It is almost impossible to ride a bike in a pencil
skirt. Scratch that. It’s almost impossible to mount, ride or
dismount a bike gracefully in a
pencil skirt. I know this. I’ve been riding my bike for a couple of
years now and have a pretty good idea of what works. Pencil skirts don’t work.
However, I sometimes just feel like wearing them
anyway. Today was one of those times:
I thought I could get away with it because this skirt isn't as fitted as some pencil skirts. I was wrong. I think the combination of the skirt and the wedges was just too much to
handle. I made it without incident, but
trust me, it was not pretty.
The skirt though is
pretty. It’s just not good for bike
riding. I still love it though – cobalt
is one of my favorite colors and I like the added color of the embroidery. I actually created this skirt from a vintage
Guatemalan dress that was damaged on top.
And by created, I mean I just
cut off the top and added some elastic.
Why, yes, I do have mad sewing skills. Thanks for noticing.
I paired the skirt (rummage-saled) with a striped tee (J.
Crew), wedge sandals (Corso Como via Piperlime), an oxidized-buckle belt
(thrifted), bangles (Nordstrom & thrifted) & a necklace from my
blogger-friend, Erin (thanks, Erin!).
To recap: Pencil skirts are not good for bike riding, I like
cobalt, a lot, and I have secretly amazing sewing skills. Oh, and
I’m linking up to Thursday’s are for Thrifters.
Happy Thursday, All!
Gracey
The skirt is beautiful. I will have to keep an eye out for dresses that have potential as skirts. I probably wouldn't have thought of it.
ReplyDeleteOoo OO! I LOVE this skirt. Love
ReplyDeleteHeh. I talked about pencil skirts and my love of cobalt in my blog just about an hour ago!
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is so lovely. I'm impressed that it's a salvage job; I'd have sworn it began its life as a skirt.
Dig the pattern mixing! It's an art I haven't fully mastered but I aspire to. As for the bike riding I'm pretty sure that NO mounting can be done gracefully. In fact I'm pretty sure "mounting gracefully" would be an oxymoron.
ReplyDeletei do adore your revamped from a dress skirt gracey girl! it looks superb. :) bicycle + skirt + wedges = awkward
ReplyDeleteis that the right formula?
I am impressed that you can ride a bike without falling off in any outfit. I am not sure I possess those kind of mad ninja skills at this juncture of my life. Cute outfit. :)
ReplyDeletewww.stylinggame.blogspot.com
Not good for bike riding but a lovely outfit otherwise! I have wedges almost exactly like that - Steve Maddens, in cognac, that I picked up from Macy's a few summers ago. They are awesome, they go with everything!
ReplyDeleteOh man, do you still have to bike home??? Biking scares me for so many reasons, one of which is what do you do if it rains while you're at work? Or stuck in an outfit that is not conducive? Or what if you get helmet hair?
ReplyDeleteGood news is you never seem to have helmet hair, and I have faith you'll make it home in one piece. Oh, and that skirt is beyootiful! Love it with that striped top, and I adore the belt too. All around gorgeousness going on here today, lady.
There are definitely days where I just suck it up and ride in a pencil skirt myself, but those days are always managed with the assistance of bike shorts underneath. Less flashing = mo' betta, especially if I don't want to scandalize my coworkers. Keep on wearing those pencil skirts, Gracey!
ReplyDeleteI love that belt with the skirt! You're inspiring me to take up a few alteration projects of my own that have been put on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteI admire your skills. Both bike riding and restyling!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your re-styling also. The clothing restraints are the only reason why I don't currently bike, but you are making me think about it again. I really LOVE this outfit. It has a clean bohemian feel. Perfect for spring!
ReplyDeleteRhe
rhestyle.com
i love the pattern of your skirt!
ReplyDeleteXo,
steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons
I'm in awe that you even tried to ride a bike in that skirt :0
ReplyDeleteWhich is beautiful. I love mad sewing skills. I've decided to break out my lonely sewing machine and see if I can create DIY magic. Or in the alternative, just hem stuff :P
sigh I always wanted to find a cute flowy skirt to peddle down a quaint country road to have a hillside picnic... too bad I am missing the bike the country road and the romance novel husband
ReplyDeleteI like how you salvaged the skirt from a dress. Perhaps you should design a skirt that looks like a pencil...but allows for easing mounting/dismounting a bicycle. It could be the start of your millions.
ReplyDelete1. Your post title is hilarious...I was laughing before I even read the content.
ReplyDelete2. The shape of the skirt is very flattering, and I really like how you paired it with stripes...my fave. ;)
3. I am rather jealous that you could wheedle a needle and thread...or sewing machine...or whatever...and create your own waistband. That happened with the skirt that I wore today...except it was at the hands of my mom...and after a few months of waiting. I'm jealous, I tell ya!
I'm so glad you eventually plunged into altering and you tried your sewing skills.See, it wasn't that hard.It opens new possibilities to your wardrobe and to thrifting. I'm so much into altering lately.It's so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to by able to sew isn't it? Because it's really a drag to have to take things to the dry cleaners or tailors and pay big bucks.
ReplyDeleteI think the striped T was just the right thing for your skirt.
Nice work on that skirt! That's more sewing than I can do. I definitely have bike + skirt issues - I'm amazed that you bike in even non-pencil skirts as much as you do!
ReplyDeleteWow! Props on turning the dress into a skirt, you did amazing work, it is gorgeous! Sad that it wasn't so good for biking (and I still can't believe you bike to work, that is just amazing!) but hey now you know and you looked fantastic :)
ReplyDeletehehehe. For me this blog post would've gone: "It's impossible to ride a bike. I like skirts. I don't like bikes." LOVING that skirt, though, Gracey. I'd say, ditch the bike and wear the skirt more!
ReplyDelete♥ laura
the blog of worldly delights
the shop of worldly delights
Adorable skirt! I'm so impressed that you created it from a dress! What an adorable design and the colors are divine. I'm also loving your oxidized belt. How cool!
ReplyDeletexo,
Lindsay
You look adorbs! I always wonder when I see women on bikes in skirts, how the hell do they manage it? You made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI love the stripes!
xo,
Tracy
Haha, I can't even imagine trying to ride a bike in any kind of skirt. That one would be worth it though. It's gorgeous! Thanks for linking up with Thursdays are for Thrifters!
ReplyDelete-Meagan
www.brassinpocketblog.com
I am in love with this skirt girl! Super cute! Now go back and edit this post to add a picture of you on the bike in skirt!! LOL I died! Kiah
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePeople, riding a bike in a (fuller) skirt is easier than riding in pants, for crying out loud!
ReplyDeleteGracey, check this out - it's so awesome:
http://letsgorideabike.com/blog/2012/04/convert-your-skirt/
Carol, thank you so much for sharing. That is literally one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen. I need to figure out how to put in a zipper then I'm all over this!
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteI saw the link on BikePortland.org and thought of your skirt - yay for biking in Oregon.
oh this is super cute...love the colors and patterns!
ReplyDeleteand hey, thanks for visiting my blog. :)