Let's talk about pleats and midi skirts

I've found myself drawn to pleated midi skirts lately (as shown below in my finds), though I have not searched out any in brick and mortar stores. I've mostly worn pencil skirts, and some a-lines, but have stayed away from pleats and longer-length skirts because I'm only about 5'3". Plus in a very tiny way they remind me of the dirndl skirts that were a thing when I was a kid.

So.... Do pleats work if you have a low, prominent belly? I would never ever consider wearing pleated trousers. Are skirts different? And do they work on short women? I've always read the advice to keep skirts 1" above my knee. It's also tough to tell exactly how long the actual skirts will be on me from looking at photos, but I'd probably be inclined to order petites.

Is this just a bad idea for me? (I don't think any of the skirts in the funds are still available, which may make this a moot discussion).

Nordstrom

Halogen Pleat Midi Skirt (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $29.97

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Nordstrom

Halogen Pleat Midi Skirt (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $35.54

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Nordstrom

Halogen Mixed Media Lace Midi Skirt (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $29.90

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Nordstrom

Charles Gray London Basque Waist Full Skirt

$248.00 $148.80

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Nordstrom

Vince Camuto Trumpet Skirt (Regular & Petite)

$89.00 $49.90

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9 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

Pleated skirts are definitely different from pleated pants, which tuck back in under the belly and emphasize it. In the skirt, the curve of the belly is masked by the flare of the skirt, which continues to widen as it goes down, implying a sort of hourglass shape.Dirndls are quite different: their fullness starts right at the waistband, and doesn't flare as much further down, so the belly can be emphasized or the waist thickened.

Can you tell I love pleated skirts?

I can't comment on the length (I am 5'7"). Except to say that where the skirt stops on you is a matter of proportion more than height. I am long waisted, so a knee-length skirt can look very awkward if the top is tucked in or belted, because it chops me right in half, or worse, the top half is longer! I do better with tucked top and midi length skirt, or above-knee skirt with a long, untucked top almost tunic length. And with an above-knee pleated skirt, there isn't really enough length to get the full effect of the flared shape, especially when the waist is covered by an untucked top; pencil or really full (skater) skirts are more flattering at that length I think.

CocoLion

(website)

This look can hide the low belly so not an issue if the fit is right. However I think you need a proportionately smaller waist to pull off this kind of skirt. Another thing to think about is torso length. A long torso with a smaller waist will look great in this cut. My waist is smallish but my torso is very short so a pleated skirt often looks frumpy on me.

Having said all of this, the best thing is to try some on, and even better, take pictures so we can give you feedback.

Sal

I agree it is all about proportions.

Pleats that sit flat on the waist are flattering as opposed to gathers which can be harder to wear. I like to wear pleats with a welted light knit that sits just on the waistband.

I think just below the knee can be a good length on petite women with a fuller skirt.

Diana

It has to do with where the top of the pleats hit you, and whether or not they are stitched down. On me, I prefer the pleats to start lower down so they don't poof out over my hip shelf. (I don't have a particularly prominent belly, but I do have a prominent and high hip line.) I'm also short waisted so a pleat that starts lower down gives a longer torso line, to Denise's point above. The trumpet skirt (like the VC one you linked above) is one of my very favorite skirt shapes; the pleats start low enough that they don't add extra bulk at the hip/midsection and it doesn't emphasize my short waist. If the pleat is stitched down at the top, then a higher pleat might work (depending on how far down the stitching goes). It's really, really hard to tell without trying it on though. It is different than with trousers, because the pleats on trousers almost always are higher up (they have to be, because the crotch gets in the way otherwise!).

As for length, I am 5'3.5" and I wear pleated skirts in lengths ranging from right above the knee to midi length. I do have a very long leg line though so maybe i don't worry about lengths quite as much as other women of my height. Pleated or full skirts at shorter lengths can be tricky IMO because they can quickly end up looking too juvenile.

unfrumped

I agree with above--this style is probably one you can wear if you find "your" skirt.
In general, being petite you might wear yours shorter and get away with it, but still have it fall at bottom of knee to look different from a typical short pencil skirt. The Halogen skirt that several fabber's have comes in Petite, as do others.
If you can do Retail Research locally and/or order a few from Nordstrom's or similar with good shipping policy, you can get a good idea, I think.
The top proportions matter a lot , as mentioned, but that can overlap with color and contrast--for some skirts you can do a particular top if it blends into skirt and looks like a 2-piece midi dress; or decide whether you can tuck or not.

My limitation on this type of skirt is I have trouble with shoes. Some of the taller gals can rock a loafer style with this skirt, and oxfords have looked trendy, but on me I feel I look to schumpy that way and I need a bit of heel and more refined shoe. That makes is hard to wear them as everyday skirts even though I love the longer length.

Jjsloane

It definitely depends on the skirt. I love the look too. These are the best or the worst on me (apple belly). I love them too, but you have to try them to find the right fit. Sometimes you can disguise the tight waist with a longer top but that's tricky as well.

Ann in New England

Active Member

Thanks. I've ordered a few to try on, including the VC trumpet skirt that was in my finds, though the petite has sold out. I also found one at White House Black Market. It rally love the Nordstrom striped ones, but they are gone gone gone.

Roxanna

I am 5'3" as well and while I love me a pencil skirt, I wear flared skirts now and them as well. The tricks are to: 1) keep it to the knee or slightly shorter 2) find one without a wide waistband (so it doesn't stretch against your tummy and emphasize it - you want your tummy entirely covered by pleats) 3) make sure it is not too gathered or pleated to create too much fullness there. I actually find that knife pleat skirts in lightweight wool work well, as do stiff silk box pleat skirts as above (I have both kinds.) I'll try to post a WIW tomorrow wearing one to give you an idea.

Day Vies

I have a prominent rather jiggly tummy at the moment and no hips for camouflage. I prefer a box pleat but sincerely any pleated skirt works for me because they add volume to my lower half. I love them in a sturdy cotton, I have wool, crepe etc. Pleated skirts work well with my core modern classic style.

I think you have to play around with the length -- it's easy to become overwhelmed if you have a low waist as opposed to high waist regardless of your height. Also with pleated midi skirts I prefer refined footwear to balance to volume with lightness. I don't think you should let their unavailability prevent you from picking up a skirt in this style. The spring looks are out already

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