During the summer months, the item of clothing that features most in my wardrobe is the skirt. Skirts can be worn for any occasion including work and play and are a great way of smartening up your look. It can be daunting, attempting for the first time to incorporate skirts into your wardrobe but if you want to move away from jeans and a jumper on your days off, skirts are a great way of adding a touch of class and femininity to your wardrobe. With our selection of Dressmaking Fabrics you can create a stylish skirt for every day of your summer break. If you are unsure as to what style or length of skirt will suit you, hopefully these little tips will help you make an informed choice. There are many different styles of skirt available so firstly, it is important to learn the difference and know your pencil skirt from your A-line: [caption id="attachment_7350" align="alignright" width="163"]naya2 Naya Rivera is a big fan of the leather look pencil skirt and has worn it in many different guises.[/caption] Pencil Skirt – my favourite style of skirt, like it’s namesake, is a long, straight style of skirt which is usually tailored for a close fit. The pencil skirt normally falls just below the knee following the contours of the body for a flattering fit. The pencil skirt is particularly flattering on a classic hourglass figure but can certainly be worn by women of all the major body types. The most popular and flattering length of pencil skirt is one which sits just below the knee however, shorter women may wish to opt for a slightly shorter length, finishing above the knee. The pencil skirt is sexy and classy and can be worn in the office as part of a suit, with heels and a smart top for a sexy evening look or like Naya Rivera, team with a novelty t-shirt and colour pop shoes for a fashionable and fun daytime look. To achieve this on trend style, Buy Dressmaking Fabrics such as our leather look fabric. Also known as faux leather, this is a very fashionable material which is an excellent, cost effective alternative to real leather with the benefit of being much more flexible and less restrictive, a must for pencil skirts. For a flirty summer style, choose floral Dressmaking Fabrics such as our cotton spandex prints. When creating a pencil skirt, your design will benefit greatly if you Buy Dressmaking Fabrics with a slight element of stretch as this design can be restrictive if your fabric does not allow for movement. A Line – beginning at the hips and gradually widening toward the hem, (as the name would suggest) gives this skirt the impression of the letter A. The term A-Line was first used by Christian Dior as the label for his Spring ’55 collection. The collection featured a fingertip length flared jacket worn over a dress with a full, pleated skirt and was referred to as “the most wanted silhouette in Paris”. Although this style did result in an “A” shaped silhouette it is not identical to what is now considered to be the ideal embodiment of the A-Line silhouette, the “Trapeze Line” popularised by Yves Saint Laurent in 1958 is closer to what we consider today to be A-Line. The A-Line skirt is considered to be the most flattering style of skirt as it cinches in the at the waist and gradually glides away from the thigh and hip area, the area that most women wish to disguise. This design of skirt can be created from almost any material but as this is such a simple silhouette it can carry a much busier pattern than some other more complicated designs. The A-Line skirt is simple, quick and fun to make and is reminiscent of the 1970s so have a little fun with your design and Buy Dressmaking Fabrics with loud and exciting patterns to add a point of interest to your outfit. [caption id="attachment_7348" align="alignleft" width="200"]rihanna Rihanna wears an adventurous style of skater skirt in turquoise.[/caption] Skater – this fashionable style of skirt has been on the radar for many years now and is fast becoming a classic. Versatile, trendy and universally flattering the skater skirt is fitted at the waist and flared out into an A-line silhouette, (reminiscent of a figure skating outfit—hence the name!) One of the best things about the skater is that it works in so many different Dressmaking Fabrics making it ideal for any season. In summer, wear your skater skirt in flirty florals or bright neon fabrics paired with breezy blouses or a crisp white tee and in the winter. Buy Dressmaking Fabrics such as jersey for heavier skater skirts to be paired with tights and a leather bomber for a casual daytime look. Peplum – first popular in the 80s, the peplum made it’s fashion comeback in 2011 and remains as popular as ever season by season. The peplum is the ideal skirt for ladies with a triangle figure who wish to balance out wider shoulders. Wearing a peplum on your skirt is often more practical and flattering than on a blouse as a peplum blouse is sometimes unflattering for those of us who do not have a perfectly flat stomach. Some peplum skirts become narrower towards the bottom which will obviously create wider hip and thigh postures so if you are trying to avoid accentuating these areas choose a straighter style of skirt. For figure flattering peplum skirt Buy Dressmaking Fabrics with an element of stretch to avoid any clinging around areas that you do not wish to draw attention to. [caption id="attachment_7349" align="alignright" width="199"]midi The midi is an easy to wear skirt, choose loud and fun patterns for a cool 1970s vibe.[/caption] Midi – ending anywhere from just below knee length to just above your able, the midi (or tea skirt as it is sometimes known) is there perfect summer wardrobe stable. Allowing you more freedom than a maxi skirt which can sometimes trail and cause you to trip. a midi can be worn in any Dressmaking Fabric and is perfect for each season. For summer midi skirts, Buy Dressmaking Fabrics in a light cotton to keep you cool and breezy. We stock cotton fabrics in a variety of stunning summery designs including flirty florals and pastel shades. During the cooler months, pair your midi skirt with a pair of knee high boots to avoid any exposed skin and when spring arrives team with flat pumps or sandals. The midi skirt is great for making your waist look smaller and your legs longer and can be worn for formal events with a smarter top or paired with a trendy t-shirt for an ultra hip look. I hope you have enjoyed today's blog entry and this information has given you the confidence to Buy Dressmaking Fabrics and experiment with various styles of skirts.