If there’s one garment that has spanned civilizations, cultures and stood the test of time, it is but one and only – the SKIRTS. This piece of clothing has a history so illustrious, that is sure to leave you in awe.
Yes, it is indeed the simple, versatile, easiest piece of clothing ever made/invented!
Skirts are probably the oldest garment people wore – men and women alike (surprised?) There is evidence from the Vinca (present-day Serbia) culture, circa 5700-4500 BC, which shows people in skirt-like clothing.
Then, in ancient Egypt, as is obvious from all the paintings and excavations, men used to wear short pieces of cloths like a wraparound skirt. They were made of linen or cotton and held on the waist by a belt. Sounds just like your average short skirt, doesn’t it?
Even in Europe, mostly men wore skirts . In case you are wondering what women wore, well, they wore only dresses. It wasn’t until the 16th century that women started wearing skirts (though occasionally). Why? Well, two reasons-
One, with the sartorial development in men’s clothing, they started wearing more trousers and tights. And two, by the early 19th century, women had become more active outside the house. Walking, riding horses, cycling, traveling, etc. needed free movement, which the elaborate dresses won’t allow. Thus, the dress needed to be separate and split into something easy and comfortable. So, finally, by the 19th century, it became a “female garment”, which was there to stay, until this day.
That’s how the dictionary definition changed to this-
Minis, maxis, and everything in between of skirts
When an invention (or let’s say discovery) spans many centuries, it’s bound to have evolved, re-evolved, and taken various shapes and forms. With the skirt, it was the same. So much so, that from the simple below-the-belt covering, the skirts took forms of minis, midis, maxis, and so much more!
Many think that the mini skirts were a thing of the mid-20th century, driven by women’s empowerment. But let’s look back to ancient Egypt, where the linen/cotton cloths won’t even go past the knees.
Then the midis came as a response to the raised eyebrows on minis.
By the 90s, maxi skirts became a hot trend. And finally, as of today, we have all possible cuts and silhouettes of skirts that the last few centuries could conjure up.
Did you know? There are at least 65 different styles of skirts in modern fashion.
While we may not always know or even wear most of them, they do exist and each style has its own origin story. But that’s for another time.
To skirt or not to skirt
From their early beginnings to what we have in our wardrobes today, skirts have always been a favorite among women.
In the Edwardian days, women wore them with tight corsets, blouses, and jackets. Surprisingly, they still do.
What’s more? Although skirts seem all flowy and airy, they work wonderfully even in cold weather. Put on leggings or stockings underneath, throw on a pair of boots, and voila! You have a very stylish look, for the street or work.
Want a dreamy touch to your ensemble? Asymmetrical hemlines or flowy skirts will just do the job.
Across ages, times, and occasions, this simple piece of clothing remains the most dynamic ever.
Stay tuned for more style ideas and stories of skirts. Until then, get, set, skirt!
