A bit of skirt
That’s Not My Age is a sucker for stripes. This slinky maxi skirt from Topshop takes me straight back to the eighties. To the days when I could party like Ollie Reed and still get up for college in the morning. Apart from keeping the bar staff busy at the student union, my time was spent dodging pattern-cutting lectures and churning out jersey tube skirts on the industrial overlocker. The aim was to get the Bodymap look. Layering cropped knits over vest dresses, skirts over leggings, clashing stripes and prints and generally mashing it up. Stevie Stewart and David Holah’s catwalk shows were the inspiration. A riot of beautiful people – Michael Clark, the Kamen brothers, that boy-child Felix, and er, Boy George.
Sadly, I made the fatal error of buying without trying. This maxi skirt looks fine in the photo but the reality is not such a pretty picture. The stripy tube is a bit on the tight side, the fabric is flimsy without much stretch and Mr TNMA says he can see right through it. So, I’ve bought a skirt that’s going to cause problems in the underwear department – and is tricky to walk in. Well what did I expect for thirty quid?
Where Bodymap’s heavy jersey skirts had plenty of Lycra and kick-ass hems to make them swing, this clings like a five year-old on the first day of term. Just before the first world war, hobble skirts restricted women’s movement so much they were condemned by the Pope. Today, Benedict XVl is too busy apologising for the Spanish Armada, and other stuff, to have time for fashion. And anyway, my movements may be confined to a shuffle but if I hitch the skirt up to mid-calf level I can get from the bedroom to the bathroom without falling over.
Have you ever made a reckless purchase? And would you do the Topshop shuffle?
Bodymap photos from Femme Thing and V magazine.
Discussion (23 Comments)
Glad to see there's someone besides moi who doesn't want to show her face. My issue is privacy first. I'm a bit wary of where my photos will end up but the issue of age is a close second. Next to the teen bloggers I feel tres old!
My first ever designer purchase back in the day was a Bodymap skirt for £14.95 bought in Cruise in Glasgow. It was a heavy white jersey panelled skirt that swung beautifully whilst dancing to Bow Wow Wow and the like. The photos in this piece make me really nostalgic and reminds me how much fun dressing up was then.
Maybe you could double-layer your skirt? How would it look worn over leggings?
Hi there-yes, todays quality compared to 80s quality is just uncomparable, which is why I love sourcing original 80s pieces, if at all possible! If you really love the skirt, is it worth buying a plain tube skirt to go underneath as a 'slip' to bulk it out a bit? I went to the jumble sale on Saturday and got 2 striped cropped vests by Miss Selfridge, I'm sure they are also 80s originals, LOL!!
PS-I think it looks great by the way-if you can sort the layering issue, I reckon you should keep it!!
I think the skirt looks fablas on you. In fact, that whole ensemble looks great 🙂 I'd keep it if I were you.
Unfortunately, I've got a bit chubbers over the past 10 years and also very flat arse (probably from sitting on it all day) and anything remotely body-con looks dreadful on me.
Might get my hula hoop out this morning…..
Ali x
SE – I really wasn't fishing for compliments, I did take a photo of the rear view but it looked really odd/a bit distorted. And yes I saw my NBF – fab!
MM – yes, a bit of both and the fact that I am not at all photogenic!
FFA – oh I know Cruise in Glasgow. Do you still have the Bodymap skirt??
SR – thanks & I think I'll probably wear it in summer. I have to keep it anyway, I've had it longer than 28 days.
AC – I thank you. Let me know how you get on with the hula hoop.
Those photos bought back so many memories!! I used to love a bit of Lycra and still do. Don't think you will be doing much cycling in that skirt. Am also loving monday nights now that Mary is back. Pilates on a monday followed by Mary Queen of Shops is just fab. I have bought and made so many clothes I regreted that I can't list them all. Also started knitting last year, but my items turned out to be unwearable as I just could not follow the pattern.
And the photo looks so great!
Ah yes thought of you and NBF whilst watching the six months on programme. Did you see Melanie's hilarious wedding dress pic before she had to take it down – someone must have pinched it and used it. It was great xGot completely side tracked on the Mary P worship and forgot to comment on skirt. Make a lining/petticoat it will sit better and avoid the old see thru thing. It looks great in the photo as I said and so do your sandals – v nice x
It must be something to do with our age as I am also a sucker for stripes! Skirt looks great x
FG – I can't knit either but I bet Mary can. Perhaps she could teach us.
MDS – yes I saw the photo it was fab, what a shame it's been taken down – perhaps Mary has realised it's me she wants to marry! Oh no, am I starting to sound like a stalker?
I'm a fellow stripe-aholic. Can't get enough of breton tops, must stop buying them! x
http://equatorlive.com/weshop/Reckless purchases are my middle name- they can grow on you after a while, love the image of you whipping up tube skirts on an overlocker!
Can't do Topshop too often – it's too exhausing and yes, I have done weird impulse buys.
I know you're not fishing for compliments, BUT I think only very slim people like you can wear a horizontally striped skirt like this and look good in it.I have made far too many a reckless purchase… and three good ones last week from (whisper it…) Topshop! I think it's bit pot luck with them sometimes. Loved the clinging like a five yr old on the first day of term line! x
I used to be mad on Body Map stuff in my clubbing days. I love the first look on you, it 's great xx
What about a nice sensible slip underneath it? (Can you even buy them any more?)
Yes Rollergirl, you can still buy slips. I bought one for about a tenner from M&S recently and it's hardly been off my back. Keeps me warm, makes clothes hang better, you can't see my pants…
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and makes my arse look the size and shape of Australia… lol! That is hilarious and I needed a good laugh.
When I am in London, which is unfortunately rare, I always make a bee-line for Top Shop and Miss Selfridge, even though I'm probably past their shelf date. So much fun.
I like the look of the striped skirt but if it is cheaply made and doesn't "feel" right then it's no fun to wear. R. x