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Mama Wears a Mini-Skirt
October 9, 2011
I'm pretty sure the last time I wore a mini skirt was to a high school dance, in my more rebellious and well... teenaged years.
I'm just not a mini skirt girl, ahem, woman. Till now.
In the past month I've added a half dozen pairs of black leggings to my wardrobe. And I'm now trying to figure out how to work these into my daily wardrobe.
Hum... that's kind of odd. Why would you own clothes that you aren't sure you'll wear? And seven pairs! What's up with that?
I blame this all on Damien. I love that my husband does gear reviews. I really do. He has saved our family hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on tents, shoes, and clothing. I can't complain.
His most recent review assignment, rather our most recent review assignment, is to test tights for hiking and backpacking. In part because I have a serious issue with wet pants flapping around my ankles, calves and thighs while hiking in the rain. I'm a sissy backpacker and I complained (quite loudly) on our Chignecto trip this summer that I was, to put it mildly, not happy to have cold, shivery, dripping wet legs.
He thinks hiking in close fitting tights vs. quick dry pants may help this and be good for other reasons. Always the analyst, researcher and engineer Damien wants to test this theory and write a comprehensive gear review.
she's still not embarrassed to dress similar to mom (smile)
And he wants me to participate. Fair enough. I'm the one with the "pants problem".
What this means practically is that I have over six pairs (I've stopped counting, it embarrasses the wannabe minimalist in me) of black tights in my clothing stash. And I must say some of them are really gorgeous, high quality clothing. We're talking Icebreaker, Ibex, Arc'teryx, and others.
So now have way more pairs of tights than is decent for one person to own. I intend to only keep my absolute favorites at the end of the review but until then I'm trying to figure out how and if I can work these pieces of clothing into my "every day" wear. I'm actually going to be testing and writing about them for Backpacking Light.
One of these otherwise wonderful pairs of tights (one of my favorites) is slightly see-thru because the weave isn't as tight. For the woods this is perfectly fine - you might be embarrassed to see what I tromp around in out there. But for around the house or in town slightly see-thru is not cool.
Enter the mini skirt. A trip to Frenchy's last week yielded a short and sweet denim skirt that I feel perfectly comfortable wearing with black leggings underneath.
I never thought of myself as a mini skirt gal - more of a flowing gypsy skirt girl. I must be turning over a new leaf, or maybe it's just a mid thirties crisis.
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Amber on Oct. 9, 2011, 4:01 a.m.
How wonderfully convenient that leggings are so in right now. They are great for wearing under something otherwise too short (like your mini skirt.) I have been loving mine lately. My favorite: paired with a cute top, boots and a long cardigan. So comfortable!
I am so enjoying your blog. It's one of my favorites!
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tara on Oct. 9, 2011, 12:07 p.m.
I have been wanting to add leggings to my wardrobe having recently discovered how much I enjoy wearing skirts and not wanting to stop wearing skirts just because the cooler weather is near. The leggings look great and you are totally rocking the mini- skirt.
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Emily@remodelingthislife on Oct. 9, 2011, 1:28 p.m.
Oooh you look so comfy! I love leggings and can't wait for it to cool off enough to wear them this winter. I definitely need a few more pairs :)
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Francesca on Oct. 9, 2011, 4:05 p.m.
that's the perfect style for you Renee!
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Charity on Oct. 9, 2011, 6:23 p.m.
I smiled reading this! I LOVE leggings (although mine are of the cheap variety) simply because they are so comfortable. I would wear them everyday if it were appropriate. You can also wear them with any summer dress coupled with a cardigan (for winter warmth).....makes your summer wardrobe wearable all year long. Toss on a pair of knit leg warmers for even more toastiness (I just made that word up).
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Jeanine on Oct. 9, 2011, 8:56 p.m.
Love it! I got a box full of borrowed maternity wear five years ago and ended up wearing a jean mini a whole lot. And I too felt like I was totally wearing someone else's clothes...but I not only got used it, I decided I liked it. Haven't worn one since, but now I'm kind of wishing for leggings and a short skirt for the cold weathers that's here now. Thanks for the fashion-share. :)
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misti on Oct. 9, 2011, 9:44 p.m.
I have become addicted to skirts in the last several months and have been contemplating how to wear them in the winter. Leggings sounds great but I'm very afraid!
Glad to know they worked for you!
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Anonymous on Oct. 10, 2011, 2:11 a.m.
What shoes are you wearing with this look?
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renee on Oct. 10, 2011, 1:11 p.m.
Oh my... I'm embarrassed to admit this - I just got another 2 pairs of shoes delivered to me from in the mail from OetZI300. Having a husband who's "into" shoes definitely has it's blessings. So, all that to say, if it's nice outside I'll wear my Kigos. But now with the cooler weather I'm wearing these babies. I feel so spoiled. But if I really wanted to pull this look together with aplomb I would wear it with a pair of tall leather boots, the kind Amber talks about in her comment. My friend Charity has a great pair of minimalist boots. I've seen these on her, they're so cool looking. She really rocks the Bohemian Chic wardrobe though. She's one of the cutest "dressers" I've seen. I love her style!
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Anonymous on Oct. 10, 2011, 6:34 p.m.
right , I guess that's what I was picturing. Especially the leather OTZs or the boots. Thanks - love it!
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Lea on Oct. 10, 2011, 3:39 a.m.
You look great!!
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Granola Girl on Oct. 10, 2011, 4:27 a.m.
Once you go tights, you never go back. They are awesome to hike in. In fact, hiking in tights and a skirt is about the best way to go about it. You can even get a hiking mini-skirt!
Good luck on your reveiws!
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Beth Wagenius on Oct. 10, 2011, 9:55 a.m.
where do you get hiking mini skirts? I'm curious.
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Granola Girl on Oct. 10, 2011, 8:03 p.m.
The one I use the most is from Merrell, though I have a couple Patagonia ones too. They come with liners so you just wear them by themselves or with tights. Other than how dirty it often is, you wouldn't know it was a hiking skirt. They can be worn anywhere.
Here's the Merrell link: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/23045W/0/Womens/Belay-Skirt?dimensions=0
It isn't the same exactly, but it is close. I wouldn't try to buy one online since you can't tell what movement they allow. I got mine from a store so I could try it on. I didn't try one on once and now I own a really nice wool skirt to hike in that doesn't allow me to move my legs as much as I'd prefer. I just have to hike it up a bit for optimal movement, but it is sometimes annoying.
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Beth Wagenius on Oct. 10, 2011, 9:54 a.m.
I think I want to try hiking in tights too. It would seem to make sense. What you say about wet flapping denim...... Cute with the mini skirt too!
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renee on Oct. 10, 2011, 10:10 a.m.
actually I don't hike in denim, only thermal, moisture wicking or quick dry materials like polyester, nylon, wool. We're trying tights as an alternative to the quick drying polyester pants I usually hike in. They are great pants, excellent quality and properties for hiking but the flapping wet bottoms I just don't like.
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Becky @ Sowing Little Seeds on Oct. 10, 2011, 2:28 p.m.
I love the mini skirt. You could totally put all those teenagers and twenty-somethings to shame in this! Love your style.
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Mave on Oct. 11, 2011, 6:53 a.m.
Oooh, cant wait to hear what you think of the leggings.
I have the exact same problem with hiking trousers, not to mention that I've never found a good fit around the waist/hips that doesn't bug me with my backpack on. I've been thinking for a while that leggings might be the answer but severe budget constraints have led to crippling inertia when it comes to choosing where to begin!
Also, you look fab!
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delee on Oct. 12, 2011, 2:04 p.m.
You look so cute. I wear tights quite a bit because they are great and comfy around the house but they look like you are dressed for the day!
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FishMama on Oct. 9, 2011, 3:01 a.m.
I guess I'm having a late thirties midlife crisis. I just added a miniskirt and a pair of black leggings to my wardrobe, too! 201I'll take your leftovers when you're done. ;)