It was way back in the early 1900 when women shackled in corsets decided to declare freedom and modernised the silhouette with dresses that exposed their slender calves. This summer it is time to flirt with the skirt, and the calf length is just the perfect way to sizzle in this blistering heat. One can’t go wrong with this one, so you can choose any kind of footwear (from flats to killer skyscrapers) and a cool top (layered ganjis to crisp blouses), it will do the trick.
“s.Oliver has a collection of cool and flirty placement prints, boho-ethnic skirts, classy formals or dressy wraps,” says Kunal Pant, head product and design, s.Oliver India. Whether it is floor kissing long dresses or the maxi, you can woo the crowd with boho sundresses with tie-die effect to evening dresses.
The technique used by international style gurus is to increase the length from knee to above the ankle to add that razzmatazz. It was to give more grace to the dress by ending it in a tier of ruffles or pleating that is lifted in an inverted V in the front to show the ankles and ornate evening sandals.
“Although it is very subjective and depends on whether you may be tempted to hide your calves in pants most of the time, or you’re like the diva where you can shine in a skirt and highlight your slim calves as your best feature. The key is to select an A-line skirt that flares towards the knee, which gives the illusion of thinner calves. You’ll want to avoid a clingy skirt that tapers and stops at mid calf. Anything that clings to the leg above the calves will enhance the size,” says fashion designer Gautam Gupta of the label Vinayak.
Skirts have been taken over by calf length dresses as it is the hottest trend in the fashion industry. It’s one-piece garment and one can stylise it in a different manner as compared to doing up a skirt.
Various cuts and silhouettes can be made in a calf length dress, which is not available in full flowing skirts. Akhil Duggar, creative director, of the label Madame adds that the trend of skirts this season is ‘long’ for sure. Interesting cuts in tulips and flairs at the bottom is picking up on the international runway. Heliographic prints and floral motifs are also back in vogue. “We feel that girls do like wearing longer skirts, but as they are tall and lissome, skirts that were earlier getting shorter are now beckoning fashionistas with a lengthier silhouette,” he adds.