Trendy looks with pleated skirts for different body types and seasons

Femininity is back in fashion, which means that girls prefer skirts and dresses to trousers and jeans. The models called "pleated" look especially impressive and stylish. They are characterized by the presence of vertical folds formed by special ironing. Due to this feature, the pleated skirt has the ability to visually slim the figure, which is why it has been among the trendy items of women's wardrobe for many years. At the same time, there are features and nuances of combining this model with other clothes that help to achieve the right visual effect.

What is it

A pleated skirt is a wardrobe item made from a special fabric. The material involves the presence of folds ironed with an iron, which are stitched along the top of the product. There are two types of pleating:

• wide;
• narrow.

Pleated and goffered are different things. Goffered fabric is covered with strongly ironed folds with bends, on pleated material the folds go in one direction.

Sewing garments from pleated fabric has its own characteristics. Before cutting, you need to work on the material with an iron - carefully iron the folds, guiding and laying them out. This approach will allow you to cut the item correctly and evenly.

Pleated skirts have been known for a long time. These wardrobe items first appeared in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. They were sewn from natural materials, mainly from linen, and they were intended for men. After that, representatives of the fair sex began to wear them. Pleated skirts appeared in Europe in the 19th century and quickly won the hearts of fashion lovers of those times. Then pleated fabric became widespread in Scotland, where it was used to sew kilts.

The real peak of popularity of pleated skirts was in the 20-50s of the 20th century.

Today, such skirts are also in high demand. In the 2020 pleated trends, models made of combined materials involve a combination of different fabrics in one product - for example, silk and leather. Skirts where the pleating is no longer distributed vertically, but horizontally or diagonally are also in demand now.

Variety of models

Lightweight pleated skirts come in a variety of variations. The fabric shades vary from delicate, pastel to bright, colorful. As a rule, such wardrobe items are sewn from light, weightless materials. It is this fabric that allows you to emphasize the folds and style. Often, designers complement such skirts with wide belts, spectacular bows, stones.

Today, the model with an elastic band is especially popular. It is convenient because the belt is suitable for different types of figures. However, in some cases, you can get unsightly constrictions, rolls and folds in the waist area. Multi-tiered products with different types of folds look very gentle, airy and light. Skirts with a train add mystery and romance to the image.

Asymmetric pleated skirts look very original and unusual. Such models are suitable for various figures and images. Products with a slit on the side will emphasize the legs of the owner, give the appearance romance and seductiveness.

Ladies over 50 should prefer classic styles.

Materials

The fabric for making pleated skirts is selected depending on the following factors:

• product style;
• color scheme;
• season;
• figure of the owner.

There are skirts made from the following materials:

1. Chiffon. They look light and elegant, these are excellent summer models. The advantages of the fabric include its ability to hold folds well, a variety of colors, resistance to fading, naturalness, and breathability. The disadvantages include instability to damage, the need for careful care.
2. Knitwear. This material is also actively used for sewing pleated skirts. It is natural, comfortable, but looks too simple in folds, does not hold its shape well. It is used mainly in models that combine several fabrics.
3. Leather. This is a natural material that looks very stylish. However, leather pleated skirts are rare, usually the raw material is used in combination with other fabrics. The material itself requires special care, simple washing will not work for such a product.
4. Metallized fabric. Such models are especially popular. The material has many advantages - it lasts a long time, is breathable, hypoallergenic, and holds folds well. However, such fabric can crumble, so it will be very difficult to restore the product if it is damaged even slightly.
5. Crepe Georgette. These skirts look very stylish. This fabric folds well and hardly wrinkles. The disadvantages include slight shrinkage after washing and difficulty in processing.
6. Wool. Products made from this material look elegant and noble. Wool has good thermal insulation properties. Among the disadvantages, they highlight the high wear rate, things wrinkle a lot and require careful washing.
7. Satin. Skirts look feminine and elegant, often used for evening and romantic looks. However, the fabric is very "capricious", can crumble, and is prone to snags.

To preserve the product in its original form, it is worth choosing a dense fabric with large folds, while fine pleating is better preserved on thin and airy materials.

Length options

In addition to the materials used, pleated skirt models also differ in length:

1. Mini length items are usually sewn from thick fabrics. Ready-made pleated skirts resemble a school uniform. Such models look beautiful on tall girls with broad shoulders and narrow hips.
2. Pleated skirts below the knee have a slightly flared style. They are usually made of light, airy fabrics. This length suits tall and medium-height women.
3. Pleated midi skirts are usually made of thick fabric. The bottom of the product reaches the knees. Pleated midi skirts are suitable for slender tall girls with a pronounced waist.
4. Maxi skirts are usually made of chiffon. The lining can reach the knees or run the entire length. Such models are suitable for girls of medium and tall height.

It is best to choose the length of a pleated skirt based on the characteristics of the fabric, style, and season of use.

Colors and prints

Choosing the right shade of pleated skirt is an important step. After all, the color of a thing is not only a tribute to fashion, but also part of creating a harmonious image. Today, a huge variety of pleated models are presented on store shelves. It is very difficult to navigate in such abundance, and even more so to create images with a pleated skirt.

1. Fashion designers strongly recommend paying attention to models of metallic shades. They are sewn from soft, light flowing fabrics. Due to the quality of the materials, such products softly outline the figure, falling down, and the metallic sheen emphasizes the advantages and hides the disadvantages. Chrome, silver and gold metallic shades appeared in almost all fashion shows of famous designers. White, pastel, blue, soft pink shades are perfect as a top. Green pleated skirts with a metallic sheen look especially stylish in combination with a white top and shoes of the same shade.
2. A chiffon skirt in khaki is no less relevant; such models look especially beautiful when combined with a white top. A clutch in a laconic dark color will do as an accessory.
3. Black knee-length pleated models are suitable not only for schoolgirls, in fact, this is a basic item. It will be irreplaceable in the wardrobe of any girl.
4. The beige skirt is harmoniously combined with a white or pink top.
5. A white pleated skirt is an indispensable summer item. Such a wardrobe item will decorate the image in the warm season. It is combined with a top of any shade.
6. Green, red, burgundy, light blue, pink, blue colors are appropriate for the summer season. If the length of the product allows, it can be worn to the office. It is better to combine such models with a light-colored top.

Gray and beige pleated skirts can be considered basic items that can be combined with most colors. It is better to combine bright-colored models with a top of laconic, calm tones. In this case, it is recommended to choose clothes with a different texture.

How to choose a product according to your body type

Pleated skirts are ideal for those lucky enough to be tall and have a slim figure. These ladies can choose from a variety of models. If you want to hide less than perfect legs with pleats, you should opt for the maxi length.

Those who want to visually stretch the silhouette and correct the figure can easily do this thanks to a set of a long pleated skirt with high-heeled shoes. For the owner of a curvy lower body, maxi-length models are not always suitable, which can visually make the lower part of the body heavier. This nuance should be taken into account when choosing products for overweight women.

Fashion experts strongly advise against this model for ladies with obvious excess weight. However, this does not mean that curvy beauties should give up pleated items. Full girls should give preference to mid-length or floor-length skirts.

A skirt model with a wide yoke will help to hide any problems with your figure in the waist area.

Stylists' advice on choosing a pleated skirt depending on your body type:

• Owners of the "inverted triangle" should give preference to a skirt with a yoke;
• girls with an apple-shaped figure will suit mid-length items with large folds;
• "hourglass" people don't need to think about any restrictions, everything depends solely on height and build;
• For representatives of the "rectangle" shape, products of almost any length will suit, but it is better to opt for a dense material.

It should be noted that models made of metallic fabric can visually make the figure heavy and clumsy. This is relevant for midi and maxi length products. Therefore, it is definitely worth trying on the skirt before purchasing.

What to wear depending on the season

Pleated skirts must be combined with other items carefully in order to properly play up this exquisite piece of clothing. The simplest option is to combine a pleated skirt with a shirt. The basic option is a classic white model. Items in brown, dark green, and burgundy look especially beautiful with office shirts in pastel shades. As an accent for such an image, you can add a belt at the waist or a necklace under the collar. A small elegant bag and stiletto heels will complement the harmonious, feminine look.

Depending on the season, stylish outfit options could be as follows:

1. In summer, during the hot period for walks around the city or shopping, it is recommended to combine a maxi pleated skirt with a T-shirt or open top. These can be lace models, knitted laconic tops that reveal the stomach. You can complement the image with original jewelry on the neck and a clutch in the same color as the skirt. Of the shoes, white or pastel-colored sneakers are suitable for this image.
2. In spring, you can add a jacket, leather jacket or blazer to the look. It should be noted that a pleated skirt goes well with a denim jacket, which goes well with a white T-shirt. You can complement the look with comfortable heeled shoes, sneakers or ballet flats.
3. A pleated skirt can be worn in winter, and it can be combined with a jumper or sweater. The footwear in this look can be stilettos, sneakers or boots. The choice depends on the overall style of the future look: sporty, feminine, masculine. You can create a fashionable ensemble by combining a pleated maxi skirt in a delicate pastel shade (cream, dusty rose, milky, etc.) with a thin, loose-fitting jumper made of natural wool in similar tones. It is best to complement the look with white sneakers with a thin sole and a clutch. If you put on a shirt under the jumper so that the collar or cuffs are visible, and change the sports shoes for shoes with a small heel, the look is suitable for work.
4. In autumn, a great trendy set will be a pleated skirt with a jacket. It is best to choose shortened models of outerwear. The combination looks harmonious: a dark-colored jacket with a pleated skirt in the same tone and a white top. You can complement the look with bright stiletto heels and an elegant bag. A gray shortened jacket goes well with this model and a light burgundy blouse. Of the shoes, marsala-colored ankle boots with stiletto heels will look especially relevant. You can complement the look with laconic earrings and a gold-colored bracelet.

Blouses for a set with a pleated skirt are best chosen from materials similar to chiffon. These can be white, milky, delicate pastel shades, as well as bright items in the same tone as the bottom of the look. To follow the trends, you can combine a white laconic blouse with a metallic skirt. Loafers and a small bag on a strap will help complete the look.

A denim shirt can be worn as a stand-alone item of clothing (without a top underneath). It can be accessorized with a belt or sash, and the hem can be tied in a knot.

Fashionistas often wonder what shoes to wear with a pleated skirt. In fact, there is no clear answer to this question. To create a harmonious set, choose ballet flats, sandals with a low, stable heel or no heel at all. A pleated skirt looks great with sneakers in delicate pastel shades or white. Rough boots are suitable for a brutal look. For a feminine set - stiletto heels. In fact, the choice of shoes depends on what kind of look is planned with the skirt.

If we talk about an office look, then you will need a dark, not too short pleated skirt made of thick material. A white blouse or shirt is best as a top, with a cropped jacket matching the skirt on top. Shoes with a stable heel and an office bag will complete the stylish look.

For a girl, the most stylish look for school will be provided by a gray pleated skirt, a vest in the same color and a light turtleneck. In terms of footwear, black patent leather shoes with a strap will do. Suits with a pleated skirt look too formal, a combination of a top and bottom in different shades looks much more organic. A light chiffon pleated skirt in a sand shade will be perfectly complemented by a dusty pink jumper, white sneakers and a small handbag in the same color as the skirt. A blue tulle skirt, a white turtleneck and white leather sneakers will do for a girl. A pink velvet skirt should be combined with a white blouse and shoes - an excellent set for a special event.

How to restore folds

Pleated fabric requires special care. It is important to wash and iron the skirt correctly so that it retains its original appearance:

1. Before washing, it is necessary to stitch the product, without tightening the thread, with light stitches along the hem or along each stitch. This should be done with white threads.
2. First, you need to place the skirt in a washing bag.
3. Wash by hand or on a delicate cycle.
4. Rinsing should be done with conditioner.
5. Dry on a flat surface, laying out the product along the folds.
6. If you need to iron it, do it correctly when the skirt is slightly damp.

If it so happens that the pleating has lost its appearance, do not give up. Everything can be fixed by following this algorithm:

1. Secure the folds with pins; it is also permissible to lightly starch the product.
2. Prepare a liquid for fixing the pleats: soak a tablespoon of gelatin in a glass of water, leave everything for an hour, then add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 100 ml of 9% vinegar to the solution, mix everything.
3. Lay tracing paper on the surface, place the skirt without pins on top. Cover the product with cotton fabric, which is pre-soaked in the solution. Put another layer of tracing paper on top.
4. Next, everything is ironed, and the product regains its original condition.

Even heavily damaged pleating can be restored, you just need to put in some effort, and the item will be like new.

Before asking the question of what to wear with a pleated skirt below the knee, a girl needs to decide what is more important - fashion or an attractive appearance. After all, not all looks from the catwalk are appropriate in everyday life, moreover, not all of them are suitable for different figures. It is necessary to choose a product based on your own preferences and focusing on the reflection in the mirror.

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