Statement skirts

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In the season of comebacks, skirts are skipping the return route. Simply because skirts never left the fashion scene in the first place. With some stylish variation and ladylike demeanour, these lowers continue to stand on solid ground. Surviving in style, we say!

The International Scene
Skirts can take a plethora of exciting shapes, while enjoying uninterrupted attention. Maxi skirts remain firmly perched on the happening list, pencil skirts continue to have a sensational impact in 2013, and in a surprise move, midi skirts are turning out to be everyone’s fashion favourite. Rachel Comey Spring 2013 showcased slim-fitted midi skirts in subtle floral prints. Stella McCartney does things differently and always triumphs, her take was monogram-embroidered skirts with the length descending enough to cover the knees. Corey Lynn Calter introduced a slight flare with pleats, got hooked to colour blocks, while maintaining the midi flavour. Simone Rocha came with an embroidered cotton blend skirt in ivory colour. And Victoria Beckham flaunting midi skirts all through the season has certainly helped boost its popularity.
Fast forward to next season and there’s no fall in the skirt’s popularity with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler’s Fall/Winter 2013-14, Phoebe Philo’s fall show at Paris, Alexander Wang (Balenciaga) and Marc Jacobs, all creating a space and exhibiting a collective penchant for knee-length skirts.

Indian Designers’ Take
Designer Dev, of Dev r Nil label, wants skirts to do all the fashion talking at the moment. “This season, A-line skirts are calling the shots with stripes in both horizontal and vertical format playing well to the fashion gallery. Go for small and sparse prints instead of the loud and bold options. For evenings, settle for some sheen and sheer while keeping the hues nude.” A tie and dye silk skirt in charcoal shades with some flare or cotton lace and self-coloured embroidered skirt can define the day wear.
Designer Nimirta Lalwani is moving beyond the casual connect that’s so often associated with skirts. “A long skirt with a metallic sheen has class written all over it. Let your skirt breathe with a spread out version instead of the slim-fit look. Fabrics to grab are chiffon, brocade, jacquard and lurex. Go easy with the top and allow it some subtle presence, while the skirt does all the talking,” she says.
Whereas Preeti Jhawar recommends, “I would advise one to go a little adventurous with a midriff show while flaunting a skirt. Play with the shape and size of the skirt. Go for the full size with nicely spread out skirts in Hawaiian prints or polka dots, or confine it to midi-like look with more patterned prints, chikankari or the lace effect. A peekaboo of the midriff can make matters sensual.”