Why wrinkles are now desirable
This summer, pleated skirts are putting satin skirts in the shade. Enjoy the sunny side of this trendy piece and look anything but staid.
I don't like to part with old clothes. Why is that? Fashion comes and goes ... and comes again. The most recent example is pleated skirts, which I used to wear up and down until they were pushed into the corner by so-called slip skirts (read: satin jupes). That's why I've got into the habit of not getting rid of things I enjoy straight away, but keeping them in the cellar until they're in demand again. My pleated skirt is now hanging on the hanger, freshly washed and waiting for me to wear it again on a warm summer's day.
What exactly is a pleated skirt?
Pleated skirts are made from a fabric (usually polyester) into which pleats are worked. This chemical process is necessary so that the artificial pleats are not washed out during machine washing. However, because the artificial permanent pleats are only resistant to washing on synthetic textiles, natural fibres are not used. For many, this will be a no-go. It's enough to hang your skirt to dry after washing instead of tumble drying (which uses less energy) and ironing afterwards. You shouldn't iron the fake pleats anyway. Tip: If your pleated skirt has unintentional horizontal pleats or creases at the bottom, use a steam brush to smooth them out.
Versatile
What I particularly like about the pleated skirt is that it's a quick-change artist and there's nothing you can't combine with it. Whether short, midi or long, glittery or matte, sporty or elegant - there's something for every taste. During the day, I style the skirt with a simple T-shirt, which I either tuck into the waistband or tie at the front, and trainers - on summer days, you can also wear sandals. If you prefer loose tops or shirt blouses, you can also tuck these into the waistband of the skirt.
I actually prefer glittery or metallic styles for late night. But Augustina managed to convince me otherwise with her glittery combo. How did she do it? The skirt speaks for itself. That's why she keeps the rest of her look understated: a white T-shirt and sandals. That's it! She uses jewellery discreetly, as the skirt is statement enough.
For dinner with friends, like Anna, I combine the pleated skirt with a fine knit jumper (if it's a little cooler in the evening) and slingback pumps. If these remind you too much of your grandma, you can wear mules (trendy) or pumps (classy) instead. I don't wear creoles and bangles, otherwise the look looks too hippie for my taste. Unless that's desired - I'm up for a beach holiday on a Greek island.
Speaking of beach holidays. What makes the skirt the ideal summer must-have for me: it's light and airy and wraps around my legs as I walk. This is a particular blessing on hot days, as I feel like I'm wearing air conditioning down my stomach. But that doesn't mean that the skirt is only suitable for summer. On the contrary: I wear it with knee-high boots in the transitional season. In winter, I complement this outfit with thick tights (you won't see them underneath anyway) and a turtleneck jumper. Bet you won't be cold with it?
Depending on the length of the skirt, you can achieve a different effect: mini styles look girly, but make short women look taller. I would advise against maxi styles as they make you look taller. You can break up the playful look by wearing a leather or bomber jacket with a jumper. When it comes to shoes, I recommend dad trainers, combat boots or ankle boots, as they give the outfit an edgy look.
Another plus point in favour of the pleated skirt: its cut flatters every figure. The A-line (wide at the top and narrow at the bottom) conjures up a slim body centre. This balances the proportions and makes your legs look slimmer. A dark colour such as black, navy or forest green enhances this effect. The skirt is not only trendy, but also figure-flattering. And that is exactly what many people want to achieve with their clothes: They want to feel comfortable and look good in them.
Here you can find the pleated skirt range.
When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.