There are clothes that are always relevant, regardless of the season and situation. One of these things is a pleated skirt; it can be worn for a walk, to the office, by mature ladies, and by very young fashionistas. The main thing is to find your style, and choose the right length. This item is very popular because it helps create a romantic image and hides many figure flaws.
Features of the style
Pleated skirts came to Russia from medieval Western Europe. There they were an element of folk costume. Professional fashion designers sometimes call this style pleated or gofre. These words are synonyms. Translated from French, they mean "rolled", "folded", "twisted".
The difference between pleated and corrugated models is insignificant. In the first version, the folds are flatter, and in the second, they are voluminous (like traditional gypsy skirts). The main features of the style:
- versatility;
- fits any style;
- always relevant;
- If the length is chosen correctly, it hides figure flaws.
Some models are recommended for pregnant women to wear, they help hide the belly. The length of the product can be any: midi, mini or maxi. Elegant floor-length clothes are well suited for special occasions, and modest options to the middle of the knee with straight, even folds are for the office. It is also worth sewing a pleated skirt for outdoor recreation.
Types of folds
There are different types of folds. The most popular are the box folds, which consist of two one-sided folds. The opposite folds are almost the same, but the outer folds face each other (and in the first variant, in different directions).
One-sided pleats run along the entire circumference of the waist, folded to the left. Folds sewn at the top begin at the hip line. Wide ones are located in groups of two (three) pleats at the back and in the front. Asymmetrical pleats have different lengths. Due to this, the skirt may seem longer on one side, shorter on the other. Side pleats are usually paired, they are located at the waist on the left and right.
Small ones are located in large groups of 10-12 pieces in the front and back, tightly adjacent to each other. Hard folds can be of any type: asymmetrical, bow-shaped, one-sided. They are placed on fabric that holds its shape well. Fan-shaped or multi-layered folds look original. They overlap each other, creating a volume effect. They can be seen on clothes made of light, airy fabrics.
Popular models
One of the most popular models of pleated skirts is with an elastic band. It is slightly flared at the bottom and has a midi length, it suits girls with slender legs well. These same ladies can safely choose the option with a train: asymmetrical cut, elongated back half. The tennis skirt has pleats sewn at the top, it is recommended for fashionistas with an athletic build.
| Model | Peculiarities | Who it suits (figure nuances) | What style does it go with? |
| With pockets | Midi length, convenient discreet side pockets, box pleats | Full thighs | Casual, sport chic |
| On the belt (wide) | Floor-length, made of airy, flowing materials, tapering towards the top | Slim waist | Romantic, casual |
| Lush | A multi-layered model made of fabric (organza or chiffon), reminiscent of crinolines | For pregnant ladies | Retro, neoclassical, street |
| Straight | Wide, with even folds | Any build | Business, casual |
| Japanese | A short plaid or monochrome skirt, similar to a school uniform | For fragile girls | Sport chic, street |
| Without a belt | With pleats at the front, starting from the waist | Tall | Any except sports |
| Sun and half sun | The first option is sewn from a circle, the second from a hemisphere. Flared model | Any build | Romantic, grunge, business, casual |
Also very popular are the following styles: pencil skirt (narrow small straight counter folds), tatyana (flared model with a belt to the middle of the knee). The first option is suitable for ladies of small stature, as it visually stretches the figure. The second style will help to hide full hips, an imperfect waist.
Materials
Different materials are used to sew pleated skirts. In the cold season, you should choose items made of thick fabric. In summer, it is better to give preference to options made from airy, flowing fabric.
| Name of the material | Peculiarities |
| Chiffon | Lightweight, multi-layered. Worn in summer. Such skirts are suitable for formal outings |
| Organza | Partially transparent fabric. Used for sewing wedding dresses, for warm seasons |
| Cotton | Natural, breathable material that is easy to care for. A great option for sporty skirts. They are worn in spring and summer |
| Knitwear | For any time of year. Stretches well and hides figure defects. Used for sewing casual clothes |
| Suiting fabric | High level of density and rigidity. Suitable for formal business style. Worn in winter and autumn |
Products made of synthetic materials are very popular. They look impressive and do not wear out for a long time. However, they have a significant drawback - they accumulate static electricity.
In summer, it is not recommended to wear synthetic items. It is better to give preference to natural fabrics. For example, linen models will help to create an original ensemble in an ethnic (folk) style.
Length options
Mini length items are recommended for young fashionistas (up to 25 years old) with a beautiful, slender figure. The most popular styles are: pleated skirt, tennis skirt. Ultra-short options come with pockets and a wide belt. It is desirable that the top be as discreet as possible, then the image will not turn out vulgar. Knee-length or midi skirts are universal and suit all women. However, some models (for example, with asymmetrical folds) are not suitable for short girls, because they visually shorten the legs.
Long skirts can be worn by everyone. However, if the model is narrowed at the bottom, it will look ridiculous on a tall woman. In such a skirt, the lady's figure will be even more elongated.
Flared skirts with counter folds, on the contrary, will look great on tall and slender girls. Also, this style will help to hide any visual defects and imperfections of the legs. This is often used by fashionistas with large feet, too full calves, unsightly ankles.
Current colors and prints
This season, monochrome colors of skirts with wide pleats are trendy. Classic black and white colors never go out of fashion and are always a safe bet. Recently, such noble, rich tones as:
- blue;
- grey;
- all shades of red;
- chocolate;
- olive.
Skirts with bow pleats, intended for the warm season, are often decorated with bright prints. Recently, small checks (like on classic school uniforms or Scottish men's kilts) and white polka dots on a dark background (or vice versa) have come back into fashion. The boldest fashionistas can choose decor with floral patterns or images of stylized animals.
The entire surface of the product or only some parts (for example, individual fragments on the waist, pockets or belt) can be decorated with prints. For office wear, it is better to choose the first option. Ethnic and informal styles, on the contrary, suggest dense filling of the model with an ornament. The folds on the skirt are also decorated.
How to choose by body type
A pleated skirt should be chosen depending on the type of figure. You need to pay attention to the length, style. Decor also plays a role. An ornament located vertically visually stretches the silhouette, and horizontal stripes, on the contrary, emphasize the fullness.
| Body type | Description of the recommended model |
| Slender, fragile | Tennis and Japanese, mini-skirts with small pleats. Pattern is solid or checkered |
| With full legs | Sun and half sun, midi length |
| Excess weight | Lush, floor-length. Layering helps to hide an imperfect waist and belly. |
| Thin waist, tall | Skirts with box pleats and wide belt, maxi length |
The color should also be chosen based on the features of the build. Dark shades make you look slimmer and visually stretch your silhouette. Light shades, on the contrary, create the illusion of fullness. If a fashionista is in doubt and does not know which style to choose, it is best to opt for a classic option - a box pleat and a straight cut will do. Any maxi-length items (except for a skirt that is tapered at the bottom) also successfully hide figure defects.
What to wear with
A pleated skirt allows you to create many fashionable looks in different styles. In summer, feminine, romantic ensembles will look trendy. In winter, you can come up with an interesting outfit for the office and walks around the city.
| Style | Style | Suitable clothing | Shoes | Accessories |
| Romantic, feminine | A full skirt below the knee with a wide belt | Lace or guipure fitted blouse | Classic pumps or (for tall ladies) ballet flats | A bag decorated with applique or embroidery |
| Business | Product: pencil with any type of folds, medium length, dark shade | The same color jacket paired with a white turtleneck | Shoes with high, stable, square heels | Wristwatch or metal bracelet |
| Sports | Tennis player costume, mini | A bright T-shirt, tank top or top | Sneakers, sneakers | Sports bag with famous brand logo, baseball cap |
An interesting casual look can be achieved by combining a Japanese miniskirt with a white blouse that imitates a school uniform for girls and a wide tie. This set will look good on young girls under 20.
Older ladies can opt for a folkloric (ethnic) style by choosing a multi-layered maxi-length piece decorated with bright prints and pairing it with any solid-color top. Large jewelry made of wood or glass will look good with such an outfit.
It is not recommended to combine a pleated skirt with the same top. It is better to choose a tight blouse or turtleneck.
How to sew a model with box pleats yourself
The skirt pattern can be used ready-made. Sewing work begins with taking measurements. Using a tailor's tape measure, determine the hip and waist circumference, and add a few centimeters for a loose fit so that the finished garment is not too tight.
Next, you need to calculate the number and width of the box pleats on the belt. It is recommended to have either 8 pieces (large) or 10-12 (small). Calculating the pleats is very simple, it is convenient for beginners. The waist circumference, including the allowance for free fit, is divided by the number of stripes. This simple scheme allows you to do without a pattern.
For sewing at home, you can choose suit fabric, cotton or chiffon. It is better not to use organza and knitwear. To work with these materials, you need special equipment or a separate function on the sewing machine. Necessary tools:
- measuring tape;
- tailor's scissors;
- a set of needles and threads.
Sewing instructions:
- Transfer the pattern onto the material and calculate the fabric consumption.
- Make a fold calculation.
- Form and secure the folds around the waist.
- Stitch them together.
- Attach and sew the belt.
- Fold the fabric in half and process the open areas up to the zipper.
Next, the fastener is sewn in. The skirt is tried on. The length is adjusted if necessary. The pattern is usually in the form of a rectangle or a circle. To create it, you can use ready-made templates, adapting the pattern to the required dimensions.
To transfer the design to the material, you can use tracing paper or carbon paper. You will also need a special fabric marker or a small piece of laundry soap to make marks. Before sewing skirts with box pleats, it is worth taking care of additional decor in advance: this can be embroidery or applique.
If you are sewing a summer version, you can safely use beads or sequins for decoration. It is recommended to decorate the bottom of the product with beautiful flounces or ruffles. Sometimes a lace frill is sewn on. The color of the accessories should echo the shade of the decor. A colorful scarf, a youth bandana or a large straw hat with wide brims are good as a headdress. A smart scarf can be sewn from material left over from making clothes.
In order for a pleated skirt to look beautiful, you need to carefully select accessories. Dressy clothes should be worn with a suitable top, preferably tight-fitting and without much decoration. Then this universal item will help you stand out from the crowd and turn any girl into a real beauty. An original and stylish, memorable outfit will suit both an adult woman and a teenage girl.
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