A to Z Guide to 21 types of skirts

Skirts have existed for centuries. As the length and fullness of skirts change, so have the styles. Skirts can be figure-hugging, or full and voluminous. Skirts can be used to emphasize or alter the hemline. You can make your skirt unique by finding the right fabric and pattern to suit your body and fashion. This is only a small selection of the many skirts available.

Did you know that skirts can be worn by both men and women? Modern fashion has seen the rise of the skirt, from the kilt and the sarong. Here are twenty-one types of skirts. The length of each type of skirt may vary between micro-minimum and full.

This is a guide on how to determine the length of your skirt.

A-LINE SKIRT

An A-line skirt is great for a pear-shaped body. The skirt falls to the knee and is triangular when flattened. This skirt is easy to sew and can be made in any fabric.

This flattering A-line skirt is a gentle flare at the waist. It doesn’t cling to your hips, making it a flattering option. It is easy to walk because of its flared shape. A-line skirts have a fitted waist. They can be shaped with darts or a curving waistband. You can have a high, low or elasticized waistband.

ASYMMETRICAL SKIRTS

This skirt is designed using the asymmetrical lines that are created by the fabric’s cut and different hem levels. Asymmetrical skirts are usually cut diagonally across the body, with one side being lower than the other. This is in contrast to a high-low, where the asymmetry is on the front and back.

You can have asymmetrical skirts that are tight, flared or billowing.

BOX PLEAT SKIRT

A variation on the pleat type of skirt is a box pleat skirt. The box pleat is formed by the two pleat folds coming together and creating the box portion of the pleat. This pleat pattern can be repeated around the skirt. To give the skirt volume and shape, box pleat skirts are often made from thicker fabrics.

BUBBLE SKIRT

Bubble skirt puffs up at the hem due to the fabric being gathered onto a band rather than a turned up. The band is kept below the skirt, so that the skirt’s top ‘bubbles over’ the band.

These skirts require a lot of fabric because you basically have two skirts: one straight skirt underneath, and the other gathered part on the outside. These skirts are more of a fashion item than a staple. Because bubble skirts are longer than the knee, they add volume and length.

CIRCULAR SKIRT

Circular skirts are also known as skater skirts. They are cut in a circular shape. A waistband is attached to the fabric so that it sits perfectly on the wearer’s waist. When laid flat, the skirt forms a circle.

It requires a lot of fabric to make a circular skirt. You can make it in any length you like, from flowing and long to straight and slimming. This skirt is great for outdoor activities and can be used as a tennis skirt.

There are many variations of the circle skirt, including a half-circle skirt and a double circle skirt. This gives you maximum flare.

COWL SKIRT

Cowl skirts add extra volume to the area under the waistband. You create fullness by creating curved lines starting at three points on your skirt pattern. Mark the points where you want the curve to be and cut or alter as needed.

When the curve is opened, it adds depth to the pattern and creates pleats at the sides. Soft flowing fabrics will be able to wear the cowl skirt.

GATHERED SKIRT

It is very easy to style the gathered skirt. These skirts are gathered to the waistband. The amount of fabric in each skirt and the length of the gathers that are pulled up to make it fit on the waistband determine the fullness. A gathered skirt can be as long or short as you like. This skirt is best made from fine to medium-weight fabrics.

GODET AND THE GORED SKIRTS

Gored and godet skirts have extra movement and flair. The godet is triangular-shaped fabric that is placed into a skirt panel.

Gores are panels of the skirt with more flare. To give the skirt more fullness, flare can be as long as the thighs or as high at the knee.

HANDKERCHIEF SKIRT

The handkerchief skirt can be worn with fun points. The handkerchief shapes attach to the skirt and drop from the waist. This look can be achieved by cutting it in either a square or rectangle shape. You must use soft fabrics that drape, otherwise the points will stick out and add a lot to your skirt’s volume.

HIGH/LOW SKIRT

The high/low skirt does exactly what its name suggests. The skirt’s front is longer than its back, creating a high/low effect. The skirt looks best when made in soft, flowing fabrics. These samples were made from rayon voile, which gives the skirt movement and elegance while you walk. The differences between the front and rear can be subtle, or very dramatic. Some skirts that are high-low at the back can appear like a train that reaches behind the body.

HIGH WAISTED SKIRT

This skirt has a high waistband as its main feature. This band is what gives the skirt its fullness. It is often a decorative element of this style. You can create high waisted skirts with elastic or flat bands, as shown in the photo to the right. You can pair them with a tight pencil skirt. A high waist skirt looks best when paired with a fitted shirt. This creates a flattering silhouette.

MERMAID SKIRT OR FISHTAIL SHIRT

Mermaid and fishtail skirts give the wearer an hourglass figure. The tailpiece flares out at bottom. These skirts are popular for wedding gowns. The back can become a train that can be very short or very long. To enhance this design, mermaid skirts should be paired with a fitted bodice. This is great for creating an hourglass shape.

MINISKIRT

This iconic skirt is associated with the 1960s and, as the name suggests, it is very short. This skirt was popularized by Mary Quant, a dress designer. Because it requires very little fabric, it is easy to make. Mini skirts can be fitted or flared, or even made circular. For a casual look, denim miniskirts can be worn easily.

PENCIL SKIRT

Pencil skirts are the preferred choice for professional and business women. These skirts can be cut to any length you desire and are rectangular when laid flat. You may find that some skirts taper at the knee.

It will need to have a slit in the back or side if it isn’t made of stretch fabric. They can be difficult to walk in, especially if they don’t have a slit.

PEPLUM SKIRT

This style’s basic underskirt is the pencil skirt. Peplum adds a flare to the waist. This skirt is very decorative. Peplums are close to circular in shape. The bias cut allows for a soft fall due to the flared effect. Peplum skirts can be used to balance wider shoulders or hide your hips to create a flattering appearance.

PLEATED SKIRT

The size of the pleats will determine the effect of the skirt’s pleats. Flatter are knit pleats that meet flush with the body. You can wear pleated skirts in different lengths with different sizes of pleats.

Once the pattern is established, the pleats are made in the same way to finish the skirt. Pleated skirts are made of synthetic fabrics that can be permanently ironed so they don’t fall apart when washed. It is not a good idea to iron pleats after each wash.

SARONG SKIRT

This skirt is perfect for casual days at the pool or on holiday. The skirt wraps around the waist and has ties at the sides. You can make it in different lengths. It is typically made from cotton or natural fiber fabric. Sarong skirts can be as short as the knee, or as long as the ankle. Because of the long slit, it is likely to show your legs as you walk. Wrap skirts are a good option if you need more coverage.

TIERED AND LAYERED SKIRT

The effect these skirts create is similar. To give the skirt fullness and ‘swing,’ layers of fabric are used.

Some skirts have layers that are joined together, while layered skirts can have layers that are free to create a frilled look. Layered skirts are popular in girl’s clothing and can be given a bohemian, free-floating look for women. These skirts are flattering for all body types, especially if they are made from soft floating fabrics with drapes like rayon.

TULIP SKIRT

The tulip skirt has a straight design but an irregular hem. This gives the skirt the look of a tulip. To pick up the detail, the edges of the tulip skirt may be bound with bias tape.

WRAP SKIRT

Wrap skirts look great on your body. They wrap around your waist and tie at the waist. You can find a variety of lengths for wrap skirts that will fit every occasion. The example shown here has a frill, but others are simple with the wrap opening at the sides. While wrap skirts require more fabric, they are a simple sewing project for beginners.

Wrap skirts are often fastened with ties around the body. Buttons can be used to keep the wrapped part in place. To secure the skirt’s inside wrap, an additional button can be used.

YOKE KIRTS

The yolk skirt looks slimmer by using a yoke effect on the waistband and at the top. To complete the design, the yolk hugs the figure while the skirt can be gathered or slid onto the yolk. The yoke can be narrower or wider, and it is cut in a curve to avoid needing darts at the back.

Churchill once stated, in reference to good speeches and skirts, that a speech should be long enough to cover the topic, but short enough for people to take an interest.

This is why skirts are always a fashion statement. Look for skirts that are flattering and comfortable. There are no rules in fashion. Wear what makes you happy.