Pink Velvet Pleated Midi Skirt With Metallic Top

As much as I love to wear a dress when I go out, it’s nice to ring the changes. More and more skirts have been creeping into my wardrobe and I have really fallen for the midi length. But isn’t it funny how our mindset changes? I’d have been horrified if you’d told me two years ago that I’d wear a pink velvet pleated midi skirt for a dinner date. That would have been frumpy. Mumsy. Not me at all. However, the pleated midi skirt has gained popularity, almost to the pint of ubiquity. In fact I’d say its rapidly becoming a wardrobe staple. A reinvented classic, set to stay for at least a few more seasons.

I’m not one to jump on the fashion band wagon and I’m very definite when I refer to this as a style blog rather than a fashion blog. I’m not an early-adopter of new trends either but I do like to try new looks, new shapes and new styles. I like to evolve, both personally and sartorially. This time last year, I don’t think I had anything that was midi length. Now I have not one, but two velvet pleated midi skirts and several midi-length dresses and I absolutely love them.

Velvet Pleated Midi Skirt With A Sparkly Top

This divinely romantic and feminine pink velvet skirt was gifted by Next. I was invited to choose a few pieces and it caught my eye immediately.

It’s not always easy to know what to wear with a pleated midi skirt. It’s about balance though. Although this particular skirt isn’t too voluminous, some are, (including my red velvet Marks and Spencer one). Many pleated skirts have an elasticated waistband which can add volume. Adding width across the shoulder counterbalances this. This can be actual physical width, or, alternatively, it can be optical width, (an optical illusion), such as horizontal stripes or an embroidered shoulder or neckline. This serves to draw the eye up, out and away from the waistline.

The beautiful shade of pink needed a top in a colour that wouldn’t overpower it; for me it had to be grey or cream. It is Christmas and I do try to sparkle every day, so this metallic glittery top (£22.50, M&S) seemed the right choice for an evening look. (I have a cream pom pom jumper that’ll be cosy and will soften the look for daytime). The grey is light enough not to overpower the pink, the sparkle is subtle enough not to outshine the velvet sheen and the puffed sleeve adds width across the shoulder and makes my waist look narrower. How’s that for ticking every box!

Velvet Pleated Midi Skirt with High-Heeled Ankle Boots

It can be equally tricky deciding what shoes to wear with a pleated midi skirt. A flat brogue shoe works very well, but if like me, you feel under-dressed without heels, (for evening wear at least), a high-heeled ankle boot is a good choice. My advice is to look for a style which is shallow at the front to show off the ankle, the narrowest part of the leg. This elongates the leg especially useful if the skirt hem falls at the widest part of the calf.

My grey high-heeled ankle boots are the Vollmer by Lotus. They were gifted to me when I worked with the brand earlier this season. I wore them with coated skinny leggings for another date night actually. They’re a very useful addition because they work with so many things. I also have them in black too and recently wore them with my teal velvet swing dress. They’re super comfortable and the gold-coloured hardware adds enough style detail to make them interesting.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m enjoying wearing statement earrings. These grey and diamante ones are also gifted from Next and are pretty, comfortable, light-weight and add a little frou-frou.

I love this outfit. I wore it twice in five days, the first for dinner with Ian and the second last night for a Christmas night out with the other football mums. Always a good sign if you wear the same thing in quick succession and I think the skirt at least will get a few more outings over the festive period.