One of the biggest trends for spring is the pleated skirt. Modest and reserved, this humble garment was once reserved for school girls and librarians. Now, however, the once-dowdy pleated skirt is getting a makeover. Viktor and Rolf showed an edge-y, tough-girl take on pleats at their S/S ’14 show that I absolutely loved. At Bottega Veneta, meanwhile, pleats peeked out underneath flat-fabric overlays to create a structured, neo-scultpural feel. Ready to rock some pleats yourself? Try a pretty or punky look, like the options below!
Pretty in Pleats:
If your style is sugary-sweet, then play up the inherit girly-girl vibe of pleats! Pair a softly coloured, pleated skirt with a floral crop top for a look that is very now. It’s just a little sexy, but also undeniably soft. Add some heeled sandals, a clutch and girly earrings for a great going out look. This could also be a fashion-forward look for a first date, or anytime you feel like wearing lots of lip gloss and flirting!
To look pretty in pleats:
Weekend MaxMara skirt, $195, houseoffraser.co.uk; crop top, $12, chiarafashion.co.uk; Swedish Hasbeens clutch,$280, handbagtailor.com; Jimmy Choo shoes, $970 at profilefashion.com; Valentino earrings, $740, net-a-porter.com
Punky in Pleats:
If you’re all about cool girl style then try pairing a prim-and-proper pleated skirt with some rock’n’roll accents. It’s a perfect mix of hard and soft, making you look like the rock star you are! Start with a neutral pleated skirt. Then, throw on your favourite t-shirt (bonus points if it has a rocker-esque graphic, like the skull one here). Tie up a corner of the tee instead of tucking it in. Add some spike-y jewellery and your favourite leather jacket. Then, temper all that edge with some ladylike heels.
From overlooked to of-the-moment, you can bet pleats will be everywhere this season. How will you wear them, pretty or punky?
To look punky in pleats:
ROCHAS skirt, $1010, far-fetch.com; H&M jacket, $185; Gianvito Rossi shoes, $765, brownsfashion.com; Zoe Karssen T-Shirt, $100, net-a-porter.com; Club Manhattan Earrings, $28, welikefashion.com
By: Morgan Mullin
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