Not many things can boast of versatility, femininity and relevance over time. But the pleated skirt is an exception. If, when you mention it, you draw a romantic image in your head, when a pleated skirt is combined with a weightless blouse, blouse or T-shirt, you are severely limiting yourself to established boundaries.
We encourage you to move away from the usual, because this season a pleated skirt can be combined with sweaters or oversized shirts, sneakers, even fur coats. Does it look ridiculous? Not at all, if you remember the rules of the contrast “game” and complement the image with appropriate accessories. We intend to disassemble the feminine “resident” of the wardrobe into molecules, so that with its help you can put together looks in no time, look amazing and don’t even think about what to wear a pleated skirt with!
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Pleated and ruffled skirt: the main differences
The pleated skirt is familiar to many fashionistas from childhood: once upon a time, school uniforms of this style were the most fashionable, all Soviet students dreamed of them! Now pleated pleats are again at the top of the fashion pedestal: after all, fashion and everything connected with it is cyclical.
Before we start virtually trying on pleated skirts, let’s figure out how they differ from the ruffled style. The difference lies in the width of the hem: in pleated it is less than the width of the fold. For example, a fold 1.4 cm wide alternates with a hem of 1 cm. In corrugation, both the fold and the hem are the same width; if they are located at an angle, a visual “accordion” effect is created. Features of the style are reflected in the appearance of the item and are responsible for what is best to wear with ruffled skirts.
Traditionally, folds in pleated or corrugated items are located vertically, but modern designers are eager to experiment, so folds in newfangled couture clothing can be horizontal, oblique, diagonal, zigzag – whatever you want.
Who is a pleated skirt suitable for?
Pleated items are valued for their airiness, lightness, tenderness, ability to disguise figure imperfections and versatility – they suit, if not everyone, then many. This style is especially loved by young romantic ladies, but the presence of midi and maxi length models allows fashionistas of all ages to wear pleated skirts.
The starting point when choosing a skirt style is your body type. Pleats tend to be fuller, so the width of the hips is taken into account first. These skirts can create volume where it is lacking and add a bit of roundness to the female form. But models with folds that are too wide are not suitable for curvy ladies – they make the figure a little heavier, but on fragile girls they look impressive – in contrast against the background of refined shapes.
If you have a pear-shaped figure, give preference to plain floor-length models that balance the lower part of the body. An apple-shaped girl will suit lush pleating, which gives the hips the missing volume, and hourglass women are free to choose what they want.
To understand how to wear a pleated midi, mini or maxi skirt, you don’t need to think too hard; it will flatter any figure and the longer it is, the more sophisticated the look will be.
Current colors and styles
For several seasons in a row, slender models have been showing stylish pleated skirts of medium length below the knee from fashion catwalks. Also, while long models are still on the fashion Olympus, samples with a high waist, torn or asymmetrical hem, and unusual arrangement of folds are for those who want to stand out. For those who do not like experiments, classic pleating with perfectly ironed thin pleats is offered.
But the beauty is not even in the style, but in the color: plain skirts compete with printed ones, and it is not entirely clear who takes the lead.
A classic and the main example of office style is a black pleated skirt, which can be worn with jackets, blazers, and formal blouses. If not everyone can afford a pencil skirt, then a pleated skirt will hide what you want to hide – that’s why they love it.
A silver or gray pleated skirt is best worn with a top in soft pink, white, lemon, blue, or turquoise.
A gold pleated skirt is an elegant option, well complemented by open tops and gold jewelry. If it is made of moderately shiny fabric, it can also be adapted for everyday wear.
The metallic pleated skirt goes well with casual wardrobe items: leather jackets, pullovers, sneakers.
Many people like green or emerald pleated skirts, which can be worn with black blouses or sweaters, plain T-shirts and tops. This color is also appropriate for an office look.
The pink pleated skirt is the most feminine representative of this brethren, often found in mini format on young, fragile girls. Pairs well with any top, and looks especially fashionable in tandem with a short leather jacket.
For the cold season, it is recommended to choose dark colors, for example, you can wear a burgundy pleated skirt with sweaters and combine with high boots.
Glossy iridescent fabrics are perfect for festive festive looks. If you don’t know what to wear with a shiny pleated skirt, choose plain T-shirts or tops to go with it – the look shouldn’t be completely shiny.
Pleating options: choose fabric and length
The shape, size and type of pleating folds completely depend on the type of fabric; not all of them are suitable for creating a special pleated structure. Thin, flowing materials that meet the weightlessness criteria are considered ideal for these purposes – chiffon, crepe, silk. They also use knitwear and cotton, but with a synthetic admixture – the larger it is, the longer the folds will keep their shape.
Wearing a pleated knitted skirt is usually a pleasure – it is very pleasant to the body. A velvet pleated skirt has the same properties; what you wear it with depends on where you are going in it. Knitted pleated skirts made of fine wool are good for winter office looks. The only more spectacular dresses are dresses with pleated skirts, which can be worn both to work and to social events.
Plisse mini
The monopoly over mini length traditionally belongs to young thin girls, as well as owners of triangle-type figures (if they have the required volume, it creates the missing volume in the hips and balances broad shoulders). A high-waist miniskirt will visually lengthen your legs, but will emphasize their thinness, so be careful.
Mini length pleating is best combined with pullovers, sweaters, loose shirts, blouses, and tops. You can wear a pleated mini skirt in winter if it is made of thick woolen fabric.
Pleated to the floor
The maxi length is loved because it visually lengthens the figure, harmonizes it, and gives the image a touch of mysterious romance. It looks great on fashionistas of all ages and goes well with stilettos and denim shirts. A long pleated skirt is recommended for women with curvy figures, avoiding low-rise models that visually flatten the figure.
If you have a few extra centimeters on your hips, it is better to choose a plain pleating without additional decor or layering.
What to wear with a pleated midi skirt and a pleated skirt below the knee
The midi length is considered universal, unpretentious and the most trendy this season; knee-length pleats are worn everywhere all year round. To create an office look, match such a skirt with blouses, blouses, and pullovers; for street style, short jackets, oversized sweaters, and T-shirts are suitable.
Midi length is the best friend of a fashionista who wants to show off her graceful ankles and make her look airy and feminine. But in this case there are also restrictions: short, thick girls should better refrain from this style, they will appear even shorter in such a skirt.
Fashionable looks with a pleated skirt
If you want to go beyond the usual, turn to contrasting combinations. What to wear with a pleated knee-length skirt to look as trendy as possible?
- chiffon pleating can be combined with a rough knit wool sweater;
- a silk skirt and a velvet down jacket are an extremely unusual and fashionable tandem;
- a heavy pleated leather skirt is best paired with a light translucent top.
If you don’t want to be original, remember the main rule of the combinatorics of things: if the top is bright, the bottom should be restrained, if the top is plain, you can play with the bottom.
Stylish looks with a pleated skirt: spring-summer 2018
Summer seems to be specially created for air pleating. What do they combine with on sultry occasions?
- with T-shirts and tops;
- blouses and shirts;
- T-shirts;
- thin jumpers.
What to wear with a mid-length pleated skirt in the fall? With cozy pullovers, sweaters, denim or leather jackets, cardigans, coats. There are practically no restrictions.
Stylish winter looks with a pleated skirt
If everything is more or less clear with summer looks, then not everyone knows what to wear with a pleated skirt in winter. In winter, the mini length is not relevant, as well as the maxi, and sometimes in the cold, the midi length is “on horseback”, complemented by high boots. A floor-length skirt in tandem with rough boots will also look interesting, but a little brutal.
In winter, pleating is combined with vests, voluminous fur coats (an impressive look will be achieved if the fur coat is short and the skirt is long), and insulated leather jackets. Down jackets and coats (both fitted and oversized) are also easily combined with pleating. You can safely wear a pleated midi skirt in winter, combining it with warm pullovers or sweaters.
Shoes and accessories
When choosing the perfect pair for pleating, start from the desired image – what effect you want to create:
- Romantic look: ballet flats, sandals.
- Feminine: pumps, high-heeled sandals.
- Casual or tumblr: sneakers, sneakers, sneakers.
- Urban: ankle boots, shoes, boots, loafers.
- Office: shoes, ballet flats.
With accessories, everything is about the same: midi pleating goes well with clutches, a little frivolous mini goes well with backpacks. Leather belts look good with maxi and midi skirts, as well as tops with an open neckline and massive jewelry. But the length above the knee requires that the top not be too revealing: if you show off slender legs, the neckline should be more modest, as well as the jewelry on it, short chains or chokers are suitable.
Perhaps you have something to say about your own experience in making pleated bows or you just want to express your opinion about the material you read – we are waiting for your comments!
