It’s a skirt season and Team Skirt is smiling. Sunray and crystal pleated skirts have been trending for years, and their pleats are narrow. Now they take a back seat, making way for wider knife and box pleated skirts. Knife pleats and box pleats are structured folds that differ in direction, appearance, and fullness. The folds of knife pleats are pressed in one direction, creating a uniform, well draped, and streamlined look. A box pleat is created when two knife pleats face opposite directions and meet at a central fold. The visual effect is more voluminous because fabric spreads out from each pleat centre. The collection shows examples of knife and box pleated skirts.
Knife and box pleated skirts are for the most part solid at the moment, although patterns are available too. These wide pleated skirts come in a range of lengths, colours, and price points, and fabrics. Some fabrics are soft and flowing, and others more stiff. Some pleats begin to unfold right under the waistband, which flares the skirt from the waist. Some pleats are stitched down on the hips before the folds separate to create a flared effect. Sometimes the pleats are inserted after a skirt basque, or are on only one side of the skirt. Pleats that are partially stitched down before they unfold to flare tend to look more structured and streamlined on the hips.
Pleats can swiftly lose their shape if laundered incorrectly since they depend on sharp pressing and fabric memory. The right care depends on whether they are knife pleats or box pleats, and what fabric they’re made of. Many pleated skirts are “dry-clean only” to preserve the pleating permanently. Some are machine washable, although you’ll probably need to press the pleats back into place.
I have a BIG red box pleated skirt that I love wearing for fancy occasions. It’s a favourite and swooshes deliciously as I stride. It’s very voluminous and barely fits into the car if we’re driving to an event. It’s not easy to store either. The volume is however, cleverly tempered by the stitched down pleats on and below the waistband. Despite its drama, it’s surprisingly comfortable to wear.
I like knife and box pleated skirts that are knee-covering and swooshy. I’m open to adding more to my wardrobe when the right ones find me. How about you?
