You can take out that old favourite outfit from the trunk. It’s time to get your pleats in place. A mix of the innocent schoolgirl and the cheerleader looks is riding high, with skirts getting shorter this season.
“I made pleated skirts a couple of years ago,” says designer Manish Arora who showcased them in metallic sheen at a fashion show recently. “Pleats have a way of making you look slimmer and younger if you know how to choose them,” he adds.
“The Scottish skirt has always been there, but the pleated skirt used to be popular during the ’70s and the ’80s and then they lost their appeal. Last year it was the long skirt and this year it is the short one. Pleats give body, character and bounce to the skirt. So it is a pleasure to wear them,” explains designer Rohit Gandhi.
So take your pick from the front pleat, the box pleat, the full pleat, the triple pleat and the kick pleat. And relax: unlike the cigarette skirt, strides get minimised and walking can be comfortable and relaxing. The seams won’t burst at the slightest of movement and it’s practical to wear for summer activities as well.
The fabrics to go for are the cool and comfortable linen and cotton. But if you want something for the evening, then opt for heavy crepe fabrics. They do make a perfect attire for a casual outing, an informal gathering or a very chic party.
