Skirts have been around for centuries and different types of skirts have evolved as the length changes or the fullness of a skirt varies. Skirt styles can be figure-hugging or voluminous. Skirts can emphasize a waistline or change the hemline.
TYPES OF SKIRTS
Make a skirt your own by searching for the right pattern and fabric to create the perfect skirt for your figure and a fashion statement. The following list is just the beginning of the types of skirts and variety available.
Did you know that skirts have been worn by both men and women! From the kilt to the sarong, skirts have made an impact on modern fashion and dress codes.
Listed here are twenty -one different types of skirts. Within each category of skirts, the length may vary from micro-mini to full.
Here is a skirt length guide to help you identify the best and most flattering type for your shape.
A-line skirt
The A-line skirt is a great skirt for the pear-shaped figure (that’s me!). This skirt is usually knee-length and forms a triangular shape when laid flat. It is an easy to sew option and makes up nicely in most fabric types.
The A-line skirt flares out gently from the waist and does not cling to the hips making it a flattering skirt option. Because of its flared shape, it does not need slits in the side or back in order to easily walk. A-line skirts are generally fitted at the waist and as such need shaping in the form of darts or a gently curving waistband. The waistband can be high, lowers or even elasticized.
Asymmetrical skirt
The design of this skirt relies on the asymmetrical lines created by the cut of the fabric and the different levels of the hems. An asymmetrical skirt is usually cut on the diagonal across the body with one side lower from the other. This is different from a high-low skirt where the asymmetry is at the front and back.
Asymmetrical skirts can be tight, flared out or billowing.
Box pleat skirt
The box pleat skirt is a variation of the pleat types of skirts. A box pleat is made by allowing the two folds of the pleat to meet each other and form the box part of the pleat. The same pleat pattern is continued round the skirt. Box pleat skirts are often made in thicker fabrics to give volume and shape to the skirt.
Bubble skirt
The bubble skirt puffs out at the hem because the fabric of the hem is gathered onto a band instead of a turned up hem. This band is kept under the skirt so the top of the skirt ‘bubbles’ over the band.
These kinds of skirts take a lot of fabric as essentially you have 2 skirts – one straight skirt underneath and then the gathered portion on the outside. These are a fashion piece that tends to come and go rather than a wardrobe staple. Bubble skirts tend to be cut above the knee as any longer adds a lot of volume to the skirt.
Circular skirt
The circular skirt, sometimes known as the skater skirt, is cut in a circle. The fabric is attached to a waistband that sits exactly on the wearer’s waist. The skirt forms a circle when it is laid flat.
The circular skirt takes a fair amount of fabric. It can be made is all sorts of lengths from long and flowing to short and sassy. The circular skirt makes a great skirt for active outdoor wear and is often used for tennis skirts.
Variations of the circle skirt include a half circle skirt or even a double circle skirt for maximum flare.
Cowl skirt
The cowl skirt adds extra fullness to the area just under the waistband. The fullness is created by cutting curved lines from three points marked on your skirt pattern. Mark the designated points and the curve and then cut and alter accordingly.
The curve when opened out adds fullness to the pattern and creates folds that drape at the sides of the skirt. The cowl skirt is suitable for soft flowing fabrics.
Gathered skirt
The gathered skirt is a very straightforward style to follow. These types of skirts are gathered onto the waistband. The fullness of the skirt is determined by the amount of fabric in the skirt part of the pattern and the gathers pulled up to fit onto the waistband. A gathered skirt can be any length from short to full length. It is best in fine to medium weight fabrics.
Godet and gored skirts
Godet and gored skirts are full of extra flare and movement. The godet is a triangular shape of fabric inserted into a panel in the skirt.
Gores are the panels of the skirt that have been cut with extra flare. The flare may begin from thigh-length or knee-length to give extra fullness to the skirt.
Handkerchief skirt
The handkerchief skirt is a fun to wear skirt with points hanging down as the handkerchief shapes are attached and drop down from the waist. It is cut in a rectangle or square shape to achieve this look. Soft fabrics that drape must be used otherwise the points will stick out adding a lot of unwanted volume to your skirt.
High/low skirt
The high/low skirt is exactly how its name describes it. The front of the skirt is higher than the back creating a high and low effect. This skirt is best sewn in soft flowing fabrics. The samples below were made in a rayon voile giving the skirt movement and elegance as you walk. The difference between the front and back can be subtle or quite dramatic. Some high-low skirts are so low at the back that it becomes a train draping out from behind the body.
