Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Lace Skirts: H&M vs. LOFT

Remember back when I posted about the LOFT lace skirt?  Well it seemed like most of you liked the style but not so much the fit of it on me (and I agreed!).  I also mentioned back then that Kileen was kind enough to pick up the popular H&M lace skirt in my size for me... and I knew I would have trouble deciding!  And since I'm planning to make a return trip this weekend, it's final decision time!

And here they are... the H&M pencil vs. LOFT scallop-edge lace skirts:

More views of the H&M:

I know there's quite a bit of size inconsistency in this skirt, but the fit of the waist was pretty good on me (mine measured 12" across).  The length, however, hit me below the knees and I felt slightly overwhelmed in it since the material is a bit stiff as some of you had mentioned.  And to be honest, it wasn't the most flattering side view since my behind isn't *ahem* quite generous enough to fill it out.

As for the LOFT skirt:

Again, it sits low on the waist and can only be worn underneath tops, unless I get the sides slimmed as Jean suggested.  This skirt ended up being $20 less than the H&M, so I guess I wouldn't terribly mind getting it altered.  Here's how it would theoretically look after alterations, which comes a lot closer to how it's supposed to look:


I love the silhouette of the H&M pencil skirt, but I'm leaning ever so slightly towards the LOFT, since I generally wear skirts in casual settings and not to work.  But the LOFT skirt does require a trip to the tailors, as well as a little more TLC in care (hand vs. machine wash)... decisions, decisions!

Which would you go with?

37 comments:

  1. It's hard to make up my mind. I spent a few mins looking and thinking and looking at them more. I think if you are a casual skirt wearer, definitely pick the casual one. You will get more wear out of it and be happier :) I'm sure it can double as a work skirt tucked in if need be :)

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  2. I like the pencil skirt A LOT!

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  3. I LOVE the pencil skirt on you! I think you look really nice with the high waisted style. (Haha and you look all confident in your pose in that pic xD. Just a coincidence?). However, if you honestly think the casual LOFT skirt will get more use, you should go with that one. No point in having awesome clothing if it'll just sit in the closet xD.

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  4. (Disclaimer - this the practical, frugal side of me talking): I would return both. Neither is perfect, and this may be a trend that dies in a month or two, never to be seen or heard from again. If it's not a dying trend, then there will be more lace skirts in the coming seasons and maybe more options for a better fit or better price.

    If it was something you were going to get a lot of wear out of, the alterations on the LOFT skirt would be a better option since you seem to like it better. Personally I like the look of the H&M one better, but it is too long on you. I can also understand the ease of wear for the LOFT one.

    It seems that both have their pluses and their minuses but neither are perfect, and maybe that is a sign to return both? After all, it's only a skirt. (But then what do I know? I am insanely cheap when it comes to clothes and balk at paying more than $20 for anything unless it is REALLY worth it).

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  5. It's interesting how these 2 lace skirts can give off such different vibes. I looked at your photos for ages and finally concluded that the H&M skirt makes you look tall, slender, and sophisticated. The Loft skirt makes you look young and cute. So it depends on what look you are going for. It sounds like the Loft skirt is much more comfortable to wear, which means you'll probably wear it more.

    Petite Mom

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  6. I'd go with the pencil, the shape it gives you is a lot better than Loft skirt

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  7. I am torn - if I were you I'd keep both but I am also stuck with a closet full of items that are too similar in concept and so half of them never get worn. I am partial to the LOFT one (maybe because it's the one that I got away for me) because it's so fun and flowy but the lace makes it a little more mature. Let us know what you decide to do!

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  8. I am concerned about what you said about your rear not completely filling out the H&M skirt and it looking not so flattering from the side. If that's the case, go with the Loft skirt, it probably looks better from the side. Also, thinking that you don't wear skirts to work, definitely LOft will be the better choice. I personally find the H&M skirt just "too much", it's something that you would wear just once because it's trendy and then never ever again.

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  9. I really like the look of the loft skirt when it is pinned. I think if you got it altered it would be super cute on you. I actually think it's a pretty classic look and don't see it going out of style.

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  10. I think the comparison pics may be a little swaying because the tee shirt is not tucked into the LOFT skirt, making it seem less flattering : )

    I love the silhouette of the pencil skirt, but I'm not a fan of the stiffness. Also if you don't feel like you can "fill it out," the stiffness will be exacerbated.

    Since you mentioned you'd be wearing it more in casual settings and less out to work/high tea with the ladies then I'd probably keep the LOFT skirt, alter it, and then wear it with tops tucked in. Neither are perfect, but you said you got the LOFT at a great deal and I can see the "after" results being quite nice on you.

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  11. i like the pencil just because it look really nice and professional on you, I think i would like the loft skirt if it was tucked in like Jean said.

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  12. hmm this is a toughie....i bought the h&m skirt too awhile back and ended up returning it. i didn't like how stiff the material was and it looks like its a little too big on the sides?

    i think i'm with you. i'm leaning towards the loft one too! looks more fun and i like the lace on that better too.

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  13. I think the H & M skirt hands down! I just love the silhouette of the pencil skirt vs. the LOFT skirt. But I could be biased since I love my H & M lace skirt so much:)

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  14. I think the LOFT one better suits your needs and lifestyle. It's a bit hard to compare since one is tucked and the other is not, but I think the LOFT one will be better for you with alterations. =)

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  15. Hmmm, I say wait for a better skirt- neither is perfect, so why settle? I'm sure you'll be able to find another one.

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  16. I'm a huge fan of the H&M skirt on myself, but for you, it wouldn't be as practical. and remember, just b/c it's a hit w/many petites, doesn't mean you have to succumb to it (aka my dislike for the Jcrew Merino Chiffon Placket Cardigan).

    Pretend you spent the extra $20 u paid for your H&M skirt to alter your LOFT skirt and it fits you how it fits the model. Then, make your decision.

    You know you would pick the LOFT skirt.

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  17. i really love the H&M skirt, but it will require a trip to the tailor's to get it hemmed. it's a little bit more sophisticated of a look so it may not work for the everyday casual outings.

    as for the LOFT one, i think it'd also look really nice post-alterations! if you do like this one more, then i'd say keep this one as you'll probably wear it more. :)

    cute and little
    come join the Color Brigade!

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  18. Although I am a big fan of the pencil skirt but I think you should keep the LOFT one. It's more casual and you'll get more wears out of this skirt for sure. The H&M pencil skirt is too long for your frame and you probably won't get to wear it that often

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  19. I agreed with Littlenashua. Return both and save your pennies on clothes that you will absolutely adore and fit perfectly.

    Sorry! I sound like a mom.

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  20. From your self-debates...sounds like the LOFT skirt would be best for you. But I do love the H&M one! I think it is super figure flattering on you! I see a lot more curves on you than the LOFT skirt shows! If you do go with the LOFT skirt, try pairing it with a tuck in shirt...I think since it is so flowy, it needs a tuckable top.

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  21. I would pick the one you will get the most use out of, which it sounds like is the LOFT one!

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  22. Obviously in the photos the pencil skirt is more flattering since you tucked it in. The proportions of the LOFT skirt aren't so awesome since your top looks really long but when it is raised to the appropriate spot it looks 1000% better. I'd say go with the LOFT skirt and get it altered. :)

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  23. The H&M skirt would need a hemming to look more flattering (and look more filled out by just being shorter), and if you're going to need to go to the tailor, might as well keep the Loft one which is probably better quality, certainly a better deal, and will get more wears.

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  24. I have seen both skirts in person, and I would pick the H&M one no doubt. I didn't like the quality of the Loft skirt, looked very cheap and poorly made in person. BUT, (you know a BUT is coming, right?) you look better in the Loft skirt than the H&M one, at least in the pictures. The H&M one is too long, and big on you. The Loft one is not perfect, but it seems flowy enough that the size of it doesn't matter that much.

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  25. I love the silhouette of the H&M pencil skirt on you. It makes you look sophisticated! The floaty LOFT skirt is more youthful, and makes you look much younger, but that could also be an effect of not tucking in.

    If you don't think you'll wear the H&M skirt...return it. No reason to clutter up your closet with something you won't wear. If you really like the LOFT and think you'll get more wear out of it, keep it. But if you're not in love with either one, return both. I've been doing too much "I guess I'll keep it" and now my closet it littered with lots of things I never wear. Wait for that euphoric "I love it!" before you decide to keep something. =)

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  26. I like both of them on you! They're totally different styles and I don't think you'll wear the H&M one as often as you'd like. The LOFT one will definitely get more wears after you get it altered. : )

    xx The Little Dust Princess

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  27. I prefer the pencil skirt. You look so chic and sophisticated in it! For some reason, the LOFT skirt makes me think girly and young (not a bad thing) but I know petites and Asians in particular can sometimes look too young. Every summer someone inevitably asks me if I'm an intern and I try to be flattered but I wind up being semi-annoyed bc I feel like they don't take me seriously.

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  28. Your overall look, like your demeanor says you are a more casual person; however, the pencil is much more flattering for your body! You look more lean & taller with the pencil skirt and curvier. It really does flatter your body more. I like where it is placed on your waist, but I think it is just a little too long, maybe just a bit above the knee cap & it would be perfect! Because right where it is cut off between your knee cap, it makes your legs look shorter.

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  29. I actually like the LOFT as is! But it does make you look younger, I think.

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  30. I like both skirts, but I think the H&M one kinda overwhelms you, and also kinda makes you look like you're trying to be someone you're not, based on the styles I've seen you wear on your blog. I can see why other petite bloggers like it though since it's more their style. ;)

    I honestly think the LOFT lace skirt looks fine on you now, without alterations. It's a very pretty and effortless look, rather than a "I'm trying to show my hips in my lace pencil skirt" look. I own the LOFT skirt myself and even though it sits a little low on the hip for me, I would never think of wearing it higher because then it would get SUPER SHORT and get uncomfortable super fast. It's already quite short of a skirt; I was surprised when I received it. So, maybe practice sitting down and seeing how high that skirt gets hiked up before you decide to wear it any higher!

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  31. i love both skirts! and it seems like H&M makes you look taller and slimmer!

    btw, i'm having a contest/giveaway on my blog if you're interested. http://www.fruitylashes.com

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  32. I love the pencil skirt, but I think the loft skirt has the potential to look fabulous if you do get the waist taken in. I too am a casual skirt wearer and would probably choose the loft skirt though the pencil skirt looks fabulous. Whatever will get more wear from you would be the right choice

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  33. I like the H&M one better on you since it looks like it fits well without any alterations. I think it looks chic and sophisticated but I understand what you mean. It is more formal than the LOFT one.

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  34. I like them both, but I think the Loft one would get more use, from how you describe it. You look great in both, though!

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  35. Thank you everyone for your feedback!! I really appreciate the time to you took to help me make my decision :)

    I ended up returning the H&M skirt... even though I do like it, I didn't think I'd get enough wear out of it at this point in my life.

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  36. I love the silhouette of the H&M pencil skirt, but I'm leaning ever so slightly towards the LOFT, since I generally wear skirts in casual settings and not to work. But the LOFT skirt does require a trip to the tailors, as well as a little more TLC in care (hand vs. machine wash)... decisions, decisions!
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