The New Skirts

There are a lot of skirts out there. What to do?

Most of my skirts were black, gray and khaki, up until now. In neutrals, skirts were a support item for tops. The wide, gathered full skirt, with a pattern or embroidery, was considered dowdy.

But things have changed. Skirts are in stand-alone colors, textures and patterns, such as watercolor animal prints. Or, the prints may be in muted colors, with the skirt functioning as a neutral, too.

Here are a few tips:,
If the skirt is worn long, it should be narrow, a pencil. Lengths at the knee or just below require tightness at the knee (and above.)

If the skirt is fuller (a few gathers, or folds, at the waistband (an inverted tulip) it should be shorter, above the knee.

Use tights to support your skirt: Wearing black tights and black shoes (especially suede) is slimming, and puts your skirt up on a sharp, neutral pedestal. This works with most modern colors for skirts, like aubergine and teal.

You can highlight a skirt in a really bold print (like big B&W houndstooth) by adding the black tights and shoes; a black shirt (ruffles) and a black sweater. The skirt (short enough!) will pop.

Skirts are a great way to wear any hot color that doesn't go well with your skin tone, since there's no interaction with your face.

If the skirt is a neutral that fits well, consider adding patterned tights to add pizazz.

With skirts, it's all about fit. Pull out all your old skirts, including those from now defunct suits whose shoulders have aged out, and see if a little tailoring, and some new tights, can turn them into the go-to item in your closet.