Style advice for the Madeline Skirt
The Madeline is a great skirt that’s a snap to combine. That's on one condition though... You've got to choose the right length. Selecting the right length depends on your height, weight, legs, and body shape. Keep reading to find out how you can rock the Madeline skirt.
Height checklist
- Are you shorter than 165 cm?
Go for a straight, knee-length version (right above, at, or just below the knee). Leave out any unnecessary details. The Madeline skirt is perfect for you. - Are you average height?
If so, the skirt looks good on you in any length. - Are you taller than 172 cm?
Maxi skirts do you nothing but favours. Avoid making the short version of the Madeline Skirt. Maxi means more where you're concerned.
Build and bodyweight checklist
- Are you short and slender?
Go for a skirt length that doesn’t go past the knee. - Are you full-figured?
Be sure to make the skirt longer. Skirts that stop above the knee make you look heavier.
Leg shape
The focus automatically travels to where the skirt ends. If you've got 'sturdier' calves or lower legs, the skirt hem should end just past or above the heaviest point on your calves, never directly on the heaviest part.
Combo tips
Depending on your personal style, the Madeline skirt looks lovely with the following tops:
- the Mika jumper
- the Norma blouse
- the Vita top and the Kai blazer
- the Afra top and the Kai blazer
- the Ida, Lola & Erin top
The Madeline Skirt for O-types
O-types want to create as many vertical lines as possible and draw attention away from the midriff.
Your lower body is slender, and you have gorgeous legs. The Madeline skirt ensures that they're impossible to miss. By cutting the fabric on the bias your hips will look curvier.
The fairly straight, but slight A-line cut creates beautiful vertical lines. What's important though is that you pick the proper length. Your goal is to show off your lovely slender lower legs and ankles, so be sure not to make the skirt too long.
Select a beautiful satin fabric with enough weight in a medium or dark shade. Pair with a top in a matte fabric. The contrast between glossy and matte will balance the proportions of your silhouette. The shininess of the fabric will immediately stand out, accentuating your lower body. The matte top, on the other hand, will attract less focus.
To achieve those highly coveted vertical lines, make the top and skirt in approximately the same colour. That will have a lengthening effect. Go with a V-neck for the top (e.g., the Ida top or Norma blouse) or wear a piece of eye-catching jewellery. Showing off your shoulders and face are a definite yes, so striking earrings, a large necklace, or a striking detail like ruffles on the sleeve caps are all a definite GO! High-necked tops and blouses are a definite no-go.
Bonus tip: a top with rolled-up sleeves, rolled cuffs or 3/4-length sleeves will accentuate your wrists. You can reinforce that effect by wearing a bracelet.
The Madeline Skirt for H-types
H-types have more or less equally wide shoulders and hips. The only thing missing is a clear waistline. Your figure is naturally well-proportioned, and that’s what we want to retain. To put it plainly – if you accentuate your upper body, then do the same for your lower body, and vice versa.
The subtle A-line of the Madeline Skirt is perfect for you because the gently flared line will make your waist look more slender. Tip: amplify that effect by pairing the skirt with a top or blouse that makes your shoulders seem straighter (i.e. broader), like the Afra top with its boat neck.
To create an overall V-shape, pair the Madeline with a V-neck top, such as the Norma blouse.
Make the top in a contrasting colour to break up your figure around the midriff, creating a waist. That will also provide your naturally straight figure with the illusion of more body and a slender waist. Do be sure though to make your skirt in a dark colour.
Because the skirt fabric is cut on the bias your hips will look curvier. It's the perfect way to give your straight figure more shape, without upsetting the overall proportions of your silhouette.
Make the skirt in a satin fabric that doesn't just drape lifelessly over your body.
Pick a length that draws attention to the legs. Click here to discover the no-hassle method of how to alter the skirt length.
The Madeline Skirt for I-types
The I-type’s straight and slender figure lacks shape. The subtle A-line cut of the skirt adds just a hint of volume to your figure, and the fabric cut on the bias creates a nice curve at the hips. Both help but don’t do quite enough to break up the straight line of your figure.
It’s up to slim rectangles to play with colours, prints, textures, extra details, eye-catchers, etc. across the silhouette. By doing that, you diffuse the focus and shatter the uniform straight lines of your figure.
Make the skirt in a satin fabric and select a beautiful, alluring colour. Avoid lightweight fabrics to ensure that the skirt doesn't hang lifelessly over your body.
Three lovely tops to pair with your Madeline skirt:
- The Paris top: the balloon sleeves and peplum add shape and visual interest. If you have a small bust, then the V-neck isn’t really right for you. In that case, consider wearing a turtleneck underneath.
- The Norma blouse: the puffed sleeves add extra volume to your torso.
- The Afra top: this boat neck top in horizontal stripes makes your shoulder look broader and your waist look narrower.
The Madeline Skirt for X-types
Your shoulders and hips are more or less the same widths and you have a clear waistline, Your body's proportions are nicely balanced, and you have lovely natural curves.
The Madeline skirt accentuates those curves. Flare the skirt towards the hemline to create a more pronounced A-line cut. Starting at the hem, slash all the way up to the waist. You can then spread the pattern pieces out based on the amount of fabric you'd like to add. Add half of the additional fabric to the side seam. Next, place the facing pattern on top of the altered skirt pattern to alter it to match that of the skirt.
The Madeline Skirt for A-types
The hips are the widest part of a pear's body and the shoulders are comparatively narrower. Keep your lower body as understated as possible and do what you can to create the illusion of narrower hips. At the same time, shift the accent to your torso and try and make your shoulders look broader. That’s your recipe for creating a balanced silhouette.
The fabric cut on the bias makes your hips look rounder, which is the opposite of what pears want. Not to worry though because these tips will make sure you dazzle anyway in the Madeline skirt:
- Flare the skirt towards the hemline. Starting at the hem, slash all the way up to the waist. You can then spread the pattern pieces out based on the amount of fabric you'd like to add. Add half of the additional fabric to the side seam. Next, place the facing pattern on top of the altered skirt pattern to alter it to match that of the skirt.
- Create horizontal lines on the torso as a counterweight to your hips. Potential options: the Afra top's boat neck or horizontal stripes, the puffed sleeves on the Norma or Paris top, top with cap sleeves, etc. Accents such as ribbons, flounces, ruffles, pleats, etc. at the shoulders also work nicely.
- Add enough layers to the torso. For example, try a top, a chunky knit cardigan and accessories.
- Pick a relatively dark colour for the skirt and a lighter colour for the top. Keep in mind that you want to put all the emphasis on the top, so keep the bottom of your look as understated as possible, adding all the details to the top.
- Don’t make the top too long because it needs to stop above the heaviest part of your hips.
- The Madeline skirt looks divine in satin. Shiny fabrics demand more attention than matte, which is why you should select something in a darker shade. Make sure that the fabric is heavy enough to prevent it from clinging to your buttocks.
The Madeline Skirt for 8-types
Your shoulders and hips are more or less the same widths and you have a clear waistline, i.e., your body is naturally well-proportioned. You’ve got curves that are the envy of any room.
The Madeline skirt accentuates those curves, which is exactly what your figure deserves. You look lovely in patterns without too much frippery. The Madeline Skirt is simplicity itself, making it the perfect match.
Choose a fabric with a fluid drape that is still heavy enough not to cling to your bum. Satin looks divine on your body shape.
Pair the Madeline skirt with a top that has a pretty neckline and avoid oversized tops.
The Madeline Skirt for V-types
V-types are characterised by shoulders that are wider than their hips. Shifting the accent to your narrower lower body will create an evenly proportioned silhouette.
The subtle A-line cut of the Madeline skirt adds the right amount of schwung to your lower body. The fabric cut on the bias makes your hips look curvier, which is exactly what you're going for.
Make the skirt in a striking or light colour or a print with pizazz and pair it with a top in a plain or dark colour. Thanks to this use of colour, you create balance to your silhouette.
Como tips: the Madeline skirt looks great with the Mika or Ida top.
