Black watch tartan skirt style: two options to try

For most of my life I haven’t had a single black watch tartan skirt to my name (Which I think sometimes surprises people, given that I’m Scottish. Most people in Scotland don’t wear tartan on  day-to-day basis, though, so that’s another Scottish stereotype busted, I guess!) and now, all of a sudden, two come along all at once.

The skirt in the images above is this Vivien of Holloway one* and it’s one of those huge, swishy circle skirts that make you feel like an extra in a movie from the 50s. I’ve styled it here in a very retro-inspired way, with a fitted top, wide belt, and high-heeled boots, plus a beret, which I just couldn’t resist. (And no, I don’t recommend trying to wear stiletto-heeled boots in the snow, folks, for what should hopefully be obvious reasons: this was purely for the sake of the photos – don’t try it at home! Remember, I do the stupid things so you don’t have to…)

My second look, meanwhile, features a black watch tartan skirt by Collectif. This one’s a pencil skirt, and I’ve tried to put a more modern twist on the look by wearing it with a fitted leather jacket, plus matching sweater. I’m wearing heels again here, because, well, that’s who I am, but ankle or slim-fitting knee boots would work equally well, and would help toughen the look up a bit more if you so desire. 

As this particular skirt has a very high waist, I find it works better with fitted tops, which can be tucked into it, but I’m also a fan of the ‘slouchy sweater/fitted skirt” look, which is another, more modern, way to wear a pencil skirt, and works with lots of different types of footwear. 

Do you own a black watch tartan skirt? What’s your favourite way to style it?