J.Crew’s Double Serge Pencil Skirt is supposed to be the most flattering skirt ever made. Transforms all women of all sizes instantaneously into tall, lean models. Of course I had to try it, despite my last unfortunate brush with a pencil skirt from J.Crew.

First up – Double Serge Pencil Skirt in Natural. This looked like a true white in the catalog, but in real life it’s more off-white and beige-ish.

Not very flattering, is it? Looks just like a plain white skirt. Mehh. So I thought, c’mon, this is a high waisted pencil skirt. You have to wear it in a high-waisted fashion to really get the appeal of it.

Eh. It’s better, but not great. I have to say everything I realized about me and pencil skirts holds true here. I got the Natural in my usual size. Not a fan.

Maybe Black works better?

Not really. I got the Black in a size down (don’t ask me why), but the fit wasn’t all that different. Definitely more flattering than the Natural, but alas, pencil skirts just do not look good on me. Get the Double Serge Pencil Skirt from J.Crew here for $98.

I didn’t really notice the Black Blossoms Cardigan from J.Crew until recently when I saw it on someone else on another blog. With all the cardigans I own from J.Crew, I actually don’t have a single printed one. So, why not start with one that has a great print and neutral colors? I imagined myself pairing this with absolutely everything and every color, and it adding that extra needed touch of elegance. Well, my first impression when I put it on was not that of black blossoms…instead, I looked like a spotted cow. I’m sorry, no other words to describe it. That’s how I felt. I really wanted to love it, but I just felt all wrong in it. I got my usual size, the material is soft merino, fits well (not sloppy or boxy at all), and the print does look pretty. Just not on me.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Slub Cotton Tee, J.Crew Poplin Wednesday Skirt, Steve Madden Intyce Boots (Cognac)

There must be a few other ladies out there who feel the same as I do, as this Black Blossoms cardigan is already on sale for $59.99. Get it here from J.Crew.

I had my eye on J.Crew’s Sunshine Peony Pencil Skirt for a while, but wasn’t sure I was girly enough for such a feminine print, especially in a body-hugging pencil skirt. I think my instinct was right on. I just don’t think I’m girly enough for a print pretty enough to be named Sunshine Peony, but I can see how stunning it would be on the right person.

I also learned something else – pencil skirts are not exactly for me. I don’t have a huge waist-to-hip ratio so when I wear a tucked-in outfit, I look like I have no waist. Also, I know a lot of women are okay with the “pouch” thing happening with your stomach/lower belly in pencil skirts when you look at it from the side or if you move at all, but I’m not a huge fan of that.

If it’s happening for this gorgeous, thin woman in the J.Crew catalog (though yes, technically she is a “real” woman), it’s going to happen to me. It probably happens even when you have zero fat there – perhaps just a consequence of your ab/hip area being a separate area from where your legs start. Anyway, I’m not a fan of that going on down there – either from the side or when I move at all. Maybe if I sized up? I don’t know. Maybe if the Sunshine Peony print worked for me, I’d bother doing the exchange and seeing, but I just don’t think this is a winner for me. Oh, and the fact that pencil skirts make it all too obvious I have no butt makes it even more clear to me that I should just stay away.

My usual size zips up fine but definitely felt tight. I probably would’ve been more comfortable with a size up. Get your Sunshine Peony Pencil Skirt from J.Crew here for $98.

EDIT (4.27.10): So…I bought this skirt again since it went on super sale at J.Crew. This time I bought a size up and though some of the same problems are still there (shows the “bump” in the front, I still have no butt, etc.), the larger size really made a difference. I think.