In any wardrobe there are things that give a woman's image an extraordinary charm and appeal. A model with flowing and at the same time durable, accordion folds that do not straighten out when worn - a gofre skirt - amazingly emphasizes the advantages of the figure, hiding its flaws. Thanks to this and other advantages, it has not gone out of fashion for several years. In combination with correctly selected wardrobe elements, a skirt will help create any image - romantic or formal, an option for a strict dress code or relaxed casual.
Features of the style
Gofre is a subtype of the equally popular pleated skirt. The word "plisse" itself means "fold" in French. Many people confuse gofre and pleated. The difference is that the latter models are sewn from folds wider than the hem, which creates the impression that they are tightly laid on top of each other. Silk, taffeta, and chiffon are usually used to make them. On gofre models, the folds have the same hem and width, and in addition, they are often located at an angle, creating a visual accordion effect.
The main difference between gofre and pleated fabric is the width of the hem.
Pleated skirts are feminine, they can highlight the advantages and soften the disadvantages of almost all types of figures. They can be worn by women regardless of age, at any time of the year. This style is appropriate in a variety of styles, you just need to correctly combine it with other elements of clothing, accessories.
Options for different body types
The sun-flare cut was initially used as a skirt style, but over time, designers have proven that pleating looks great on other types as well:
- Trapeze - ideal for the "inverted triangle" figure, as it fits close to the waist and widens downwards. This visually adds volume to the hips. In addition, mid-length models visually lengthen the legs, making a few extra centimeters on the buttocks invisible.
- Pencil skirts are very feminine, but at the same time “demanding” models. Repeating the curves of the figure, they emphasize the waist and hips. Pencil skirts made of corrugated materials can be recommended to slender girls with hourglass and rectangle body types, but even they should not wear such a style if they cannot boast of perfectly straight legs and beautiful calves.
- Half-sun is a cut that suits any type of figure. It will help hide a wide pelvis for those with a pear-shaped figure and, conversely, will add volume to those with a T-shaped body type. An important point is that the choice of the length of the half-sun pleated skirt is determined by the woman’s height. An individual silhouette can also be chosen for plump ladies, but only if they are tall.
- The sun is a traditional cut for pleated skirts made of light materials. Such items will sit perfectly on both narrow and curvy hips, but in the latter case, a pronounced waist is a desirable condition. The pleats of the pleat, beautifully flying away when moving, will emphasize it even more.
- On an elastic band - models for slim women. In this case, the corrugation visually lengthens the figure even more (if the elastic band is thick and wide), especially if the top of the outfit is chosen correctly.
The asymmetrical cut of pleated skirts is considered the most stylish, and with the right choice of shade and style, such models are suitable for both young girls and mature women. However, since such a thing definitely attracts attention, it is desirable that its owner could boast of slender legs.
General rules for choosing pleated skirts:
- the fragility of the figure will be emphasized by the combination of large and small folds in one product;
- both pleated and corrugated models made from lightweight fabrics will add volume and make the silhouette more proportional;
- Those who are naturally blessed with curvy hips should not wear weightless pleated knee-length models. The best option would be a midi or maxi skirt made of thick fabric with large pleats. A pleated model with a smooth yoke, in particular, will help add slimness to the waist and hips.
Materials of manufacture
Traditionally, light, airy, flowing materials are used to make pleated skirts: silk, organza, chiffon, linen, mixed fibers (silk with cotton or acetate, polyester with viscose). On pressing machines, folds impregnated with a special composition are laid fan-shaped or parallel. The lighter the fabric, the more flowing and at the same time voluminous it looks.
The most commonly used materials for manufacturing are:
- velvet - a medium-density fabric with a fleecy surface, can be natural or synthetic. It holds folds well;
- Chiffon is a very light, translucent material. It is made from pure silk or a mixture of it with cotton or viscose;
- mesh - a textured fabric, usually synthetic (polyester). Most often used for sewing stage costumes;
- satin – a material with a shiny surface, based on viscose, silk, polyester;
- Crepe satin is a fabric with a slight sheen and a grainy surface. It is made from raw silk.
Chiffon, satin, mesh and other similar materials are used mainly for sewing summer models, crepe satin, velvet, suit fabrics, knitwear, angora - winter clothes. Nowadays, designers delight with models even made of thin leather. They do not reduce the texture of things, but allow you to use products not only in the summer, but throughout the year. In particular, at the peak of current fashion, a woolen pleated skirt is soft, figure-hugging, elastic and feminine. Stripes of folds on modern fabrics can also be not only the usual vertical, but also located horizontally, diagonally or combined with each other.
Variety of color palette
Corrugated fabrics are produced both in one tone and with a bright print. With the right selection of other accessories, both options look stylish. Especially elegant are evening sets with skirts made of corrugated fabrics - not only metallic colors or with gold thread, but also sparkling models of any shade - pink, beige, purple, light green, electric. Also in trend are plant prints, with images of animals, birds, fish, large stripes and just colorful art confusion.
Floor-length or calf-length models are often single-color, since the texture of the fabric itself is a memorable accent in the image. Skirts up to the knee or slightly below allow lovers of bright colors to find almost any desired color option - single-color or combined. Particularly original are models that combine a variety of sizes, directions and colors of folds.
Create a Stylish Look with a Pleated Skirt
In order to choose the most successful one among the variety of styles and models, not just stylish, but emphasizing individuality, you should take into account the features of the figure and age. They especially suit slender girls, but plump ladies can also use pleated skirts, choosing the right length and size. Such a thing can be part of an everyday, formal or business look, depending on the style, fabric and items that complement the set.
Recommendations on what to wear with a pleated skirt depending on the situation:
- The sun and trapeze styles retain their leadership. Whatever the length of the skirt is chosen, whatever it is combined with, the free, flowing element of the corrugation is almost always the main one in the image. For the top of the ensemble, in order not to weigh it down, it is advisable to choose calm, tight-fitting things. This can be a classic turtleneck, a fitted blouse, a T-shirt, a bomber jacket, a top. If the material of the skirt is shiny, the top should be especially laconic.
- Pleated skirts can also be combined with loose T-shirts, but in this case it is better to choose a floor-length model.
- A duet of a pleated skirt with a loose cardigan looks stylish. Moreover, the fabrics can be of different textures (for example, polyester and wool) or the same.
- If your figure allows, pairing a pleated skirt with a crop top in the summer is an exceptional way to attract attention with a fashionable outfit.
- In the cold season, a straight-cut coat looks stylish over a pleated skirt.
- The best length for the popular new season models made of thin leather ranges from minimal to barely covering the knee.
The most unlimited choice of what to wear with a pleated skirt is for below-the-knee models. They look great as an element of business style, especially pencil-cut items. Items made of almost any material are acceptable as a top - silk, knitwear, including thick winter knitwear, linen, synthetics. This is also an excellent choice for a casual style. It is enough to tuck a top into a pleated mid-length skirt or choose a short jacket (leather is possible). Of the additional accessories, bags with handles of any length, clutches, backpacks are good. The main thing is that the model is not large in size and has a fairly laconic design.
The peculiarity of pleated skirts of any length is that they “love” shoes with heels, visually lengthening the silhouette. Depending on the season, shoes, boots or boots will do. However, teenage girls can afford to wear short pleated skirts with sneakers, wear sneakers, sandals or other shoes without heels.
Care of the product
Despite the fact that during the production of gofre the folds are impregnated with a special composition, with active wear and frequent washing they can lose their texture. Therefore, when caring for skirts, it is advisable to adhere to the following rules:
- It is recommended to wash items by hand, and if you use a machine, you must use a delicate mode, after placing the item in a special cover;
- the washed skirt is carefully wrung out, shaken and dried, hanging by the loops on the belt;
- To smooth out wrinkled areas on lightweight fabric models, they are hung over a bathtub filled with hot water. After half an hour, the fabric straightens out under the influence of steam, preserving the folds;
- items made from denser materials are straightened using a steamer;
- if the item is made of expensive fabric, it is better to dry clean it;
- Store pleated skirts hanging, making sure they are not pinched by other items.
Pleating always makes the image feminine and delicate. A pleated skirt will be a win-win option for any fashionista. You can safely wear it to a special event, a walk or to work without fear of looking boring or pretentious.
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