
“A good sermon should be like a woman’s skirt:
short enough to arouse interest but long enough to cover the essentials.”
~Ronald Knox~
Skirts like pants are a great wardrobe expanders. The wide variety of shapes, styles and lengths; coupled with an almost limitless array of fabrics, colors, patterns and textures means there’s a skirt for every occasion, personality, age and body shape.
Fit is Paramount
Great fit is just as important as buying the right style for your shape. Ignore the size on the label as there is no consistency of size between labels – correct fit is what matters most. If the number on the label worries you – cut it off.
Constant creasing is often blamed on poor fabric quality when often poor fit is often the culprit.
When you are in the fitting room go through the following fit checks:
- Expect that the skirt may need to be altered to fit you perfectly. Alterations can make all the different to the look and comfort of the skirt. If they are required, have them done without delay. I’d go so far as to say, do not to take them out of your car unless they are going into the alteration store.
- If the skirt is fitted or straight, fit the hips first; generally everything else can be altered to fit.
- Bend, stretch and move – if you feel the need to pull-down or rearrange your skirt after sitting or walking, select another style or go up one size.
- There should be enough ease for you to be able to place two fingers comfortably in the waistband and be able to slide the skirt 360 degrees around your body.
- Panty lines should not be visible.
Two Basic Shapes
There are three basic skirt shapes:
- Straight
- A-Line
From these basic shapes all skirt styles arise.
Straight
Seen every day in every situation straight skirts and their derivatives classic and timeless. Their clean shape co-ordinates easily with a multitude of tops and jackets and when the hem is at, or just above the knee. As long as they are not too fitted/tight they are unobtrusive and appropriate for most business environments and flattering on most women.
Each can be transformed by fashion into many different looks through the use of fabric, fit and embellishments. From casual in a chunky knee length tweed, to elegant and formal in a calf length silk to a sensual number if a thigh high split is added.
The longer a straight skirt is the more it will restrict movement. To compensate for this vents or side-splits are added or they are styled as a wrap.
Classic styles derived from the straight skirt are pencil and contoured styles. As they becomes more fitted the look becomes sleek and sexy and as such are best reserved for non-business occasions.
Some straight styles include: tulip, wrap, sarong, tiered, fishtail, peplum and pleated.
A-Line
Named after their shape, A-line skirts allow unrestricted movement. They are more feminine and friendly than the traditional straight skirt.
The wider the A shape the shorter in height you may appear and this visual shortening in turn can result in making the you appear wider/heavier.
The taller, more slender and long legged the wearer is the more flattering a full A-line skirt will appear. If you are not blessed with height, long legs or a slender figure opt for subtle A-lines and add medium to high heels and you’ll look every bit as good as your long legged friends.
Some A-line styles include: gathered, inverted front pleat, circle, wrap, kilt, godet, bubble and dirndl.
Key Elements
Hemlines
Today skirts can have many different shaped hemlines. Straight remains the only shape that is classic – everything else will eventually fall out of fashion.
If your legs are not your best asset fancy hemlines will not be a good choice for you as they are often become the focal point of your outfit – highlighting your legs. To counteract this add hosiery in a color that will minimize the color contrast between the hemline and your legs.
Waistbands
Like hemlines, waistbands are best plain or not present as in the case of waistbandless skirts. If you have any mid torso challenges only the plainest of waistbands will be the ones to choose. Ties, belts and fancy waistbands all require short or tucked in tops and will add awkward bulk if any tops are worn over them.
Waistbandless skirts give a clean line and elongate the torso however; they do have a tendency to stretch over time.
Length
Your best skirt length will depend on:
- the length of your legs,
- if you have any leg challenges i.e large calves, knobbly knees etc.
- the style, toe shape and height of your shoe
- the color contrast created between your hemline, legs and shoes.
Long skirts look best on tall and long legged women. They can work for almost everyone else if medium to high heels are worn.
Skirts which skim the top of the knee are always current, appropriate and flattering on almost every woman. If you are concerned about the look of your knees or legs, wear for hosiery that blends with the color of your hemline, legs and shoes.
When mini shirts are in fashion, for modesty opt for skirts that are longer than they are wide. By adding opaque hosiery a short hemline can be made to appear more modest and flattering.
Experiment by combining different hem lengths and shoe styles, heel heights and hosiery colours. A multitude of challenges can be camouflaged with skillful coordination.
Color
While skirts can be any color it is only the neutral range of colors that are truly versatile. Colour affects both your apparent proportions and weight. A light or bright coloured long skirt will focus attention on the lower half of the body making the wearer appear shorter and wider. Darker colors recede and visually slim the hips, thighs and backside.
Short skirts in light colors appear to be shorter than they really are and are best worn slightly a little longer to compensate, while dark colored short skirts have the opposite effect and thus can be worn slightly shorter. The more color difference there is between your skirt and legs the more attention will be focused on your legs, especially at the hemline.
Pattern and Texture
Skirts with bold patterns, particularly checks and wide stripes can be difficult to pull-off if you are not slim or tall. If patterned skirts are your thing and you have a full lower body for opt colors and patterns that are subtle and match with a top that carries one of the colours upward, or wear white with a statement necklace.
The use of evening fabrics will transform a skirt from day wear to evening wear.
Texture tends to increase perceived weight and in most cases immediately places the skirt into a new image. For example a straight skirt in high quality, lightweight wool can move freely from the office to home to evening wear, whereas if it is in tweed immediately it will take on a country, casual air relegating it to the weekends. Shiny textured surfaces in the same way render the skirt too glamorous for most work environments.
Final Points
- Choose lengths that best suit you; do not be persuaded by a designer’s whim or a girl friends nagging to wear anything else.
- Lined skirts last longer and look better – buy them whenever possible.
- Wear jackets/sweaters and skirts that are well proportioned to each other. Long over short or short over long. Skirt and jacket combinations that are exactly 50/50 are in most cases uninspired and boring.
- Shoes with low vamps (exposes lots of foot), fine to medium soles and heels, and slightly pointed shoes will all make legs look slimmer and longer.
- Discover what styles suit your shape and you’ll find shopping and looking great everyday easier than you ever imagined.
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Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author
Great tips. Ann!!
I live in the coastal zone of Southern California and am endeavoring to create a very small, but functional, season less wardrobe. I find your suggestions so useful and helpful in my quest.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge so generously.
A faithful fan,
Pat
You are very welcome Pat.
Your explanation of how to properly fit a skirt is advice I have needed forever! Now I can shop much more confidently. Thanks so much for all your tips.
Thank you Cynthia! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I loved your discussion on skirts. Being a tall 6’2″ MTF Cross dresser, I have struggled to find the right look when wearing a skirt. Thanks for the good advice.
Thank you Melanie. Are there other subjects you’s appreciate being featured?
[…] These are flattering and comfortable for most women and you can follow the same rules as you would for skirts. […]