Skirt the rules

Fashion has always had a love affair with the skirt. And now, in the hands of myriad of designers, it’s getting new lives and forms.

From iconic patterns to unconventional designs, the choices in skirts are aplenty. And the best part? Fashion enthusiasts are lapping it all up! Celebrities are sporting them and giving them a good spin.

This indeed is the age of smart, stylish, semi-retro, sheer and spunky skirts and the floral prints are giving them a seductive look. The designers are going all out with the prints. Some even have only semi-floral prints on them making this season a gorgeous one.

Sana and Sulakshana, designers behind ‘The Circus’, elaborate on the trend. “Florals are a hit because the season calls for it. Winter is all about dark, muted colours and as we move towards spring, people like to don various prints and bright colours.”

You can find skater skirts and asymmetrical ones in their collection. “We love structured and androgynous looks, so pencil skirts are our preferred choice. We believe that everyone should own one staple pencil skirt, especially because you can wear it for a casual or formal occasion,” they add.

Over the year, skirts have proved to be a timeless piece of garment. They come in different variations as well — pencil, skater, asymmetrical, maxi, pleated — and there are also numerous ways that one can wear them. Skirts also have a way of accentuating your entire look, even if you pair them with a crop top or a plain one.

Working on some new designs with the skirt is Aditi Bhimrajka from ‘Melia Fashions’. She talks about breaking down the skirts with a mix of plain and prints. She says, “When you pair the garment with both plain and prints on them, it gives the entire outfit a subtle outlook but be sharp at the same time — it has a certain ring to it.

As the colour of the year is rose quartz, we’ve included that in the designs this time.”  She also points out that fashion enthusiasts love everything from short skirts and mid-length to long ones. “The advantage of skirts is that you can wear them for any occasion. There used to be a time when we would wear only light colours in the morning and dark ones in the night. But that has definitely changed and people prefer black during the day time — monochrome designs are a huge hit right now. In order to accommodate everyone’s love for skirts, we’re designing fish skirts where it’s fitted till the knee and flares out after that,” she explains.

While it was high-waist skirts that made the trend last year, it’s imperative to say that every variety of skirt looks great this season. While it’s best paired with crop tops, you can also wear it with a plain old t-shirt or sweaters with a chunky necklace for a great combination.

Designer Greshma Dhanarajan from ‘Simply Gresh’ gives a few other suggestions for the best skirt combination. She says, “Skirts tend to get paired with chiffon blouses, shirts, t-shirts, crop tops and jersey tops. But if you’re experimental enough, you can even combine them with a kurta. A perfect outfit for a woman who means business can be a smart white shirt and pencil skirt with their preferred accessories and stilettoes. And for the free-spirited, a flared printed midi skirt paired with a sheer lace crop top will look great.”

While short skirts have been around the fashion world for years now, it’s the mid-length skirts that everyone is going after. According to celebrity stylist, Maneka Harisindhani, “It’s sophisticated and lady-like if worn right.” When asked which celebrities look great adorning this trend, she says, “I think Kriti Sanon has rocked a few short skirts and is on point with her game. Kangana Ranaut also knows how to wear a mid-length with ease and carries the urban chic look rather well.”

With the fashion industry re-interpreting the classic floral designs this year as well, Greshma says that when at work, one need to keep one’s dressing style to a minimum. She says, “It’s best to keep your clothes non-distracting. So stay away from prints and patterns which have an excess of neons, vibrant colours and quirky prints. It’s also best that one avoids bold skirts during travel as a woman’s safety is questionable in a country such as ours.”