Pleated Satin Mini Skirt ($15.80)

Rating: Buy it never

Fit: The satin is even crinkled in the picture shown on the website. That’s never a good sign. It means the garment is going to look cheap… which this one most certainly does.

Versatility: Don’t even bother. Get the Satin Jacquard Skirt instead for the same price without the creases.

Trend Factor: Zero.

Demographic: Nobody

1. Nanette Lepore top, vintage pearls, lia sophia cuff, Steve Madden shoes

2. Rebecca Taylor top, Erzulinea necklace, Alice + Olivia for Payless booties

3. Forever 21 turtleneck, one Banana Republic brooch and the other two I found at a London flea market, Erzulinea ring, DKNY tights, Guess peep toes

4. Forever 21 tee, vintage chain belt worn as a necklace, lia sophia bangles, Alice + Olivia for Payless booties

This exact skort isn’t available online anymore. But I kind of like this Side Zipper Leatherette Skirt ($17.80) even better!

Satin Jacquard Skirt ($15.80)

Rating: Wear it forever

Fit: Now whenever I see jacquard I think of Michelle Obama, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. I think the first lady would approve of this skirt which is slimming, thank to vertical pleating, which give just enough volume to hide your flaws, yet still lies flat across the body. And when you don’t know what to do with your hands during an awkward conversation with your boyfriend’s boss, you can just slip them in the hidden slant pockets.

Versatility: It’s a great skirt for the holidays because it can easily take you from work to a party. Wear it with a blazer and tights at the office, then take off your jacket at night and show off a silky cami and your fave statement necklace.

Trend Factor: Purple is one of the hottest colors for fall, but it’s often on trend for fall so really, this skirt is a classic.

Demographic: 20s, Sophisticated

Dimensional Belted Skirt ($28.00)

Rating: Buy it never

Fit: Never mind that the skirt was overly poofy and the belt reminded me of Avril Lavigne, who certainly isn’t my fashion icon. But my biggest issue with this skirt is why on earth would anyone want a horizontal stripe running across their butt? It’s as if the lines are saying, “Watch out! Wide load coming through.” To be fair, I only saw the grey one. On black, the piping isn’t so obvious, but the poof factor remains.

Versatility: It could make a cool pillowcase if you have a sewing machine lying around.

Trend Factor: Piping is meant to add a decorative element or highlight the areas you want to show. It’s not made to make your butt look big.

Demographic: Nobody

Velvet Roses Skirt

Rating: Buy it maybe

Fit: The majority of Forever 21’s full high-waisted skirts fit well. They nip the waist and hide any flaws you might have below the belt. Fit wise, this one was just as cute as my floral and tribal skirts that I absolutely love. Even the velvet wasn’t so bad. The problem for me was the shiny gold polyster, which I could only picture on a teen.

Versatility: The skirt is a great holiday choice. You can wear it with black tights and ballet flats when you go to grandma’s for dinner and with a t-shirt and flat boots when you’re hanging out with your friends.

Trend Factor: Velvet is one of the trendiest textures for fall. And roses were all over Milan. The print actually reminds me of Prada’s black flowers.

Demographic: Teens

Side Swept Pleat Skirt ($17.80)

Rating: Buy it never

Fit: The word disappointed doesn’t even cut it. Jen and I have been trying to go to Pasadena so we can review Forever 21’s contemporary line, Love 21 for months now. Tired of waiting I ordered this skirt when I bought my two new pairs of booties online since I had to spend $75 to get free shipping. On a side note, the package came literally a day after I placed my order. Too bad the skirt wasn’t as impressive as the shipping. Just look at the way it puckers at the seams and widens the hips with the thick banded waist. The booties on the other hand? Love.

Versatility: Aside from being poorly constructed, this skirts creases like crazy. You might look halfway decent when you step out of the house, but after sitting down for an hour you’ll be a crinkled mess—and not in that cool Prada way.

Trend Factor: Yes, tulips skirts are in through next season. But Prada’s crinkled creations were last season. And unflattering fits are never in style.

Demographic: Nobody. And fingers crossed the skirt doesn’t represent the entire Love 21 line.

Belted Pencil Skirt ($15.80)

Rating: Buy It Never

Fit: I wasn’t there when Sydne tried on the Simple Knit Skirt, which is a similar black pencil skirt, but I’m going to have to recommend buying that over this rayon version. Knit is typically more forgiving (unlike this version) plus it’s not going to pucker at seams like this one. Oh! And on top of all that, the knit one comes belt-free so you’re never tempted to just throw on that red atrocity for a pop or color or whatever. One last thing for the pro-kint column–it’s $8 cheaper.

Versatility: Everyone knows black skirts go with everything.

Trend Factor: Pencil skirts are one of those timeless classics that never go out of style, just you know, not this version.

Demographic: Nobody

Faux Leather Skort ($17.80)

Rating: Trendy for Now

Fit: I cracked up when I tried this on. I don’t think I’ve seen a skort since the early ’90s! But the skirt is so short that I was thrilled there were itty-bitty shorts underneath. On the hangers this was my least fave, but it fit the best because there were no pleats or volume attempts. It simply laid flat.

Versatility: To my surprise, I’ve already worn this skirt three times since buying it days before New York Fashion Week. I’ll prob wear it with tights at least three more times if this heat ever goes away.

Trend Factor: Biker chic was all over the fall runways—as was exposed hardware.

Demographic: Teens, 20s

Atomic Faux Leather Skirt ($19.80)

Rating: Buy it Never

Fit: I’m always a fan of pockets and I usually like pleats. But not when they make the skirt poof out. From the side, it looked like I had a penis.

Versatility: Tranny Halloween costume?

Trend Factor: Leather skirts are an easy way to do the rocker look for fall. But I suggest going with the skort instead. I never would have thought those words would come out of my mouth.

Demographic: Nobody.

1. Ann Taylor cardigan, Target belt, vintage pearls, Prada pumps

2. Romeo & Juliet top, Bebe belt, Manolo Blahnik gladiators, jade bracelet from Guatemala market

3. Banana Republic tee, Forever 21 stone drape necklace, MICHAEL Michael Kors Berkley sandals

My skirt is no longer online but aside from the blue, the Abstract Blur Skirt ($14.80) and Abstract Mini ($15.80) are pretty similar.