Not Just For Work Anymore - 7 Ways to Rework A Pencil Skirt

I hear the words " pencil skirt" and what usually comes to mind is work. The pencil skirt has been a classic staple in a woman's work wardrobe for decades. Most of us own at least one, especially if you want to be seen as a "serious" career woman. But as we are ushering in a new era in fashion, the pencil skirt is shedding its no-nonsense image. With the rise of bloggers (such as myself), and street style culture, we are starting to see classics re-imagined and styled in unique and creative ways. Below I have styled several variations of the pencil skirt according to seven personality types: The Sophisticate, The Art Fanatic, The Party Girl, The Trendsetter, The Prepster, Geeky-Chic Style Maven, and The Jokester. So the next time you are in your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear, take a look at that pencil skirt again. See it in a new light,  imagine the possibilities, and show us how you would rock it.  

The Sophisticate

She is chic, elegant, and is always flawless. She holds everything together, no matter what life throws at her, and accomplishes this without a hair out of place. She runs a business, her household, and still manages to stay abreast of fashion. How does she do it? By keeping the classic silhouettes, textures, and neutral color palette that she loves and turning them up a notch. I paired a Love Moschino Newspaper T-shirt with a Balenciaga Leather Kimono Tie Pencil Skirt. Bqueen black booties and a Vivienne Westwood Bag cinches the look. Just in case she gets caught out on a chilly spring night she has a VPL Shift Cardigan to keep her warm. 

The Art Fanatic

This style curator is visually stimulated and knows how to mix things up to please the eye. She throws things together with an artisanal flair. She is mysterious, intriguing, beguiling, and can never quite be duplicated. What is her style secret? That is the enduring mystery of her allure. Her outfit consists of a Cat-Land Printed Tee from Due Fashion, GESTUZ Leather Diamond  Skirt, ODEON Sandal, Maiyet Ponyhair Tote, and a Red Hot Leather Cuff from Etsy. 

The Party Girl

The party doesn't start until she walks in. She is the stand-out in the crowd and loves to get noticed. No one will mistake her for a wallflower. She loves it all, color, prints, and anything that draws the eye. She doesn't mind letting it all hangout... of course, we're discussing her fashion sense! Where do we start with this fashion chameleon? Of course, she would be rocking a hard to find vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Shirt with a GUESS by Marciano Elin Kling Leather Skirt. I threw in some high impact Giuseppe Zanotti Wedge Booties, a Somerset by Alice Temperley Pony Leather Bag, and cuffs by Givenchy and Temperley London. 

The Trendsetter

This fashionista always rocks the latest trends. She is always one step ahead of the rest of us. By the time we have caught on she has already moved on to the next big thing. You can always catch her in the hottest emerging designers and she pairs them in such a way that you want to know more about her. This outfit incorporates two of the biggest trends: high contrast black/white combo and stripes. This look pairs a Stella McCartney Roll Neck Jumper with a Bruuns Bazaar Skirt. Cut-out booties from River Island, a Chloe Bag, and Marni Sunglasses complete the look. 

The Prepster

Oh, how she loves her cotton candy pink and kelly green. Lilly Pulitzer, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch are her idols. She believes in being appropriate but still knows what is hot off the runways. This Prepster look will still get her noticed in a  sea of candy color country club attire. I paired this fabulously graphic tropical pencil skirt from River Island with a soft and sumptuous James Perse Blouse. It is accessorized with a Roots Village Pouch and McQ Alexander McQueen Leather Ballerina Flats. 

Geeky-Chic Style Maven

Who says you can't let your geek flag fly and be fashionable at the same time? Gone are the illusions that if you are a self-professed geek that you can not also be intrigued by fashion. I incorporated that attitude into this look. I paired a New Look White Glasses Heart Print Shirt with an on-trend cobalt blue pencil skirt from Debenhams. To finish the look I added fierce Aperlai Platform Heels, a Dickens & Jones Belt and a Proenza Schouler Triangle Print Clutch. 

The Jokester 

This outfit is perfect for the girl who loves to laugh and always has a witty anecdote to share. She is known for her tongue-in-cheek humor and because she is always in on the joke she would not be afraid to rock a t-shirt from Miss Rebel with hand imprints in interesting places. The graphic print on the t-shirt keeps the belted pencil skirt from Oasis casual but fashion-forward. The look is rounded out with Givenchy Suede Cage Heels and a Mel Boteri Two-Tone Clutch.