Types Of Skirts For Women

 

Skirts have been around for centuries and different types of skirts have evolved as the length changes or the fullness of a skirt varies.  Skirt styles can be figure-hugging or voluminous.  Skirts can emphasize a waistline or change the hemline.

A-line skirt : 

The A-line skirt is a great skirt for the pear-shaped figure (that's me!).  This skirt is usually knee-length and forms a triangular shape when laid flat.  It is an easy to sew option and makes up nicely in most fabric types.

The A-line skirt flares out gently from the waist and does not cling to the hips making it a flattering skirt option. Because of its flared shape, it does not need slits in the side or back in order to easily walk. A-line skirts are generally fitted at the waist and as such need shaping in the form of darts or a gently curving waistband. The waistband can be high, lowers or even elasticized.

Box pleat skirt :

The box pleat skirt is a variation of the pleat types of skirts.  A box pleat is made by allowing the two folds of the pleat to meet each other and form the box part of the pleat.  The same pleat pattern is continued round the skirt.  Box pleat skirts are often made in thicker fabrics to give volume and shape to the skirt.

Bubble skirt :

The bubble skirt puffs out at the hem because the fabric of the hem is gathered onto a band instead of a turned up hem.  This band is kept under the skirt so the top of the skirt ‘bubbles’ over the band.

These kinds of skirts take a lot of fabric as essentially you have 2 skirts - one straight skirt underneath and then the gathered portion on the outside. These are a fashion piece that tends to come and go rather than a wardrobe staple. Bubble skirts tend to be cut above the knee as any longer adds a lot of volume to the skirt.

Circular skirt :

The circular skirt, sometimes known as the skater skirt, is cut in a circle.  The fabric is attached to a waistband that sits exactly on the wearer's waist.  The skirt forms a circle when it is laid flat.

The circular skirt takes a fair amount of fabric.  It can be made is all sorts of lengths from long and flowing to short and sassy.  The circular skirt makes a great skirt for active outdoor wear and is often used for tennis skirts.

Variations of the circle skirt include a half circle skirt or even a double circle skirt for maximum flare.

High/low skirt :

The high/low skirt is exactly how its name describes it.  The front of the skirt is higher than the back creating a high and low effect. This skirt is best sewn in soft flowing fabrics. The samples below were made in a rayon voile giving the skirt movement and elegance as you walk. The difference between the front and back can be subtle or quite dramatic. Some high-low skirts are so low at the back that it becomes a train draping out from behind the body.

Pleated Skirt :

The pleated effect of this skirt varies with the size of the pleats.  Knife pleats that sit flush with the body of the skirt are flattering.  Pleated skirts are worn in different lengths and with different size pleats.

The pleats follow a pattern, once the size of the pleat is decided, the same size is followed to complete the skirt. Pleated skirts are often made in synthetic fabrics that can be permanently pressed so the pleats do not fall out when washed. You do not want to be ironing pleats back in after every wash.