Once relegated to school uniforms and Highland dancing, along with being overshadowed by attention-seeking mini-options, skirts are twirling to the forefront of fashion.
Designers at Australian Fashion Week gave the trend a push, showcasing skirts with an extravagance of embellishment and peek-a-boo sheers, sending the little black dress to the back of the wardrobe.
“We’ve definitely seen increased interest in the skirt category this season, particularly around statement silhouettes and occasion dressing,” says Alex Schuman, chief executive of Carla Zampatti. “Some of our strongest-performing styles have been fuller flare skirts, bubble shapes and fluid bias-cut evening skirts.”
In a move that might surprise some of Carla Zampatti’s corporate clientele, a sheer, knickers-baring skirt with silver and feather embellishment joined suits and dresses on the harbourside runway at AFW.
“There’s a return to texture and shape with taffeta, satin and velvet creating movement and drama, which feels very relevant right now. Evening skirts offer that balance of glamour and ease that customers seem to be gravitating towards.”
Skirts have always been present on the runway but their promotion came in Matthieu Blazy’s debut as creative director for Chanel last year. For his finale look Blazy bucked the trend towards ostentatious dresses and sent model Awar Odhiang cavorting through the Grand Palais in Paris wearing an ivory silk T-shirt, paired with a statement skirt made from frayed organza feather-like strips.
With Chanel’s encouragement, skirts have become an evening-wear alternative to ballgowns that secure the approval of dress-code dictators.
“Skirts are suitable for black-tie events in Australia, provided the overall look is formal and elegant,” says Zarife Hardy, director of the Australian School of Etiquette. “The skirt should be elegant and sophisticated, ideally in a refined midi or floor-length style, paired with a tailored or formal top to create a polished, black-tie look.”
What about that Zampatti skirt?
“Sheer skirts can absolutely work for formal evening wear when styled elegantly and with appropriate coverage.”
Albus Lumen designer Marina Afonina introduced dance-floor-ready parachute skirts in a technical nylon for her resort runway show last week.
“I love the pairing of a skirt with a tailored shirt or simple top that will steal the show in Hollywood,” says Afonina, referencing Sharon Stone’s styling at the Academy Awards in 1998, to which Zendaya paid tribute in 2022.
“There’s an independent spirit that’s always modern, with its combination of masculine and feminine.”
With styling and economic belt tightening in play, the skirt is also an attractive investment piece.
“The beauty of skirts is their versatility and ability to transform depending on how they’re styled and worn,” says Breeana Smith, founder of L’Idee Woman, which brought disco glamour to the AFW runway. “Dresses worn as skirts, skirts worn as dresses.”
Or you can simply wear a skirt as a skirt.
“We had scarves worn as skirts on the runway,” says Ngali founder Deni Francisco. “They’ve been so popular we introduced a dedicated skirt category.”
“They can be practical and pretty.”
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
