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Finding the Right Skirts for You
For everyday casual wear, elevating your look at the office or making a dramatic entrance at a formal event, authentic designer and vintage skirts are reliably versatile garments.
Skirts have been around for thousands of years. A woman’s straw skirt found in an Armenian cave is believed to have been handwoven in 3,900 B.C., and long, full skirts were worn by men and women in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia. Over time, the hemlines might have changed significantly but the skirt’s integral role in fashion has remained in place.
By the early 1900s, skirt hemlines had crept up slightly to ankle-length height from the densely layered floor-length style that dominated the Victorian era — a radical shift. As women in the United States began to live more active lives during the 1920s, designers such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel sought to free them from the long skirts and other constrictions that persevered in fashion by introducing her first little black dress. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Advancements in swimwear during the 1920s and 1930s also reflected a climbing hemline. Visionary designers such as Elsa Schiaparelli eventually pushed the boundaries of modesty with her backless suit, but women still wore long garments in public. Also during the so-called Roaring ’20s, short flapper dresses that fell at the knees and boasted a free-flowing sack-like silhouette, as well as chic beaded evening gowns and floral day dresses, paired fabulously with the dazzling jewelry of the era. This proved to be just a fleeting deviation from prevailing social convention, however. Skirts grew longer again in the 1930s, even if bows and other embellishments were added. As women entered the workforce in large numbers, clean lines accentuated curves and flared slightly where the material resolved at the ankles.
After World War II, France earned recognition as the center of fashion design for women. It was the golden age of haute couture, and women, quick to dispense of the drab utilitarian wartime garb that hung in their closets, pined for luxurious, elegant skirts designed by Christian Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and others, which were splashed across the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in richly colored photographs shot by the likes of Richard Avedon and David Bailey. The 1960s introduced narrow pencil skirts and provocative minis emblazoned with geometrically dazzling patterns or bright floral prints by designers such as Emilio Pucci, Pierre Cardin and Lilly Pulitzer. By the 1970s, women felt emboldened to wear different varieties of this all-purpose garment, exploring wraps, crushed velvet maxis and other styles crafted by Halston, André Courrèges, Yves Saint Laurent and others.
On 1stDibs, find a wide range of designer and vintage skirts for any gender by Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen and more. Whether it’s a skirt that can be altered to suit a specific style or an addition that’s ready to join your cherished collection, find exactly what you’re looking for today.
- What are a line skirts?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A-line skirts are lower body garments that are fitted on the waist and gradually widen towards the hem. These skirts give the impression of the capital A shape.
- What are pleated skirts?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Pleated skirts are characterized by the vertical folds that form when the skirt's fabric is doubled back on itself and sewn in place. Pleated skirts can be long or short and any material. Girls' school uniforms generally consist of a pleated skirt.
- What is asymmetric skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Asymmetric skirts, also known as waterfall, high-low or mullet skirts, are skirts with a hem that is higher in the front or side and longer at the back. Asymmetrical skirts are one of the most versatile garments and have remained in trend ever since they emerged decades ago. These skirts can be worn in both warm and cold weather. On 1stDibs, shop vintage and designer skirts from top fashion boutiques around the world.
- What is a wrap skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A wrap skirt is a kind of skirt that ties at the waist and wraps around the body. The wrapping frequently overlaps so that the skirt does not open up and display the body when the knees or legs move. On 1stDibs, shop vintage and designer wrap skirts from top fashion boutiques around the world.
- What is a peplum skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A peplum skirt has a gathered and slightly flared piece of fabric from the waist of the skirt or dress. It is a great way to further highlight or exaggerate an hourglass figure.
- What is a panel skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A panel skirt is a versatile type of skirt which can be worn in a variety of ways. Skirts can be designed to be practically straight or exceedingly twirly and voluminous owing to the count of panels and broadening or narrowing those panels toward the bottom. Whether it’s a skirt that can be altered to suit a specific style or an addition that’s ready to join your cherished collection, find a wide range of designer and vintage skirts on 1stDibs.
- What is a tartan skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A tartan skirt has a double pleat with the upper folds facing in opposite directions and the under folds facing towards each other so that it fits similar to a mini skirt.
- What are 60s skirts called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of skirts were popular in the 1960s. The pencil skirt and sheath skirt were widely worn, and the miniskirt became highly popularized. Classic swing skirts, featuring pleated or gathered design, were also a common choice. Shop a range of vintage and retro-inspired skirts on 1stDibs.
- Is a plaid skirt a kilt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a plaid skirt is a kilt depends on its style. Kilts are a type of wrap skirt usually fashioned out of twill or wool. Many feature plaid prints, but not all do. Plaid skirts come in a wide range of other styles besides the Celtic kilt. On 1stDibs, find a collection of kilts.
- What does a plaid skirt mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What a plaid skirt means is largely a matter of personal interpretation. Some people associated pleated plaid skirts with private or parochial school because they are a common feature of uniforms. In kilt designs, the type of plaid represents one's heritage. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of plaid skirts.
- Who invented the mini-skirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024No one knows for certain who invented the mini-skirt. Hemlines began to grow shorter during the late 1950s, with notable pieces like the Balenciaga Sack dress and the Dior Trapeze line designed by Yves Saint Laurent. This trend continued into the 1960s, and in 1964, designer André Courrèges made headlines with the leg-showing skirts featured in his runway show. Although which designer was the first to actually create the mini-skirt is open for debate, most experts agree that British designer Mary Quant was responsible for popularizing it. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage mini-skirts.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Skirts were originally made for men and women. The oldest skirts trace back to 3900 BCE. Archaeologists and anthropologists unearthed evidence of these garments at the Areni-1 cave complex in Armenia. Ancient artisans produced the first skirt out of woven straw-like materials. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of skirts.
- What does midi skirt mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A midi skirt is a skirt that goes past your knees. It becomes a maxi skirt if it goes past your ankles.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Many kinds of skirts were popular in the 1970s, including denim skirts, A-line skirts, and peasant skirts. Earth tones, pastels, and wildly colorful patterns were common styles of the 70s. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a wide collection of vintage 1970s skirts from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024There are a few ways that you can wear a long skirt without looking frumpy. Try pairing a long, flowing skirt with a fitted or cropped top to create balance. Another option is to choose a long skirt with a slit that reveals your legs when you walk. If your skirt doesn't have a slit, you can tie the hemline on one side to add dimension to the piece or gather the hem and secure it with a decorative brooch. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of long skirts from some of the world's top boutiques.
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