Of skirting around in a fancy skirt

CONTOUR

Skirts are a fashionable option, when you are on a dress code, writes Preethi Ravi.

Skirts are back in fashion today and harken back to the grandma days. In an era where short skirts are hot on the fashion circuit, long skirts are also becoming popular and are seeing a ressurection among the college-going fraternity. That’s because skirts are trendy, comfortable, and make a statement of intent.

A piece of cloth, draped artistically around the waist, skirt comes in different shapes and sizes. Long skirts cover your legs and swirl around you. Some skirts carry designs such as block prints or Gujarati embroidery worked across them. Long and ankle-length skirts are now gaining the attention of college goers thanks to some interesting cuts that make these skirts comfortable and ready for daily use.

The type of fabric used for the skirt change with the seasons. Cotton and polyester is best used in the summer, and warmer fabrics are used in winter. Warmer fabrics tend to be heavy materials such as corduroys which render the wearer a classy and trendy look. Denim skirts are an all time favorite and can be worn at anytime and any season.

There are different kinds of skirts. A-cut skirts are skirts which have an ‘A’ shape fitting at the waist and flaring at the hem. Straight-cuts have same width from the waist area to the hem. Pencil-cut skirts are fitted from the waist to the knee; they are normally knee length and have a slit at the back.

Mini-skirts are above knee-length. Bubble-skirts and wrap-around skirts are rectangular pieces of fabrics, which you can ‘wrap around’ your waist; these could be knee length or ankle length. Mermaid skirts are a combination of skirts fitting at the top and flaring out as they reach the hem.

Tulip-skirts almost look like the petals of a tulip! Layered skirts and pleated skirts are those skirts with equal number of pleats on a silk fabric. And the ever-green long skirts run all the way down your leg, leaving no part exposed.

“I love skirts, and I find that I look best in skirts. Since I am not allowed to wear short skirts to college, I wear a long skirt with a short top to match with it. This does not make me go against the college rules, and also satisfies my drive to wear a skirt and look fashionable,” says Shruthi K R, student, St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science.

You can find skirts of different cuts made with different fabrics, colours and prints in the shops today. These lend themselves gracefully to a casual look with flat slippers or even to a chic look with a pair of fancy heels and a lacy blouse.

“I love wearing skirts to parties. It gives that sexy look. It’s kind of growing on me, as they are easy to wear,” says Meghana Abhraham, a party animal.

Skirts are feminine, comfortable, and fashionable, all at once! Any girl, whatever be her age, can wear a skirt on any day and in any season, to the beach, to college, or to work. They are comfortable to pad around even if the idea is to spend the day at home.

Shilpa Lukka, who works in an IT company, says “Skirts cater to women of all shapes and sizes. Fat women too, like me, can wear skirts. Skirts are designed in such a way that it suits any body shape thanks to its variety. The trick in wearing a long skirt is to avoid a look of sloppiness when one notices other young women dart in with their little short skirts, flashing their legs!”

Pair your skirt with a short top, and add a fancy stole. Alternatively, you may also use long beaded chains or beaded earrings that are of contrast colours with your attire. Then, wear a neat pair of sandals, and walk-out confidently carrying a fancy sling bang, and you are ready to turn a few heads...