FASHION FRIDAY: PLEATED SKIRTS

02 Aug FASHION FRIDAY: PLEATED SKIRTS

Editor’s Note: In Kristin Holbrook’s absence, Telluride local Daisy Barth rocks as her assistant for the weekly blog on fashion trends and tips.

Team U.S.A. women athletes proudly marched in the Parade of Nations opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics wearing pleated skirts by Ralph Lauren. Pleated skirts became le dernier cri (the last cry) in fashion when (Mariano) Fortuny, the first internationally-renown couturiere, draped the grand dames of 1906 in floor-sweeping versions. Two-plus decades later, knee-skimming, pleated  skirts with high waists appeared, and remained a go-to item for American women through the ’30s.

Pleated skirts – in ladies’ choice lengths from mid-thigh to ankle lengths – have now made a comeback, as evidenced in recent sightings across the pond of the Dutchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and over here, pop princess Taylor Swift. Both the Dutchess and the country singer chose just-top-of-the-knee versions, in, a royal cream color for Kate and a sunny yellow hue for Taylor.

The skirt – in any color – looks best with a tucked-in tailored shirt and cute flats or wedges. A gold-medal look of the fall will be a pleated skirt worn over tights. To get a jump on the line, local style champions can assemble key elements of the winning look at Two Skirts right now.