How to Wear a Purple Pencil Skirt (and not look ridiculous):

The inspiration is a runway shot from A. Detacher’s Spring 2011 Collection. Check it out… I loved the volume going on in the (what looks to be silk) tank on top. It’s a very ‘lady’ piece with the feminine details cascading down one side. Take a cue from the runway look and tuck the sleeveless top into a pop-color pencil skirt with matching bag, scrunched stylishly and lovingly in the wearer’s hand, and you’re set.

Image provided by www.style.com

Now onto how to wear the pencil skirt I ended up going with (more violet, less kelly green):

1. Juicy Couture’s Ruffled Washed Silk Top- $130 (www.net-a-porter.com) 2. ASOS Ribbed Jersey Pencil Skirt- $35.86 (www.asos.com) 3. Sergio Rossi Neutral Cutout Wedge- $870 (www.couture.zappos.com) 4. Bottega Veneta Large Purple Hobo- $2120.00 (www.bluefly.com)

Here’s your simple, four-step look that translates the runway into something anyone can pull off.

First, there’s the dove-grey Juicy Couture silk blouse/tank back to the strong violet going on in the skirt. There’s some good volume going on there combined with the feminine ruffle touches. Tuck that back into the Asos pencil skirt in a ribbed jersey material that will keep it hugging the curves while allowing you to move throughout the day or night. Violet purple is the pop color in this reinterpretation of the bright Kelly-green seen on the runway.

I’m a sucker for purple, but the main focus is the pencil silhouette, so go with whatever makes you happy on the color spectrum. Just be sure to keep it streamlined to allow for the volume to balance out the top half of the fashion equation.

These shoes are ridiculous. Beyond, beyond and at an aspirational price point for sure. I liked the idea of a neutral on the foot with this ensemble, and the cutout details are to die for on these wedges.

Finally, the Bottega bag is complete, divine luxury back to such a ladylike look.

Pencil skirts are a classic piece that should be living in every woman’s closet. Worn in a saturated color like the above look, or just in your basic black, it fits into almost any look you can throw at it. Streamlined in the land of skirts can be a very good thing, but you’ve got tons of other options when it comes to the category. See more of my favorites in the ‘bottom’ half of the fashion equation and how to wear them.