Mary Kate Loves Pencil Skirts, And So Will You

Mary Kate Olsen showed off her always slight frame at the Weeds premiere party recently. Her tuxedo-style pencil skirt is the perfect must-have for fall. A black pencil skirt is easy to mix and match with anything, including another fall essential, boots. For most of us humanoid women not quite as svelte as Mary Kate the pencil skirt from Spanx can give us a little extra help.

Cynthia Rowley’s Caning Print Skirt

Cynthia Rowley’s Caning Print Skirt combines breezy summer fun with the new high-waist trend that is quickly making the transition from runway into the real world. Paired with a simple white tank and metallic sandals, this skirt can be taken from the beach and into the office with the addition of a structured jacket. The gathered top and sash belt give this skirt the appearance of a beautifully wrapped present. But at $220, this skirt would be a present I would have to give myself.

Purple Denim Shorts

How fun are these shorts?  I love that denim shorts are coming back in style, but the color of this particular pair from Shop Bop will ensure that you don’t end up in the same duds as everyone else.  Offering more flexibility than most skirts, these would look killer with everything from heels and a flimsy empire-waist top to flip flops, a skinny tank, and big sunglasses. 

Racy Shorts- $148

Jenni Kayne Presents the Unconventional Yet Practical

An unconventional short sleeved jacket is a purchase to justify, but all-season possibilities are endless. Introduced this fall 2007, Jenni Kayne has shown the practicality of this piece. A wool/cashmere blend, big collar, 4 button, short sleeve jacket goes a long way. Layer long sleeve pieces in the winter and sleeveless pieces in the spring. Fabulous with jeans, dresses, and skirts. If you don’t need another black jacket, no worries, Jenni Kayne caters to all personalities. Versions include a fun ivory and black plaid and brown mink for the ultra luxurious. At the end, the short sleeve jacket sells itself as a timeless that can be embraced throughout the year. Jennikayne.com

A-Line Skirts

If you’re not a size 0, or if your body is pear-shaped, your best bet when it comes to skirts is A-line cuts. Unlike pencil skirts, that become narrower at the bottom and can be fabulously flattering for some figures but very challenging for the average person, an A-line skirt resembles the letter A because it is narrower at the top and wider toward the bottom, thus disguising heavier hips and thighs.

One of my favorite A-line skirts this season is Façonnable’s Embroidered Floral A-Line Skirt (Nordstrom, $175).

It is feminine and cute and can be dressed up with heels or made to look more casual with a pair of ballet flats.

Another great cut is the Esprit Print Voile Skirt (Nordstrom, $69.50).

The print is bold but not overly fussy and the cut – narrow at the waist and fuller at the bottom – is very flattering.