Skirting Around !

There are so many different types of skirts that it’s sometimes hard to keep track of them. They are so varied and that’s good news, since you can probably find a type of skirt for any occasion (except maybe some sports). But there’s a simple list of the essentials to keep them straight and to know in which situations a certain type of skirt could work best for you.

1: Full Skirt: These skirts are named this way for a reason. Their fullness is gathered into the waistband of the skirt. Wear these with a fitted top for the best look.

2: Straight Skirt: Straight skirts hang from your hips and are fitted from the waist to the hips. These also look the best with a fitted top and can be worn in formal and casual situations.

3: Circle Skirt: Here, the skirt is cut into different sections in order to make a circle. This is so that the skirt hangs smoothly and in a wave-like shape.

4: Pleated Skirt: Pleated skirts are popular and not just for the schoolgirl. They can be any length, but what makes them unique is that they have a fullness that’s reduced in order to fit the waist through the use of the pleats. The most popular is the schoolgirl pleated skirt, but they can also be longer and made with a lighter material for a great summery look.

5: A-line Skirt: This type of skirt flares out very slightly, to resemble the shape of a capital letter A. These skirts can be worn in any situation depending on the texture and fabric.

6: Culottes: Culottes are shorts that are so wide they look like a skirt. Although this style seems to have gone out of style in the 90s, culottes can still be worn if they just look like a regular skirt.

7: Tulip Skirt: Tulip skirts are exactly that — they make an upside-down tulip shape. Meaning, they hug your waist and hips and then gradually flare out. These skirts are summery when worn in a lighter material and bright colour, but also work in solid, darker colours for a modern twist on traditional office wear.

8: Ballerina Skirt: This kind of skirt is a full skirt that ends just above your ankles. This, of course, was very popular throughout the 50s. Try this style in an unassuming solid colour for the best look.

9: Bubble Skirt: This great skirt is puffy. What makes it stand out is that the hem is the same width (more or less) as the waist, giving the illusion of a bubble. Look for bubble skirts in bright colours and different fabrics, like satin. Pair it with a simple, solid top.

10: Broomstick Skirt: Broomstick skirts are usually full and reach the ankle. Their shape takes on the look of a broom, without the handle, of course! In order to pull this off, keep in mind that this length needs to be balanced out with something a little bit lighter, like a simple white t-shirt or tank top. Don’t wear anything too loud on top with this one.

11: Pencil Skirt: Pencil skirts are one of the most popular skirts around. They are usually high-waisted and fitted around the hips. Most are cut to just below the knees or to mid-calf. This is the classic business skirt with the slit at the back. Tuck a collared shirt into a pencil skirt and you’re set to rule the corporate world.

12: Kilt: A true kilt skirt wraps around the waist with aprons that overlap in front, and it’s pleated around the back. Wear these with a more casual or solid-coloured top. This skirt is more outgoing, so it’s not necessary to have a loud top.

13: Mini-skirt: Mini-skirts are very short skirts! They usually start from a few inches above the knee to an inch or two just below…well, you know! Wear these with care. If it’s a very short skirt, then have a more covered-up top to balance it out.

Skirts can be surprisingly versatile. Don’t think they can only be worn in the warm weather months. Leggings can be worn in the cooler temperatures to keep your legs warm, and longer skirts can also cover up more when you need it. Leg warmers are also a good option, along with knee-high socks.

The Dresses...

Casual or Dressy ?? Casual means attire that is comfortable, not contrived, a look that does not say “Dressed Up”. It does not mean sloppy, nonchalant or unattractive. You can be casual in a good pair of trousers, a silk blouse, and a leather jacket or in a cotton dress with sandles and a straw hat.

Simplicity is as much a sign of a well dressed woman as appropriateness. It even has an added value: it spells elegance. But looking elegant is not the only advantage of simplicity, especially in a dress. There are several extremely practical reasons too:

1: The look of a simple dress can be easily changed with accessories
2: You will not get bored with a simple style as quickly as you will with an unusual one.
3: A simple dress is versatile, for it can be worn on many different types of occasions.

Different Styles of a Dress:

1: The Shirt Waist Dress:
Also called shirt-dress, shirtwaist dress, shirt waister. A dress with a bodice and a front opening tailored like those of a dress shirt. A shirtwaist dress is meant to mimic the lines and design of men's shirts, with a crisp collar and a button down front. The sleeves may be long or short, and the dress itself tends to be at least knee length, if not longer. The dresses can be very practical and subdued, or they may be more ornamental, and a range of materials and sewing styles are used for an assortment of desired looks, from matronly and professional to more sultry.

2: The Long Waisted Dress:
It was originally described as "Girls Long-Waisted Dress, with body and sleeve in one; with or without the bertha or upper skirt; equally desirable for flouncings, bordered materials and other fabrics. Suggested fabrics: Silk flat crepe, velveteen, serge, wool, and flannel. The colors were blue, tan, brown, black, bisque tan, French blue, navy blue and mahogany.

3: The Wraparound Dress:
Our new Fair Trade Wraparound Dresses are flying out, they are very versatile they look really good over a pair of trousers or equally good over a swimsuit or bikini when you are on your holidays.

4: The Chemise:

Paired with slinky skirts as evening tops and tailored with woven fabrics, silky slips or satin camisoles were worn under suits. Elegant short slips and embroidered long camisoles were all in abundance. The camisole-also referred to as the chemise, tanks, vests or cami-top is still a popular and sexy lingerie item today. Together with slips and half-slips it remains an essential part of any woman's wardrobe. Essentially the camisole is a sleeveless and sheer undergarment, also worn as an alternative to a blouse. The cami-top on the other hand is a look-alike shape wear piece that gives a seamless and toned look to tight fitting outer garments. The Slip, by contrast is a full-length undergarment for dresses that is suspended from the shoulders by straps and often worn under sheer dresses to reduce transparency.

5: The T- Shirt Dress:
A T-Shirt dress is the ultimate in cool; wear over woollen tights with platform ankle boots and a heavy belt slung around the waist for shape. The extra long length and slightly fitted waist complements most figures and is an extra suitable for Mums with post baby tummies!

6: The Empire Style:
Perfect for skinny minnies and voluptuous girls alike, the empire waist dress is universally flattering. It adds curves to the right places, while disguising the wrong. The feminine prom dress features a waistline that hits between the upper-waist to just below the bust, creating a long, lean figure. Glamazons can emphasize the sleek shape and plunging neckline with a sleek color and tip-toe heels, while girlie girls can play up the flowy prom dress with ruffles and bows.

7: The Sun Dress:
We love the dresses of summer. Endless designs offered in lightweight fabrics that are colorful, fun, flirty and sexy. So easy to slip into and so comfortable, they're an effortless way to look fabulous. It's time to enjoy the warm breezes of summer in these skin baring designs.You can't think of anything you can't do in these dresses, from casual summer barbecues to attending the wedding of the season.

8: Cocktail Dress:
A short knee length dress shape of the 1920s, lightweight wool, satin, silk and velvet fabrics are usual and often cut to reveal the shoulders and arms. The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom. The length ranges from just above the knee to touching the ankle. When it is about 5 cm (2 inches) above the ankle it is called tea length and when it is almost touching the ankle it is called ballerina length, although ballerina length dresses usually fall into the evening gown category.

At semi-formal occasions, less elaborate, shorter-length cocktail dresses may be worn, when gentlemen are in dark suits. Prior to the mid 20th century this type of dress was known as 'late afternoon'. When gentlemen are in business suits, ladies also wear dress suits or "good" afternoon skirt and dresses.

By the 1980s a dress was considered to be cocktail less by where the hem fell, but more by the level of sumptuousness the garment attained.

9: The Little Black Dress:
A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often with a short skirt, originally made popular in the 1920s by the fashion designer Coco Chanel. Intended by Chanel to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, and accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color. Its continued ubiquity is such that many refer to it by its abbreviation, LBD.

The "little black dress" is considered essential to a complete wardrobe by many women and fashion observers, who believe it a "rule of fashion" that every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: for example, worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more ornate jewellery and accessories for evening. Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the style of the little black dress ideally should be as simple as possible: a short black dress that is too clearly part of a trend would not qualify because it would soon appear dated.

Putting it Together

Saris For the Bride:
1: Gadhwal
2: Paithani
3: Banarasi / Baluchari
4: Silk Kantha
5: Kanjeevaram / Sambalpuri / Ikat Patola
*Whatever you choose should be good quality original long lasting silk that is non transparent. Obviously something that looks more of elegant than seductive.

Saris For the Corporate Woman:
1: Light weight Printed Silks in subdued colours
2: Crepes in small prints
3: Cottons well starched and simple in design
*Cotton Saris look great if worn with a matching Silk Sleeveless or mega Sleeved Blouse

For the Lean and Fit Women:
1:Georgette Silk & Chiffon Sarees: are the most flattering for the well maintained body and come in the most varied designs and colors. These definitely fall into the Seductive bracket and you might want to consider them on a special evening with Hubby Deary! :)

Other Occassions:

Cotton Kantha's / Kota's: Best for office.
Silk Kanthas: for any evening functions these look absolutely elegant.
Kanjeevarams: Orange, Amber or Mustard Colored look great for any Haldi Function.
Banarasi Saris: Brown, Green, Teal, Blue Perfect for any wedding.
Lukhnavi Chikan Saris: Come in dull colors and are extremely transparent Unless u have a perfect 10 u are better off avoiding this one. However you might want to go in for a White Black Blue kurtis which look extremely elegant also a Luckhnavi Suit looks great with the right stitch and fit for the office.
Bandhanis: Ideal if u wish to wear a colourful look with loads of bangles and some oxidized heavy jewellery with a long black bindi. Can be worn for any Haldi Kunkum or those Dandiya nights when u don’t wish to adorn a ghagra choli...
Ikat: Main forms of Ikat are Patola from Gujarat and Pochampalli from Andhra Pradesh. These are great for any engagement or wedding and come in the most varied of colours.
Banarasi / Jamdani: Golden Weave or Zardosi Work in red looks great on a bride.
Chanderi: This ones a sure head turner. Well Starched and worn with a matching Silk blouse looks awesome. This also is the super transparent but if worn well and carried to perfection, you will be grabbing the right kind of attention.
Baluchari: Traditional saris from Baluchar, Bengal, characterized by mythological scenes hand-woven on the sari. Unique and one of a kind these are best for any wedding.