Vivienne of Holloway blackwatch tartan skirt

Black watch tartan skirt style: two options to try

Vivien of Holloway blackwatch circle skirt

Vivien of Holloway blackwatch check circle skirt

50s-inspired winter outfit

Vivienne of Holloway blackwatch tartan skirt

Vivienne of Holloway blackwatch tartan skirt

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. 

Weird scottish things that only Scottish People will understand

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? 

P.S. I write a weekly diary which goes out every Friday to my subscribers. Sign up below to get on the list...

I also write books
COMMENTS
  • Katie

    REPLY

    My boyfriend makes fun of me for wearing sunglasses outside during daylight hours practically continuously. But otherwise I can’t see! It’s too bright, no one could keep their eyes open. We went to Italy, and every picture is either me in sunglasses, or me with my eyes closed, possibly both.

    February 2, 2016
  • Annabel

    REPLY

    I felt there was something off about this outfit and then I realised… You’re actually wearing booties and tights instead of knee-lenght boots! You look wonderful. I’m suprised you didn’t add that you WERE wearing a coat, though

    February 2, 2016
  • Oh yes, that is indeed the most appropriate skirt for this time of year, especially as you’re in Scotland (and immediately my brain thinks that stereotypically you’ve probably been celebrating Burns night for the last week with neeps and tatties and vats of single malt? No? Well here in Wales we may have had a wee dram or two in solidarity with our fellow Celts…)

    I have started to warm back to VOH again, after finding that I was generally between sizes so the fit of stuff wasn’t great on me. I have one of their tea dresses but it’s faded quite badly and some of the piping has unravelled, so that put me off too. I bought one of their slash neck tops recently though and it is fab! And this skirt looks wonderful, and promises much twirling by the looks of it xx

    February 2, 2016
  • Thanks for confirming my hunch that the VoH skirts would be floor-length on me… If it’s rolled up on you in these photos, that’s the only conclusion I can come to!! Why oh why must I be so short.

    Side note: so pleased to see you in a beret, cos they’re my fave <3

    February 2, 2016
  • SQUEE I love this outfit! So much pretty 🙂

    February 2, 2016
  • Wow Amber that skirt is stunning — I’m such a huge fan of true midi lengths (though they’re also ankle length on me!). And I sympathize with the struggles of finding time to get out and shoot between rain, sleet, snow, ice, and massive wind storms. I had to scrap an entire post because the wind literally made me look like Dorothy being blown around in the tornado to Oz… not pretty!

    Oh, and green really is your color! It’s my favorite hue and yet I feel like it gets so often forgot!

    Xoxo,

    Ashley || Sed Bona

    February 2, 2016
  • Myra

    REPLY

    I love this whole outfit, and you look wonderful in it .

    February 2, 2016
  • Grasshopper

    REPLY

    Beautiful outfit! You look stunning! I love green and plaid, too.

    February 2, 2016
  • Zhenya

    REPLY

    Hi, Amber! You‘re so pretty.

    February 2, 2016
  • Hi Amber, I haven’t been here for a while. I love that skirt, I need one like that in my life. xx

    February 2, 2016
  • OMG you look amazing. xx

    February 2, 2016
  • Oh that plaid skirt is beautiful That’s a really fun outfit!

    February 3, 2016
  • Moira

    REPLY

    This outfit is very cute, love it

    February 4, 2016
POST A COMMENT