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How to Wear a Pencil Dress?

by 陈菁 12 Feb 2025

Ladies have a special liking for dresses and never get tired of wearing them largely because dresses come in a variety of different styles and have an almost timeless appeal to women. Among them, the pencil dress is one of the most attractive, but also one of the most challenging.

This style came into fashion after the First World War, in the early 30s of the last century. In the period of general shortages it was considered unreasonable to spend a lot of money on dozens of meters of expensive fabric to sew just one dress, so women began to refuse wide skirts and puffy dresses, in which was also not very comfortable to move.

a lady in a white jacket and a black pencil skirt
a lady in a red jacket and a pencil skirt two-piece set

Who Is Suitable for Pencil Dresses?

Girls with perfect figure shapes can wear any model of pencil dress in any color. Girls with a figure like Hourglass or Slender Column will look great in a pencil dress in cream, pink, green, yellow colors. You can even experiment with striped pattern or asymmetrical prints.

The main features of dresses of this model are that they emphasize all the charms of a woman's figure, and at the same time, skillfully hide all the shortcomings.

this model will slim and visually elongate the legs of petite ladies, especially if you complement the dress with high heels. Pencil dress can be worn both at work in the office and used as the main trump card at a social event, so this thing should be in the closet of every woman.

Ladies with pear-shaped figures usually have a slim upper body and relatively full hips and thighs. Pencil dresses are designed to be naturally tight on the upper body while comparatively loose at the hips and thighs, cleverly covering the fullness of the hips and thighs, while highlighting the slender waist, making the overall figure look more symmetrical.

Ladies with inverted triangle figure shapes are also suitable for pencil dresses because they have slender legs. Pencil dresses will magnify their advantage, visually increase the volume of the lower body, and balance the proportion of the whole figure.

From the perspective of occupations, office women must be familiar with pencil dresses. They can show a rigorous and neat style. Paired with a shirt, suit jacket, etc., it can demonstrate confidence and professionalism in the workplace. Whether in the office, conference room or business negotiation, it can make people look decent and professional. If you are a lady who needs to attend formal or business occasions frequently, then you probably need a pencil dress in your wardrobe.

a lady in a grey sweater and a black denim pencil skirt
a lady in a black double-breasted mini pencil dress

How to Choose a Right Pencil Dress?

Women with an apple or oval figure shape are better to choose knee-length and midi dresses. Avoid using a lot of decorative elements on the entire surface of the dress. Visually, this increases fullness. It is also not recommended to wear clothes with emboss or lace inserts. Visually, they also increase volume. If you have full arms, it is recommended to choose a dress with wide sleeves. If not, you can wear a short top.

It is important to choose the right size dress. An elegant sheath dress should emphasize the figure, but not be completely fitted. If the figure is not perfectly slender, all flaws will show. Fullness will be emphasized, so when trying on clothes, pay attention to the fit of the dress - it should be fitted, highlighting the figure, but not completely fitted.

Different fabrics have different textures and wearing experiences. Common fabrics such as cotton are soft, comfortable and breathable; polyester fibers are not easily deformed, but may have comparatively poor breathability; wool blended fabrics have good warmth retention and high-quality texture; silk fabrics are smooth, soft, skin-friendly and have a unique luster. Choose the right fabric according to your needs and preferences.

If you have big belly or hips, then ruffle pencil dresses are a good choice. Dresses with ruffles emphasize the waist and soften the steep line of the hips and they also help to hide the protruding belly. In order not to draw attention to the fullness, it is better to wear a solid and plain colored dresses.

Also, don’t forget to consider your skin color when choosing a pencil dress. If your skin color is relatively dull, it's best to avoid very bright colors. If you have a darker skin tone, dark or highly saturated colored pencil dresses will be more suitable for you. If you have fair skin, try softer colors to avoid making your face look paler against brighter colors.

For the demand of daily commuting, it is best to choose pencil dresses in basic colors and simple styles. If you are going to a more high-end dinner, you can choose a more colorful and shining pencil dress.

How to Accessorize a Pencil Dress?

Jewelry comes in many forms, from bright necklaces to huge earrings and massive bracelets. When choosing a piece of jewelry, think about the neckline of your pencil dress. If you have a high neckline, choose earrings or a bracelet. If your dress has a deep neckline, a necklace will draw attention to you. While jewelry is meant to impress, it's important not to overdo it. Choose one spectacular piece for each outfit, and keep other accessories to a minimum. This ensures that your jewelry will stand out and not clash with other elements of your outfit.

When it comes to creating a pencil dress outfit for a formal event, a pair of shoes can both beautify or ruin your entire look. That's why it's so important to pay attention to the type of shoes you choose under your pencil dress. First, a pencil dress is meant to emphasize your curves and accentuate your figure. One way to enhance this effect is to wear high heels. High heels add height to your figure, elongate your legs and create a more streamlined silhouette. In doing so, they help to enhance the feminine charm of your figure and create an overall sophisticated look. Secondly, when it comes to formal events, wearing high heels is often expected. It will show that you have made an effort to dress for the occasion and are serious about the occasion. In addition, high heels are usually associated with sophistication and elegance - qualities that you want to demonstrate when attending a formal event.

When choosing a bag, it makes sense to pay attention to classic models. The color of this accessory does not necessarily have to repeat the color of the shoes, which has long been recognized as boring, but it must echo one of the items in your outfit. And, of course, a universal solution when choosing a bag is a clutch: it is discreet and elegant in a business setting and a small one sparkling with rhinestones or a velvet surface will be perfect for a formal outing.

Adding a belt to a pencil dress will help emphasize your waist and give your dress an extra shape. You can choose a belt in a contrasting color to create an interesting accent. Decide whether you want the belt to be made of a material that matches the dress, or use a leather belt to add a bit of texture and style.

When it comes to style and elegance, don’t forget about details like wristwatches. A perfectly matched watch can be a great addition to a pencil dress. They add a touch of luxury and stand out among other accessories. Watches with a sleek and stylish dial become especially noticeable. When choosing a wristwatch for a pencil dress, pay attention to the color and material of the strap so that it harmonizes with the shades of the dress. Some people prefer a classic gold or silver shade to create an elegant and sophisticated look. Others may choose bolder and brighter colors to add some playfulness and originality. However, wristwatches do not only serve as jewelry, but also have a practical function. They help you keep track of time and be on time for meetings and events. Therefore, in addition to elegant design, you should pay attention to the reliability and quality of the watch.

a lady in a black mini pencil dress
a lady in a pink knitted cardigan and a white skirt

Fashionable Pencil Dress Outfits

The pencil dress is perfect for office style. Its understated and elegant silhouette gives a formal look, while the tight fit emphasizes the figure. Combine a slip pencil dress with a pair of classic low-heeled shoes and complete the look with a stylish blazer. For a more strict office dress code, choose a slip dress in dark colors such as black, gray or navy blue.

With a pencil dress you can create an elegant evening look. Choose dresses made of fabrics with glitter, such as satin or chiffon with sequins. For special occasions, you can choose a pencil dress with an open back or neckline. Complete the look with beautiful accessories, such as bright earrings or a clutch..

Also, you can wear a pencil dress for everyday life. Pair it with sneakers or ballet flats for a comfortable and stylish look. Add a denim jacket or cardigan for a more casual look. The jersey dress is a versatile closet piece that can be styled for different occasions and create a variety of looks.

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