A garment which covers the lower part of a figure basically from the waist

to the hem and ending at any desired length is known as skirt. To decorate
the skirt any technique can be used such as fullness or it can cling to the
body. Generally, it is found that it is easier to design a skirt pattern than a
bodice, because skirts are less detailed shaped. Skirt outlines and lengths
ranges more with fashion. The silhouette can be either narrow, flared or
bouffant; even it is found that straight skirts can vary from extremely tight
and narrow at the hem to slightly A-lined. The length of a skirt is always
important aspect. To a particular extent it depends upon the wearer’s age
and the occasion or function on which the garment is worn, but the thumb
rule is that the length should always be in line with current trends.

Different Types of Skirts:

1. A-Line skirt:
For pear shaped body, it is one of the best skirts. This is usually of knee-length and
creates 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 very smoothly from the waist
and does not cling to the hips portion making it a flattering skirt option. Due to its
flared shape, it does not required slits in the side or back in order to easily walk. A-
line skirts are commonly fitted at the waist and as such need shaping in the form of
darts or a gently curving waistband.

Fig: A-Line skirt

2. Asymmetrical skirt:
The design of this skirt purely depends on the asymmetrical lines formed by the cut
of the fabric and the different kinds of the hems. It is commonly seen that,
asymmetrical skirt is usually cut on the diagonal across the body with usually one
side lower from the other. This is something different from a high-low skirt where the
asymmetry is formed at the front and back. When it comes to asymmetrical skirts it
can be tight, flared out or billowing.
 Fig: Asymmetrical skirt

3. Box pleat skirt:

This kind of skirt is a variation of the pleat types of skirts. It is constructed by
allowing the two folds of the pleat to converge each other and create the box part of
the pleat. This kind of same pleat pattern is continued round the skirt. Box pleat
skirts are commonly made in thicker fabrics to give a good volume and shape to the
skirt.

Fig: Box pleat skirt

4. Broomstick skirt:
This type of skirts was very famous in the 70s and 80s. But, just like everything else
from that period, they are making a return, especially for people who love anything
hippie or boho. So, the one who are in the mood for a Bohemian adventure, go on
and pick up this kind if crinkled beauty. The feature of this is that, it’s easy to style
and sets the right mood.

Fig: Broomstick skirt

5. Skater skirt:
This type of skirts is short, cute, and chic. They are a good combination of A-line and
circle skirts, except they are very shorter. Skater skirts are not heavy duty type and
gives a very informal vibe to them, this is due to the light fabrics used to make them.
These types of skirt are perfect for an outing with friends, a date, or a party.

Fig: Skater skirt

6. Hoop skirt:
This type of skirt is originated in the Victorian times and basically has a hoop which
is stitched around the hemline at the bottom. They were a kind of traditional attire for
women in the olden times and had particularly two-three layers stitched into them,
finished off with a lace overlay.

Fig: Hoop skirt

7. Ballet skirt:
This type of skirt is not so different from the tutu skirt. It is just shorter and more
circular in feature. Ballet skirts usually formed in pastels and muted undertones.
However, one can find them in all different types of colors in the market if just look
around a little bit.

Fig: Ballet skirt

8. Circular skirt:
As the name highlights that, this skirt acts like a circle when opening fully, therefore,
to manufacture this fabric having maximum width is required. The fabric is simply
cut in a circle, just like a doughnut. Then the elastic band is sewn on top to create a
kind of waistband. The circle hangs right at the waist and leads the fabric to drape
beautifully around you. These kinds of skirts do not need any side seam.

Fig: Circular skirt

9. Gored skirt:
Gore is nothing but a triangular piece of fabric. A gored skirt is type of skirt with
gores that are very narrow at the waistline and particularly wider at the hemline.
There can be number of gores which can be equally or unequally spaced as ‘desired’
by the wearer. There are various types of gore such as angled, flared, and pleated, or
maybe straight from the hip level. The two common types of gored skirts are 6-gore
and 4-gore skirts.

Fig: Gored skirt

10. Gathered skirt:

As the name suggests skirts that have gathers at the waistline. Usually, to
manufacture this type of skirt it requires, thin fabrics so that they can be gathered
easily and there is no difficulty in stitching at the waistline whereas Bulky fabrics
have limitations of limited fullness, which can lead to difficulty in stitching it to the
waistline. For a perfect-gathered skirt, the length of fabric should be according to the
length of the skirt +2” (for folding) and width of the skirt must be twice the amount
of waste circumference for gathering.

Fig: Gathered skirt

11. Layered skirt / Tiered skirt:
It is also called as tiered skirt. Layered skirts are the type of skirts that have many
layers of fabric which are attached to each other at the hemline. When it comes to
the length and width of each layer it may be the same or may vary. Each gives a
different look and feel. The fabric used here, may or may not be the same.
Sometimes, the frills can also be attached.

Fig: Layered skirt

12. Pencil skirt:

The feature of this skirt is that, it lengthens from the waist to beneath the knees or
down to mid-calf. It hugs to the body and is commonly made from stretchable kind
of fabric. These kinds of skirts are usually used by slim-figured women or girls. They
are particularly straight cut therefore making it sometimes difficult to walk in. These
are very dressy or formal skirts. The hemlines can be decorated by adding colored
ribbons, fringes, etc.

Fig: Pencil skirt

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