Pencil Skirts for Every Shape

Any body type can pull of the sleek cut of a pencil skirt with a few helpful pointers.

If You Have an Hourglass Figure

Choose a slim, but not tight, fit that follows the contours of the body. Opt for a style that hits at or below the navel. “High-waisted skirts tend to exaggerate the bust and shorten the torso,” says Bridgette Raes, a style expert based in New York City and the author of Style Rx ($11, amazon.com).

To try: The pronounced waistband of the James Coviello silk-blend skirt highlights a small waist, while darting ensures an accurate fit through the hips.

Wear it with: A close-fitting top, a nipped-in jacket, or a tucked-in blouse to show off your slim waistline.