I'm at a real loss as to where to go next and not spend a fortune.

I'm seeking a pencil skirt which sits just above the knee in order for me to run in it for dog shows. I love the American ones, but not finding anything over here. I won't buy on ebay and the net etc as I need to try them on as i'm a funny shape.

I've exhausted the ones in M&S, Next and Tesco. They all sit below the knee and even with pleats and splits they are great if you want to teeter  about on heels.
I've looked online for stores I can walk into but they all appear to be below the knee... What to do?

> What to do?

Take it up?  Or have it taken up if no good with a needle?

Presumably, you will want to keep the 'slit' at the back if you want to run around the ring, so if you turn the hem up, be careful that you don't lose the slit/kick pleat!  :)  You could always turn the waistband over!!!  :)  :)

Not bought a pencil skirt for eons but have you tried Tu @Sainsburys or Roman Originals(not sure if they have a shop in your area??)

What about a lycra based one that has a bit of give in it.  This should mean that your shape is less important as the lycra content should help with the fit.

how about visiting a dress maker and having a made to measure one done, to you exact specifications?

All brilliant ideas, thanks. I'd rather not buy something and then pay for someone to adjust it..
I've been looking online and funnily enough i've found a few skirts which look strong possibles on the VS website.. I think I may have to forfeit a skirt for Crufts and get myself to the US and get some shopping done!!

Last time I looked in Matalan there were above-the-knee pencil skirts.

Thanks JG, i've just looked on their website, no mention of their length, will be passing one tomorrow at some point, so will pop in to have a look.

Hi Suejaw, from what I saw at Westminster all the skirt suits worn by the handlers were either really shiny, spangly or otherwise a bit over the top. Mind you, the sporting group judge wore a floor length black ball gown number that was side slit up to the proverbial...!

Have u tried Zara and new look . My daughter just bought one in Zara with a bit of stretch for 20.0

Jay15,  I have to admit some of the suits I saw were OTT, but I really loved some of those I saw, I think a skirt suit can look really smart :-)

They have some smart short tight skirts at Sainsbury's.  I saw them last week.

I agree they do look very smart--but I haven't found one yet that will make me give up my usual dog wear :-). Thinking about it, try Joseph

I might change my mind if I was tall and slender :-)

Browns has a nice one in their sale at a good price http://www.brownsfashion.com/Product/Sale/Women/Clothing/Skirts/Stretch_pencil_skirt/Product.aspx?p=673183&pc=1949835&cl=4

My mission is made harder as I'm short and my leg length is short too!! Lol

Oh Joseph clothes, very nice indeed, as is the price ;-)
Like the Browns one, still a tad pricey, but the idea of it gives me more scope.

Will check out Asda, Matalan and Sainsburys later :-)

> Have u tried Zara and new look

No i've not yet, do you know what this means if the out of town places are no good? It means having to go into the city centre with all those crowds of people, ugh the thought fills me with dispair, but, will have to do so if I can't find anything today!!

Pity you don't live closed Sue my good friend and niegbour Rosie is a superb needlewoman....made my wedding dress ! She would run you one up in no time but the fittings may be a bit of a travel problem LOL...
Aileen

Matalan is definitely worth a try - I'm 5'8" & find their pencil skirts usually sit a bit above the knee on me, they're very reasonably priced too, I paid just £10 for a lovely grey belted pencil skirt for work (this one is just below the knee) and I must have worn it 50 times in the past year already, a great 'pence per wear' rate :-)

Asda might be another option, I bought an Asda skirt at a boot sale, and again, that was on the shorter side for a pencil skirt.

Claire

Sue - We are going next Saturday if we don't get there this weekend!  so you are welcome to come with us - as have a similiar mission for Jess!  no doubt we will go into every shop and go back to the first shop we went in like last year!   we try to go early to avoid the 'crowds'.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind as I'm off on the sat. :-)

What length do you want Sue?

I think in inches it's between 20 and 23 I'm looking for depending on style and how it fits etc. 

I've got a black M&S stretchy (inc waistband) skirt size 12ish 21" long. Only wear it for funerals so you're welcome to borrow it, can take it to r/c next week if you like.

Thank you very much for the offer, however i'm working next wed and not able to get to r/c :-(  GAhhhhhh...

I am however off on the thurs, fri and sat next week if that is of any use?

black with a black dog Sue - tut tut !!!

Thurs poss, fri/sat S is coming over with Tommy en-route to Canada.

Ok, thanks, will give you a shout nearer the time. Is S going to be here for Crufts?

> black with a black dog Sue - tut tut !!!

But if its short enough it won't be so bad as it'll be my bare legs up against her.

*Then again i've just stood her up and she stands just above my knees, HAHA... It may not be soo bad, many people in Rotts wear black trousers, it's actually quite common...I was trying to find a bright pink skirt, I'm back to loving the girlie colour now..

> Then again i've just stood her up and she stands just above my knees, HAHA...

LOL - I hate the short skirts that are coming in in handling - don't you go all mini skirt too lol!  Too many going down the route of distracting from the dog !

Couldn't get away with black in gordons but you rotti lot don't stand directly behind do you?  although sometimes YOU do? lol ;)

> don't you go all mini skirt too lol!

Goodness, there will be no belt wearing from me.. I need to be able to bend over without showing all and sundry(Don't want to be added to that fb group)

I love that outfit the girl was wearing on sunday who was handling the Mexican Hairless.

I haven't read other replies so sorry if I repeat, but M&S are selling them at the moment. There was even a special display of them in one shop last week.

St D, i've exhausted them in there, they are all below my knee, i've clearly got very short legs, lol.... Here is wishing I could have longer legs and a shorter body!!

Do what we used to do at school, tuck the skirt up into your knickers !!!!!

No, she's back the day after.

Have you tried the petite sizes Sue?
Sometimes next do identical skirts in regular and petite options.