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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