If you’re looking for a skirt to wear for work or for an evening out, you really can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt. But what top should you wear with it? Below I explore the best tops to wear with pencil skirts with 9 pencil skirt outfits for you.
Who suits a pencil skirt?
First, does a pencil skirt flatter everyone? Well, that depends how you wear it.
A pencil skirt is perfect for the hourglass as it flatters your natural waist and curves.
For the pear, you could wear a dark pencil skirt and lighter top if you like to downplay your hips. Of course you can also embrace your pear shape and accentuate your wider hips by doing the opposite.
If you are an inverted triangle, you can do the opposite from a pear and wear a lighter colored pencil skirt to downplay your bigger upper body.
If you’re a rectangle, it will emphasize your athletic figure. If you want to create more curves, you could wear a peplum or wrap top.
For the apple shaped body, a wrap top, drape top or jacket will help to disguise a belly.
Now, let’s look at some outfits featuring pencil skirts.
1. Tucked in shirt
Natalia @odin.stylish.me above opts for an on-trend outfit in one color. This is a great way to wear your pencil skirt if you want it to look more like a dress.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top, midi skirt, sandals, handbag, necklace and sunglasses.
Of course this look also really works with contrasting color combinations as seen in the outfit below.
L’AGENCE Holly Stripe Long Sleeve Button-Up Shirt – Belle Poque Midi Pencil Skirt – NUBILY Laptop Tote Bag – Naturalizer Samantha Pointed Toe Flat – Madewell Freshwater Coin Pearl Huggie Hoop Earrings
2. A peplum top
Peplum tops work particularly well with pencil skirts because they match each other in sophistication. A peplum can create or emphasize curves. Plus, as you don’t tuck this type of top in, it can help to hide a little bit of a tummy.
GRACE KARIN Wrap Peplum Top – GRACE KARIN Pencil Skirt – Clarks Linvale Jerica Pump – Kate Spade New York Penny Pebbled Leather Shoulder Bag – Madewell Freshwater Coin Pearl Huggie Hoop Earrings
3. Pussy bow blouse
A pencil skirt and pussy bow blouse create a vintage, 1950s style look which is perfect for the office or an evening out.
Cinq á Sept Khloe Ruched Sleeve Blazer – Belle Poque Bow Tie Blouse – Hybrid & Company Ponte Pencil Skirt – DREAM PAIRS Mary Jane Pump – Aimee Kestenberg Busy Bee Leather Satchel – Kate Spade New York Mini Small Square Huggies Earrings
4. sweater
Patricia @madamechicbcn above (read her style interview here) wears a classic beige sweater with her green midi pencil skirt.
Steal her look with this similar sweater, skirt (plus size option here), pumps, bag, earrings and sunglasses.
You could also choose an off-the-shoulder sweater like the outfit below.
Simlu Off The Shoulder Top – Belle Poque Ruched Pencil Skirt – Naturalizer Samantha Pointed Toe Flat – Aimee Kestenberg Busy Bee Leather Satchel – Kate Spade New York Mini Small Square Huggies Earrings
5. t-shirt
While pencil skirts are associated with professional and formal looks, you can also wear yours more casually. Wear with a t-shirt and sweaters for everyday.
Nordstrom Crewneck T-Shirt – Kate Kasin Wrap Pencil Skirt – Sperry Crest Vibe Sneaker – Aimee Kestenberg Busy Bee Leather Satchel – Kate Spade New York Mini Small Square Huggies Earrings
6. wrap top
If you don’t want to tuck your top into your pencil skirt, a wrap top will work well. This will add shape to your figure and is also perfect for hiding a belly or muffin top.
Halogen Belted Wool Blend Coat – Anne Klein Geo Print Wrap Top – GRACE KARIN Pencil Skirt – Allegra K Chunky Heel Knee High Boots – NUBILY Laptop Tote Bag – Kate Spade New York Mini Small Square Huggies Earrings
7. sleeveless top and blazer
Tanasha @prettytallstyle above chooses a classic look with a pencil skirt and blazer. See how she switches her shoe choice to create a slightly different look.
Check out this similar top, blazer, ruched skirt, pumps (black option), bag, earrings and belt.
FASHIONOLIC Gathered Sleeve Open Blazer – KOBI HALPERIN Leyla Sleeveless Chiffon Blouse – RANPHEE Ruched Wrap Pencil Skirt – SARTO by Franco Sarto Devin Pointed Toe Slingback Pump – rag & bone Field Leather Clutch – Kate Spade New York That Sparkle Round Stud Earrings
8. Tunic top
Another option for you if you want to wear your top outside of your skirt, perhaps because you have an apple-shaped figure or want to hide a belly. Choosing asymmetry in your top means you won’t look as if you have visually cut your body into two halves with your clothes, which generally isn’t flattering.
Esenchel Tunic Top – Kate Kasin Pencil Skirt – Chinese Laundry Carlita Ankle Boot – Karine Sultan Layered Imitation Pearl Pendant Necklace –Aimee Kestenberg Busy Bee Leather Satchel – Madewell Freshwater Coin Pearl Huggie Hoop Earrings
9. high neck top
For a sophisticated look, you could choose a high neck top with your pencil skirt. The look below would work well for a dinner out.
Karen Millen Italian Premium Check Belted Trench Coat – Misook Cowl Neck Sleeveless Blouse – Kate Kasin Bow Tie Pencil Skirt – SARTO by Franco Sarto Devin Pointed Toe Slingback Pump – rag & bone Field Leather Clutch – Kate Spade New York That Sparkle Round Stud Earrings
More pencil skirt outfits inspiration
Below, you can see more outfit ideas starting with a pencil skirt.
Karen @styledbykaren above shows how you could wear your pencil skirt for summer.
Recreate her outfit with this similar silk top (another option here), skirt, sandals, watch and sunglasses.
Kim @kimair (read her style interview here) opts for a glamour look with a sequin pencil skirt and studded moto jacket, teamed with white shoes.
Check out these moto jackets from Amazon, Sam Edelman, BLANKNYC and Levi’s that you can wear with this similar top, skirt and pumps.
Julie @stylishparadox above (read her style interview here) shows how you could wear a white shirt over your pencil skirt.
Get her look with this similar shirt, skirt, sandals, clutch, necklace (another option here) and earrings.
Pencil skirt outfits together in one capsule
Below, you can see all of the pencil skirt outfits from above together in one capsule. You can easily wear any of the tops with any of the skirts.
shop some of the pencil skirt outfits above here:
Continue reading:
- The Best Tops To Hide Your Tummy
- The Best Pants And Skirts To Fit And Hide Your Belly
- What To Wear With A Black Skirt: 9 Black Skirt Outfits To Inspire You
Like this article on tops for pencil skirt outfits? Share it on Pinterest
Feature image by Kim @kimair
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!