Skirt the summer

Dip into full-length or short skirts to beat the heat this season

Confused about the highs and lows of hemlines? Cue into expert advice to decode your ‘skirt look’. Airy and cheerful, decidedly feminine, skirts are back with a big bang to define both the casual chic and formal classic. So sass up your personal wardrobe with relaxed ease and pirouette in these pretties...

The long & short of it

Wondering about lengths? Says fashion designer Divya Sheth, “Midi and maxi lengths are in vogue this season with micro pleats hot on the detailed circuit. Natural fabrics are in, especially crushed ones for added character.” Comfort is the key, with breathable fabrics ruling the roost. Micropleating dominates designer duo Saaksha and Kinni’s summer collection ‘Forza’, which is inspired by Gujarat. It brings in oversized silhouettes in skirts as well. “The 1950s inspired midi-length skirts and dresses (that end up just brushing your dainty calves) are a hot favourite this season,” they maintain. So shelve the tight leather minis and embrace the flouncy Coney Island girls gear to make the temperature soar.

Summer vibe

Florals, abstract prints, appliqués punctuate fashion designer Maheka Mirpuri’s latest summer collection hammered with a riot of colours from citrus lemons to green apples, lavender to millennial pink, sky blues and bright oranges in a flurry of ruffled tulle skirts; tasselled shiny skirts, and flouncy skirts. Says Maheka, “My collection A Lemon Wedge is all about style, the attitude in easy breezy silhouettes that lift up your mood and add that pop of zing.” Edgy, flirty, effortless, it is a flavoured cocktail that underlines the relaxed, cool and fluid mantra for the summer. Go the casual chic way with a charming vibe.

Says Divya, “It is definitely florals for the summer. Choose the size of the print in keeping with your body built. Oversized jackets, boho asymmetric tops teamed with flowing skirts look great as well. A nomadic kedia or backless choli can bring in an interesting kitschy touch to your ensemble. Basically, a skirt outing with a sling, little bling and a dash of confidence is just the way to go.” Clueless about colours? “This season is all about soft lilacs, cheery reds, gorgeous purples and the all favourite soothing white with just a hint of black, and even that are perfect for the balmy weather,” say Saaksha and Kinny.

Sass it up

The appeal of the skirt lies in its sheer versatility. You can team it with a demure top, a stylish blouse, a racy ganji or even a casual T-shirt depending on your mood and the occasion. You can even pair a gorgeous maxi skirt with an embellished blouse: it makes for a perfect ‘look’ for a sangeet and cocktails evening, especially if you are the pretty bride. “Wrap tops paired with billowy midi-skirts make for a classic look that is always in. You can also pair skirts with cute crop tops for an edgy look,” suggest Saaksha and Kinny. The idea is to choose a blouse or a shirt that flatters your form and makes you feel like a queen.

Caution call

Always remember to wear short skirts depending on your comfort level. Remember to secure the zip properly before stepping out to avoid any embarrassing malfunctions. Of course, it is a good idea to adjust the length of your maxi skirt to avoid tripping while walking or climbing stairs. Team up with Roman tie-ups or high heels as your little heart desires and strut!

TIP TOP POINT

Divya Sheth, Saaksha and Kinny make a few adroit suggestions:

• For a casual lunch with friends: An oversized midi in natural fabric or a two-tiered printed pleated maxi skirt
• For a champagne brunch: A solid coloured midi skirt
• For a stroll by the beach: A short and floral, or a flared, bright coloured maxi skirt
• For an office party: A powerful pleated midi, or a sequinned pencil skirt
• For a board meeting: A striped mid length, or a well-fitted black, pencil skirt
• For a pub crawl: A sleek, metallic silhouette or a mini skirt

Skirt’s the way

It’s time to ditch pants as skirts come to your rescue to beat the summer heat. Skirts are undoubtedly the ‘go to’ for every girl. You can add the oomph factor and give a fashionable twist to your overall style by pairing them right.

Whether it’s a comfortable wrap skirt, a statement pleated one, a fancy high-low skirt or the evergreen denim trend, skirts are here to stay! Picking up a skirt with the perfect fit and styling it right might seem to be a bit daunting at first. Here are simple tips on how to style it skirt:

1. Skater skirts have never been out of style. They are one of the easiest skirts to wear and they never fail to make heads turn!

• Skater skirts make for perfect work wear. Simply team yours with a crisp white sleeveless blouse and a sharp blazer. Slip on some classy pointed heels to achieve the ultimate boss look
• A basic tee tucked into your skater skirt makes for a super easy everyday look, just top it off with a pair of your trainers, a messy high ponytail, a backpack and you’re good to go.

2. Pencil skirts are the latest trend in town that can instantly amp up your look and make you look and feel like a diva.

• Team your pencil skirt with a tee, mules and a floral blazer for a casual day out!
• Pair a ruffled top with a pencil skirt and throw in your signature stilettos to get the glam quotient on.

3. Denim skirts have seen numerous innovations with time, however, they never fail to catch our fancy. These skirts don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. And that’s not just because they are so popular but also because of they are comfortable, casual and can make an outfit look effortlessly stylish.

• Pair your denim skirt with an off-shoulder top, a combination that will guarantee the laid back, chic look.
• Denim skirts are typically in darker shades, so pair yours with bright-coloured tank tops to add to the daily dose of glam.

— Courtesy FabAlley