A to Z Types of Skirts: Know which style suits you best

AdvertisementNo matter how much the fashion keeps evolving, Skirts have always been a cornerstone in the apparel industry. A skirt is a highly flexible choice when it comes to choosing the right outfit for the day and provide you looks ranging from the most professional to the casual ones. Since Skirts are available in a variety of styles and lengths, these have become one of the most popular items in any average wardrobe. If you choose the right skirt with the right style for your body type you can have a wide range of looks reedy out there for you within the collection of your wardrobe.

Scroll down to have a quick look at the styles skirts often come in and pick up which ones would go best with you!!

31 Types of Skirt Patterns List

A-Line skirt
Asymmetrical Skirt
Bell Shaped Skirt
Bubble Skirt
Bustle Skirt
Broomstick Skirt
Circular Skirt
Denim Skirt
Dirndl Skirt
Draped Skirt
Flared Skirt
Godet Skirt
Gored Skirt
Gypsy/Tiered Skirt
High-Waisted Skirt
Layered Skirt
Maxi Skirt
Mermaid/Fishtail Skirt
Mini and Micromini Skirts
Peasant Skirt
Pencil/Tube Skirt
Pleated Skirt
Poodle Skirt
Sarong Skirt
Skater Skirt
Skorts Skirt
Straight Skirt
Trouser Skirt
Tulip Skirt
Tutu Skirt
Wrap Skirt

1. A-Line Skirt

Named after the shape of the letter ‘A’, the A-line skirt is tight at the waist emphasising the hips and then flares out at the bottom. The A-line skirt has basic variations in the form of Godet, gypsy and Panelled skirt.

Special Feature: Draws the attention to the waistline
Basic Length: Knee length, Calf length or ankle length
Best choice/Pickup For: Curvier Women, Hourglass Shape, Pear shape, Apple Shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very petite Girls, Rectangle Shaped
Best Occasion: Formal Wear, Casual Wear
Team This up with: Cotton or woollen Blazer, Well-fitted shirt, Corset, T-shirt, Heels, Boots
Fabric: Silk, Cotton, Wool, Linen, Lace
Best Brands: Atmosphere, Abercrombie&Fitch, BIBA, Kaleidoscope, Burberry, Monsoon, Zara, Vero Moda

2. Asymmetrical Skirt

These skirts are made up fabrics that have varying lengths at the hem. These are also commonly known as High-Low Skirts.

Special Feature: Chic and Elegant
Basic Length: Varying Lengths
Best choice/Pickup For: Tall Women, Well-toned Bodies
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very Slim women, Flat-Chested women
Best Occasion: Casual wear, Beachwear, Pool Parties
Team This up with: Full-sleeved buttoned-up Shirt, High heeled Lace Boots
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Silk, Satin, Brocade, Laces
Best Brands: Zara, AtmosphereAdvertisement

3. Bell Shaped Skirt

As the name resembles, this skirt sits tight at the waist, flares from the waistline and then falls straight to the knees just like a bell. It is made of heavier fabrics so that it holds in place and doesn’t lose shape.

Special Feature: Adds volume below waistline
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Well-toned waists
Worst Choice/Pickup: Heavy-bottomed Women
Best Occasion: Evening wear
Team This up with: Buttoned-up shirt, Crop tops, Heels, Boots
Fabric: Silk, Brocade
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, Zara

4. Bubble Skirt

Popular since 1950, Bubble skirt as the name implies gives a bubble effect when tucked back under. It gives a much curvier looks and hence is not a good option for those who don’t want to look voluminous.

Special Feature: Enhance Volume at the Hem
Basic Length: Above Knee Length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass, very slim women, Well-toned Legs
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very curvy women, Plump women, Apple shaped
Best Occasion: Casual Wear, Youth Parties, Prom-nights
Team This up with: Lace-tops, Shrugs, Heels, Boots, Flats
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, River Island, Topshop, Zara

5. Bustle Skirt

These skirts are a contemporary adaptation of crinolines that were worn by women under their dresses. These were earlier worn with stockings and garters to shape their dresses. Later these evolved to be worn with crop tops and Corsets to replicate the same.

Special Feature: Contemporary Style
Basic Length: Knee-length, Ankle-length, Calf-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Plump Women, Pear Shaped, Apple Shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very slim women, Flat-Chested women
Best Occasion: Ethnic Wear
Team This up with: Corsets, Full-sleeved buttoned-up Shirt, High heeled Lace Boots
Fabric: Silk, Satin, Brocade, Laces

6. Broomstick Skirt

This skirt is a casual wear option and is wrinkles all along the length. The fabric is wrinkled when it is wet and stays the same throughout. It gives a perfect shabby cowboy look and is the best if the day is full of activity.

Special Feature: Makes you look slimmer with a shabby tint
Basic Length: Ankle length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass, pear-shaped, very slim women
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very curvy women, Plump women, Apple shaped
Best Occasion: Casual Wear
Team This up with: Cotton, Woolen cardigan, Denim jacket, T-shirt, Pull-over, Heels, Boots, Flats
Fabric: Cotton, Linen

7. Circular Skirt

As the name suggests, this skirt makes a perfect circle at the hem. It usually has a skinny waistline and flares out like an A-line. The longer variation of the same is a great pick for formal attires.

Special Feature: Perfect blend of formal and casual-wear
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length, Calf-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass, Slim Girls, Pear shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Apple shaped, very plump women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Casual, Formal wear
Team This up with: Haltar Tees, T-shirts, Shirts, Pullovers, Tank tops, Heels, Hats, Cardigan vests
Fabric: Cotton, Linens, Silk, Satin, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, Zara, Next, Per Una

8. Denim Skirt

Denim skirts were first worn by hippies who tried to recycle denim jeans by tailoring them together. It further invaded the fashion world with tailors and designer adding laces and fabrics to the usual design. These are very popular with the cowboy styles.

Special Feature: Denim fabrics imitating the Jeans
Basic Length: All lengths
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass shapes, Triangle Shaped, Well-toned bodies
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very plump women
Best Occasion: Winter wear, Casual
Team This up with: High boots, Denim and cotton jackets, Tees, Shirts
Fabric: Denim
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, River Island, Zara, Boden, Next

9. Dirndl Skirt

These are very similar to bubble skirts just that they are not scrunched up at the hem. They usually flare out from the hem.

Special Feature: Enhance Volume at the Waist
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass,very slim women, Well-toned Legs
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very curvy women, Plump women, Apple shaped
Best Occasion: Casual Wear, Semi-formal
Team This up with: Lace-tops, Blazer,Heels, Boots, Flats
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, New Look, Atmosphere, ASOS

10. Draped Skirt

This is very much similar to the tulip skirt, the only difference being that it is draped at the waits and gives an extreme slimming effect.

Special Feature: Slims the overall contours
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass,very slim women, Well-toned Legs, Small-Busted women
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very curvy women, Plump women, Apple shaped
Best Occasion: Formal,Semi-formal, Party-Wear
Team This up with: Lace-tops, Blazer,Heels, Boots, Flats
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin, Woolen
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, ASOS, Karen Millen, Zara, Vero Moda

11. Flared Skirt

These are very similar to the A-line skirt and flare out immensely from the hem. These are very dressy and classy choice and can work for both a party or an interview.

Special Feature: Adds an aura of height to the body
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Petite girls, Statuesque
Worst Choice/Pickup: Apple shaped, Very plump women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Casual, Formal wear
Team This up with: T-shirts, Shirts, Pullovers, Cardigans, Tank-tops, Heels
Fabric: Cotton, Linens, Silk, Satin, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: Calvin Klein, Atmosphere, Andrew Marc, Debenhams, DKNY, Hell Bunny, ZARA

12. Godet Skirt

These skirts belong to the A-line category and have triangular fabrics inserted into the hemline to enhance the volume of the skirt.

Special Feature: Gives slimmer look,Draws attention to the hem
Basic Length: Knee length, Calf length or ankle length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass Shape, Pear shape, Apple Shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Rectangle Shaped, Statuesque
Best Occasion: Casual Wear, Formal Wear
Team This up with: Cotton or woolen Blazer, Corset, T-shirt, Heels, Boots
Fabric: Silk, Woolen, georgette, Linen, Cotton
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, New Look, Boden

13. Gored Skirt

These skirts have an A-line flare at the hem giving ease at the movement.Technically, these are made by stitching a number of triangular fabrics, Gores, that keep on getting wider towards the hem.

Many people misunderstand Gored skirts with a Gordet Skirt, which is untrue. The difference is in the way the gores are stitched. While these have gores starting from the waistline to the hem, gordet skirts have gores stitched only midway of the hem.

Special Feature: Extreme ease of Movement
Basic Length: Below Knee-Length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass shaped, Pear Shaped, Well-toned legs
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very slim women, Statuesque, Rectangle shaped
Best Occasion: Causal, Beach and Pool Parties
Team This up with: Tights with ballet flats, Boots
Fabric: Ponte Knits, Rugged fabric like Denims, Leather, Polyster, Rayon Blends
Best Brands: Debenhams. Per Una

14. Gypsy/Tiered Skirt

Evolved from the gyspsy cult, gypsy skirts are usually long in length.These normally consist of wrinkled and ruffled up horizontal tiers of fabric attached to the hem.

Special Feature: Draws attention to the hem
Basic Length: Ankle length
Best choice/Pickup For: Curvier Women,Hourglass Shape, Pear shape, Apple Shaped,
Worst Choice/Pickup: Rectangle Shaped, Statuesque
Best Occasion: Casual Wear
Team This up with: Cotton or woollen Blazer, Denim jacket, T-shirt, Heels, Boots
Fabric: Cotton, Silk, Georgette
Best Brands: Primark, GAP, River Island, Debenhams, Ralph Lauren

15. High-Waisted Skirt

These are high waisted skirts that are tight and buttoned at your true waist. These often have huge embellishments at the waistline..

Special Feature: Flatters the waistline
Basic Length: All Lengths
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass shaped, Well-toned waistline and hipline
Worst Choice/Pickup: Heavy Busted Women
Best Occasion: Formalwear, Casualwear
Team This up with: Crop-tops, Blazers, Huge belts
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Woolen, Knitted-cotton
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, Atmosphere, Primark, TopShop

16. Layered Skirt

This skirt consists of layers of fabrics that are stitched one above the other from the hem of the skirt. This adds a lot of volume to the body.

Special Feature: Layers add volume to the outfit
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length, Calf-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass, Slim Girls
Worst Choice/Pickup: Apple shaped, Pear Shaped
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Casual
Team This up with: Halter Tees, T-shirts, Tank tops, Heels, Hats, Cardigan vests
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, Zara, Next, River Island, Per Una

17. Maxi Skirt

These skirts are loose and long from the waist to the ankle. These are a good choice for the winter and fall collection.

Special Feature: No seasonal Constraints
Basic Length: Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass Shaped, Tall Women
Worst Choice/Pickup: Short Women, Apple Shaped
Best Occasion: Casualwear
Team This up with: Crop tops, Halter tops, cardigan vests Big Bold belts and Tees, Denim Blazers, Boots
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Chiffon or Lace
Best Brands: BIBA, Billabong, Dorothy Perkins, FabIndia

18. Mermaid/Fishtail Skirt

Inspired by the mermaid myths, this style has a fish cut flaring at the end.

Special Feature: Flaunts your hipline drastically
Basic Length: Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Strictly for well-toned bodies, Hourglass Shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Muscular, Heavy-bottomed women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Formalwear
Team This up with: Crop-tops, Buttoned-in Shirts, Halter Tops
Fabric: Silk, Linen, Georgette
Best Brands: Per Una, Roberto Cavalli

19. Mini and Micromini Skirts

These are the skirts with hemlines just above the knee. With designer Mary Quant, these became a breakthrough in the sixties. Microminis have lengths often halfway up the thighs and are shorter. These need to be worn with a body suit underneath.

Special Feature: Caters to the young women
Basic Length: Above Knees, Midway Thighs
Best choice/Pickup For: Apple shaped, Tomboys
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very tall women, Muscular legs
Best Occasion: Friends night-out, Casual parties, Cheerleading events
Team This up with: Fitted tops, T-shirt, Full-sleeved shirts, High Boots, Sneakers
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Chiffon or Lace, Corduroy
Best Brands: Zara, Next, Only, Atmosphere, French Connection

20. Peasant Skirt

These date back to the culture of peasants and labourers before making a way into the fashion industry. These were long skirts and used to be made up of rugged fabric so that they could be worn to work. As these were the common outfits for the poor they were wrinkled and were made up of a number of contrasting fabrics. They have now been a good casual wear outfit.

Special Feature: Gives an ethnic Countryside look
Basic Length: Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Any body shape
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very Slim women
Best Occasion: Casual Wear
Team This up with: Cotton, Woolen cardigan, Denim jacket, Cosets, T-shirt, Pull-over,Heels, Boots, Flats
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Knit-Wool
Best Brands: Zara, Marks and Spencer, Primark

21. Pencil/Tube Skirt

These are straight and very tight at the knees. Again, one must have a perfectly toned body to flaunt the curves with these ones. If not worn by a proper body type these can be a perfect disaster!!

Special Feature: Flaunts your hipline
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Strictly well-toned bodies, Hourglass Shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Muscular, Heavy-bottomed women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Formalwear
Team This up with: Crop-tops, Buttoned-in Shirts, Sleeve tops, High-necks, Contrast Belts, Blazers
Fabric: Woolen, Cotton, Linen, Silk
Best Brands: Burberry, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren

22. Pleated Skirt

These skirts usually are ready to wear and do not need ironing at the last moment!!These have vertical pleats all over their lengths.

Special Feature: Ready to wear
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: All body types
Worst Choice/Pickup: Apple shaped, very plump women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Casual
Team This up with: T-shirts, Shirts, Pullovers, Cardigans, Tank tops, Heels, Hats, Cardigan vests
Fabric: Cotton, Linens, Silk, Satin, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: Atmosphere, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger

23. Poodle Skirt

Inspired from the 1950’s these skirts poodle at the floor when you sit down.

Special Feature: Add extreme volume below the waistline
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Very Petite women, Hourglass Shaped
Best Brands: Unbranded
Worst Choice/Pickup: Muscular, Heavy-bottomed women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Formalwear
Team This up with: Crop-tops, Buttoned-in Shirts, Sleeve tops, High-necks, Contrast Belts, Blazers, Piranahs
Fabric: Woolen, Cotton, Linen, Silk

24. Sarong Skirt

Think of the beaches and you know what this is!! It’s a simple fabric that you can wrap around the waist to form a skirt. You can also wrap it around the body to form a cover up for your bathing suit.

Special Feature: Chic Beachwear
Basic Length: Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Women with well-toned waists
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very Plump women
Best Occasion: Pool parties, Beachwear
Team This up with: Tees, Tube Tops, Tank Tops, Flip-flops, Gladiators
Fabric: Satin, Georgette, Silk, Cotton
Best Brands: Zara, Monsoon

25. Skater Skirt

Also known as circle skirt, this one is an A-line silhouette that sits tight at your actual waist. It gives a sporty casual look and goes back to the skating costumes worn by women in the nineties.

Special Feature: Gives a sporty look
Basic Length: Above Knees, Midway Thighs
Best choice/Pickup For: Apple shaped, Tomboys
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very tall women, Muscular legs
Best Occasion: Skating, Cheerleading, Casual Parties
Team This up with: Crop tops, Tank tops, Cosy Knits, Chambray Shirt, Glam top
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Corduroy, Denims
Best Brands: River Island, Zara

26. Skorts Skirt

A perfect blend of shorts and a skirt, Skorts were designed to make it possible to wear a skirt during work as well. It usually has a flap of fabric over stitched shorts to make them look like a skirt.

Special Feature: A perfect Sports outfit for Women
Basic Length: Above Knees, Midway Thighs
Best choice/Pickup For: Apple shaped, Tomboys
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very tall women
Best Occasion: Sports days, Gym outfits, Casual wear
Team This up with: Tees and sneakers, Tennis shoes, Polo T-shirts and Shoes
Fabric: Cotton, Linen, Chiffon or Lace, Corduroy
Best Brands: New Look, Zara, Atmosphere

27. Straight Skirt

These skirts are tight at the waist and hip area and go straight along the legs. Very similar to the pencil skirt they are a little less tight at the knees. One has to very careful when wearing these as they clung to the figure. You need to wear the right inner wears so that they don’t show up awkwardly through the fabric.

Special Feature: Portrays the true figure of the lady
Basic Length: Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle-length
Best choice/Pickup for: Strictly for Well toned bodies
Worst Choice/Pickup: Heavy bottomed women
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Casual, Formalwear
Team This up with: T-shirts, Shirts, Pullovers, Cardigans, Heels, Flats, Boots
Fabric: Cotton, Linens, Silk, Satin, Woollen, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: Chanel, Atmosphere, Marks and Spencer

28. Trouser Skirt

These skirts are a perfect blend of trousers and a skirt. These are flared trousers that appear in the shape of a skirt.

Special Feature: Trousers in the disguise of a skirt
Basic Length: Ankle-Length
Best choice/Pickup For: Well-toned Bodies, Hourglass shaped
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very Slim women, Heavy-bottomed Women
Best Occasion: Casual wear, Beachwear
Team This up with: Flats, Sandals, Shirts, Tees, Tank tops
Fabric: Cotton, Linen
Best Brands: Marks and Spencer, Next, Zara, H&M

29. Tulip Skirt

This skirt resembles the shape of a tulip, with overlapped fabrics in the shape of a tulip petal.

Special Feature: Slims the overall contours
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length
Best choice/Pickup For: Hourglass, very slim women, Well-toned Legs
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very curvy women, Plump women, Apple shaped
Best Occasion: Formal, Semi-formal
Team this up with: Lace-tops, Blazer, Heels, Boots, and Flats
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin, Woollen
Best Brands: H&M, River Island, Atmosphere, Marks and Spencer

30. Tutu Skirt

This dress is popular as the special dress for ballet and is made up of Tule. Recently this has paved its way into the fashion industry.

Special Feature: Adds extra Volume below waistline
Basic Length: Above Knee-Length, Knee-length
Best choice/Pickup for: Hourglass, Pear Shaped, Inverted Triangle
Worst Choice/Pickup: Very heavy bottomed girls, Apple Shaped
Best Occasion: Party-Wear
Team this up with: Halter Tees, T-shirts, Tank tops, Heels, Hats, Headbands
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin, Lace, Nets
Best Brands: H&M, OASIS, Primark

31. Wrap Skirt

This is nothing but a rectangular piece of fabric that you wrap around the waist to look like a straight skirt. This is a good choice for almost every woman.

Special Feature: Caters to all body shapes
Basic Length: Above Knee Length, Knee-length, Calf-length, Ankle Length
Best choice/Pickup For: All body types
Worst Choice/Pickup: Good for all body types
Best Occasion: Party-Wear, Beachwear, Casual wear
Team This up with: Halter Tees, T-shirts, Tank Tops, Sandals, Hats,
Fabric: Linens, Silk, Satin
Best Brands: Burberry, Armani, Next, New Look, Zara

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Bio
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Shaista Singh

With her hilarious journey in an MNC, Shaista found her passion for life in writing. With her technical career taking her to Mumbai, the city of multiple fashion trends, she came out to be a true enthusiast when it came to dressing up and filling her wardrobe with trends going on. Through her quest to change those around her for the same, she joins Looksgud to help her follow her true love for writing and end up writing about one thing she finds the most interesting-Fashion!!

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