Women's Long Skirts

Over the distance from waist to ankle, cut decides almost everything a long skirt does. Column and straight shapes fall in a single line and read tallest; A-line and full skirts widen as they descend; tiered and gathered styles break the drop into stages so the hem moves independently of the hip. Bias-cut skirts sit apart from all of them, spiralling around the body and skimming the hip rather than falling straight from the waist.

Fabric weight then decides how that shape moves. Jersey, silk and crepe pool and swing; denim and cotton poplin keep their own shape; pleated georgette and chiffon carry the most movement. Wool, tweed and quilted constructions bring real weight, and a lining changes how any of them sits against the leg. Slits, wrap fronts and button-through openings return some of the stride a floor-length hem takes away, and a high waist sets where the long line begins.