Fashion 101 Card.

On Top

Pair these skirts with a billowy blouse, and your body suddenly becomes amorphous. Whatever is on top should be lean and narrow. Leaving skin exposed at the neck offsets the ample material of a full skirt. A top in stretchy or shirred fabric offers the curve-enhancing effects of a corset (without the constriction of pesky boning). Miu Miu jersey top (1), $530, 888-977-1900. A slim-cut chiffon blouse ensures that a full skirt won't look matronly. To make the sheerness less come-hither on workdays, top it with a thin cardigan. Wrapping a cashmere cardigan tightly and fastening it with a brooch gives definition to the waist. This tie-neck version can be worn bowed for a polished effect, or with the ribbon loose and relaxed. Dolce & Gabbana cashmere cardigan with Swarovski-crystal brooch (2), $1,750, at Dolce & Gabbana, N.Y.C., 212-249-4100. Patterned skirts look best with solid tops like a clingy ribbed cardigan or short-sleeved crewneck. They can be worn alone or with a skinny belt. Prada cashmere silk cardigan (3), $875, 888-977-1900; Celine cashmere sweater (4), $620, 866-600-4121.

The Skirts

Evening

Slinky little numbers rule the red carpet, but trendsetters such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Selma Blair are making full skirts staples for evening as well. 1 Fancier full skirts are often decorated with sequins, beads, or embroidery (avoid any that pile on all three at once). Also look for styles in more luxurious materials such as satin, brocade, or taffeta. 2 If the skirt is embellished, pair it with a fitted black cashmere sweater or tank. Or, for a softer look, try a chiffon or silk blouse. On the runways, many designers also topped their full skirts with a fur stole or capelet. 3 Avoid stiff hairstyles or heavy makeup; with a full skirt, the look verges on costume. Instead, leave hair down and a little tousled, or swept into a ...