Why women wear skirts. 11 Compelling Reasons Why Women Choose to Wear Skirts: Fashion, Comfort, and Practicality

Why do women continue to wear skirts in a world where pants are equally acceptable. How do skirts offer unique benefits in terms of comfort, style, and versatility. What makes skirts a timeless wardrobe staple for women across generations.

The Enduring Appeal of Skirts in Women’s Fashion

Skirts have remained a staple in women’s wardrobes for centuries, adapting to changing styles while maintaining their core appeal. Despite the widespread acceptance of pants for women in modern times, many still choose to wear skirts for various reasons. Let’s explore the multifaceted appeal of this timeless garment and why it continues to be a popular choice among women of all ages.

Comfort and Airflow: Why Skirts Excel in Warm Weather

One of the primary reasons women opt for skirts is the superior comfort they offer, especially in warmer climates. How do skirts provide better ventilation compared to pants. Skirts allow for maximum airflow around the legs, which can be particularly refreshing during hot summer months. Unlike pants that cling to the skin and trap heat, skirts create a natural air circulation that helps keep the wearer cool and comfortable.

In regions with high temperatures, such as the southern United States, skirts are often favored for their ability to mitigate the effects of heat. The loose fabric allows for better evaporation of sweat and reduces the risk of becoming overheated. This practical benefit makes skirts an ideal choice for women who prioritize comfort in their daily attire.

Versatility in Coverage: From Mini to Maxi

Another compelling reason for the popularity of skirts is their versatility in terms of coverage. How do different skirt lengths cater to various preferences and occasions. Skirts come in a wide range of lengths, from mini to maxi, allowing women to choose the level of coverage that best suits their comfort level and the situation.

• Mini skirts: Offer a bold, youthful look and are perfect for casual outings or nights out
• Midi skirts: Provide a balance between modesty and style, suitable for both work and social events
• Maxi skirts: Offer full coverage and elegance, ideal for formal occasions or those seeking more modest attire

This flexibility in coverage options makes skirts a versatile choice for women who want to adapt their style to different settings or personal preferences throughout the day. The ability to switch from a mini skirt to a maxi skirt allows for easy transitions between various social contexts and comfort levels.

Freedom of Movement: The Unexpected Advantage

Contrary to popular belief, skirts can offer greater freedom of movement compared to pants in many situations. How do skirts facilitate unrestricted leg movement. The loose fabric of a skirt allows for a full range of motion without the constraints imposed by fitted pants or jeans.

Women who wear skirts often find that they can move more freely, whether walking, running, or engaging in other activities. To address concerns about modesty during active movements, many women opt to wear shorts or spandex underneath their skirts, combining the freedom of movement with peace of mind.

Activities Suitable for Skirt-Wearing

1. Walking and hiking
2. Dancing and social events
3. Office work and professional settings
4. Casual outings and errands
5. Light exercise and stretching

The misconception that skirts limit physical activity is largely unfounded. With the right style and length, skirts can be just as practical as pants for a wide range of daily activities and even some sports.

Elegance and Style: The Timeless Appeal of Skirts

Skirts have long been associated with elegance and femininity in fashion. What makes skirts an enduring symbol of style. The flowing silhouette of a skirt can create a graceful and sophisticated look that is difficult to achieve with pants alone. This inherent elegance makes skirts a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions.

The versatility of skirts in terms of style is unparalleled. They can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, paired with various tops, accessories, and footwear to create countless unique looks. From bohemian maxi skirts to tailored pencil skirts, there’s a style to suit every taste and body type.

Styling Skirts for Different Occasions

• Casual: Pair a denim skirt with a t-shirt and sneakers
• Office: Combine a knee-length pencil skirt with a blouse and blazer
• Evening: Choose a flowing maxi skirt with a fitted top and heels
• Weekend: Opt for a floral midi skirt with a tank top and sandals

The ability to easily transition from day to night or from casual to formal settings makes skirts a valuable asset in any woman’s wardrobe. Their timeless appeal ensures that a well-chosen skirt can remain stylish for years, making it a sound investment in one’s personal style.

Practical Benefits: Ease of Use and Convenience

Beyond style and comfort, skirts offer several practical benefits that contribute to their enduring popularity. How do skirts simplify daily routines for women. One significant advantage is the ease of using restroom facilities, particularly in public spaces. Unlike pants that require complete removal or awkward maneuvering, skirts allow for quick and discreet bathroom use, which can be especially appreciated in busy or less-than-ideal conditions.

Additionally, skirts are generally easier and quicker to put on compared to pants. This convenience can be particularly appealing on busy mornings or when changing outfits multiple times throughout the day. The simplicity of slipping on a skirt and pairing it with a top can save valuable time while still resulting in a put-together look.

Time-Saving Benefits of Skirts

1. Quicker dressing time in the morning
2. Easier outfit changes for different activities
3. Simplified restroom use, especially in public spaces
4. Reduced need for precise sizing compared to fitted pants
5. Easier to try on when shopping for new clothes

These practical advantages make skirts an attractive option for women who value efficiency and ease in their daily routines without sacrificing style or professionalism.

Year-Round Versatility: Skirts for Every Season

One of the most compelling reasons for the enduring popularity of skirts is their adaptability to various weather conditions and seasons. How can skirts be styled for different times of the year. Unlike some garments that are limited to specific seasons, skirts can be worn comfortably throughout the year with appropriate styling and layering.

In warmer months, lightweight fabrics and shorter lengths keep the wearer cool and comfortable. As temperatures drop, longer skirts in heavier materials provide warmth, and can be paired with tights, leggings, or boots for added insulation. This versatility allows women to maintain a consistent style aesthetic year-round while adapting to changing weather conditions.

Seasonal Skirt Styling Tips

• Spring: Floral prints with light cardigans
• Summer: Breezy fabrics and shorter lengths
• Autumn: Wool or tweed skirts with boots and tights
• Winter: Maxi skirts with thick tights and sweaters

The ability to layer skirts with various tops, jackets, and accessories makes them a versatile foundation for creating diverse outfits suitable for any season or occasion. This adaptability contributes to the long-term value of skirts as wardrobe investments.

Flattering Silhouettes: Skirts for Every Body Type

One of the most significant advantages of skirts is their ability to flatter a wide range of body types and sizes. How do different skirt styles enhance various body shapes. The diverse range of skirt styles available allows women to choose options that accentuate their best features and create balanced, flattering silhouettes.

For example, A-line skirts can create the illusion of a smaller waist and balanced proportions, while pencil skirts can highlight curves in a sophisticated manner. High-waisted skirts can elongate the legs, while midi skirts can be universally flattering for many body types. This versatility makes skirts an inclusive fashion choice that can boost confidence and comfort for women of all shapes and sizes.

Skirt Styles for Different Body Types

• Pear-shaped: A-line or flared skirts to balance proportions
• Apple-shaped: High-waisted skirts to create definition
• Hourglass: Pencil skirts to accentuate curves
• Rectangle: Pleated or ruffled skirts to add dimension
• Petite: Vertical stripes or high-waisted styles to elongate

The ability of skirts to adapt to and enhance various body types contributes to their enduring appeal and makes them a valuable addition to any woman’s wardrobe, regardless of size or shape.

Fashion Trends and Cultural Significance

Skirts have played a significant role in fashion trends and cultural movements throughout history. How have skirts evolved to reflect changing societal norms. From the restrictive long skirts of the Victorian era to the liberating mini skirts of the 1960s, skirt styles have often been at the forefront of fashion revolutions and social change.

In contemporary fashion, skirts continue to evolve and adapt to current trends while maintaining their timeless appeal. Different skirt styles come in and out of vogue, from the recent popularity of midi skirts to the enduring presence of the classic pencil skirt in professional settings. This constant reinvention keeps skirts relevant and exciting in the ever-changing world of fashion.

Notable Skirt Trends Through the Decades

1. 1920s: Flapper-style short skirts
2. 1950s: Full circle skirts
3. 1960s: Mini skirts
4. 1970s: Maxi skirts and bohemian styles
5. 1980s: Power suits with pencil skirts
6. 1990s: Grunge-inspired plaid skirts
7. 2000s: Low-rise denim skirts
8. 2010s: High-waisted midi skirts

The cultural significance of skirts extends beyond fashion trends. In many cultures, specific skirt styles hold traditional or religious importance. For example, the sari in Indian culture or the kilt in Scottish tradition. These cultural associations add depth and meaning to the wearing of skirts, making them more than just a fashion choice for many women.

Furthermore, skirts have been used as symbols of femininity, rebellion, and empowerment at various points in history. The ability to choose whether to wear a skirt or pants has become a symbol of women’s freedom and autonomy in many societies. This rich history and cultural significance contribute to the enduring appeal of skirts in women’s fashion.

Sustainability and Versatility in Wardrobes

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the versatility and longevity of skirts make them an attractive option for sustainable fashion. How do skirts contribute to a more sustainable wardrobe. Unlike trendy fast fashion items that may quickly go out of style, well-chosen skirts can remain fashionable and functional for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

The adaptability of skirts also allows for greater outfit variety with fewer pieces of clothing. A single skirt can be styled in numerous ways, paired with different tops, accessories, and shoes to create distinct looks. This versatility can help reduce overall clothing consumption and promote a more minimalist, sustainable approach to fashion.

Benefits of Skirts in a Sustainable Wardrobe

• Longevity: Classic styles remain fashionable for years
• Versatility: Can be styled for multiple occasions
• Mix-and-match potential: Creates numerous outfits with fewer pieces
• Adaptability: Can be altered or restyled as trends change
• Durability: Often made from sturdy fabrics that withstand wear

Additionally, many skirts are made from natural, biodegradable fabrics like cotton, linen, or wool, which can be more environmentally friendly than synthetic materials. The simplicity of skirt construction also lends itself well to upcycling and DIY fashion, allowing creative individuals to repurpose or customize their skirts for extended use.

As consumers become more conscious of their environmental impact, the enduring appeal and versatility of skirts align well with the principles of sustainable fashion. This factor may contribute to the continued popularity of skirts among environmentally conscious women seeking to build more sustainable wardrobes.

Why Do Women Wear Skirts? (11 Reasons Why)

Skirts have lasted the test of time. Women back in the day wore them, and so do ladies now. The only variation in this timeless article of clothing is the length.

Why do women wear skirts? Today, women can wear pants without any judgment. Why do some ladies still have these garments in their closets? What’s the appeal?

1. Maximum Air Flow

Pants are flattering. They wrap around the legs and highlight the silhouette while pressing the fabric to the skin. Unfortunately, this look minimizes the airflow to a woman.

A skirt lets air flow through the legs. In a mini skirt, the legs expose themselves to the wind. In a long garment, the air can slip under the skirt without revealing any skin to the public.

Air flow is critical in the hotter months. Without it, you risk becoming a sweat monster and dripping down the sidewalk. There’s a reason skirts are popular in the south.

2. Full Coverage

Mini skirts have been popular since the ‘60s, but plenty of women opt for the midi or maxi length in their bottoms. It provides full coverage, appealing to those who want to feel comfy.

Skirts are incredible because you can pick your coverage. Like pants and shorts, you can select your length based on your comfort level. Women can feel safe in long skirts outside.

If a woman doesn’t want coverage, she can always choose a mini skirt. If she wants more later in the day, she can opt for maxi or midi options.

3. Freedom Of Movement

Pants allow for movement, but your legs are restricted slightly. In skirts, your legs aren’t wrapped in cloth. You can move any way you want without fear of tearing your garments.

Of course, there is a risk that the world can see under a skirt. Many wear spandex or other shorts to provide coverage and keep the movement of this garment intact.

Many people don’t realize it, but you can run in a skirt. The garment lets a woman do anything she could do in pants. It’s a unique attire in that way.

4. Elegance

There is something elegant about a skirt. It cascaded over the hips, providing the half of a dress people love. Women wear skirts because they want to feel fancy.

You can wear a skirt casually or dress it up to feel like a princess. Skirts allow for elegance in any setting, whether going to church or visiting a park with a friend.

A skirt is a level down from a dress but a level up from plain pants. It’s an excellent combination of casual and fancy for the woman who loves both.

5. Ideal For The Bathroom

Going to the bathroom is not an easy task in public. You must watch for stuff on the toilet seat, unzip, and adjust everything. It’s trickier in pants that conform to the body.

In a skirt, you can lift and sit without taking anything off. It only takes a moment to get situated when you don’t have to peel the fabric off your legs, especially in the sweaty months.

Women wear skirts because they are one of the best garments out there. You lift, lower, and move on in life.

6. Easier To Put On

Not only are skirts easy to use in the bathroom, but they are also simple to put on. It only takes a second to slide the skirt on. Some have elastic waists, and others have zippers.

The best thing about the ease is that a skirt makes it look like you put much more work into your outfit than you did. With a skirt and a top, a woman can look fancy without much effort.

There is nothing better than clothing that goes on in seconds and makes you feel like a million dollars. Women around the world enjoy the comfort that comes with putting on a skirt.

7. Work In Any Season

Skirts work in any season. Women can dress them up in the winter with a sweater or dress them down with a tank top in the summer. They are adaptable garments.

If it gets cold, a woman can layer the skirt with leggings and boots. If it gets too hot, she can hike up the garment or opt for a shorter length from her closet.

If you had a closet full of skirts, you would be fine for any season. Pants can’t compare to the variety of garments offered for women who love them.

8.

Flattering On Any Body

Skirts are flattering on anybody, especially maxi and midi skirts. They flow in the right ways and hide anything you feel uncomfortable showing to the world.

In a world where fashion is catered toward a single body type, skirts are a game changer. They help women feel beautiful on the days when they think they are anything but gorgeous.

If a woman has a bad day, she can always turn to a skirt for a flattering look everyone will enjoy. Women wear this article because they complement every shape and size with ease.

9. On-Trend

Some form of skirt is always on-trend. One year it was the black maxi skirt. Another year, bright floral mini skirts were on trend. A skirt finds a way to jump into the spotlight.

Many women wear skirts because they want to fit in with the times. They want to dress the part and be in the moment.

Skirts are timeless. Women wear them because they love them or to be part of the current fashion movement. There’s so much going on around skirts all the time.

10. Some Have Pockets

Some skirts have pockets. Not only can a woman store her items in a skirt pocket, but this clothing item is much better at hiding lumps than pants.

A skirt with pockets makes a woman feel like she is on top of the world. She has freedom in her legs and the freedom to carry whatever she wants in the pockets of her skirt.

A skirt with pockets is much better than skinny jeans with pockets. They can carry more and are much more comfortable for the wearer, especially when it’s warm.

11. Embraces Femininity

Sometimes, a woman wants to feel like a woman. Skirts help ladies everywhere embrace their femininity when they want to feel as elegant as a flower.

Of course, there are cases where skirts can be the opposite of feminine. There are many styles in pattern and design with skirts, as with the length.

Still, most skirts opt for floral patterns or bright colors. A woman wears a skirt when she wants to feel like a lady, even with the pants options she has available to her now.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on why women wear dresses, why women wear stockings, and why women wear heels.

Conclusion

Skirts have been around for a long time, and for good reason. Women wear them because they provide full coverage, allow for elegance, and work in any season, hot or cold.

There are many ways to wear skirts. They were popular in the past, are fashionable now, and will stick around in the future. Women wear this article because they always work.

Why Were Skirts Invented (When, Where & How)?

Skirts are so associated with the women’s wardrobe that a woman can actually be called a skirt. But in ancient times, everybody wore skirts. From Egyptian loincloths to tough-guy Roman soldiers in knee-length skirts to Scottish warriors in kilts, skirts are downright masculine. So why were skirts invented, when did they become associated with female fashion and how are modern men re-claiming their own history of skirt-wearing through the ages? Let’s find out.

Related: Types of Skirts

Table of Contents

Ancient History

The skirt was probably one of the very first pieces of clothing ever invented. The oldest one ever found dates to 3,000 B.C.E. It was hand-woven out of straw. Back then, skirts were worn just as much by men as by women. After all, they’re a cool, comfortable garment to wear and very easy to make. They were loose and flowing and moved easily with the body, which made them an ideal garment.

Depictions of skirts in artwork show that skirts were worn as far back as 20,000 years ago. Skirts are truly ancient garments.

Skirts and dress-like garments, such as togas, were worn throughout the ancient world. In fact, it wasn’t until horses were domesticated that pants became commonly worn by men. The oldest trousers ever found are made of leather and they’re about 3,000 years old, dating to around 1,000 B.C.E.

Cold northern European temperatures and the more widespread use of the horse made pants more popular. During the Iron Age, they began to spread as a popular fashion choice. However, they didn’t replace skirts. Both men and women continued to wear skirts through the classical age.

Middle Ages Fashion

After the fall of the Roman Empire, European fashion began to take on some of the more traditional roles associated with men, women, skirts and pants. Men wore tight-fitting hose or breeches under long tunics that typically ended at or above the knee, while women began wearing longer, floor-length skirts and dresses as part of their daily wear. Skirts and trousers were still commonly worn by men and women in Eastern fashions.

Men’s tunics became more shapely in the 15th century, becoming shorter and more close-fitting. It became the fashion to wear hose on the legs that others could see. This ultimately became pants and pants ultimately became associated with men’s fashion, particularly in Europe and the emerging Western world.

Skirts Take a Turn

Once skirts were firmly associated with female fashion, things started to get…kind of weird. The long, simple tunic styles of the middle ages became much more ornate in the Renaissance, where clothing was highly stiff, embellished, embroidered and decorated. The corset came onto the scene and dresses became much more structured. Very long, voluminous skirts became the fashion. Odd embellishments and strange silhouettes, such as the wide panniers worn over the hips to spread skirts out, appeared on the fashion scene in the late 1500s.

Things got even more strange in the 1800s, when big bell shapes and hoop skirt styles became trendy thanks to crinoline, wire cages and other fashion innovations. The extremely huge hoop skirts of the early Victorian period were so big they were actually dangerous to be around. In those days before electricity, open flames were utterly everywhere. Pair open flames with enormous, fluttering skirts made with delicate fabrics that were highly flammable and you’re just asking for trouble. There are numerous reports from the era that speak of deadly fires caused by the day’s fashion.

Women wised up and shifted the wide, bulky skirts, pushing the fabric to their backsides. The bustle was born in the late 1800s, a look that can only be chalked up as odd. The back-heavy bustle did not remain a part of popular fashion long but it lingers as a popular option for wedding dresses.

Women started wearing pants at the end of the 1800s thanks to early pioneers like Amelia Jenks Bloomer, who wore the voluminous trousers known as bloomers that were named for her. However, despite Amelia Bloomer, it didn’t become common for women to wear pants as daily wear until the 1970s, though they would wear pants on a limited basis for work, athletics and to buck the fashion stereotypes of the day.

Slimming and Shortening the Skirt

Up until the early 1900s, women’s fashion remained centered on full and long skirts. From the early Middle Ages to the early 1900s, it was unseemly for women to wear short skirts. They were ankle-length at the shortest and floor-length at many points throughout fashion history. But in the 1920s, that started to change. Skirts experienced a revolution.

In fact, they got a whole heck of a lot shorter. The petticoat and extra layers that had been the norm for centuries disappeared and the short skirt displayed a shocking amount of skin. Women were exposing their legs…sometimes, a whole lot of leg. It was the 1920s and the flapper look was born.

Skirts would never be the same.

Modern Skirts

Skirts were for ever changed. Though hemlines got a little longer again the 1930s, commonly falling about calf-length, Pandora’s box was open. The lines of style were no longer contained by length. The 1940s and 1950s saw the rise of the full silhouette with flared, full skirt skirts, like the poodle skirt. Fashion began playing with frills, ruffles, tulle, fabrics and silhouettes.

And in the 1960s, an idea came along that changed the fashionable skirts game again. It was, of course, the miniskirt. Created by designer Mary Quant, the tiny miniskirt showed more leg than ever before and quickly became the standout fashion item of the decade. A new women’s movement was being ushered in during this decade and the miniskirt was a perfect symbol of fashion freedom. Women stopped wearing gloves, stockings, hats and all the prim and proper accessories and styles that were so popular in the 1950s.

It was a brand-new decade. Hippie counter-culture was born, women’s liberation was everywhere and women were ditching the girdles, bras and fashion constraints that had dictated style for so long.

Shocking that a skirt can do so much!

Skirt style continues to change and evolve as designers continue to experiment with fashion. The skirt is still a style staple and in more recent years, all of its boundaries are starting to fall away.

Real Men Wear Skirts

Modern men have decided to turn fashion on its head, with many high-profile celebrity males appearing at events and on red carpets wearing skirts. Many believe that fashion has no gender roles and many trendsetters throughout history have style have had fun blurring gender lines and experimenting with their own unique looks. What’s fun about fashion is that it’s constantly changing and constantly reinventing itself. There’s no way of knowing where the future will take skirts next, but it’s definitely going to be fun to watch.

FAQs

Skirts have been around since humans were living in caves and creating tools out of stone. Wearing skirts is an even older practice than shaping metal, which is pretty impressive. Through the ages, fashion has been created for practical reasons and worn to showcase style, status, wealth, rank and prestige. It’s been used to express individual style, to buck authority openly, to challenge gender norms and even to make social or political statements. Fashion can do a whole lot and skirts have had a more interesting history than most garments.

So if you’ve still got questions, it’s no wonder! We’ve got the answers to the most commonly asked questions about skirts. Soon, you’ll know all the stuff that true skirt experts already know!

What’s the difference between a skirt and a dress?

Skirt. Dress. Ball gown. Frock. There are lots of words used to describe different styles of clothing and frankly, it can get pretty confusing. So what exactly is the difference between a skirt and a dress?

By strict definition, a dress is a one-piece garment that consists of a bodice and a skirt. A skirt, by definition, is a free-hanging garment that extends downward from the waist when it is a garden that it worn on a human body. In other words, the skirt is the part of the dress that hangs down from the waist. A skirt can also be a stand-alone garment that is worn by itself with a blouse or top of any kind…or no top at all. [Source: Merriam-Webster]

Are skirts business casual?

Many types of skirts are highly suitable to a business casual look. However, material, length and fit play a huge role in whether or not a skirt is appropriate for the workplace. Skirts should be kept at knee-length or lower. Wool, cotton, polyester and knit fabrics are generally acceptable. Wear a lined skirt or a slip at all times when you’re in the workplace. A close fit, such as a sheath or a pencil skirt, is perfectly acceptable. An extremely tight fit, however, is not. [Source: The Balance Careers]

Denim skirts of all kinds are pretty much off the table, as are mini skirts, see-through skirts and many other types of skirts. If you have to ask yourself if it’s appropriate for a workplace, then it probably isn’t. Denim is a bit too casual for most office and work environments. If your place of business doesn’t allow blue jeans, you probably can’t get away with a denim skirt. [Source: Land’s End]

Can skirts be formal?

Skirts can be a great way to stand out at formal occasions when many other women will be wearing gowns. A skirt in a longer length, such as a maxi skirt, can look amazing when paired with the right top and styled with the right accessories. [Source: Love To Know]

Can both genders wear skirts?

Both men and women have been wearing skirts since they were first invented more than 20,000 years ago. Great warriors and amazing thinkers of the past wore skirts, including the likes of Alexander the Great, Socrates, Julius Caesar and Ramses the Great. That’s not bad company. All the knightly heroes of Europe wore long tunics that looked a heck of a lot like skirts. And in the more modern era, many trendsetting men are wearing skirts and dresses to show off their flair for style.

In short, yes! Anyone and everyone can wear skirts, because fashion is meant to be for everyone to enjoy and experiment with. If fashion history teaches us anything, it’s that clothing rules are definitely made to be broken.

Can you wear skirts in winter?

There might be lots of reasons why you want to wear a skirt in winter. After all, there may be a gala event or party you want to attend wearing a skirt or you may frequently wear skirts for work. You can wear skirts in winter but you need to take some extra steps to make sure you’re keeping yourself safe and warm. Even if you plan on being in a vehicle or being indoors most of the time, anything can happen. You can always end up in a situation where you’re stuck outside or you’re stuck somewhere with a broken heating system when you didn’t expect it. That means you need to keep yourself prepared and keep yourself appropriately dressed for the weather outside.

First, consider wearing longer skirts. They will give you more coverage, which gives you more warmth. Also consider the fabric. A wool skirt is going to provide insulation and keep you much warmer than a skirt made of silk. Stick to heavier skirts made with more insulating fabrics to keep your lower half warmer in winter weather.

Keep your legs warm and protected from the cold with leggings or thick tights. Wool tights or leggings provide a protective layer against your skin. Whatever you do, don’t wear bare legs in winter. Cover your legs somehow, even if you’re only using thin hose.

You can also add more warmth with a pair of long boots. Knee-length or thigh-high boots will help protect your legs and complement the skirt in a stylish way.

Make sure the rest of your body is dressed warm. Keeping the core of your body warm will help you feel warmer all over, even if your legs are rather exposed to the cold. Wear a thick sweater or extra layers to hold in your natural body heat. [Source: WikiHow]

Should skirts be hung or folded?

Knowing how to store skirts is not easy. Should they be hung? Folded? How do you do either? Only an expert can answer, so we turned to Martha Stewart.

According to the goddess of all things domestic, skirts should be stored according to their fabric and not to their style. Skirts made from cotton, linen and rayon will stay wrinkle-free if they are hung on hangers. Use clips or clothespins to attach skirts to hangers so the skirt is hanging straight down. Do not fold skirts if you can help it. Try to find enough room in your closet to allow longer skirts to hang straight down, too.

Skirts that are knit should not be hung up but folded. Skirts that have a lot of ornament and decoration should also be folded, because hanging them up could distort their shape. If you have a skirt that is heavy in any way due to design or fabric, keep it folded. Silk skirts tend to wrinkle, so you want to keep those hanging…though you’ll probably have to iron them before wear anyway.

Where did mini skirts originate from?

Though designer Mary Quant is credited with designing the modern miniskirt and ushering in a hemline revolution, short skirts are as old as style itself. Roman men wore incredibly short skirts, particularly on the battlefield where freedom of movement was essential. Egyptian men wore skirts that were even shorter, as depicted in ancient artwork.

The idea of a super-short skirt wasn’t exactly new but Mary Quant did reinvent the idea and make it popular in modern fashion, which is why she’s credited as the inventor of the mini skirt.

Why are skirts and dresses still used in so many school uniforms?

School uniforms have become a bit of a controversial topic. One school was taken to court for a rule that required female students to wear skirts. When a parent fought back, it made national news. In many schools that require uniforms, it is still the norm to issue skirts and dresses to female students and give shorts and pants to the males. Modern discussions of fashion and gender roles have questioned this traditional practice and some have spoken out against the practice as being sexist or gender-defining. [Source: Teen Vogue]

The topic is still a bit of a controversial one that is being debated around dinner tables and in courtrooms around the world.

Sources:

• Britannica – When did women start wearing pants?
• Bustle – The History Of Men & Skirts, From Ancient Times To Today
• Daily History – When did Men Start Wearing Pants
• Refinery29 – Demure Or Raunchy? Our Confusing Attitudes Towards Skirts
• Victoria and Albert Museum – Men in Skirts

In short, there is nowhere Who invented miniskirts and why women began to wear them: Style: Values: Lenta.

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For many centuries, decent girls and women were supposed to wear clothes that cover their legs completely – to the very feet or a little higher. But in the second half of the 20th century, a miniskirt came into fashion and everyday life – a wardrobe item that caused controversy and even scandals. Lenta.ru traced her story.

Wardrobe chastity

Women’s long robes have been closely associated with the inequality of women since ancient times. Even in ancient Greece, there was a clear division into decent townswomen, who draped themselves in long tables and chitons, obeyed their fathers and husbands in everything and practically did not leave the gynoecium – the female half of the house, and hetaerae – girls designed to entertain men with music, acrobatics, dancing and more. intimate things. They performed at so-called symposiums – parties with alcohol and a “cultural program” and could appear in the male circle of guests almost naked, in short robes and topless. The ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and chastity, Athena, therefore, was always depicted fully dressed, and the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was sculpted both half-naked and completely naked.

Abrahamic and Eastern religions also encouraged women to be modest: after puberty, a girl was required to wear a long skirt or, in some cultures, a robe, kimono or trousers and an elongated shirt covering the hips. The explanation for this was simple: they say that women’s legs open at least to the knee push men to sin and violate God’s commandments, which must be nipped in the bud. The second, not so obviously declared, reason for the prescription to wear long (and therefore uncomfortable) robes was that a woman in such clothes became awkward and could not run away from a man or resist him.

None of the trends of European fashion, which already in the 16th century led to a deep neckline, did not change the harsh attitude of public morality to short skirts. The only thing that the collective zealots of morality were forced to agree to, and even then forcedly, was that poor women from the common people, forced to walk and do dirty physical work, wore skirts shorter than aristocrats: to the ankle or a little higher. Otherwise, the hems of their skirts would be constantly covered with mud and manure: then the streets were unpaved, and no one cleaned up after the horses.

The 19th century was also marked by long skirts, complicated by crinolines, bustles and several layers of underdress. There is nothing surprising in the fact that liberation – both in a figurative and in the most literal sense – from the fetters of multi-layered long-brimmed robes has become an obvious sign of women’s struggle for their rights and victory in this struggle. Following corsets, women got rid of long skirts. Thanks to sports: the first concessions in this were given by tennis and cycling (which women were also not immediately approved of), and then by the economic crisis caused by the First World and the American Great Depression.

Women could spend less on fabrics, but men had to put up with it. To facilitate this process, they were helped by the “new getters” – actresses, ballerinas, cabaret and music hall dancers. If ballerinas of the level of Anna Pavlova and Matilda Kshesinskaya, who appeared on stage in relatively chaste silk leotards and puffy tutus, could still be considered modest, then cabaret star Josephine Becker both shocked and captivated the audience with her “savage” skirt made of sequined bananas, which, strictly speaking, it could not be called a skirt, since it did not hide practically anything.

But cabaret dancers are an exception, ordinary women, naturally, were more modest. But their skirts were even shorter during World War II than they were in the 1920s, for the same economic reason. And after the war, what was a necessary measure in a difficult time became a fashion. However, even in 1930-1950, a decent girl’s skirt certainly covered her knees: the great Chanel even said that her knees should be covered, since this is “the ugliest part of the female body.”

From screen to life

Cinema was an important driving force in fashion in the 20th century. In pursuit of box office receipts, film studios allowed themselves experiments that amounted to shocking, and many liberties unimaginable in real life. This happened with the miniskirt: in fact, its first appearance in public took place in the cinema hall. Formally, the films were about the conquest of space, which was on everyone’s lips, but in fact, people went to the cinema for what they always went to the cinema for – for entertainment and sex. Actress Margaret Chapman was responsible for sex in the film “Flight to Mars”, and in the film “Forbidden Planet” – her colleague Ann Francis, both in miniskirts.

As in the beginning of the century, in addition to cinema, sport helped fashion: the shorter the skirt, the freer the movements. “The prototypes of the mini were seen in tracksuits of figure skaters and in closed bathing suits of the 1950s, which always ended in a semblance of a short skirt,” says designer and fashion expert Kirill Gasilin. “The appearance and existence of the miniskirt is unimaginable without the ubiquity of nylon tights, which appeared on the market in the early 1960s in America and then captured Europe. ” The prototype of tights was the same silk tights of ballerinas from the beginning of the century. Pantyhose did not require a belt with elastic bands to hold the stockings under the skirt: even accidentally demonstrating such a belt in public was considered completely obscene, and skirts were forced to be long.

But the day came when Western liberalism—the sexual revolution, the invention of pantyhose, and the free-thinking and self-revenue generated by the ubiquity of women’s education in developed countries—finally allowed women to bare their knees. The championship in bringing the mini to the catwalks is shared by two designers – the British Mary Quant and the Frenchman Andre Courrège.

The long triumph of the short skirt

More often than not, Quant is still called the creator of the miniskirt – perhaps because she lived and worked in “swinging London”, where any progressive design idea instantly hit the streets and turned into streetstyle – first on hipster Kings Road and Carnaby Street, and then everywhere. “For me, the miniskirt is the iconic item of the 1960-1970s, associated with the image of the British fashion model Twiggy, says designer Svetlana Tegin. “My associations are a short haircut, a thin figure, long slender legs, boyish plasticity.”

Courrèges, whose mini-skirts and A-line dresses appeared a little later, followed by Pierre Cardin, who was extremely popular in the 1960s, worked both for the wealthiest it-girls of his time and for the general public: poor girls ordered trendy thing “à la Cardin” to their dressmakers. “According to the will of Pierre Cardin, one of the most influential designers of that time, minis were worn with thick colored tights, stocking boots and turtlenecks,” explains Kirill Gasilin. “He suggested skirts that were low on the hips and paired them with a wide belt.”

Generally speaking, miniskirts, like almost any initially shocking innovation, were promoted to the masses by celebrities. When, in 1965, fashion model Jean Shrimpton appeared at the Melbourne Racecourse in a hat, a strict tweed jacket and a skirt that went above her knees, it caused almost a public scandal. Three years later, Jackie, the widow of US President John F. Kennedy, wore a mini to her second wedding to Aristotle Onassis. Soviet girls owed their short skirts to Pierre Cardin. In the USSR, he was not just a visiting celebrity, but, as they said then, “a friend of the Soviet Union”, and the innovations he proposed in a rather puritanical country of “victorious socialism” were treated condescendingly.

While mid-calf midi skirts and pencil skirts were all the rage in the 1970s, mini skirts didn’t disappear; daytime fashion has changed, short cocktail dresses for parties have remained consistently popular ever since. In the 1980s, the miniskirt experienced a renaissance: business women won the right to wear short skirts in the office, and the development of innovative technologies in the textile industry gave the world dense, but elastic fabrics that create a form-fitting silhouette.

Such skirts were worn by ladies, so to speak, of the demi-monde like the heroine Julia Roberts in the film Pretty Woman, and – often in a shocking version – pop stars led by Madonna, and ordinary badass teenagers, combining them with equally provocative tops or vice versa – oversize shirts and blazers. The image of Sharon Stone in a white ultramini, cross-legged in the film Basic Instinct, became a textbook visual image of the 1990s.

Minis today

Trends are changing, but the miniskirt remains as young women strive to look free and sexy, with a slight disdain for sanctimonious conventions. At 19In the 90s, ultra-short denim skirts were added to various mini options, which girls combined with rough boots or sandals. “Minis remain in the wardrobes of fashionistas all over the world, they have become classics and now they will never go out of fashion, even if they irritate Muslim activists,” says Kirill Gasilin. The main danger of wearing a mini in developed countries is not the machinations of fundamentalists, but the risk of falling into kitsch.

“Unfortunately, a miniskirt can distort the proportions of a cute curvy girl,” says Svetlana Tegin. “I would advise those who consider long legs their main asset to wear a miniskirt with high boots or boots and bulky tops. ” Svetlana Tegin notes that the “silicone femininity” of tight-fitting dresses is already boring, and mini A-silhouettes can become an alternative option: sexy and intellectual at the same time.

Stylist and personal shopper Zoya Sohor warns against risky combinations with miniskirts. In her opinion, midi skirts are more popular this season. “I wouldn’t recommend wearing minis where their provocative sexuality can be misinterpreted,” she says. – If the figure allows you to wear a mini and feel confident at the same time, then you can play with vertical proportions, combining mini with things (jackets, jackets) that reach the length of the skirt hem. The option is to combine styles, complementing the sexy skirt with a tailored top.

One way or another, there is every reason to believe that a short skirt will have a long and vibrant fashion life. It is unlikely that modern women will massively refuse what they have won in a difficult struggle with the inert public opinion of the freedom of movement and self-expression that the mini gives.

Why a skirt is ideal clothing for men

The fashion to break gender stereotypes has existed for several years and does not cause a pronounced reaction even in Russia, but for some reason men wearing such a garment as a skirt is still ridiculed in society. Why a skirt should not be associated with only one gender and can be freely worn by another – in the material “Gazeta.Ru”.

Tradition

When we try to imagine a men’s skirt, the image of a Scottish kilt with a fanny pack comes to mind, which is also customary to wear without underwear. Few people know why in the 16th century the Scottish highlanders, known for their courage, preferred to wrap themselves in a piece of checkered cloth. The traditional Scottish “skirt” has many advantages due to its indispensability in the everyday life of a warrior: after removing a leather belt, this blanket can hide for the night, dense woolen fabric is windproof, practically does not get wet and dries quickly, and in battle for complete freedom of movement rip yourself off.

After the Jacobite uprisings in Scotland in the 18th century, the kilt was even banned as a symbol of resistance, but soon returned to the freedom-loving people. Now, for big holidays and weddings, all the descendants of the Celts like the Irish and the British can wear it, but it is, of course, held in higher esteem by the Scots.

In addition to the population of the British Isles, male variations of the skirt exist among the peoples of Southeast Asia, where men did not stop wearing the sarong on an equal basis with women, as well as the dhoti – the male version of the Indian sari. Due to the advantage of a loose piece of breathable fabric over tight trousers, as in a hot, humid climate, wearing them loses all meaning.

Protest skirt

Many companies around the world have a so-called “no-shorts-to-work” policy, where men at work can only wear long trousers. If it seems difficult to sit in trousers in an air-conditioned office periodically during the summer months, then you can imagine the terrible conditions faced by those who work on the street. It is much easier for women in this regard, because their dress code includes a skirt that should cover the knee.

In June 2017, bus drivers in Nancy, France were among those forced to circumvent the shorts ban in a truly courageous way.

Members of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor solved the problem by wearing skirts to work.

In an interview with local media, drivers said they were jealous of women in skirts during the heat wave – in their closed cabs, the air temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius. “We want the company to pay attention to the situation so that in certain climates drivers are allowed to wear Bermuda shorts, for example.”

Record high temperatures in June last year brought discomfort to schoolchildren in the UK. The boys’ school uniforms prevented Exeter High School students from wearing shorts in hot weather, so they decided to use the only option available and wear school skirts.

A total of 50 boys from the ISCA academy defended their right to thermoregulation for four days. The protest was provoked when a 14-year-old boy was threatened with imprisonment in a “isolation room” in an educational institution if he came to school in shorts.

The principal joked that this wouldn’t happen if he wore a skirt, and at that moment came up with an idea for a peaceful protest by the students. Undoubtedly, the brave act of teenagers has paid off: the school authorities have allowed the wearing of short trousers in the summer since 2018, subject to the color scheme and the unanimous decision of the parent committee.

Celebrities without pants

If Hollywood actors Gerard Butler and Ewan McGregor are hereditary Scots who do not shock the public with their respect for the traditions of their people, then some show business stars chose skirts for beauty and convenience.

In the 2000s, rappers Kanye West and Diddy tried on skirts at their performances, and designer Marc Jacobs appeared in public only in women’s skirts from 2008 to 2011. Jacobs was seen wearing a Comme Des Garçons kilt at his collection show before switching to a classic Prada pencil skirt. With all the designer’s love for this piece of clothing, he himself has never included a skirt in one of his men’s lines – perhaps he wanted to preserve the uniqueness and not dress all the men of New York in his favorite detail.

Lack of masculinity is not to be blamed on actor Vin Diesel, who appeared in a leather kilt at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2003, his stylists complemented the ensemble with a black sweater and rough leather boots.

Rapper Young Thug posed for a Calvin Klein ad campaign in 2016 wearing a dress from their women’s line worn over trousers. In the commercial, he emphasized that clothes do not interfere with feeling like a man: “You can be a gangsta in a dress, you can be a gangsta in baggy pants.”

One of the most stylish men on the planet and the son of Will Smith, Jaden Smith is often photographed in skirts, calmly walks in them on the street and even wore one of them to his prom. He explains his actions as an attempt to solve social problems: in an interview for Nylon magazine, he said that he wears a skirt not so much for the sake of image, but as an example for future generations.