It has perhaps never been a rage but has always managed to hold its own. We are talking skirts which can range from being plain and drab to dazzling and sensuous.

At its simplest, it is a draped garment made out of a single piece of cloth such as the wrap-around skirt. But most skirts are fitting at the waist, with darts, pleats or panels below, according to the pattern of the skirt. The length can be as high as the upper thigh, as in mini skirts, knee-length, or as low as the ankle.  Modern skirts are mostly made with fabrics like denim, jersey, worsted or poplin. Swish skirts have flimsier material like chiffon. No single skirt length has dominated fashion for long. Short and long skirts have remained in vogue for the last few decades. Skirts comprise the following basic types with inventive variations:

There is the straight skirt which hangs straight from the hips; the full skirt where the full material is gathered into the waistband; the A-line skirt which has a slight flare in the shape of the capital letter “A”; the pleated skirt with regular pleats or folds; the circle or umbrella skirt, cut in the shape of a circle with a hole at the centre for the waistband; the hobble skirt, long and tight, with slits to make walking easier and so on. The North Indian ghagra, the East Indian mekhala, the south Indian pavada and mundu, among others, are also considered ‘Indian skirts’, popularised by many of fashion designers.

With brands such as Allen Solly, Marks & Spencer and Van Heusen flooding the Indian market, there has never been so much variety available in skirts as today. Some are suitable for office wear lending just the right corporate look; others are meant for casual or everyday wear and some have the swinging party look - hip, smart and dressy.

The elegant and stylishly created Spring/Summer 2008 collection from Allen Solly promises unconventionality. The range includes several skirts meant for the 21st century woman on the move. They are stylish, practical and possess loads of attitude, making them some of the most glamourous lines in women’s wear. The swinging cut-panelled skirts are specially styled for “the very strong woman on the go”; the mini skirt and high slit skirt for the sexy look; graceful layered skirts in striking knits, micro-knit skirts and many others to suit all occasions, including party wear, all of them with international styling and excellent finish.

The Marks and Spencer brand includes the much sought after long knit swing skirt which is both simple and comfortable, accentuated by a gorgeous swing design.  Then there is the classic panelled knee-length denim skirt which is a perfect mix of elegant style and smart comfort. The straight-belted denim skirt is versatile and has a casual look. The inclusion of added stretch ensures a perfect fit. The smart knee-length vent skirt looks like being another popular choice for office wear.  The ankle-length shadow flower corduroy skirt with a panelled waist and long length is meant to give a curvier appearance to the wearer. The mini Boutique Broderie skirt is a vintage style collection inspired by the French fashions of the 1940s. These and the long abstract floral skirts are available in fresh summery colours and prints. They look contemporary despite their nostalgic feel.  Others include the tab-front pencil skirt and the ankle-length A-line corduroy skirt, both suited for office wear.

The wide choice we have today is encouraging. The only thing to remember is that one needs a slim and trim figure to carry off most of these designs.