Layering on the style? Summer sizzling...skirt style? The skirtsof summer?
Shorts, once the former below-the-belt summer essentials, are nomore. Young women have now replaced the staple with a more femininecool-down--skirts. Not just the simply-styled skirts of the past,though.
Skirts drawing the attention of most college-aged women are nowsouped-up with layers and pleats, ranging from romantic to sportyto retro styles.
Wet Seal assistant manager Sara Baldwin said the trend has beengrowing over the past season.
"Skirts have come in a lot over the summer," Baldwin said. "Theyhave been in a lot more this past spring and summer than they havebeen in a while. For the 16-through-25 age group, not very many ofthem wear shorts anymore. People are wearing more capris and skirtsthan shorts, while a lot of people in the late 20s and early 30sare still wearing them."
Scattered in stores such as Wet Seal, The Buckle, American EagleOutfitters and Abercrombie and Fitch, the must-have fashion itemcan be found in dozens of colors and materials. Solids and prints,varying from pastels, florals, rainbow-bright and contrastingdesigns are among the many eye-popping displays, with mostavailable in fabrics of denim, chiffon and cotton.
"There are so many styles now," Baldwin said. "With the longerskirts, girls are substituting them for shirts. They are becomingvery multi-functional."
Flowing from mid-thigh to below-the-knee to floor-length touneven hemlines, the lengths of the skirts are as diverse as thecolors. The ruffles and pleats of the skirts swish and sway aroundthe body, flattering any body-type.
Dean Gibson, manager of The Buckle, said the flexibility of theskirts adds to their demand.
"They're a nice alternative. You can dress them up or you candress them down. They're comfortable. You can wear them with at-shirt; you can wear them with flips; you can wear them withsandals. They transition well depending on the length and material.Their versatility and the sheer comfort of them, plus the funlengths and details--that is probably why they are in suchdemand."
Kimberly Howe, a senior business major, said because of herheight, she doesn't like to wear shorts, preferring skirts as hersummer wardrobe mainstay.
"I don't really like wearing shorts," Howe said, "but in thesummer it's too hot for pants. Really, skirts are the only option.They are pretty much everywhere. I think they'll carry into thefall for sure."
Gibson said he doesn't see the skirts sink in fashion anytimesoon.
"I think the skirts are something that are going to continue,"Gibson said. "The colors may change, the length may change, maybe adifferent style to them next year--but I think they will prettymuch be a staple, just in that they are in people's comfortlevels."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
