle LoveOct 222012 There were a few requests last week to show my Eileen Fisher skirt on after this post (what, small photos of my headless torso aren’t enough for you??) so here it is! I wore it to [...]
Dolce and Gabbana makes great pencil skirts. The one you have on wouldn’t really being considered a pencil skirt though as it doesn’t fall below the knee and is not higher waisted– it seems a tad bit too short to be “professional” and if it is washable, unlikely done in a lovely fabric. Net-a-porter always has great options eg. http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/322007.
Also, have you looked into getting some new black Loubs, maybe one with a higher heel to elongate your leg? I feel like these are the ubiquitous favorite in your closet. I own these Simple pumps too, but never wear them as they are just not very flattering on anyone. I have this pair and they are SO comfortable http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/198661, just thought you should consider it
Thanks Traveler – I walk around a ton in the office and often out to lunch so that’s why these Louboutins more often than not get picked for the task – I love the ones you recommended though. I haven’t done a replacement of my workhorse pumps for a while so I might have to look into adding a pair.