Skirts with flare
The Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 collection is modeled during Fashion Week. (Feb. 16, 2010) Credit: AP
There's finally a runway look for all the curvy girls.
Many of the most stylish skirts this fall are full, flared and drop down below the knee, evoking the 1950s and '60s in the latest round of ladylike-meets-high-style silhouettes.
Though the idea of a longer, looser skirt may make some think of a matronly grandmother, the glamorous 1960s characters of "Mad Men," arguably TV's greatest fashion influences of the moment, have proved them wrong, says stylist Stacy London, co-host of TLC's "What Not to Wear."
The skirts not only show off a shapely woman's peaks and valleys, they also can create the illusion of feminine contours on a straight body, London says. The look is "about creating and flattering curves," says London, herself a curvy girl. "This is a skirt that's very translatable across body type and age."
The look was introduced on the runways, including those of Marc Jacobs, who touted it both for his signature and Louis Vuitton collections. It's now turning up everywhere, including Anthropologie, where merchandise manager Kit Li-Perry calls it flattering and effortless. "All you have to do is put on a simple top," she says, "and that statement skirt will make your outfit."
Some tips from Stacy London on wearing fuller skirts
Tight tops - With a full skirt, make sure your top fits close to the body and your waist is defined by tucking in your top or wearing a belt. She suggests a fitted shirt or sweater or a jacket that comes in at the waist.
Long lines - Choose footwear to make your legs look their longest, like a pointy-toe pump, kitten heel or a tightfitting boot. Avoid things that can cut off the leg line, like a shoe with an ankle strap or a slouchy boot.
Tummy troubles - If you carry weight in your midsection, make sure the skirt has a wide enough waistband to hold you in. And if it's pleated, make sure the pleats are flat at the waist, and don't billow out until the hip.
Height matters - The taller you are, the longer your hemline can be. If you are under 5-foot-4, you start to lose the look of a long leg with a longer skirt, so London advises not going too far below the knee.
