The paper-bag-waist skirt

About the Author

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The paper-bag-waist skirt

— by Angie

on July 30, 2008

It was all over designer collections, but didn’t filter down to mainstream. And with good reason because the paper-bag-waist skirt is hard to wear. A super slim, non-curvy body type, plus height, a smallish chest and great gams are the prerequisites.

I don’t think a short person with the rest of the goods will pull off this look. The paper-bag waistband needs a long torso so that the impact of a defined waistline is achieved. If the paper-bag part rides up too high, it’s unflattering. It’s also essential to tuck in the top and look great in poufy, gathered skirts (another look that’s hard to pull off).

I like the look on a boyish silhouette because it adds curve, interest and shape. The dramatic nature of the style makes for great catwalk appeal, but it’s best left as fringe fashion. I just can’t see it taking off in the real world where most women are shorter and curvier.

Body Type · Summer 2008

32 comments · Add a comment

Tanya

This does not appeal to me at all. Even if I could pull it of ( and I can’t) I still wouldn’t wear it. I prefer sleeker styles. Nice to watch on the runway, but that’s about it for me.

July 30, 2008 at 5:52 am

JuliAnna

Well, for my part I really like it! I already have one and this is the perfect skirt. As you mentioned it, Angie, it looks nice on women who have a small waist, a small bust, and a long torso. This is just a fantastic model for my body type as it emphasizes my waist – I wear it with all kind of medium to large belts! And a blousy top it just what I need to help put some vavoum up there!

July 30, 2008 at 6:15 am

Patricia

What a horrible looking skirt! I don’t even think it looks good on the model.

July 30, 2008 at 6:15 am

Julia

Somehow I really like this look but like you said Angie, few of us can pull it off. I’ll just admire it on those who can.

July 30, 2008 at 6:19 am

Pibble

I seem to be having a hard time paying attention while reading this post. Every time I think “paper bag” and “clothing,” I think of The Paper Bag Princess (http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Ba.....0920236162) – a classic Canadian children’s story of female empowerment. In which a tall, slim, non-curvy girl wears a paper bag!

July 30, 2008 at 6:20 am

The skirt is lovely but is definitely for model-like body.

July 30, 2008 at 6:20 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What I like best about this skirt is its name. It’s spot on. Cute distraction, Pibble.

Good for you JuliAnna. Sounds like you sport this look with style. I personally wouldn’t wear the look because I like Tanya prefer sleeker skirts (I’m a pencil skirt girl), but I appreciate the voluminous trend on this item and I like the way the models wear them. The skirt must poof up when you sit down. That’s a mare.

Patricia is not overly enthusiastic. Thanks for making me smile this morning (*chuckle*).

July 30, 2008 at 6:40 am

Christie

I like this look. I think its fun, but I might do a double-take if I ever see anyone wearing this on the street.

July 30, 2008 at 6:46 am

Sihaya

Definitely not my cuppa. But I would enjoy watching it on someone else who can carry it off with style and the right body type.

July 30, 2008 at 6:47 am

redhead

I do not care for this skirt style. I also see it as very fussy: how often during the day would “readjustments” be needed to maintain the correct waist height and keep the shirt tucked in? I am showing my ingnorance of the fashion desinger world, but I can’t help but to wonder why a designer would create something that so few women can successfully wear. Is it to create a name and reputation or is the goal for the piece to go mainstream?

July 30, 2008 at 7:17 am

Katieck

I believe I’ll pass on this trend.

July 30, 2008 at 7:23 am

tiffany

I have always loved the look of the paper bag waistband, and yet it will never work for me.

July 30, 2008 at 7:31 am

Joelle

I do like the loose, poufy way it fits around the hips but don’t like the fussiness around the waistband. Since I don’t have much of a waist and am not super-slim this wouldn’t work for me anyway, but even on the model it looks messy. It’s like she’s wearing a skirt that is way too big for her that she had to cinch in with a belt to keep it from falling off. In a light color it would look even worse because you’d see every fold. If they could make this skirt with a sleeker waistband I think it might look better.

July 30, 2008 at 8:02 am

Nicoleb

hmm…i think it looks cute on the model. Or on the right body type as you said. It would probably look disasterous on me lol. I”ll admire it from afar.

July 30, 2008 at 8:11 am

Nafisa

I like it, it’s interesting and kind of avant-garde! It wouldn’t work for me and I wouldn’t wear it. but I like it on models.

July 30, 2008 at 8:44 am

San

I like it too. I would have worn this when I was younger, but it does look a bit fussy to have to adjust it when you sit.

July 30, 2008 at 8:50 am

devil

Paper bags are for carrying food and stuff. They’re not appropriate for clothing, model or not.

It’s always amusing to see what bored designers can come up with. It’s even more amusing to see people take the bait and actually buy and wear the things.

July 30, 2008 at 8:53 am

Nan

I can’t even imagine tucking a top into something like that. A little breeze would blow it up??

July 30, 2008 at 8:57 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So far, we have one person sporting the look, and about a 50:50 spilt for admirers vs. non-admirers. I’m surprised. I’d have expected fewer people to appreciate this style.

Redhead makes an interesting point. Anyone care to respond? I have a much bigger gripe with designers creating un-walkable shoes, than unwearable clothing.

July 30, 2008 at 9:06 am

Dana

I wonder if the designer is simply mining more 80s trends. Remember paper-bag waisted jeans? I think the model looks great in the outfit, but I personally could never wear it. Of course, I haven’t tucked my shirt in since 1989 either.

July 30, 2008 at 9:19 am

Renee

I have a long waist, but I also have big boobs and a big butt, so I’d look really stupid.

July 30, 2008 at 9:28 am

Judy

(website)

I love this look, especially with the boots! Yeah, I’d have to be younger…and with much longer legs

July 30, 2008 at 9:51 am

Sal

(website)

So funny. I was JUST thinking that I might want to add a paperbag skirt to my wish list. I just love the look. But out of the prereqs, I can boast a small chest, none of the rest … so maybe I’ll skip it!

July 30, 2008 at 10:51 am

Budget Babe

(website)

I love this look! The hunt begins for a budget-friendly version…

July 30, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Munequita

love it! I think it is a great evening piece…

July 30, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Maya

I think everything that describes the ideal body type for this skirt is the opposite of what I have. I’ll enjoy from afar.

July 30, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Joy

I’m too short and waist challenged to wear this look, but for those who can wear it, it may be a wonderful look at a cocktail party where you never sit down.

July 30, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Nafisa

Redhead,
I see your point, and often feel frustrated that i can’t wear or afford a style i like on the runway.

So here’s my take on this: I feel that designers should create conceptual designs and challenge us in what we think is “wearable”. I look at the runway designs to get the mood of what the designer is trying to convey, or get their take on current culture etc. I love experimental and totally unwearable, costumey fashion design. I feel there is very good purpose for that, it’s art! And art should challenge our accepted and comfortable notions. Sometimes, these over the top designs inspire me and nudge me to try something new and different.

The runway designs do get interpreted into more wearable (and affordable) options eventually and not each item will work for everyone, and that seems perfectly fine to me. We as consumers can make a decision whether or not a piece of clothing fits our context (style, body type, budget, lifestyle etc.).

I’d love to hear other thoughts on this…

July 30, 2008 at 2:44 pm

amazona

I have one in a wrap style by Calvin Klein. I am only 5’5″ and trim and have enjoyed it. It requires heels and a fitted top that clings to the body. It has a matching jacket that works very well. Mine has enough drape not to look huge around the middle. I agree it is tough look to wear and pull off.

July 30, 2008 at 3:21 pm

Kate C

I actually think I have the idea body for this trend, but it’s just not appealing to me. Not only is it super-trendy looking, but it just looks sloppy and baggy on the third model. I imagine that once I spent an hour, say, sitting on the bus and then walking a couple blocks somewhere, it would lose what little crispness it had.

July 30, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh Dana, I had several pairs of paper-bag-waist pants and jeans in the ’80’s. Needless to say they were not ideal.

I like Nafisa’s reasoning. If we didn’t have fashion designers pushing the fashion envelope every season, we wouldn’t have trends. Think of the trends you love and sport and thank cutting edge designers for them. Bypass the trends you don’t like or can’t wear and appreciate them on someone else (or not at all).

July 30, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Kristers

This look is reminiscent of the paper bag pants of the 80’s, as well as the cinched waist look of the same era [go watch the movie St. Elmo’s Fire or any movie w/ a young Leah Thompson if you don’t remember what I’m talking about.] Are they going to bring back the belted pants/skirt with the attached suspenders next?

My hair never did get big enough back then.

July 31, 2008 at 6:52 am

About the Author

The paper-bag-waist skirt

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends

About the Author

Share this Post

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends