One of the key pieces of this ladylike look is pleated skirts and Im not talking about the brown nana plaid kind. The new pleated skirts are modern but with a vintage feel, while being really comfortable and easy to wear. They arent a new trend, but pleated skirts can be seen as a tricky one due to their added volume, and a common question stylists get is how do you wear them and who do they suit?
The answer is that they can be worn by most body shapes. The trick is to keep the top half of your outfit more fitted and not bulky. Think slim knit, tailored top or fitted t-shirt on your upper half to balance out your silhouette. Pleated skirts certainly add volume, but in a beautiful, flowy way, and the movement they create while walking is actually really cool. If youve seen them on the runway or on the street, youll know what I mean. I always feel that much more graceful walking in mine as it swishes along with me.
One of my favourite versions of this look is from local designer Juliette Hogan, whose semi sheer and floaty pleated skirts come in the most sublime fabrics and colours. Juliette has been working and reworking this look for a few seasons now in different lengths, prints and as dresses. Her long, elegant versions are totally covetable and its no surprise the look has spread to other labels now as well.
