We know the fashion industry can be a little hard to navigate sometimes… a bit like that maze in Harry Potter’s Goblet of Fire. Whilst we don’t have wands to wave and magically get our heads around all things sartorial, we DO have these handy busy girl guides for y’all.
Did you know there are 30 different types of skirt? Yep, 30. You may be familiar with the A-line or the fishtail, but did you know the Gored and the Drindl exist too?
To become a goblet of knowledge yourself, click and read. You can thank us later.
It couldn’t get any easier spotting this one – it’s literally in the shape of the letter A, hugging at the waist and then flaring out at the lower hem. Simple.
The A-line comes in various lengths too, but we’re loving the mini atm. It’s a flattering shape for most as it draws attention to our waist line, whilst skimming over any lumpy bits we wish to hide.
If you’re petite, try not to find an A-line skirt that is too long though, as it can make you appear even shorter.
Image: ASOS
Ohhh another easy one: as long as one side is longer than the other, it’s asymmetrical. Can be just one layer or ruffled layers – doesn’t matter. As long as the hemline isn’t equal on both sides, you’ve got yourself an asymmetrical skirt.
These look great on women with long legs to help balance out the dropped hem, but avoid if you have a small chest as they can over-power your top half.
Image: ASOS
This skirt hugs at the waist, then flares out to then fall straight at the knees. Basically, think of the shape of a bell and you’re there (how pleasant that they’re actually named after something useful and easy to reference!).
Avoid the bell if you’re heavier on the bottom as they’ll only accentuate this.
Image: Net-a-porter
With this one, you cannot (we repeat, cannot) have a heavy lower half to wear it.
The unforgiving lower hemline that pulls in, giving the bubble effect, is only flattering for those petite / thin / toned women.
Image: ASOS
Oh, hello Victorian era-turned-modern sex appeal. The bustle is a rarity these days, but they still exist. Sure, they’re more for fancy dress or cosplay, but the bustle skirt is still very much worth a mention.
Back in the 19th century, women wanted a larger derriere, so would wear these skirts underneath their top layers to create volume.
Now, they’re adapted to be outer skirts themselves – spot a bustle skirt by it’s pinned up and layered fabric on the sides, back or both.
Image: Etsy
No, don’t go grab a black cat and pointed hat. The broomstick skirt is more common than you might think, you just never knew what it was hiding away in the store rails.
The broomstick has signature creases from top to bottom hem – it wrinkles consistently for that ‘off duty’ casual look. Oh, and it saves time on ironing which is always a godsend.
Flattering to most shapes, these should only really be avoided if you’re super heavy on your bottom half. They’re usually floor length, but shorter variations do exist.
Image: Net-a-porter
Oh, well this bad boy is:
1. Easy to spot
2. Easy to wear.
3. Suitable for most shapes
4. Available in all different shapes and sizes.
The denim skirt is a classic – a girl’s wardrobe staple. As they come in an abundance of styles, you can absolutely find one that suits you. They can be dressed down, dressed up, recycled and upcycled and even roughed up for that worn look. All hail the denim skirt!
Image: SheShops
“Eh? Is that even a word?”
Yes, yes it is and no, no we haven’t just made up a random skirt to put you off the scent. The dirndl skirt has been around for decades, traditionally from European countries such as Austria and Germany. If you’ve ever experienced a German beer festival or traditional beer tavern, the waitresses were probably wearing a dirndl skirt.
They gather at the waist, traditionally fall below the knee but appear shorter in recent years and will usually have a large waist band. Can be short or long. They are often worn for the 1950’s inspired style too due to their hourglass silhouette. If you’re after an ‘easy’ but comfortable office look, the dirndl skirt is your new best friend. Oh, and they’re great for hiding larger thighs and bottom.
Image: Net-a-porter
The draped skirt’s main feature is the gathering of fabric at the waist…as if someone has ‘draped’ the material around your waist and fastened it to make a skirt on the spot.
The variations of the drape are endless, including when the hemline ends, although usually it is above the knee as it may look ‘too much’ if it’s floor length. They’re great for adding texture and contrast to a flat ensemble. Avoid if you’re apple shaped as they’ll only enhance all the wrong areas.
Image: ASOS
“Isn’t this basically an A-line?”
Well yes but also no, The flared skirt will flare immediately from the waist band, whereas the A-line tends to drop a little before the flare hits.
Spot the flare by seeing if the fabric expands out straight at the waistband. These are good choices for a party or formal event…or even adding a little extra glam to your office look.
Image: SheShops
“Okay now you’re just making random styles up.”
We promise you, we’re not! A Godet skirt has inserted panels to create depth and texture to the skirt, but are primarily an A-line basic shape.
They come in various lengths and we would bet you a dollar you’ve either worn or seen a Godet skirt before and didn’t even notice! They offer a slimming look with the inserted panels and are thus suitable for fuller figures.
Image: Net-a-porter
“Sorry but now you’re just entering into the absurb.”
Yes, we know, but STILL all real skirt styles, we promise.
The Gored and the Godet (it sounds like a duo from some Lord of the Rings spin-off) are very similar, but with a subtle difference.
The godet has the triangular pieces fed in from the waistline down, whereas the gored has the pieces stitched in halfway down the skirt to the bottom hemline. That’s it! Simple, but significant difference
Image: ASOS
Exactly as the name suggests, this skirt derives from the gypsy lifestyle. Traditionally floor length, these will be ruffled, wrinkled, tiered or all three at once.
Given that they’re waist-to-floor and made of soft and light material, they suit almost all shapes.They’re completely relaxed in their design and of course, how you wear them. Channel your inner boho for this style.
Image: Net-a-porter
High-waisted skirts are incredibly stylish with a hint of sex appeal too. They flow over your hips and thighs and are a super tight fit to your waist, giving that extreme feminine hourglass silhouette.
They often (but not necessarily) have embellishments like bows or buttons at the waistline for extra emphasis. Avoid if you are top heavy as the large bust will only get accentuated by a high-waisted skirt.
Image: ASOS
Still in the gypsy/boho vibe, the layered skirt is floor length and has lots of fabric stitched on top of each other to offer volume. The layers start at the waist and don’t stop until they reach the bottom hem, so these skirts are not for the introvert.
Although the layers can vary in size and volume – some skirts may only have 3 layers whilst others may have 15! Pick a skirt with fewer layers if you’re after something less ‘out there’.
Image: Net-a-porter
A maxi skirt is a summer staple, make no mistake. They’re loose fitting, floor length and usually made from lightweight material, making them the easy choice for weekends by the beach or a chilled park day.
They’re the Queen of skirt versatility. Avoid if you’re super petite as they may end up drowning your tiny frame.
Image: Net-a-porter
The mermaid skirt is based, of course, on the shape of the mermaid tail. It gathers at the lower hem and then flares out – usually at the calf or floor length.
There is something so very feminine and flattering about a fishtail skirt – mainly because the shape highlights our feminine hips and legs.
They flatter most shapes and can even help give the illusion of a plump behind for those who are, shall we say, a little flat.
Image: Net-a-porter
The mini skirt needs no introduction. She’s been around for decades (started in the 1960’s) and she isn’t going anywhere.
The mini is playful, fun, youthful and often, a bit naughty too. Her sister, the micromini, is even naughtier! The brave can rock a mini, but they CAN be dressed down too.
Think rollneck, tights and calf-high boots. Granted, in this heat you’re probably more likely just to grab some Converse and a loose tee.
The mini suits those who have smaller lower halves, or those who want to really show off what their mumma gave ’em!
Image: Net-a-porter
The peasant skirt, however unpleasant the name, is a skirt that derives from times long ago, when money was scarce and people were poor.
So, their skirts were rugged, made up of different materials, fabrics and mismatched together. Nowadays, the style has been adapted into that boho / hippie feel that many adopt for their day to day wear.
They’re easy for any body shape to wear and they give off that ‘I’m so effortlessly cool’ vibe.
Image: Net-a-porter
The pencil skirt thrives in the office environment, nay, it commands it. Stick on a chiffon blouse with some heels and you’ve already got ‘office style’ nailed.
The pencil skirt is very tight and restricting down to the knees, so if you’re going to wear it all day then we suggest choosing one that has a stretchable fabric. Also, the shape is not very forgiving so best suited for the slimmer and toned frames.
Image: ASOS
We’ve got a lot of pleated skirts stocked in stores right now, which comes as no surprise considering they’re flattering for most to wear, iron-free and offer that instant feminine quality to a daily ensemble.
With vertical pleats from waistband to hemline, the pleated skirt can vary in length, colour and thickness.
Image: Net-a-porter
Contrary to image and the name, the skirt does not HAVE to have a poodle motif on it (although it’s a judgement free zone if you do). The reason they’re called poodle is because they ‘poodle’ out onto the floor as you sit down. That’s it really.
Think 1950’s or ‘Grease’ the movie and you’ve nailed it. They’re fun twirling (which is important to do on a daily basis) as well as hiding any heavy thighs or bottom.
Image: LindyBop
Ohhhhh another easy spot – the sarong skirt belongs on the beach or beside a pool, wrapped around your swimwear. Obviously the sarong isn’t as versatile as the rest – you can’t exactly wear it to the office (unless you work at a beach resort or you’re resigning anyway).
Suits all figures – the sarong is there simply to make you look more presentable when approaching the pool bar for another Pina Colada.
Image: ASOS
Yes, it’s super similar to the A-line. But the skater skirt has a perfect circular hemline and is more flared than the A-line. Also has a skinny waist, but will offer more movement and the longer the skater skirt, the more you can swish your way around the city.
This cheeky skirt has sporty-luxe connotations and became quite the staple back in the 90’s. Great for pear shapes as they flatter the larger area – but avoid if you’re apple shaped as they’ll only accentuate your middle section.
Image: ASOS
Oh how we cheered when the skort rose to fashion fame. A lovely blend between shorts and a skirt, the skort gives us both the security of avoiding an impromptu underwear flash with the feminine style we all go to a skirt for.
You might wish to swerve these if you’re extremely tall, but in general they flatter every shape.
Image: ASOS
For those who dislike the restriction of a pencil skirt, you can pick her sister – the straight skirt.
Still tight at the waist and hips, the straight skirt doesn’t hug the thighs and knees all the way down, instead it just sits straight. Funny that. Avoid if you’re pear or apple as they will just add to your lower thickness.
Image: SheShops
Oh, here we have the skort’s older and wiser sister – the trouser skirt. No, it isn’t a set of trousers with a skirt over the top, although we did totally love these way back in the 90’s. Instead (and much more stylish) these are trousers that appear like a skirt – think wide leg, loose fitting and flowing fabric.
Absolutely perfect for the Singapore heat, they can be worn to the office / bar / dinner / beach / wherever you darn well please.
Image: Net-a-porter
Just as the name suggests, this skirt resembles the shape of a tulip – turned upside of course (let’s not get silly now). The sides dip lower than the front and it will usually have an overlapping piece of fabric at the front, to resemble tulip petals. Oh how adorable!
A softer take on the mini but more playful take on the pencil, the tulip can be worn for office and off-duty. Avoid if you’re heavy on the lower half as they’ll only make you look bigger. If you’re an hourglass or have toned thighs, the tulip is for you!
Image: ASOS
Once upon a time, the tutu skirt existed only in the hallowed halls of ballet schools. Now, thank goodness, they run the show in the fashion industry and have been spotted across various runways.
The tutu is THE skirt that says ‘I’m cute and carefree’ but also says ‘I’m a stylish vixen…you have been warned.’ They’re great for an easy evening OOTD but don’t be fooled, the tutu doesn’t just belong on the dancefloor.
It can be dressed down for a weekend style or even as a wedding guest ensemble too.
Image: ASOS
Yes, lots of other skirts LOOK like they’re wrap skirts, but only a real wrap skirt will actually BE a wrap skirt. Does that make sense? We hope so.
Basically, a large piece of fabric with ties each end that you can wrap around yourself and tie up wherever you wish. You may initially think the wrap skirt only has place at the weekend or on holiday, but you’re so wrong.
There are variations of the wrap that look glorious as office attire, such as this Peter Petrov example from Net-a-porter.
Image: Net-a-porter