La DoubleJ Skirts: Pencil, Mini Foulard and More

A La DoubleJ skirt does a lot of the work in an outfit. The print is the point, and the cut is there to show it off without fuss. J.J. Martin built the label on print on print, so most of these skirts are designed to meet a printed shirt, a slogan tee and a knit halfway. Below I go through the main styles, what they are made from, where they hit on the leg and how to wear each one.

The La DoubleJ Pencil Skirt

The house calls its Pencil Skirt an icon, and it is not the narrow office skirt the name suggests. Every version sits low on the waist, hits roughly mid-calf and has a slight A-line so you can walk at a normal pace. Most have a contrast lining, some have a slit at the back, and all are made in Italy. Where the garment length is listed, it is 80cm.

Wool cady for day

The Pencil Skirt in Sylph Khaki is wool cady, 76% wool and 24% polyamide. It is the version I would wear most: with a knit and boots on a cold morning, with tights in deep winter. The brand pairs it with a Boxy Shirt in a different print, which is exactly the clash La DoubleJ does best.

Jacquard and satin for evening

The Pencil Skirt in Bamboo Black is a jacquard woven with silk and metallic fibres, and the brand suggests it for winter weddings and festive invitations. For something slinkier, the Pencil Skirt in Peony Black is cut from viscose sable satin with a large peony print; the brand styles it with a white tee for a Milanese look. You will also find the Atlantis jacquard, a print inspired by Medusa, and velvet versions with hand-placed prints. Another option already on Coveti is the Pencil Skirt in Devon Brown.

The Mini Foulard Skirt

The Foulard family borrows from the silk scarf. The Mini Foulard Skirt in Regalia Red is 100% silk with a placed print, cut as a faux pareo that opens in a side slit, 65cm long and made in Italy. The brand notes that the silk is made on Lake Como. The Mini Foulard Skirt in French Kiss Dusty Pink is the same shape in viscose sable satin, A-line, also 65cm. The brand pairs the Foulard skirts with the matching Foulard top, and with a bomber for a cooler finish. With tights and a fine knit they carry through autumn.

Long skirts: A-Long, Drawstring and Sleek

A-Long Skirt

The A-Long Skirt in Nucleus Rust is wool cady with a hand-placed print. It has a mid rise, is slightly fitted at the waist, falls into a gentle A-line, hits above the ankle and has concealed side pockets. The brand suggests it with the feathered La Scala top for a night out; I like it with a plain cashmere crew for work.

Drawstring Skirt

The Drawstring Skirt in Montecarlo Blue is a jacquard with a drawstring waist and pockets. It hits between mid-calf and ankle, and the brand notes it lands at the ankle on petite women and mid-calf on taller ones. Faille and light faille versions exist for warmer days, with one listed at 85cm.

Sleek Skirt

The Sleek Skirt in Atlantis Purple is the most dramatic of the long shapes: high waisted, fitted through the hips and finished with a mermaid hem, in 100% silk with the Atlantis print placed by hand. The brand points it at long-legged women and suggests a chunky sweater by day and a sleek top at dinner.

Short skirts and party skirts

The Short Skirt in Botticelli Black is 100% cotton velvet, A-line, with a patch pocket and a mid-thigh hem. The brand describes it as petite friendly and suggests it with a bomber. The Baia Mini Skirt in Lark Black jacquard has a high waistband and hits mid-thigh too.

For parties, the Supremes Skirt in Twist Multicolor is a chiffon skirt with a hand-placed print, made in Italy. The brand styles it with a crew neck and high-tops by day, then heels and earrings at night. The Good Butt Skirt in Black is a solid double punto milano with a form-fitting waist, a fluted high-low hem and a contrast printed lining that shows as you move. It is the easiest La DoubleJ skirt to wear with a printed shirt, since the skirt itself is plain.

For summer, the Lacey Lungomare Skirt in Ivory is a cotton lace patchwork designed in-house and trimmed with macrame borders. It is fully lined, 75cm long, with elastic at the back, and the brand pairs it with a white tank.

La DoubleJ skirts compared

Which size should you buy

La DoubleJ ready-to-wear is cut true to size, and none of these skirts carries a brand note to size up. Most come in letter sizes from XXS to XXL; a few, such as the Pencil Skirt in Nucleus Dusty Pink and the Lacey Lungomare Skirt, are listed in UK sizes from 4 to 18. Order your usual size. The models in the product shots stand between 176cm and 181cm and wear a size S, which helps when you judge where a mid-calf hem will land on you. The La DoubleJ size guide has the conversion chart.

How to wear a printed skirt

Pick one print to lead. With a Pencil Skirt that is the skirt, so a white shirt, the Raise Your Vibration tee from our T-shirts and sweatshirts guide and a fine knit all work. When you want the full La DoubleJ effect, add a shirt in a second print and keep the colours related. Flat shoes suit the longer shapes; the Mini Foulard looks best with bare legs in summer and sheer tights later in the year. Delivery and returns terms are on our returns page.

Frequently asked questions