Basic Skirt Style Terms
Ever caught yourself wondering what someone meant when they mentioned the term, “maxi” skirt, or “A-Line”? Well, we’re going to explain all the basic terms of skirt lengths and styles:
Straight Skirt: a tailored skirt hanging straight from the hips and fitted from the waist to the hips
Full Skirt: a skirt with fullness gathered into the waistband
A-Line Skirt: a skirt with a slight flare, roughly in the shape of a capital letter A
Pleated Skirt: a skirt with fullness reduced to fit the waist by means of regular pleats or folds, which can be stitched flat to hip-level or free-hanging
Circle Skirt: a skirt cut in sections to make one or more circles with a hole for the waist, so the skirt is very full but hangs smoothly from the waist without darts, pleats, or gathers
Sarong: a square of fabric wrapped around the body and tied on one hip to make a skirt; worn as a skirt or as a cover-up over a bathing suit in tropical climates.
Kilt-Skirt: a wrap-around skirt with overlapping aprons in front and pleated around the back. Though traditionally designed as women's wear, it is fashioned to mimic somewhat closely the general appearance of a (man's) kilt, including the usage of a plaid pattern more or less closely resembling those of recognized tartan patterns of Scotland.
Cargo Skirt: a plain, utilitarian skirt with belt loops and numerous large pockets, based on the military style of cargo pants and popularised in the 1990s.
Tiered Skirt: made of several horizontal layers, each wider than the one above, and divided by stitching. Layers may look identical in solid-colored garments, or may differ when made of printed fabrics.
Mini Skirt: a thigh-length skirt, and micromini, an extremely short version
Maxi Skirt: an ankle length-skirt
Skirt History
Now that the basic terms have been covered, here’s a little skirt history. Skirts as we know them today didn’t emerge until the 19th century with lots of varying styles. Some had a high waisted “empire” style, while others sat at the natural waist. They started off very fitted to the body and increased dramatically in width as the century progressed. In 1915, hemlines for daytime skirts and dressed left the floor for good. For the next fifty years, fashionable skirts became short (1920’s), then long (1930’s), then shorter again when wartime restricted fabric usage. They became long again (the “New Look”), then shortest of all during the 1960’s, when skirts became as short as possible without exposing the wearer’s underwear. Since the 1970’s and the rise of pants as an option for all but the most formal occasions, no one skirt length has dominated for long in fashion, with short and ankle-length skirts being seen side by side in the same season!
Summer Skirt Trends
Skirts are back in a big way, and this summer is the perfect time to show off the gams as well as keep cool in one of this season’s hottest looks. This summer is all about volume, with skirts getting a refreshing boost of swish and swing. Carefree, easy movement is a must-have for skirts, adding a no fuss look to anyone’s summer wardrobe. These skirts are easy to wear, pretty, and practical, and uplifting on a hot summer day. Longer, flowy skirts tend to work better during the day, either out and about or at work. Another way to add volume to a skirt is with structured pleating or gathering, and look great when paired with a waist enhancing top or belt. Shorter, more structured skirts tend to look better at a party or a night out on the town.
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