The pencil skirt is a narrow, straight-cut skirt that hugs a woman’s curves and ends just below the knee. It was popular in the 1950s and remains a popular style today. It can be worn by women of all sizes and is often sold as part of a suit. The skirt can be restrictive, so slits or pleats are sometimes added for ease of movement. It comes in a variety of fabrics and is a good choice for winter.
A pencil skirt is a women’s skirt with a narrow, straight cut. It often hugs the curves of a woman’s body, making it revealing. Usually the skirt ends just or slightly below the knee.
A popular style in the 1950s, the pencil skirt was frequently seen in women’s office wear. Earlier versions have been around since 1915, and could have been floor-length or ankle-length, but the 1950s brought great popularity to the style. Since the skirt is somewhat restrictive, it can feature a slit in the back or pleat, to give women a little more room to walk.
The pencil skirt remains a popular style, though each year’s fashions can either assert its dominance or declare it “out.” It is often sold as part of a woman’s suit and can be paired with jackets of any length. The length of the actual skirt can vary from year to year, but in general, any length that is well above the knee is not considered this style, but instead is a miniskirt.
Often women think that the pencil skirt is only for the very skinny, but this is not the case. Curvy women may feel that the skirt will display them in an unflattering way; This can certainly occur when the skirt is too tight, but a good fit can emphasize feminine curves without pointing out what women feel are their figure flaws. Women with a little extra weight or curve may turn to loose clothing to hide supposed figure flaws, but this often makes the body look bulkier. A fitted skirt is often more flattering than a looser or looser fitted skirt.
When the skirt falls below the knees, it can be somewhat difficult to walk in. The too-tight pencil skirt was heavily mocked by Carol Burnett with her recurring character, Mrs. Wiggins, an inept secretary. Ms. Wiggins would typically stick out from behind her in an unflattering manner and take racy little steps to wear a skirt that was too tight.
Since the pencil skirt can inhibit movement, women may want to look for those with pleats or slits in the back. Occasionally it even features two side slits, which promote an easier walk and greater comfort when seated. When the skirt does not have these characteristics, not only walking, but also sitting can be uncomfortable, especially if the skirt is too tight.
Before the 1950s, one type of pencil skirt might have been called a limp skirt. Any type of skirt that made walking and running difficult was said to be impossible for a woman. However, many women are used to this type of skirt and know how to walk in one. It’s still a flattering style that comes in a wide variety of fabrics, including wool, cotton, cotton jersey, rayon, linen, and cashmere. They are often warmer than other skirts, as the pencil shape keeps the legs together, making them a good choice for winter.
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