1990 Called, They Want Their Skirt Back

If you were in high school anytime in the 1990’s you can surely recall the long denim skirt trend that makes you cringe a little when you take that stroll down memory lane.  Depending on how “cool”  you were you probably styled yours with platform flip flops, a baby doll T, and some sort of ridiculous butterfly clip bonanza in your hair.   If this describes you, please take a seat, clutch your pearls, and maybe schedule an emergency session with your therapist because the denim skirt is back with a vengeance, and I think you should buy one.

As I watched many designers present this style in their 2022 runway shows, I didn’t think that this trend would actually take off.  But as soon as these skirts hit the racks something unexpected happened.  They sold out, and fast.  At first I thought that it was just the nostalgia factor that was making everyone go crazy but when I really took the time to evaluate it, everything became clear.   This is not a doomed repeat.  This is a complete reimagining.  A re-invention, if you will.

The skirt of the 90’s was full of flaws.  They were typically made from a very bulky and unforgiving denim.  They were unflattering on just about everyone.  But what can you expect from a high-waisted tube with the worlds shortest back slit.  It was like stuffing yourself into a giant toilet paper roll and then trying to walk across the room.  You had to shuffle along in small strides all while the tube was slowly inching up with every step you took.  And when you arrived at your destination you were certainly a rumpled mess.  Nothing a quick downward tug and a shift of the zipper back to center wouldn’t fix, right? This was a major fashion fail.

But we all must walk before we can run.  And that is exactly what designers have done in this 2023 re-imagining.  We can all just chalk the 90’s denim skirt fiasco up to a trial run.   We came, we saw, and now we are going to do it better.  No more tugging. No more shuffling. And no more shifting. In these new designs, you will be able to bend and kick like you are Sally O’Mally on her 50th birthday. These designers are righting all the wrongs.

There are several new designs that are taking the stage.  The skirts of ‘before’ were pretty much all the same.  This go-round there are a variety of styles to choose from so you can find your most flattering fit.  When it comes to styling a simple tank and a sleek black ankle boot is the way to go.  Throw on a denim jacket or blouse if you want to go for the double denim look we talked about in my previous post (Double Denim: The Canadian Tux is Back).  Leave the butterfly clips of the past where they belong (in the trash).  You can find all my favorite denim maxis here:

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