these flippin' 30s ...

As I was drafting a new post for beautyandfitnessmalta.com a couple of days ago, I realised that I was favouring a trend (by, guess what? shopping like crazy) over an other one which is presently taking up much precious space in my wardrobes.

In the next few days, you'll be able to read my thoughts on tulip skirts and dresses over at beautyandfitnessmalta.com; however, as I said, my wardrobe is replete with another trend: skater skirts.
Over the last days, I found myself gravitating more towards the tighter fitting option, as I suppose, I'm going through some metamorphosis in acceptance of my hitting the mid-30s.  I'm starting to question whether skater skirts, especially the shorter lengths are 'age appropriate' ...

I actually hate this notion of age appropriateness as I feel that one should wear clothes that reflect how they feel and not how old they are on their ID card.  I think the first time I had heard the term was while watching Stacy and Clinton's US version of What Not To Wear (I think I still much prefer Trinny and Susannah's obnoxiousness to Stacy and Clinton's but anyway). Much as I used to follow the programme religiously, and can still chime the "Colour - Pattern - Texture - Shine" mantra ad nauseam, I used to find that most made-over women would be dressed in pretty much the same way.  Every woman's individuality was stripped off in favour of knee-length narrow skirts, fitted tailored jackets and boot-cut trousers.  While these are probably staples that would, broadly speaking, suit every woman's shape, I feel that they tend to be more ageing than age appropriate.

Still, my point today is that you can stick to your individuality, and your youthful ways without getting caught into the 'mutton dressed as lamb' trap.  A case in point:  I recently bought a plaid skater skirt from New Look which I have so far only worn once ... as opposed to another plaid this time, pencil, skirt I have which I'm over-wearing.  The thing is, with a plaid skater skirt, it is very, nay terribly easy to look as through you're going for a manga inspired school-girl look.  If that's what you're after, no hassle there whatsoever.  But if you're after something more polished, there needs to be some thought put into it.

These flippin' 30s by tikkamars on polyvore.com

Above are some styling options I've prepared on Polyvore using the skater skirts which will look super chic especially for us 30+ ladies.  Being an avid wearer of these skirts, I've also cooked up my own top three tips from my personal experience:

• The focus is on nipping the waist and showing the hips, so keep everything else in proportion - anything too loose and worn on top of the skirt will make you look bulky and boxy
• Skater skirts are to be worn with (heeled) pumps or at most low boots.  Knee-high boots and short skater skirts look tarty
• Jackets with skater skirts should either (a) reach to the waist or (b) also be tailored / nipped at the waist.  A boyfriend jacket or coat will add unnecessary bulk where you don't want it to

Do you think one can get too old for such styles such as skater skirts?  I'd love to hear xx